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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, June 30, 2017

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., blesses one of the many sea vessels attending last week’s annual Blessing of the Fleet tradition in Provincetown.

(Photo by Deacon Alan Thadeu) The Anchor - June 30, 2017

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First ordained priest from Honduran mission visits diocese

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

NEW BEDFORD — As a young man growing up in Honduras, Father Daniel Velasquez didn’t have a lot of interaction with clergy. So the notion of becoming a priest wasn’t something he had considered.

But when the Fall River Diocese began staffing his home parish of St. Rose of Lima in Guaimaca back in 2000, he found tangible role models in Father Gustavo Dominguez, I.V.E., and Father Paul Canuel — the first two priests assigned to the mission parish by then-Bishop Séan P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap.

“I met Father Dominguez and then Father Canuel,” Father Velasquez recently told The Anchor. “As I got to know these priests, I started thinking about becoming a priest.”

Around the same time, Father Velasquez also became acquainted with the rector of the seminary in Juticalpa, Honduras through a mutual friend.

“He always seemed to be so happy in his priesthood and in his work, that I wanted to know where this happiness came from,” Father Velasquez said. “As I got to know other priests in my parish and learned about the great necessity for priests (in Honduras), I felt a calling.”

That calling culminated with

Father Velasquez’s ordination last year as a priest for the Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa, after years of study, prayer, perseverance and — most importantly — Spiritual support from Father Canuel and his successor in Guaimaca, Father Craig Pregana.

Both Father Canuel, now retired, and Father Pregana, who left the mission in 2012 to become pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Parish in New Bedford, returned to Honduras for Father Velasquez’s ordination.

“Father Pregana and I had the honor of vesting him at his ordination,” Father Canuel said. “He was ordained by Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, S.D.B. He’s a Salesian priest.”

“He was ordained on June 29, the feast of SS. Peter and Paul,” Father Pregana added. “It’s the first ordination I’ve seen where everyone was dressed in red — because of the feast of SS. Peter and Paul.

We’re usually vested in white.”

Having served as parochial vicar

at St. Isadore’s Parish in Guinope, Honduras since his ordination, Father Velasquez recently came to visit his priestly mentors and he will celebrate his one-year anniversary with them during a special Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church on July 2 at 11:30 a.m.

“He’s been celebrating weekend Masses in Spanish and a couple during the week,” Father Pregana said. “We’re having an anniversary Mass for him and people are welcome to come. We’re also inviting all the people who have been involved with the mission to attend.”

In talking to the 34-year-old Father Velasquez, it’s clear that the priests from the Fall River Diocese had a profound influence on him.

Although it was their example that initially led him to pursuing a vocation to the priesthood, Father Velasquez said it was his family that nurtured and supported him along the way.

“It was a little difficult for my Turn to page 19

Father Daniel Velasquez, left in both photos, is pictured with Father Paul Canuel, left photo, and Father Craig Pregana, both of whom he credits with helping him discern his vocation to the priesthood. Father Velasquez is currently visiting the Fall River Diocese and will be celebrating his one-year anniversary of ordination with a special Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Parish in New Bedford on July 2. (Photos by Kenneth J. Souza)

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The Anchor - June 30, 2017

The Spirit is alive during the summer at Cape parish

the statistics of people who have drifted away from their faith,” added Russo, “and we care about BREWSTER — As the beach- those who have drifted away from their faith and it seemed a great es on Cape Cod open their gates opportunity to get the whole parto incoming visitors, Our Lady ish involved in trying to invite of the Cape Parish in Brewster those people back.” is opening its doors to a number Promoting the Catholics Come of activities during the summer Home program during the summonths, including promoting the mer was by design, said Russo. welcoming ministry, Catholics Having a parish located on the Come Home.

Cape, there’s an uptick in the “Our pastor, Father William number of people visiting the area Kaliyadan, had run this program and the parish wants to reach as in his previous parish with great many people as possible, she said. success,” said Kathy Russo, di“That’s our call, as followers of rector of the parish’s Adult and Christ,” said Russo. “That’s what Family Faith Formation. “He was very enthusiastic to run it again at we’re trying to do, make the riches Our Lady of the Cape. I was really of our faith available. We want to make it clear that everyone is excited to work with him on it.” welcome.”

According to the Catholics Building off a rich, familyCome Home website (www. oriented Faith Formation program CatholicsComeHome.org), the already established at Our Lady message is in the name — come home. “Maybe you have been away of the Cape, Russo said the parish from the Church for a little while is holding its first Grandparents or for quite some time,” states the Camp.

“We’re inviting grandparents site, “but now you feel a tug at and children [from our parish] your heart calling you back to the to come for Grandparents Camp, Catholic Church. It’s your Heavenly Father reaching out His arms which will be a chance for the to you, the Holy Spirit whispering adults and the children to come together for a morning of faithin your ear, hoping to draw you building activities, crafts and home. Regardless of why you left or got out of the habit of going to games,” said Russo. “Together they’ll explore, with the adults Mass, you can always come home sitting right with the children, and return to the practice of the together they’ll engage in explorSacraments and the fullness of a relationship with Jesus Christ and ing what it means to be a follower of Jesus.” the Church.”

This year’s theme is “DiscipleWorking with Father Kaliyadan, Russo helped put together a team ship at Every Age,” and grandparents are invited to bring their of parishioners who were intergrandchildren, and grandchildren ested in seeing the program come are invited to come with their to fruition at the parish. With grandparents; children who would the parish under the care of the like to participate but are unable Missionaries of Our Lady of La to bring a grandparent may invite Salette, the charism of their relianother adult to accompany them. gious community is to reconcile The idea of a grandparentpeople to God, “so it’s a charism type program came about during that all of us at the parish share a discussion of a vacation Bible in, so there’s a great enthusiasm study, “but as we considered it, we for trying to help those who have decided that what would be more drifted away from their faith and in line with our goals of Faith know that they’re welcome to Formation at Our Lady of the come back,” said Russo. “We’re Cape would be to have an interopening the doors wide open for generational program,” said Russo. them.”

“We have a family catechesis “As Catholics, we all know

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

here, called ‘Faith on Fire,’ where parents attend with their children, and grandparents are welcome too. We’ve had great success with that. We’re finding that our families like coming and growing in their faith together. We have a lot of grandparents who live on the Cape who have their grandchildren visiting them, and so it’s a great opportunity for the generations to come together and enjoy some time focusing on their faith.”

Grandparents’ Camp will be offered on two separate mornings, on July 11 and August 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Russo is asking that there be one adult with no more than two children, and pre-registration is required.

Registration forms are located at Our Lady of the Cape Church entrances, in the parish’s Religious Education newsletter and on the parish’s website, www. ourladyofthecape.org. The cost is $20 per family group per morning.

Currently the Grandparents Camp is for Our Lady of the Cape parishioners only. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Russo at russokathleena@ gmail.com, or call her at 508-3853252, ext. 14.

Our Lady of the Cape is launching its second Summer Speaker Series and is offering each session with an option for a light dinner for $5 at 5:30 p.m., with the speaker presenting at 6 p.m.

“No RSVP is needed, everyone is welcome to come,” said Russo.

“We have three really dynamic speakers I’m really excited about having. We’re in the process of

completing a new prayer garden at the parish, and we’ll have a labyrinth.”

And the labyrinth will be completed just in time for Father Timothy Joyce, O.S.B., who is presenting “Labyrinths and Labyrinth Prayer,” on July 18. A Benedictine monk at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, Father Joyce is involved in the abbey’s interfaith lecture series and its institute, and leads annual pilgrimages. He has written and published books on Celtic Christianity, and the abbey’s history.

Peggy Patenaude, founder of the Taking Time Out retreat, is presenting, “Life is Good” on July 25. Having served in the fields of Religious Education, pastoral ministry and prison work for nearly 50 years, Patenaude’s talk will focus on how to live life joyfully.

“Life Long, Die Short,” is the name of the presentation by Dr. Roger Landry, being held on August 2. Landry is a preventive medicine physician and author of “Live Long, Die Short: A Guide to Authentic Health and Successfully Aging,” where he shares the landmark study by the MacArthur Foundation that shattered the stereotypes of aging as a process of slow, genetically determined decline.

Our Lady of the Cape Parish is located at 468 Stony Brook Road in Brewster. If you’d like more information on their upcoming Summer Speaker Series or Catholics Come Home, call 508385-3252 or visit their website: www.OurLadyoftheCape.org.

Visit the Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites.

The Anchor - June 30, 2017

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Diocesan Quo Vadis Days retreat builds on past successes

Seminarians. “Each year, young men from around the diocese gather for a FALL RIVER — week-long retreat where Shortly before Christ made priests and seminarians of the supreme sacrifice for our diocese will be there the Salvation of mankind, providing conferences, St. Peter asked, “Lord, Spiritual guidance and where are You going?” fraternity.”

Jesus answered, “Where I The Quo Vadis experigo, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later” ( Jn 13:36).

“Later” did come for Peter and the Apostles and for countless of Jesus’ followers since. For more than 2,000 years the Lord has been calling His people to make His name known to the four ends of the earth, and to tell people His Good News of Salvation.

To assist young men in the Diocese of Fall River to cut through the daily clutter of a hectic life and to hear the call of Jesus, ence originated in the the diocesan Vocation Archdiocese of Portland, Office is offering, for the Ore., in the Jubilee Year eighth consecutive year, 2000 by Father John a Quo Vadis Days retreat, Cihak. It was in response from July 10-14 at Betato St. Pope John Paul II’s nia II Retreat Center in request that the Church Medway. begin the “New Evangeli“The annual Quo Vadis zation.” retreat is a time of recre“We can’t have a New ation, fellowship, prayer Evangelization without a and discussion to help new generation of priests young men explore Our who will be heralds of Lord’s call,” said Father the Gospel, heralds of the Kevin A. Cook, diocesan message of truth and love director of Vocations and to the world,” said Father

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - June 30, 2017

Cihak.

“The Lord in His love has a great and wonderful plan for all of us,” said Father Cook. “Jesus’ plan for some men is to be one of His priests. The priesthood is an indispensable, awesome and beautiful mission. Many of the Church’s

ities can be fully absorbed and enjoyed without great food.

Since its inception in Portland 17 years ago, the Quo Vadis experience has branched out to several dioceses across the U.S., including the Fall River Diocese.

the heart of Jesus.”

The importance of a young man experiencing a closer relationship with the Lord is vital in assisting him to ponder the age-old question, “Where are you going?”

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI once said, “Only when a young man has had a personal experience of Christ can he truly understand the Lord’s will and consequently his own vocation. The better you know Jesus the more His mystery attracts you. The more you discover Him, the more you are moved to seek Him.” The website also offered some thoughts of young men who experienced the retreat: — “Quo Vadis Days is one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. It greatest saints have been Currently the retreat has given me the opporpriests. Even though Jesus is offered annually in the tunity to learn about the continues to call young dioceses of Boise, Idaho; priesthood from people men to this life, sometimes Harrisburg, Penn.; Oakwho have followed God’s the world we live in makes land, Calif.; Oklahoma call and lived as priests.” it difficult to hear His call.” City; Philadelphia; Pueblo, — “I encourage anyone The retreat allows young Colo.; Providence, R.I.; who wants to learn more men to take the time to San Jose, Calif.; Seattle about his faith to come escape the distractions and Spokane, Wash. and take part in this camp. and listen, have fun, make The Quo Vadis webIt is fun and educational friends, and develop or site (qvdays.org) said and one of the coolest deepen their relationship the retreat is to serve camps I have been able to with God. three purposes: “To seek go on.”

Activities include prayer more shepherds, to sup— “I have been to Quo in the context of Holy port the young men after Vadis Days for three years, Mass, Adoration of the camp, and to invite other and as I reflect more and Blessed Sacrament, the dioceses throughout the more on each year’s experiLiturgy of the Hours, the country to respond to the ence, I feel deeply grateful Rosary, and personal reNew Evangelization and to Father Cihak and my flection. Talks and discusbegin their own Quo Vadis God, calling me to ‘some sions are also an important Days.” definite service.’” part of the retreat.

Included on the website To learn more about the While those activities is a quote from St. John Fall River Diocese’s Quo nourish the soul and mind, Vianney, the patron saint Vadis Days retreat, contact other activities are meant of priests and of the Quo Father Cook at frcook@ for fun, exercise and felVadis Days: “The priest holyfamilytaunton.org or lowship, including hiking, continues the work of call 508-824-5707. swimming, flag football, redemption on earth. If we To register online,visit soccer, ultimate Frisbee, really understood the priest fallrivervocations.org. and other entertaining on earth, we would die not For more information on happenings. of fright but of love. The the Quo Vadis Days story, And none of these activ- priesthood is the love of visit qvdays.org.

Bishop appoints fellow Vocationists to staff Wareham parish

his superiors, he came to the solillo, who said: ‘Always the same long history with United States to complete more, always better, always Father Offiong, Bishop da his studies in New Jersey in forward, always upward.’ I Cunha met him many times WAREHAM — When July 1980. pray that together, with the and knew him from New he was first appointed Father da Silva made his good people of Wareham, Jersey. shepherd of the Fall River perpetual vows on Feb. 11, I may become a ‘saint and “I was already a bishop Diocese in 2014, Bishop 1982 and was ordained a sanctifier.’” when he joined the VocaEdgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., priest on March 26, 1983.

Originally from Nigeria, tionists,” Bishop da Cunha said he remembers speaking He previously served as Father Offiong was orsaid. “When he was ready with the superior general parochial vicar at St. Nicho- dained just last year and has to be ordained a priest, they of his order, the Society of las Parish in Palisades Park, only served as pastoral asso- asked me to ordain him, but Divine Vocations, about one N.J. and at St. Michael’s ciate at St. Michael’s Parish the date didn’t work for my day establishing the comParish in Newark, N.J. in Newark, N.J. since then, schedule — I was already munity within the diocese.

In July 1994 he was so this is his “first official committed to something “But we needed to figure named pastor of St. else — so they had out when the time was right Nicholas Parish in another bishop ordain and if a parish was availPalisades Park, N.J. and him. But I’ve known able,” Bishop da Cunha then served as pastor him for quite some time said. “When I was doing all of St. Michael’s Parish now.” the transfers this year, that in Newark, N.J. from Like his traveling became a nice possibility.

2003 until 2015. He companion from the We needed more priests, so most recently served as Garden State, Father I went back to the Vocaparochial vicar at VisiOffiong is looking tionists and they came and tation Parish in New forward to serving the Father Cyril Father Antonio saw (St. Patrick’s Parish in Brunswick, N.J. before parishioners of WareOffiong, Wareham) and they liked being appointed to St. Lisboa da Silva, ham and the faithful S.D.V. S.D.V. it, so we agreed they would Patrick’s in Wareham. throughout the diocese. come and help staff the par“I’ve known Father “I hope to work with ish.” da Silva for a long time,” assignment,” he said. the vocations office in the This past week, two of Bishop da Cunha said. “I “I have not yet visited the diocese in any way I can to Bishop da Cunha’s brother knew him from Brazil, and parish, but I have done some help foster vocations,” he said. priests from New Jersey — we were in the seminary research on the Internet and “I look forward to workFather Antonio Lisboa da together; he was one year I look forward to coming ing with the young people, Silva, S.D.V. and Father behind me. We used to drive there and serving God’s mostly. I hope to get more Cyril Offiong, S.D.V. — ar- to the seminary together, people,” Father Offiong said. young people involved in the rived in the diocese to begin and we studied together. I Although he has mostly Church and to see what they staffing St. Patrick’s Parish preached at his first Mass, been based in New Jersey can offer in any way the Lord in Wareham, effective June because he was ordained since coming to the United is calling them.”

28. on my first anniversary of States, Father Offiong is Since one of the defining Father da Silva will serve ordination.” familiar with the area havcharisms of the Vocationist as pastor, while Father OfFather da Silva recently ing completed his graduate order is to foster and supfiong will be parochial vicar. told The Anchor he is looking studies nearby at Providence port vocations, both priests “I’m happy not only to forward to his new assignCollege in Rhode Island. are eager to help young have my confreres here, but ment in the diocese.

The seventh of eight people discern their potenthey will also be supporting “At the new parish enchildren, Father Offiong has our mission and sharing our trusted to us in Wareham, I three sisters and four brothministry of serving God’s will work, with God’s grace, ers — one of whom is a people here in the Diocese to promote the universal priest in his home diocese of of Fall River,” the bishop vocation to holiness and Calabar, Nigeria. said. accompany the parishioners “He is currently serving A classmate of Bishop da on their journey to Chrison a mission to the Diocese Cunha who also hails from tian perfection, leading the of St. George’s in Grenada,” the bishop’s native Brazil, people of God to a more Father Offiong said. “He is Father da Silva was born in intimate relationship with older than I am; he was orthe city of Pau dos Ferros, the Blessed Trinity,” Father dained in 2003. But we have Rio Grande do Norte, on da Silva said. “I will contwo priests in the family.”

Sept. 8, 1952. One of 16 tinue to try to practice, and All of his siblings still siblings, he entered the Sohelp others to do the same, reside in his native Nigeria, ciety of Divine Vocations in the motto of our beloved along with his mother.

1974 and, at the request of founder, Father Justin RusAlthough he doesn’t have

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

tial calling to the priesthood or religious life.

“As a member of the Society of Divine Vocations, I am committed to work for our community in the parishes, schools and missions,” Father da Silva said. “Our most important ministry is to foster vocations to the priesthood and religious life and to promote the Divine union of the people of God.” “If there is anyone who feels God is calling him or her, we provide the necessary support — emotional, Spiritual and financial,” Father Offiong agreed.

“It’s really that part of our charism that first attracted me and I like to share my vocation story with young people. And I like to hear from them and see how I can help.”

While bringing in two fellow Vocationists from New Jersey may be a temporary solution to staffing shortages here in the diocese, Bishop da Cunha also hopes it will bear fruit in terms of increased vocations in the long run.

“With their presence here, I hope they will also help us to increment and implement the vocation efforts that we have already established because they bring with them that charism — to help with the work of vocations,” he said.

The Anchor - June 30, 2017

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Anchor Editorial

Fortnight for Freedom 2017 — part two

Continuing this two-week time period of praying for a greater respect for religious freedom in our country (leading up to the Fourth of July), we look at the second half of the suggestions from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as to what we should be doing during these days, pondering the theme: “Freedom for Mission.”

8.) Freedom to serve through education: The bishops ask that we pray “that Catholic schools would have freedom to teach and bear witness to the truth about God and Creation.” Someone who only has a cursory knowledge of Catholicism might think that prayer is about “creationism.” However, the reflection which the USCCB offers us for this day is much more about now than about billions of years ago. They wrote, “God has created people with a capacity to exercise reason. The Christian commitment to reason and service has meant that education is a central aspect of the Church’s mission. Catholic schools need the space, the freedom, to operate in accordance with Catholic convictions if they are to continue to be a source of vitality for our society.” In terms of an action step, we are urged to “consider getting in touch with your local Catholic schools to find out about how you might participate in their work. Or, sign up for the USCCB Catholic Education Newsletter to keep up with the latest in Catholic education.” Here in the Diocese of Fall River, we would urge you to check out http://face-dfr.org/ either to see how your children might be able to attend a Catholic school or to see how you could make a donation to help other children attend our schools.

9.) For the Freedom of the Church: We are urged to pray, “that the Church would have the space to carry out her mission of service and mercy for the whole world.” The reflection reminds us that the Church’s mission is Divinely given, not something a government just allows. “We should keep in mind that the government is not granting us rights. Rather, the state is correctly acknowledging [Editor: when it does this] the right of the Church to fulfill her purposes.” We are called upon to exercise “our freedom for mission,” because without doing so, it “is difficult to appreciate [it]. Find out what your local church is doing in your community, and see how you can get involved. Even if you don’t have time to volunteer, prayer can be an important way to stay connected to the work.”

10.) Freedom to serve families and children awaiting adoption: We pray “for children awaiting adoptive parents, for the caregivers who selflessly serve those children, and for the families who are seeking to adopt; that they will find strength and support from the Church.” The reflection speaks of recent Massachusetts history: “Catholic Charities in Boston excelled at finding families for difficult-to-place children. Catholic Charities sought to place children in homes where they would flourish, and so they placed children in homes with a married mother and father. After Massachusetts redefined Marriage, Catholic Charities was given an impossible choice: do what you believe to be wrong for children or end your adoption services. They chose the latter. Intolerance from the state for religious views has real consequences, and in this case, it is vulnerable children who have suffered.” We are fortunate here in the Fall River Diocese that since we are on the border with Rhode Island, the government did not interfere in the inner workings of Catholic Social Services’ adoption program. For action, the USCCB asks that we support the “federal Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (H.R. 1881 / S. 811), [which] would protect the religious liberty of child welfare OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 61, No. 13

Member: Catholic Press Association Published bi-weekly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $20.00 per year, for U.S. addresses.

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PUBLISHER - Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Richard D. Wilson fatherwilson@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza k ensouza@anchornews.org REPORTER Rebecca Aubut beckyaubut@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherwilson@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - June 30, 2017

service providers, including adoption and foster care agencies. Similar legislation has been introduced and passed in several states. Check out the USCCB Action Alert Center and your state Catholic conference or diocesan website for legislative updates.”

11.) Freedom to serve the vulnerable: We pray “that the Holy Spirit would give all Christians the courage and humility to serve Christ by serving the vulnerable.”

The day’s reflection reminds us that “if we treat the poor and vulnerable with callous disregard, then we are scorning Jesus. We work for religious freedom so that we may be able to serve others, especially through our ministries.” The action step involves prayer (which should lead to eventual action): “All of us are called to follow Jesus Christ as missionary disciples. Consider taking a few minutes to pray and reflect on how God might be calling you to serve.”

12.) Freedom to build stronger communities: The prayer intention goes beyond Catholicism this day, as we pray “that the Church and all religious institutions would have the freedom to contribute to the flourishing of our society.” The reflection speaks about the good religion brings to the community. “When religious freedom is respected, religion itself flourishes, and society flourishes in turn. Recent research has even shown that religious institutions significantly boost the economy. Their service to the poor helps to lift people out of poverty. When we work for religious freedom, we are working to promote the common good, the flourishing of all people in our country.” The action step involves dialogue, in person and online. “Consider starting a conversation with your friends and neighbors about all the good that people of faith have done in your community. And we want to hear from you! Share your stories with us on Twitter at @USCCBFreedom.”

13.) For our sisters and brothers in Mexico: As we prayed for Christians in the Middle East last week, so now we pray “that through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, all people in Mexico will have the freedom to live out their faith,” since the reflection notes that “in Mexico, religious freedom violations have risen recently. It continues to be a dangerous country for Catholic priests and lay leaders.” Some of the oppression is due to unjust laws (allowing government, on various levels, to persecute the Church), while “some illegal cartels attempt to force religious institutions to become fronts for money laundering, and to challenge Church programs and teachings that offer alternatives to a life of violence.” The USCCB invites us to sign up for the homepage of its “Committee on International Justice and Peace, [which] works to advance the social mission of the Church on international justice and peace,” so that we can get action alerts from it.

14.) May we promote a culture of freedom for all: We pray “that we would work to build a culture that recognizes and respects the dignity and freedom of all people.” Our reflection is inclusive. “When we speak up for religious freedom, we do so not only for ourselves, but because we are called to defend the dignity of every individual and community that seeks the truth about God, including Muslims, Jews, and others who do not share our Catholic Christian faith.” The action step will keep us involved, protecting this right. “There are many organizations that work for religious freedom for all Americans. Consider signing up to receive newsletters from, and praying for, the efforts of these organizations.”

Daily Readings July 1 — July 14

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. July 1, Gn 18:1-15; (Ps) Lk 1:46-50,53-55; Mt 8:5-17. Sun. July 2, 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. July 3, Eph 2:19-22; Ps 117:1b2; Jn 20:24-29. Tues. July 4, Gn 19:15-29; Ps 26:2-3,9-12; Mt 8:23-27. Wed. July 5, Gn 21:5,8-20a; Ps 34:7-8,10-13; Mt 8:28-34. Thurs. July 6, Gn 22:1b-19; Ps 115:1-6,8-9; Mt 9:1-8. Fri. July 7, Gn 23:1-4,19; 24:1-8,62-67; Ps 106:1-5; Mt 9:9-13.

Sat. July 8, Gn 27:1-5,15-29; Ps 135:1b-6; Mt 9:14-17. Sun. July 9, Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Zec 9:9-10; Ps 145:1-2,8-11,13-14; Rom 8:9,11-13; Mt 11:25-30. Mon. July 10 Gn 28:10-22a; Ps 91:1-4,14-15; Mt 9:18-26. Tues.

July 11, Gn 32:23-33; Ps 17:1-3,6-8,15; Mt 9:32-38. Wed. July 12, Gn 41:55-57; 42:5-7a,17-24a; Ps 33:2-3,10-11,18-19; Mt 10:1-7. Thurs. July 13, Gn 44:1821,23b-29; 45:1-5; Ps 105:16-21; Mt 10:7-15. Fri. July 14, Gn 46:1-7,28-30; Ps 37:3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40; Mt 10:16-23.

F

or four decades, the popes have been calling the Church to a “New Evangelization” or “re-evangelization,” something that involves a mission not only to those who are not Catholic but to those who are baptized but for whatever reason have not been living according to their Baptism, who have wandered from the practice of the faith, or who are just going through the motions.

Blessed Paul VI wrote on proclaiming the Gospel to the people of today in Evangelii Nuntiandi in 1975. Pope John Paul I, in his 33-day papacy, immediately took to the task in his much celebrated catecheses. St. John Paul II wrote Redemptoris Missio in 1990, describing how all of us have a role in the ongoing mission Jesus entrusted to the Church. Pope Benedict preached his first homily on the need to repropose the faith to those who have stopped practicing and held a synod in 2012 with bishops and experts from around the world to study the New Evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith. And Pope Francis published Evangelii Gaudium eight months into his papacy, announcing his desire for a “missionary transformation” of the Church, so that everyone and every part of the Church might cooperate in sharing with others the “Joy of the Gospel.”

All of them have been seeking to translate the essential purpose of the Second Vatican Council, to help the Church better proclaim and live the Gospel today. The fact that they have felt the need to build on each other’s efforts, however, is a sign that, in many places, their words and summons have for the most part fallen on hardened, rocky and thorny soil rather on the good and fruitful soil that produces abundant

Unleashing the Gospel anew

consequent influenza of fruit. Their words have been pessimism that has infected examined and echoed in many believers. He defines various books and programs, the “false religions” — “scienbut have not had the transtific fundamentalism,” “morformative impact the popes have intended. They have not alistic therapeutic deism” and become programmatic for the “secular messianism” — that vast majority of Catholic lives, have been gradually supplantfamilies, schools, parishes, and ing true faith. He lists the “bad habits” to which many dioceses.

That’s why Archbishop Allen Vigneron Putting Into of Detroit’s pastoral letter “Unleash the the Deep Gospel,” published earlier this month on

By Father the Vigil of Pentecost, Roger J. Landry is such a service not only to Catholics in southeastern Michigan but to believers have succumbed: a worldly notion of the Church, the Church Universal. With Spiritual weariness and dethe possible exception of the featism, resistance to change, “Aparecida Document,” released a decade ago under the multiple fears and a general leadership of the future Pope attitude of complaining. And he forthrightly declares that Francis and published by the bishops of Latin America and our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and even some the Caribbean, “Unleash the of our homes have become Gospel” is the most impressive synthesis of the Church’s missionary territories.

But then he provocatively understanding of evangelizaasks, “Is it not in the most tion, a profound analysis of unlikely settings that the the challenges being faced, Lord loves to show forth His and a step-by-step guide to Divine power?” expressing put the Church’s hope into his faith that “today no less practice today that I have ever seen. I could not recom- than two millennia ago, there is no limit to what the Lord mend this 43-page missioncan do.” And he sketches how ary manifesto more highly each of us can cooperate with to all clergy, religious, catechists, parish leaders, parents, God’s desire to do in us what He did in the first Christians. and anyone who wants to For the Church to become strengthen the Church today a “band of joyful missionary and tomorrow. It can be easily downloaded on the Archdio- disciples” begins, he says, with cese of Detroit’s website (aod. the good habits of docility to the Holy Spirit, apostolic org). courage, a spirit of cooperaArchbishop Vigneron tion rather than competition, is widely regarded by the trust in God, and gratitude bishops in the U.S. as one for the blessing of our faith. of their brightest minds and Then it involves a journey most effective pastors, and with 10 practical “guideposts” both attributes are conspicuto keep us on the right path ously on display in “Unleash the Gospel.” He describes the as God transforms our lives steady decline of the number and institutions from maintenance to mission. of practicing Catholics, reliThe first is openness to a gious and priestly vocations “new Pentecost,” in which over the last several decades, we repent from unchristian the mounting number of ways of thought and behavior pastoral challenges, and the

and live truly by faith, confident that God can do in our age what we read in the Acts of the Apostles. Second is the determination to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, encountering Him in prayer, speaking of Him to others, witnessing to His mercy and charity in how we live. Third is allowing the Word to become Flesh and dwell among us, through listening to God’s Word in Sacred Scripture, receiving the Incarnate Word in the Holy Eucharist, becoming one body in Christ in communion with other believers, and allowing the Lord regularly to restore us to communion through the Sacrament of Reconciliation whenever sin has divided us from Him or each other.

Fourth is to equip Catholics for the service of the Gospel by helping them learn and live the Gospel fully, develop the basic skills to share it, and to recognize and utilize the Divine gifts God has given us precisely for that purpose. Fifth, Archbishop Vigneron emphasizes that there can be “no bystanders,” that all Catholics — youth and young adults, lay people, consecrated men and women, those in movements, deacons and priests — must be trained, inspired and assisted to fulfill the call of their Baptism and Confirmation to spread the faith. Sixth is to focus on person-to-person engagement, going out to meet people, accompany them and seek to bring them to Christ for the healing they need, not failing to use all the means at our disposal, including media and social media, to do so. Seventh is a specific ministry to families, helping them evangelize each other and together evangelize their extended families, neighborhoods, schools, and work-

places.

Eighth is to focus on allowing the full attraction of the faith to radiate through our joy, our care for every person especially those in need, and our loving welcome for newcomers and reverts to our parishes. Ninth is to assist everyone in the continuous dynamic of encountering God, growing in faith and witnessing to it. And 10th is to have a bold trust in the help of the Holy Spirit, the prayers of Mary and the saints, and the confidence that God and the supernatural means He provides are stronger than the obstacles we’ll face.

The final section of the document is a deeply-considered, highly-practical application of these good habits and guideposts to the concrete situation of families, parishes, and diocesan structures. It’s a detailed game plan so that the vision of the New Evangelization might be implemented in the formation and flourishing apostolate of joyful missionary disciples in communion. It’s accountable, with challenging but realistic timelines, especially at the diocesan and parish levels, to build and maintain momentum over a gradual process.

Its immediate goal is “nothing less than a radical overhaul of the Church in Detroit, a complete reversal of our focus from an inward, maintenance-focused Church, to an outward, mission-focused Church.” Its ultimate goal is the formation of a “community of missionary disciples,” a “whole host of causes for beatification,” and, through a new Pentecost, making the archdiocese a “place of the manifest presence of God.” It is an inspiring, concrete, pastoral program to unleash the Gospel anew in our age.

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

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Who is ready to stand up for religious liberty?

n college I grew in my Catholic faith and had a strong experience of religious pluralism. I was involved in the Newman Center daily, but I also had many nonCatholic friends and even frequented Hillel House, the Jewish student center.

Several of my Jewish friends worked in Hillel’s kosher dining room, and since they couldn’t work on the Sabbath or religious holidays, they got me and some other nonJewish girls jobs there where we served kosher food and did the dishes on Friday evenings and Jewish holidays.

At 19 years old, I didn’t know much about Jewish traditions. My Orthodox friends took their religious obligations seriously and faithfully observed the weekly Sabbath, or Shabbat as I learned to call it. I tried my best to respect their deeply-held

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our convictions. convictions, even when I Things have changed didn’t understand them, a lot since my college since I didn’t want to days. As the Little Sisters offend either my friends have spent the last several or their faith. I secretly years in the limelight due admired the courage of the Orthodox Jewish stu- to our Supreme Court case over the HHS condents who unabashedly proclaimed their religious traceptive mandate, we identity through their yarmulkes, their food choices and other obserGuest vances.

Columnist Through these experiences, I

By Sister learned to apConstance Veit, LSP proach other faith traditions with have received valuable reserved curiosity and support and encouragerespectful appreciation. ment from many sources.

As I learned more about But we have also been the Judaism, while at the object of mean-spirited same time examining hate mails, uninformed Catholicism in depth, I critiques and partisan came to understand that even when we are at a loss judgments of our supposed hidden motives. to explain the nuances of The vitriol directed our faith experiences to against us has been disskeptics and unbelievers, turbing and disheartenthis does not weaken the ing. sincerity or strength of Remembering the mutual respect I experienced during my college days, I am deeply saddened to see our current culture’s disdain for traditional religious values, and its apparent amnesia in relation to the intentions of our Founding Fathers.

For me the most jarring moment occurred last year when a major political candidate proclaimed,

referring to Pro-Lifers, “Deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed!”

We claim to live in a pluralistic society that defends human dignity and the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Such a society is committed to making room for everyone, including those whose convictions run counter to the mainstream, but who wish to live peaceably with others and contribute to the common good. This does not mean that every individual will find every job or social situation a perfect fit. Nor does it mean that every employer, organization or service provider will be able to satisfy the desires and aspirations of every person who walks through their doors.

In a pluralistic society, religious organizations like the Little Sisters of the Poor will inevitably encounter requests for services that run contrary to our beliefs, but refusing to provide such services does not offend the conscience rights of others. Nor does it constitute discrimination or bigotry.

It is, rather, a means of safeguarding our personal integrity and the Catholic identity of our organizations.

Cardinal Donald Wuerl said it well in “Being Catholic Today: Catholic Identity in an Age of Challenge”: “There are some things that the Church simply will not do, and it is not discriminatory to say, ‘We do not do that.’ We must remain true to who we are. We cannot be expected to embrace error and give up our identity which inspired us to form ministries of teaching, healing and charity in the first place.”

As we observe the sixth Fortnight for Freedom ( June 21 through July 4), let’s pray that religious liberty will once again be respected as the most cherished of American freedoms. Let’s pray for the freedom to serve in harmony with the truths of our Catholic faith.

Finally, let’s pray for the wisdom to know how to contribute to a better understanding of this important issue in a way that respects all people of good will.

Sister Constance Veit, L.S.P., is director of communications for the Little Sisters of the Poor.

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any people are squeamish about blood. Besides a few professions (primarily medical and culinary) most of us see it but rarely, and perhaps then only in a time of crisis. As Catholics, though, we must face an essential fact: blood sacrifice is integral to our faith.

Familiarity with the Old Testament reveals the importance of the shedding of blood. Original sin, which began in disobedience and quickly sowed discord into the heart of Marriage, soon flared into fratricide, and it is no mere literary device that led God to say to Cain, “‘What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground!” (Gen 4:10). The response to the horror of this deed could have been expressed in many ways, but the concisely woven tale emphasized the blood — so grievous a spilling that

Giving thanks for the Precious Blood

it cried out to God for exercise in the reading of justice.

Scripture helps to underThe Chosen People were stand how the shedding of called to make amends for blood relates to the fortheir sins, and the shedgiveness of sins. For examding of blood was essential. ple, he would render one of While Levitical laws proSt. Paul’s statements: “Evhibited them from eating erything is purified with blood, their ritual sacrifices required it: rams and calves, The lambs and goats, Feminine turtledoves and Genius pigeons, all were acceptable as sin

By Genevieve Kineke offerings. While these paltry gifts couldn’t bridge the gap between God and [life], and without [life] man, the reality of sin there is no forgiveness of and the need for penance [death]” (Heb 9:22). throbbed in the very heart As we know, healthy, of Israel. life-giving blood must be So blood has always infused into those who been important in Salvahave lost their vigor, and tion history — regarding the Spiritual corollary the commission of sin and to this mundane truth is in the sin offering itself. that Christ’s Own PreLest we mistakenly equate cious Blood is the only blood strictly with gore, remedy for our sin. His one contemporary evange- Own Blood (“life!”) is still list suggests replacing the available to us, for “it is word “blood” with “life,” the Blood which courses and “sin” with “death.” This through the veins of His

Risen, glorified, living Body at the right hand of God the Father in Heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration” (from “The Church’s Year of Grace,” by Pius Parsch).

The blood sacrifice demanded of God’s faithful in the Old Testament was a necessary foreshadowing of the Passion, through which Jesus would take the place of the Paschal lamb that brought the Jews out of slavery into freedom. The blood on the door posts and lintels that first Passover is given more power in the new dispensation, “for when the Destroyer sees the thresholds of a human heart marked with Christ’s Sacred Blood, he must pass by. And another soul is saved” (Parsch).

We are asked to focus on this mystery for the month of July: “For this is

My Blood of the covenant, which is poured for many, for the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26:28). Not only is it possible for death to be conquered, but the attendant discord and strife can be quelled as well. Whenever we are able to share in the Eucharist, His Blood in our veins strengthens the kinship within Holy Mother Church. What was shed by Cain was salvaged

by Christ, and that which previously ran spitefully into the ground is gathered in a golden chalice and given back to God — not with vengeance but with love. The cry of Abel echoing through the ages can thereby be swept into the very hosannas of Heaven, and we will be washed clean in the Blood of the Lamb — truly in His Blood is our life!

Anchor columnist Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman.” She blogs at feminine-genius.typepad. com.

Diocesan Campus Ministry offers first-year students free retreat

WAREHAM — The Fall River Catholic Campus Ministry will offer an overnight program entitled Embark on August 1-2 at Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham.

This gathering provides an opportunity for firstyear students to meet the diocesan ministry team, and to meet other students who will be heading to college in the fall.

Attendees will have an opportunity to explore the transitions that define their past, present and future.

Students are encouraged to take the time away to reflect with others and on their own and listen to

the experiences of a young adult team as the new students prepare to transition from high school and home life, to living on their own.

Embark is open to any first-year student, resident or commuter, attending any university or college.

There is no charge to attend.

Registration is limited.

To register, visit http:// fallrivercampusministry. com.

For more information, or if you have questions contact Father David Frederici at FrDavid@ fallrivercampusministry. com, or Deacon Frank Lucca at flucca@umassd.edu.

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Eucharistic reparation through the third apparition of the Angel of Peace Editor’s note: This guest column by Grace Small, a parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Attleboro and a high school teacher, is the third in a nine-part series on the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. he consecutive apparitions of the Angel of Peace had the effect of forming the three shepherd children to live the words and example of the Angel more fully. After the three little shepherds had brought their flock to the place where the Angel had previously appeared, Lucia states in her memoirs, “As soon as we arrived there, we knelt down, with our foreheads touching the ground, and began to repeat the prayer of the Angel.”

The children were now fervently living the words of the Angel, offering to the “hearts of Jesus and Mary” their prayers and penances in the manner the Angel had taught them. They obeyed the Angel faithfully as a representative of God putting His Words into practice.

Sacred Scripture exhorts us to read and follow God’s Word in the same way: “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves”( Jas 1:23-25). They were not forgetful listeners, but eager learners who were eager to follow where the Angel was leading them.

Having brought the children through a catechesis of prayer and penance, the Angel now brought the children to the central mystery of our faith — the Holy Eucharist. The Angel teaches the children to adore the Blessed Sacrament for Jesus is truly present in the Sacred Host and the Precious Blood which we receive in Holy Communion. In fact, the angel’s prayer accentuates these

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The Angel imitates the priest truths dramatically: “He was holding a chalice from whose Consecration of the Sacred Species we receive in his left hand, with the the Sacred Body and PreHost suspended above it, cious Blood of Our Lord unfrom which some drops of der the appearances of bread Blood fell into the chalice.

Leaving the chalice suspend- and wine. We are reminded ed in the air, the Angel knelt of the special character of the down beside us and made us ministerial priesthood who offers for the faithful the repeat three times: Holy Sacrifice of the Mass “‘Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and from whom the Holy I offer You the most precious Eucharist is received. What great reverence we ought to Body, Blood, Soul and Dihave for our priests! The holy vinity of Jesus Christ, presCuré of Ars used to say, “If ent in all Tabernacles of the I met a priest and an angel, world, in reparation for the sacrileges, outrages and indifferences by which He Himself is offended. Through Living Our the infinite merits Lady’s Message of His most Sacred Heart and the ImBy Grace Small maculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of I would pay respect to the poor sinners.’ priest first, and then to the “Then rising, he took the angel. If it were not for the chalice and the Host in his priest, the Passion and death hands. He gave the Sacred of Jesus would not help us.

Host to me, and shared the What good would a chest Blood from the chalice between Jacinta and Francisco, full of gold be if there were no one to open it? The priest saying as he did so: has the key to the Heav“‘Take and drink the enly treasures” (“Jesus Our Body and Blood of Jesus Eucharistic Love,” Stefano Christ, horribly outraged Manelli, chapter five). Let us by ungrateful men! Make pray often for our priests and reparation for their crimes and console your God.’ Once for an increase of vocations to the priesthood so that we again, he prostrated on the ground and repeated with us, may always have Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament with us. three times more, the same This supernatural maniprayer ‘Most Holy Trinfestation of the Host from ity,’ and then disappeared. which “some drops of Blood Moved by a supernatural force which enveloped us, we fell” manifests the most solemn teaching on the had imitated the Angel in Holy Eucharist that in the everything, that is, we prostrated as he did and repeated Sacred Host, Jesus Christ is truly and substantially the prayers that he said. We remained a long time in this present coming forth from the sacrifice of the cross by position, repeating the same its presentation and renewal words over and over again.” on the altar. In one concise First we must notice that statement, Holy Mother the Angel brings a chalice Church professes belief in and “Host suspended above it from which some drops of the true presence: “In the most Blessed Sacrament Blood fell into the chalice.”

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of the Eucharist ‘the Body and Blood, together with the Soul and Divinity, of Our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained’ (Council of Trent)” (CCC 1374). This statement is plainly taught

by Our Lord Himself in Sacred Scripture: “I am the living Bread that came down from Heaven; whoever eats this Bread will live forever; and the Bread that I will give is My Flesh for the life of the world ( Jn 6: 51).

What admiration and awe must have filled the hearts of Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta to behold the Lamb of God brought by the Angel of Peace!

The Angel, having left the host and chalice suspended in the air, knelt with the children to adore the Flesh and Blood of Jesus, fruit of His suffering and death “for the remission of sins.” We are reminded of the profound reverence we should have for Our Lord’s reception in Holy Communion and throughout Eucharistic Adoration, and also genuflecting when we pass Jesus in the Tabernacle.

In our Catholic churches Jesus resides in the Tabernacles, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. The Sanctuary lamp near the Tabernacle burns to remind us of the real presence of Jesus Who loves and waits to be loved by us. Eucharistic miracles throughout the world reveal similar supernatural occurrences where the Flesh and Blood of Our Lord become unveiled for us to adore. One of the most famous Eucharistic miracles happened in the eighth century, in Lanciano, Italy to a Basilian monk who doubted the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist while

he was celebrating Holy Mass. The bread and the wine he was consecrating at Mass turned into the Lord’s visible Flesh and Blood.

Scientists who examined the Host and Precious Blood found that it had turned into muscular heart tissue which extraordinarily can still be adored today. It was a Divine response to doubt that Our Lord appeared to increase our supernatural faith in His Word become Flesh for us!

Like the Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano the supernatural manifestation of the Eucharist by the Angel is a Divine response to modern man’s ingratitude toward so great a gift. Heaven asks us for reparation not only for the lack of faith, hope and love but as the Angel stated for the many “sacrileges, outrages and indifferences by which He Himself is offended.” The Angel now brings the children to a level of reparative love. They are called to adore and love Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in reparation for the sins against the Holy Eucharist by which poor sinners offend their God and they are called by the Angel to pray for their conversion through the “infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

By Eucharistic sacrilege is meant the sins of desecration committed against Jesus present in the Eucharist, for example, by receiving Communion when one is in a state of mortal sin, and other sins by which our Lord is offended and mistreated in this Sacrament.

When we reflect that under the sacramental veil, in each little particle of the Host, the true Presence of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ resides, the very idea Continued on page 19

25 June 2525 — Space Colony Mars — George Orwell’s 622th anniversary of birth o one has ever referred to me as a world traveler. This is due to the fact that I seldom leave home (even with an American Express card).

But you know me, dear readers, I often visit faroff places in my mind and manage to get back in time for supper.

One overcast afternoon here on sunny Cape Cod, I decided to travel through time. I went back to the future. I went back to see how people in olden days imagined what life would be like today.

I saw a postcard from a hundred years ago illustrating how we human beings will be able to one day control the weather. It showed a giant fan blowing away storm clouds. There is an eight-in-10 chance that, due to the wonders of geoengineering, this will happen — but maybe not with a giant fan. When that day comes, it will be a great boon to the tourist industry on Cape Cod. Thomas Edison predicted that by the 21st century steel would be the one and only building material. Not only office and commercial buildings, but also private

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Anybody’s guess

homes — and their interior Thank heavens we missed furnishings — would all be out on that one. Who made of nothing but steel. would risk a nuclear meltHe also predicted that we down in their own living would be able to take iron room? and convert it into endless A certain John Watkins bars of pure gold. Alcheforesaw a 21st-century mists have been working on this for centuries. It The Ship’s Log has yet to hapReflections of a pen. This is quite Parish Priest unfortunate, since unlimited amounts

By Father Tim of gold bars would Goldrick alleviate the debts of financially challenged parishes.

In 1949, “Popular Mealphabet without the letters chanics” magazine predict- C, Q and X. By now, these ed that in the coming age three letters should have of technology, computers “beome etremely unneeswould be very small indeed. sary” (sic).

They would weigh a mere The famous Marconi ton-and-a-half and have was convinced that his just 18,000 vacuum tubes. invention of wireless comWhat’s a vacuum tube? munication would make In 1966, “Reader’s wars between nations Digest” said that by the nonsensical since war is turn of the 21st century, nothing more than a failure we would have rocket belts, to communicate (What we domed cities (on the earth, have here …). under water, and on other My journey back to the planets), and flying saucer- future proved to me once shaped vehicles. To be and for all that the predicfair, it also predicted there tions of futurists are even would be moving sidewalks less accurate than those of as can be found today weather forecasters — and in every major airport. that’s saying something.

“Reader’s Digest” gets extra And now, dear readers, I points for the latter. will travel ahead to the fuNuclear-powered vacuture. Hang on to your hats. um cleaners were expected The acclaimed profesto be available by 1965. sor of theoretical physics,

Dr. Michio Kaku, says that within 10 years the Internet will be replaced by what he calls the “brainnet.” Your thoughts, feelings, and memories will be read by a computer and telepathically conveyed. Personally, I don’t think that’s such a good idea. I don’t want to know what people are thinking when I’m preaching a homily or counseling a couple before Marriage. Or vice versa.

It would be very disconcerting.

The director of engineering at Google, Dr. Ray Kurzweil, says that before long we will be able to visit people anywhere by using virtual reality. We will create avatars of ourselves which will have the ability to see, hear, taste, touch and smell. Although it would certainly ease the vocations crisis, I doubt very much that Sacraments administered by avatars would ever be considered licit.

Of course, avatars will not be in common use until the 2030s.

Dr. James Canton of Global Futures, Inc., based in California (where else?) is quite sure that in the future humans and robots will physically and digitally

merge. Surgery, for example, will be performed by human doctors/robots, using an endless supply of 3D-printed replacement organs. Artificial intelligence, he says, will be the basis of the economy, which will use digital Bitcoin, not hard currency, checks, or even credit cards.

There will be only a single currency worldwide. This will surely replace the current parish budget envelope system. It even goes way beyond online giving.

There is also an eightin-10 chance that, before the end of this century, there will be only three languages spoken in the world — English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Localized languages are rapidly dying out. As for major languages, many people can already speak more than one. Pope John Paul could speak eight languages fluently; Pope Benedict, seven languages. Pope Francis speaks Spanish, Italian, and German.

And what will the future of our Church be like, dear readers? That’s easy for me to predict. As history has proven time and again, the answer to that question is anybody’s guess.

Anchor columnist Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@ anchornews.org The Anchor - June 30, 2017

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Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., recently installed the deacon candidates to the Order of Reader. From left, front row: Deacon Eugene Sasseville, Father Robert Oliveira, Antonio Pimental, Paul Spearin, the bishop, Keith Caldwell, George Hults, Msgr. John J. Oliveira, and Deacon Frank Lucca. Back: Kevin Gingras, Richard Bisson, Gary Donahue, David Harum, and Matthew Sweeney. The reader is instituted to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel reading. He may also announce the intentions for the general intercessions, and in the absence of the psalmist, sing or read the psalm between the readings. In the celebration of the Eucharist, the reader has specific duties which he alone ought to perform, even though ordained ministers may be present. In the absence of an instituted reader, other lay people may be designated to proclaim the readings from the Sacred Scriptures.

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The feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis with a weekend festival hosted by its Brazilian community enjoyed by all, and culminating with all four communities in a Eucharistic procession.

Brazilian food, games, music and dancing starred at the two-day festival. The two-day event exemplified Christ in our midst — in church, in our everyday lives, and out in the world. On Sunday, following the Latin Mass celebrated by Father Ron Floyd with music composed by St. Thomas Aquinas, the Blessed Sacrament was processed to four different altars — created by the English, Latin, Spanish and Brazilian communities — located throughout the parish campus ending with the Brazilian altar right in the center of the festival grounds before being processed with applause back to the church. Below is a scene from the Brazilian festival at the parish.

Diocesan delegation accompanies bishop to leaders’ convocation Area faithful will be able to watch coverage on EWTN and CatholicTV

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — Orlando, Fla. will be the meeting site for what the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website (usccb. org) calls, “an unprecedented gathering of key leaders from dioceses and Catholic organizations from all across the country in order to assess the challenges and opportunities of our time, particularly in the context of the Church in the United States.”

The convocation will run from July 1 through July 4, and faithful across the Diocese of Fall River will be able to watch key events of the gathering live on television on EWTN and CatholicTV, and also streamed live on each of the aforementioned networks’ websites (ewtn. com and catholictv.org) and at usccb.org.

Attending from the Fall River Diocese with Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., are: Diana Reeves, Beatriz Furtado, Berta Herrera, Marian Desrosiers, Beth Mahoney, Marie Chabot, Steve Meaney, Deacon Frank Lucca, Peter Marshall, Father David Frederici, Father John Murray, Peter Kortright, Deacon Joseph E. Regali, Mary Dwyer, Irene Frechette, and Claire McManus.

More than 3,000 people from 140 dioceses will take part.

The theme of the convocation is “The Joy of the Gospel in America.” The bishops’ website explains: “This has been an ongoing initiative of the Bishops’ Working Group on the Life and Dignity of the Human Person. The gathering will assemble Catholic leaders for a strategic conversation, under the leadership of the bishops, on forming missionary disciples to animate the

Church and to engage the culture.”

According to the website, the inspiration for the gathering of Catholic leaders was inspired by Evandelii Gaudium: “The Convocation will form leaders who will be equipped and re-energized to share the Gospel as missionary disciples, while offering fresh insights informed by new research, communications strategies, and successful models.”

The opening Mass will be July 1 at 2 p.m. with a welcome by Bishop Edward Burns of the Diocese of Dallas. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York will be the main celebrant).

Day two will include morning and afternoon plenary sessions, and Sunday Mass at 4:30 p.m. with Archbishop Wilton Gregroy of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, as principal celebrant and homilist.

Day three will include a Eucharistic Procession and Benediction at 9 a.m. led by Archbishop William Lori of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, who will also be the celebrant and homilist of a Fortnight for Freedom Mass at 4:30 p.m.

July 4 will be highlighted by a closing keynote address by Bishop Robert Barron of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The final Liturgy is a “Mass of Sending: Mission and Going Forth,” with Cardinal DiNardo as the principal celebrant and homilist.

Each day will include breakout sessions and evening prayer and devotions.

Bishop da Cunha invites you to join him and the members of the delegation in prayer and reflection on these topics that are so important in the life of the church. As we join in rebuilding the diocese in hope

and faith, let us be united in prayer during this Convocation, so that the Holy Spirit will enkindle the fire of God’s love within the hearts of all.

For a schedule of televised and/or streamed events, visit the EWTN , CatholicTV, or USCCB websites. To locate EWTN or CatholicTV in your area, contact your local cable provider.

The delegation of Catholic leaders from the Fall River Diocese accompanying Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., to the Convocation of Catholic Leaders in Orlando, Fla. from July 1-4 are, front, from left: Diana Reeves, Beatriz Furtado, Berta Herrera, Marian Desrosiers, Beth Mahoney and Marie Chabot. Back row: Steve Meaney, Deacon Frank Lucca, Peter Marshall, Father David Frederici, the bishop, Father John Murray, Peter Kortright, and Deacon Joseph E. Regali. Not pictured, but also attending are Mary Dwyer, Irene Frechette, and Claire McManus.

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Francis urges Serrans to ‘keep moving forward’ promoting vocations Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — Pope Francis recently offered encouragement to members of Serra International, which promotes religious vocations, urging them to persevere in their “beautiful vocation of being laity who are friends to priests” and to “keep moving forward!”

Pope Francis said that friendship “is central to the experience of faith.”

Serra International is a lay apostolate dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and does this by prayer and assistance to discerners.

Serra’s conference took place from June 22-25 in Rome under the theme Siempre Adelante,

“keep moving forward.” A papal audience was open to all attendees after a Mass in St. Peter’s.

Reflecting on friendship, Pope Francis said that “the word ‘friend’ has become a bit overused.”

“But, when Jesus speaks of ‘friends,’ He points to a hard truth: true friendship involves an encounter that draws Me so near to the other person that I give something of My very Self. Jesus says to His disciples: ‘No longer do I call you servants, but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.’ He thus establishes a new relationship between man and God, one that transcends the law and is grounded in trust and love.”

Friends accompany us, he said.

“They stand at our side, gently and tenderly, along our journey; they listen to us closely, and can see beyond mere words.”

He linked this Christian idea of friendship to Serran’s work in promoting vocations and helping priests. They are “friends who share the wonder of a vocation, the courage of a definitive decision, the joy and fatigue of ministry. Friends who can offer priests support and regard their generous efforts and human failings with understanding and tender love.”

He compared their work to the home of Mary and Martha in the Gospel, which Christ frequently visited and where He “was able to find rest and refreshment.”

He then offered his reflections for the convention’s theme of Siempre Adelante: “Like you, I believe that this is a synonym for the Christian vocation,” he said. He compared the phrase to Christ’s call to His disciples to go forward in their ministerial journey, and he cautioned against giving into fear on this journey.

“Of course, we cannot make progress unless we take a risk,”

he said. “We do not advance toward the goal if, as the Gospel says, we are afraid to lose our lives. No ship would ever set out into the deep if it feared leaving the safety of the harbour.”

“On the other hand,” he said, “when Christians go about their daily lives without fear, they can discover God’s surprises.”

He referenced the example of St. Junipero Serra, whom he canonized in Washington, D.C. in 2015, who, despite a limp, proceeded on his pilgrimage. He also warned against “museum Christians” who fear change.

“It is better to go forward limping, and even at times to fall, while always trusting in the mercy of God,” he said.

He concluded his speech by instructing them to not be afraid of changing the structures of their organization, humbly renouncing old roles and practices in favor of living their vocation.

“So you too, siempre Adelante!

With courage, creativity, and boldness,” he said.

“The Church and priestly vocations need you. May Mary most holy, mother of the Church and mother of priests, be with you every step of the way And I ask you, please, pray for me!”

Father Edward A. Murphy, pastor of St. Andrew of the Apostle Parish in Taunton, and parishioners, recently held a Corpus Christi procession beginning at the church, then bringing Jesus out into the streets of Taunton to the people. It was a great blessing for the parish, Taunton and the surrounding area. (Photo by 1st Glantz Photography)

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Catholicmom.com joins HCFM to grow outreach to families

EASTON — CatholicMom.com is now part of the family — Holy Cross Family Ministries, that is. The popular website for Catholic parents, is now part of the ministry founded by sainthood candidate Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., wellknown for his famous slogan, “The family that prays together stays together.”

Holy Cross Family Ministries, with mission offices in 16 countries, will provide the support to grow CatholicMom. com globally. With more than 100 contributors, CatholicMom.com provides information, activities and daily reflections on an array of relevant topics. Holy Cross Family Ministries offers prayer programs, digital media, daily prayers via email,

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 July 2, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Robert J. Powell, pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish in New Bedford.

July 9, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Jay Mello, pastor of St. Joseph and St. Michael parishes in Fall River.

Facebook and apps to encourage family prayer.

CatholicMom.com’s community will enhance HCFM’s brands, Family Rosary and Family Theater Productions, all to more fully support the Spiritual needs of families.

“I look forward to having the support of Holy Cross Family Ministries to continue to expand the mission of CatholicMom around the world,” said Lisa Hendey, who founded the website.

“Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C., president of Holy Cross Family Ministries, and his team have the experience to grow our community and explore new directions to serve today’s young families worldwide.”

CatholicMom.com was started by Hendey to create a community for Catholic parents to share insights on living their faith with their family.

The website has grown substantially over the years to become a rich resource for all Catholics seeking Spiritual enrichment for their families.

“Over the years, Lisa and her contributors have done a remarkable job building an inspiring and impactful site for Catholic parents,” said Father Raymond.

“CatholicMom is reaching the 21st-century young Catholic family with faith, hope and love. We look forward to working with Lisa and all the contributors to make

enhancements, grow the reach and engage more families.”

CatholicMom.com is driven by many talented contributors who share their relevant content to guide young parents.

Hendey will stay on board as an advisor to

help direct the growth of the website. She plans to step away from day-today operations to spend more time on writing projects.

In 2012, Ave Maria Press launched the CatholicMom.com book series, building on the popularity of Lisa Hendey’s award-winning website and books, “The Handbook for Catholic Moms,” and a “Book of Saints for Catholic Moms.” Today there are 10 books in the series addressing a variety of family and parenting issues from a faith-filled perspective. For more information on CatholicMom. com Books, visit www.

AveMariaPress.com.

“CatholicMom is a relevant and engaging site. It’s imperative that we maintain its focused mission,” said Father Raymond.

“We’ll work closely with Lisa and the contributors as we get to know their followers and identify future opportunities to serve young families.”

CatholicMom.com was founded in 2000 by Lisa Hendey to create a community for Catholic parents to share insights on living out their faith with their family. Through an array of contributors, CatholicMom.com provides information, activities, and reflections daily.

More than 100 contributors provide fresh perspectives on a variety of topics important to parents.

What started as one Catholic mom’s journey has grown into a rich resource for all Catholics.

In the spirit of its founder, Servant of God Patrick Peyton, Holy Cross Family Ministries inspires, promotes and fosters the prayer life and Spiritual well-being of families throughout the world. Its mission outreach includes family faith-based media, including social media and prayer programs, to fulf ill the founder’s vision that “the family that prays together stays together.” www.FatherPeyton.org — www.FamilyRosary.org — www.FamilyTheater. org.

Holy Cross Family Ministries and Ave Maria Press are sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross. www.HolyCrossUSA.org.

For more information, go to www.CatholicMom. com.

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For and About Our Church Youth

Bishop Connolly High School Class of 2017 valedictorian Arthur Grizotte, salutatorian Gillian Jacome and student body president Alec Kfoury share a smile as they waited to lead their fellow graduates into the Fall River school’s 48th commencement exercises.

Bagpipers lead the Bishop Feehan High School Class of 2017 into its recent commencement exercises at the Attleboro school.

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools, parish Religious Education programs, homeschoolers and Vacation Bible Schools and summer programs have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews.org 16

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For and About Our Church Youth

Some of the graduating students from St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis process into St. Francis Xavier Church for their commencement ceremonies.

Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth graduated its 10,000 alumnus at this year’s ceremony. Sarah Hamel was the 10,000th to cross the stage. Some of the new alumni gathered for a group shot in the field after the ceremony.

Coyle and Cassidy High School’s Class of 2017 recently gathered with their family, friends, administrators and dignitaries one last time at St. Mary’s Church in Taunton, to receive their high school diplomas. Here, friends Meaghan Wenger, Erin Ferbert, Megan Mello and Olivia Wilcox gathered for a group photo following the commencement.

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A disgrace on society

I

n viewing the arguments given in Roger Kligler and Alan Steinbach’s lawsuit against the state over the right to medical aid in dying, I find real social and ethical issues that are glossed over by those promoting its practice.

Today’s rationale in advocating for this right is almost identical to the rationale given by Dr. Karl Brandt, Hitler’s personal physician, to launch Aktion T4, the Nazi program of mass murder through involuntary euthanasia in which Germans were encouraged to relinquish care of their ill, disabled and malformed to the state.

Under the guise of compassion and care, the Nazis ended 100,000 innocent and unknowing lives, developing killing technology for their Final Solution in less than eight years. The current support echoes Karl Brandt’s testimony at Nuremberg, a treacherous reality masked by polished vocabulary.

Valid statistics that do exist show that in the few

ficking of complex barbitustates and countries legalizing medical aid in dying, rates, correlated to that rise.

Oregon and Washington the numbers of patients state, having the longest euthanized without their history of legalized phyconsent or the consent of sician-assisted suicide in their families increases the U.S., cite no abuse, yet dramatically. Statistical studies show opinion polls their laws do not require are skewed by lack of understanding of the reality due to altered Guest vocabulary.

Statistics from the Columnist Netherlands show a

By Deacon consistent 25 percent William Gallerizzo failure rate of physician-assisted suicide.

Drugs normally used “suicide” to be listed on here, pentobarbital and death certificates, rendering secobarbital, are deemed unacceptable for execution those statistics unreliable and biased. of capital criminals. DyPhysician-assisted ing from a natural course suicide is not contestable of disease is peaceful in more than 90 percent of all by autopsy or in court, cases, whereas in physician- opening the possibility of unverifiable murder. Thus assisted suicide there is a there are few safeguards greater chance of asphyxiating on regurgitation from against ambitious heirs or misplaced compassion to drug failure. coerce or persuade patients Six of the seven legalizto agree to physicianing U.S. jurisdictions were assisted suicide. Research previously in the top 30 polls indicate the No. 1 percent for suicides. Following legalization, suicide reason given to persuade patients to agree is family rates have climbed signifiresources and inheritance. cantly, as has illegal traf-

Elimination of pain and suffering is sixth out of the top 10.

Patients requesting physician-assisted suicide almost always show signs of depression, but mandated psychological exams happen in only a few cases. Depression is treatable.

Those advocating for the right to die are therefore promoting elimination of life over a treatable condition apart from the illness, which equates to elimination of disease through elimination of the patient.

Given our demographics here on the Cape, our elderly would be particularly vulnerable in ways that are unimaginable, without legal recourse. If we accept suicide in this capacity, what kind of message does this send to our young people?

How else can we reject the value of the individual; if our adults are not respected, how can our youth look to a promising future?

Liabilities clearly outweigh advantages. New

advances in Hospice and palliative care happening right here in Massachusetts make physicianassisted suicide obsolete and primitive. Even in ancient cultures euthanasia and assisted suicide were actually seen as a disgrace on society emanating from resource limitations, human sacrifice and cannibalism. Perhaps instead of looking for ways to kill others in ignorance, we might think more carefully about truly caring for others constructively to utilize means of care and treatment that reflect a value of human life and acceptance of inherent human dignity in one another.

This column ran as an opinion piece in the June 23 Cape Cod Times.

Deacon William Gallerizzo, of South Dennis, is an ordained Catholic deacon and an internationally licensed bioethicist. His particular area of research has centered on the legalization of physician-assisted suicide and its problems and dilemmas within both society and the medical profession.

Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) — Pope Francis said that the older generation should not stop striving in their Spiritual lives, but that God calls them to be Spiritual “grandparents” to young people, who can learn from their experiences.

“And this is what the Lord today asks us: to be grandparents. To have the vitality to give to young people, because young people expect it from us; to not close ourselves, to give our best: they look for our experience, for our positive dreams to carry on the prophecy and the work.

“I ask the Lord for all of us that he give us this grace,” the pope said.

Pope Francis recently celebrated a special Mass in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ordination as an auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992.

The Mass was attended by the cardinals in Rome.

This was the pope’s final morning Mass before the start of the usual summer break from morning activities. They will resume in September after he returns from his apostolic trip to Colombia.

For his homily, Francis

Lord says the same: ‘Get up! Look! Hope!’ He tells us that it’s not time to put our life in closure, not to close our story, not to compile our story. The Lord tells us that our story is open, still: it is open until the end, it is open with a mission. And with these three imperatives tells us the mission: ‘Get up!

Look! Hope!’” Pope Francis emphasized.

The pope reflected that there are some people who might not want the older people around, maybe calling them a “gerontocracy of the Church.” These people don’t know what they are saying, he explained: “we’re

not geriatrics, we’re grandparents.”

And if we don’t understand this, we should pray for the grace to do so, he said.

This is because we are “Grandparents to whom our grandchildren look. Grandparents who have to give them a sense of life with our experience. Grandparents not closed in the melancholy of our story, but open to give this. And for us, this ‘get up, look, hope’ is called ‘dreaming,’” he said.

“We are grandparents called to dream and give our dream to today’s youth: they need it.”

The old still have a lot to give young people, Pope Francis says

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preached on the day’s first reading, which contains the continuation of a dialogue between God and the now elderly Abraham. In this dialogue we hear three imperatives, the pope said: “Get up! Look! Hope!”

Abraham, he said, was more or less the same age as those present when God called him.

“He was going to go into retirement, in retirement to rest. He started at that age. An old man, with the weight of old age, old age that brings pain, illness. But you, as if you were a young man, get up, go go!”

“And to us today the

Continued from page 10

of such sacrileges should cause moral pain and should shake us from our indifference to correct these abuses in our parishes. Indifference toward Our Lord’s real presence in the Blessed Sacrament will clearly lead to a loss of faith and charity will grow cold in the hearts of men. If our heart is not warm for Jesus the God-Man, then we may not expect or have any real charity for our fellow man. But if we receive the Lord in living faith, in His Word and His Sacrament He abides with us. For as Jesus says, “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My Com-

mandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s Commandments and abide in His love.

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” ( Jn 15:9-11).

Some, however, no longer distinguish between the special Presence of God in this most Blessed Sacrament Who remains truly present in us after Holy Communion.

Without conscious preparation to prepare for Holy Mass, Our Lord is hastily received by many. People seem too eager to give themselves over to talk and dissipation without spending time in silence with Jesus, the King of Kings, Who gives Himself to dwell in

them as in His temples. How precious is this time with Jesus in our heart! It is the time to offer Him our fervent prayers of thanksgiving, love and petition! The Lord of Lords comes to us hoping to find us disposed to receive Him with loving hearts. The angels rejoice as at Bethlehem singing their praises of love and adoration. The prayers of the Angel are a beautiful preparation disposing our hearts to receive the living God and for offering our Holy Communion to God in a Spirit of reparation, for our own negligence and indifference and that of others.

Finally the Angel exhorts by word and example that the faithful children of the

First ordained priest from Honduran mission visits diocese continued from page two

family at first, because they never had a priest in the family before,” Father Velasquez said. “I told my mother, but she responded by supporting me and it brought her closer to the faith community. She was a single mother of seven children, and throughout my seminary training, my mother was really a key inspiration to our whole family.”

Just as he was about to enter the seminary, Father Velasquez said his younger brother, Emmanuel, was diagnosed with leukemia and eventually succumbed to the disease on New Year’s Day at the age of 16.

“It was kind of a challenge for me, because I also felt the need to be with my family through the grieving process,” he said. “I was supposed to begin my seminary training on January 25 that year. But after his death, I felt a strong connection to him through prayer and I feel like he somehow assisted me in my vocation.”

When the first mission team from the diocese ar-

rived in Guaimaca 17 years ago, the goal was essentially to assist some of the poorest people on earth with their temporal needs and also to fan the flames of the Catholic faith in an area where anti-Catholic churches were common.

An unexpected but welcomed by-product of this mission effort is Father Velasquez.

“It’s important to be present, personally, to the people there,” Father Canuel said. “That was one of the ideas that Cardinal Séan P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap., had when he established the mission. He saw it as an opportunity for our teachers, doctors, priests and people to go down there — and some are still going down there — as volunteers and then, when they come back, they could share this experience of mission with others (in the diocese).”

“That perhaps is the fruit of real missionary work,” Father Pregana agreed.

“Not only in terms of vocations, but in terms of what the Sisters still do there

with education and health care. I think there’s a lot of fruit that comes about from the missionary experience.

And it continues to grow, although we’re out of it in terms of staffing the parish.”

When he first arrived in Guaimaca in 2004, Father Pregana said Father Velasquez was already studying in the seminary.

“It was nice to have a seminarian in the parish — here I think it’s more common,” he said. “Every parish hopes that it sets a trend when you have a seminarian, but you don’t know what kinds of seeds get planted.”

To that end, Father Pregana sees Father Velasquez’s extended visit to the diocese this summer as an opportunity to reciprocate.

“I was telling Father (Velasquez) that it’s good for young people to see a young Hispanic priest like him in New Bedford, so they know they can aspire to serve as well,” he said.

“And maybe not even serve here, but serve where their

Church perform acts of reparation to console our God and to obtain from the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary the conversion of poor sinners. This is Fatima’s call for us in our day. There is no better offering to the Father that will draw down His mercy more abundantly than the offering of His Son. Therefore the Angel taught the prayer to the Most Holy Trinity above. Let us be inspired by the Angel and these three children to live the Fatima message and do as the Angel of Peace instructed: “Make reparation for their crimes and console your God.” It is amazing that we can cooperate with Jesus

in the Salvation of souls by receiving Holy Communion in a Spirit of reparation. It is amazing that we can console our God by devoutly praying the prayer to the Most Holy Trinity to console the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. May the frequent meditation of these apparitions bring us to a deeper love for God and prepare us by the humility and love they teach to approach these holy mysteries with reverence and love. May we learn the true attitude of beloved children toward their Merciful Father and grow in a true appreciation of His presence among us, especially in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

parents came from — not that I want to send off our vocations. But it would be nice either way to have some.”

Among the many things that have moved Father Velasquez during his visits to the diocese, he is most impressed by the enthusiasm and joy of the Hispanic population and the large families that attend Mass together.

“There are always a lot of children, a lot of people, and a lot of joy,” he said.

“They are always joyful.

I have visited a lot of the areas in the diocese and I’ve pretty much had the same experiences throughout.

I love the joy of the community when they come together, seeing the joy of the children — I love children.”

While he’s more than happy to minister to the people in his native land, Father Velasquez said he wouldn’t mind an opportunity to serve the people here in the diocese as well as a means of “paying it forward.”

“I think it would be a response in thanksgiving

for all the work and support that the Diocese of Fall River has put into the mission in Honduras,” Father Velasquez said. “The priests and nuns from the diocese have all been a great inspiration to me, so I think this would be a way of paying it back.”

Having considered himself blessed to have answered God’s call, Father Velasquez likewise prays that he might inspire others to do the same.

“I know there are a great number of young people in the Hispanic communities, and I pray for them to have a moment or encounter with the Lord, as I did, so that they can give their lives in service to the Church,” he said. “I pray that they not be afraid, so that they can get to know the Lord, so that He may also touch their hearts. It’s all about service, and there’s a great joy in that service.”

The first anniversary of Father Velasquez’s ordination will be celebrated on Sunday, July 2 at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church in New Bedford. All are welcome.

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Bishop da Cunha’s homily from the Transitional Diaconate ordination at St. Mary’s Cathedral on May 27 Dear Matthew, Juan Word. In this ministry Carlos and Daniel: you always show to be a Today the Church of servant of the Gospel. You Fall River rejoices with are not only a hearer of you, welcomes you into the Gospel but its minorder of deacons, celister. Your first duty is to ebrates with you and your be at the service of the families as we give thanks Gospel. to God for having called During the Rite of Oryou and brought you to dination I will hand you this day. the Book of the Gospels I wish to thank the as I say to you: families of our ordinandi “Believe what you read; for giving their sons to teach what you believe; the Church, for bringing practice what you teach.” them up close to God and That is a challenge in the Church, for sharing itself, especially the comtheir faith with them and mand to practice what you for supporting them in teach. Know that you will their vocation. teach with your words, We also want to thank but even more with your you for having given your actions. “yes” to the call from the 2. To Serve at the Altar: Lord.

As servant of at the Your “yes” is not to altar you will prepare for honor or privilege, but to the celebration of the serve the Lord, to serve Sacrifice. You will distribHis Church and to serve ute the Lord’s Body and all God’s people. This Blood. You will be teacher service should never be of the faith by word and seen as a burden, but example. You are to be rather as a joy to be able servant of all. You will to be at the service of be leaders of prayers, but the Lord. As we read in in order to be a leader of Psalm 100: “Serve the prayer you must be men Lord with gladness; come of prayer. before Him with joyful In Pastoris Regis we song. The Lord is God, read: “It is not possible to He made us, we belong to be a servant of others unHim, we are His people.” less one is first a ‘servant You are here because of God.’ And one can only God called you to life, life be a servant of God if one called you to serve, service is a ‘man of God.’” calls you, you said “Here Therefore you are to I am.” cling to Christ with an 1. Among your duties undivided heart. as deacons is to be Minis3. Ministry of Charity: ter of the Word: As you embrace the We heard from the first ministry of charity, you reading: “The Word of are called to imitate Jesus.

God continued to spread, Wash the other people’s and the number of the feet. As He has done, so disciples in Jerusalem you must do. increased greatly.”

Pope Francis spoke You are called to help to Deacons recently and the bishop and the priests told them that, “they were in the ministry of the chosen by the Lord Jesus 20 The Anchor - June 30, 2017

not to have a career, but to do this service.”

As deacons you “are to go about your duties in such a way that you will be recognized as disciples of Him Who came not to be served but to serve” (Rite of Ordination).

Don’t be afraid to be human, to be imperfect, to be vulnerable. “But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us” (2 Cor 4:7).

Realize that you don’t have all the answers, that you don’t know it all, that you don’t have it all under control. Don’t be afraid to recognize your need for God, for other people’s help, for faith and for prayer. Stay humble and you will find out the people will love you and appreciate you more than if you present yourself above others, as if you were better than others. God called you not because you are better than others or holier than others, but because He found in your heart enough humility and generosity that He wanted to entrust to you this great gift of Sacred orders, not for yourselves, but to serve His people in a unique and special way. This gift of Sacred orders is given to you, but not only for you. It is entrusted to you to be at the service of others, so that you can use the grace of the Sacrament to bring others to the Lord; you can use it to console them in their sorrow, to rejoice and celebrate with them and help bring them always closer to God.

“Anyone among you who wishes to be first must be your servant.

Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.

The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mt 20:25-28).

“Serve the people in love and joy as you would the Lord. Follow the example of the Lord in love, prayer, service, charity.

May there abound in you every Gospel virtue” (Rite of Ordination).

Therefore you need to: * Be unfeigned in love. * Have concern for the sick and poor. * Carry an unassuming authority. * Have the purity of innocence. * Always observe Spiritual discipline.

As deacons you will serve Jesus Christ, Who was known among His disciples as the One Who served others. Do the will of God generously.

One of the questions asked of you during the Rite of Ordination is, “Do you resolve to conform your life always to the example of Christ, of Whose Body and Blood you are minister at the altar?”

So, conform your lives to the will of God, to His plan for you. What is His plan for you?

First, your sanctification and then the sanctification of others. In all that you do, make disciples of Jesus; work for your and their sanctification. This gift is given

to you, but not for your self-aggrandizement; it is given to you to be used for the good of God’s people.

“For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus” (2 Cor 4:5).

Salvation does not come from us, but “Salvation comes from Our God, Who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever” (Rev 7:10,12).

Like the men the Apostles chose for works of charity, you should be a man of good reputation, filled with wisdom and the Holy Spirit.

“Firmly rooted and grounded in faith, you are to show yourselves chaste and beyond reproach before God and man, as is proper for the ministers of Christ and of the stewards of God’s mysteries. Never allow yourselves to be turned away from the hope offered by the Gospel. Now you are not only hearers of this Gospel but also its ministers. Holding the mystery of faith with a clear conscience, express by your actions the Word of God which your lips proclaim, so that the Christian people, brought to life by the Spirit, may be a pure offering accepted by God. Then on the last day, when you go out to meet the Lord you will be able to hear Him say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, enter the joy of the Lord’” (Rite of Ordination).

Sister Julie Maria Pintal, O.P.

CALDWELL, N.J. — Sister Julie Maria Pintal, O.P. of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, Ossining, N.Y., died June 13 at St. Catherine of Siena Convent, Caldwell, N.J. Sister celebrated her 100th birthday on March 11.

The daughter of the late Thomas J. and Maria Marchand Pintal, she was born March 11, 1917 in Champlain, Quebec, Canada.

Sister Julie entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Fall River on Sept.

8, 1937. She made her First Profession Aug. 20, 1939 and Final Profession on Aug. 20, 1942. Sister Julie earned her BA in French/education from Providence College and her MA in French from Rhode Island College in Providence R.I. Sister Julie taught at St. Anne School (1942-43), Dominican Academy Elementary School (1943-45, 1962-63, and 1975-76), and in the Dominican Academy High School, all in Fall River, where she was also librarian (1945-56 and 196371). After serving as novice mistress for the Dominican Sisters of Fall River (195761), Sister Julie taught at St. Peter School in Plattsburgh N.Y. (1961-62 and 1974-75).

She also taught at Bishop Gerrard High School in Fall River (1971-74). Sister was Religious Education coordinator for St. Anne Parish in Fall River (1976-79) and continued at St. Anne Parish working in the office (197687 and 1992-2002). She also served on the council of the Dominican Sisters of Fall River (1982-92).

Sister Julie moved to the Dominican Sisters of Hope, Newburgh Center in 2002. While living there, Sister completed training in the Literacy Volunteers of America, and was involved in that program as a tutor

for more than three years. In 2009 Sister moved to Meadowview at the Wartburg, Mount Vernon, N.Y. and after that to St. Catherine of Siena Convent in Caldwell Sister Julie is survived by her sisters Rita Pintal Pinon, Angele Pintal of Laval, Quebec and by nieces and a nephew. She is predeceased by her parents, her sisters Marie-Olive Pintal and Lucie Pintal and by her brothers Gilles B., Claude G. and Roland Pintal.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated June 23 at the Mariandale Chapel

at the Center of Hope in Ossining, N.Y. A Memorial Mass was offered for her on June 27 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River. Burial of the cremains followed immediately at the Notre Dame Cemetery in Fall River.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Robert J. Prout Funeral Home, Verona, N.J. Donations in Sister Julie’s memory can be made to the Dominican Sisters of Hope Development Office, 299 North Highland Ave, Ossining, N.Y., 10562-2327.

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks July 1 Rev. Fernando A. Veiga, CM, Vincentian Mission House, Fall River, 1993 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 in 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. John Neilson, Retired New York Archdiocese, Holy Redeemer Parish, Chatham; Our Lady of Grace Chapel, South Chatham, 2016

Annamae C. (Coute) Schondek

ATTLEBORO —Annamae C. (Coute) Schondek, age 90 of Taunton, passed away peacefully on June 15 at Golden Living CenterGarden Place in Attleboro, surrounded by loving family and friends, under the gracious care of the entire staff.

She was the loving wife of the late Deacon John H. Schondek for more than 50 years.

Born in Taunton, she was the daughter of the late Joseph T. and Annie (DeCosta) Coute. She was a graduate of Taunton High School in the Class of 1944.

Annamae gave back to her community in so many ways. She knit hundreds of blankets and prayer shawls for newborn children, victims of abuse, and the elderly confined to nursing homes. She also enjoyed serving meals at local Taunton food pantries and soup kitchens.

Along with caring for her six boys, she was employed at Reed and Barton, Clifton Nursing Home and La Salette Shrine. She was a parishioner at St. Paul’s Church in Taunton where she was actively involved in St. Vincent de Paul, taught

CCD, and was a member of the Women’s Guild among many other activities. As a result of her commitment to the Catholic Church, she was a Marian Medal recipient.

Annamae is survived by her sons; John Schondek, III of N.J. and wife Mary Jane; Joseph Schondek of Pawtucket, R.I. and wife Joanne; Gerard Schondek of Dighton, Matthew Schondek of Raynham and wife Jane; Peter Schondek of Raynham and wife Cheryl OldfieldSchondek; and daughter-inlaw Cynthia Schondek, wife of her son the late Warren Schondek of Dighton. She also leaves 16 grandchildren and several great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She will be deeply missed by Sister Elizabeth Hayes, who is a close family friend, and all the sisters of St. Dorothy of Taunton.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on June 20 at St. Ann’s Church in Raynham. Interment followed in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Taunton.

Silva Funeral Home in Taunton was in charge of the arrangements.

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, 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

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Around the Diocese On July 12, St. Pius X Parish will hold its annual Summer Fair in the parish life center located on Barbara Street, South Yarmouth and in the school gym from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Recycled treasures will be located in the school gym. The parish life center will have vendors, jewelry, homemade jams and jellies, homemade baked goods, knitted and sewn goods, outdoor and indoor plants and hand-sewn fashion and period American Girl doll clothes. Stop and rest for lunch in our St. Mary’s Café! Enjoy delicious lobster rolls while they last, and other tasty items to tantalize your taste buds.

Come and enjoy a summer day with family and friends.

St. John Neumann Women’s Guild, located at 157 Middleboro Road in East Freetown, invites all to its One Day Only Barn Sale being held in the parish barn on July 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine! The Barn Sale has a large variety of items available to choose from, and the prices can’t be beat!

St. John Neumann Parish is hosting a series of silent, outdoor retreats that introduces participants to the writings and life of one saint or master in the Catholic tradition. “A Day of Silence with the Masters” takes place on the church grounds, 157 Middleboro Road in East Freetown, on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Retreats will be dedicated to Julian of Norwich (August 12) and St. Bernard of Clairvaux (October 14). The days begin at the camp house with an introduction to the master and an opening prayer or reading.

Participants are then invited to silently move among outdoor stations to reflect on the posted readings from the master. Lunch is on one’s own, although the group gathers for midday prayer and a brief discussion at 1 p.m. and then goes back into silence until 3:30 p.m. All are invited to attend the regular 4 p.m. Mass at St. John Neumann Church if desired. Beverages are provided, but participants should bring a bag lunch. For more information, contact Karen Howard at 508-947-0193 or email klhoward@aol.com.

The 71st Annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby this past fall offered a prize for the largest fish caught from a kayak.

Margaret Mayhew Pénicaud caught a 23.58-pound striped bass and won a 15.5-foot motorized Bass Yak fishing kayak, which she has donated as a prize in a benefit raffle to help the children of Haiti. Pénicaud has been assisting Haiti since 1997 and is founder of Little Children of Mary, a tax-exempt, charitable organization which is home to the Martha’s Vineyard Fish Farm Haiti Project.

Chances are $25 each and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the children of Haiti. The drawing is set for July 29, and the raffle chances are available online at www.fishfarmhaiti.org or by mailing a check made out to “Fish Farm Haiti” and to P.O. Box 1803, Vineyard Haven, Mass., 02568.

A Holy Hour will be held every Monday (with the exception of holy days or holidays) beginning at 7 p.m. at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street in Fall River. It will include Benediction and Confession (once a month) and every week will feature the Rosary, Novena, and prayers for vocations to the priesthood will be recited along with a short meditation. All are welcome.

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17.

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

East Freetown — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of Padua Church, on the corner of Bedford and Sixteenth streets, has Eucharistic Adoration accompanied by music and prayer every first Wednesday of the month from 6-7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

FALL RIVER — St. Joseph’s Church has a Holy Hour every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m., with Benediction at 6:45 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Michael’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Benediction at 5:30 p.m.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday.

MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration is held every Thursday, with Confessions, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church. Please use the side entrance.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

NORTH EASTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Immaculate Conception Church Chapel on the first Wednesday of the month beginning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, until 6:40 p.m. Those wishing to make a monthly commitment can sign up on the parish website at www.icceaston.org or call the parish office at 508-238-3232.

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m.

Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

Taunton — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 5 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~

East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes.

All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

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The Anchor - June 30, 2017

T

he Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux, wrote in her autobiography: “In Heaven only shall we be in possession of the clear truth. On earth, even in matters of Holy Scripture, our vision is dim. It distresses me to see the differences in its translations, and had I been a priest I would have learned Hebrew, so as to read the Word of God as He deigned to utter it in human speech.”

Other saints did learn Hebrew. St. John Fisher, whose martyrdom and feast we celebrated this week, undertook the study of Hebrew at an advanced age. St. Jerome, of course, the author of the “Latin Vulgate,” the official translation of the Catholic Church for centuries, learned Hebrew from a rabbi in the Holy Land, to able to translate from the original Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible, rather than simply from the ancient Greek translation called the Septuagint.

Now we Americans are

On the value of Biblical Hebrew arose from Judaism, as the generally not very good at or New Testament is rooted in even interested in other lanthe Old (indeed Jesus prayed guages than English, if we’re the psalms in Hebrew), an interested in that. And when it comes to classical languages ability to relate to the Hebrew text is invaluable for theololike Biblical Hebrew, ancient gians, priests, and educated Greek, or largely defunct laypeople.

Latin, that lack of interest is heightened by the common perception that these languages Judge are largely dead, and For that knowing them Yourself is difficult and not very useful, practically

By Dwight Duncan speaking. Obviously, though, knowledge of the Bible in the original lanSt. Jerome wrote of the guages, Hebrew for the Old “Hebraica veritas,” the true Testament, and Greek for the New, is important from a meaning of the Hebrew, as the preferred approach to scholarly perspective.

While not everyone has to Biblical interpretation of the Old Testament. Obviously, have a scholarly mastery of since the New Testament was the Bible, a basic familiarity written in Hellenistic (Koine) with God’s Word is vitally Greek, knowledge of that important for every believer.

The Bible spells out the rules language is also essential for Christian Biblical scholarship. for Christian living, most While there are many good notably in the Ten Comtranslations of the Bible into mandments and the Beatitudes. And since Christianity English, nothing can really

substitute knowledge of the original languages.

As the Venerable Pius XII wrote in an encyclical on Biblical studies in 1943: “Not only the Greek language, which since the humanistic renaissance has been, as it were, restored to new life, is familiar to almost all students of antiquity and letters, but the knowledge of Hebrew also and of their oriental languages has spread far and wide among literary people.

“Moreover there are now such abundant aids to the study of these languages that the Biblical scholar, who by neglecting them would deprive himself of access to the original texts, could in no way escape the stigma of levity and sloth. For it is the duty of the exegete to lay hold, so to speak, with the greatest care and reverence of the very least expressions which, under the inspiration of the Divine

Spirit, have flowed from the pen of the Sacred writer, so as to arrive at a deeper and fuller knowledge of his meaning.”

Our love for Jesus Christ, His Church, and the origins of Christianity in Judaism, should also find expression in a desire to visit the Holy Land before we die. Just as the observant Muslim wants to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, Christians should want to visit the places in Israel associated with Our Lord’s life: Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, and, of course Jerusalem, the site of Jesus’ Passion, death and Resurrection. While visiting Rome “videre Petrum,” to see Peter in the person of the pope, and see St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, should obviously be on the bucket list of Roman Catholics, so too, should the Holy Land and Israel.

Anchor columnist Dwight Duncan is a professor at UMass School of Law Dartmouth. He holds degrees in civil and canon law.

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Visit the Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites.

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The Anchor - June 30, 2017