Diocese of Fall River
The Anchor
F riday , July 17, 2009
Diocesan committee maps out Year For Priests plans By Dave Jolivet, Editor
Father Marcel H. Bouchard
EAST SANDWICH — When Bishop George W. Coleman asked Father Marcel H. Bouchard, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, to coordinate activities in the Fall River Diocese with regards to the Year For Priests, he gratefully accepted. “For me, this is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the gift of the priesthood,” Father Bouchard told The Anchor, “and also share what the life of a priest is with the laity.” Bishop Coleman told his brother priests the crux of the Year For Priests is not only that priests come to a deeper understanding of their own priesthood, but to
share that deeper understanding with those they serve. He added that such an approach could well have an impact on future vocations since it will manifest in the faithful a greater appreciation of the priesthood. With that in mind, Father Bouchard enlisted the help of Father Mark R. Hession, pastor of Our Lady of Victory in Centerville, and diocesan director of the Office of Continuing Education and Formation of Clergy. “With Father Mark’s background, he is a great source of ideas, and he, too, is excited to put together some great events,” said Father Bouchard. In addition to Father Hession,
a committee with representatives from each of the five diocesan deaneries has been established to assist in the endeavor. Members include: Father John Ozug from the New Bedford Deanery; Father Kevin Cook, Taunton; Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, Attleboro; and Father Hugh McCullough, Fall River. Fathers Bouchard and Hession represent the Cape Cod Deanery. Already in the works to be incorporated into the Year For Priests are a diocesan retreat and convocation for priests, a Lenten Day of Prayer and Reflection, the Chrism Mass and dinner, and priestly ordination. Turn to page 18
Snowbirds: Nesting in their faith at home and abroad
“So, little Snowbird, take me with you when you go To that land of gentle breezes where the peaceful waters flow.” —“Snowbird” by Anne Murray By Deacon James N. Dunbar
EAST SANDWICH — Like many Snowbirds who head for the Sunbelt states when the New England frost begins to bite, Rosario “Sonny” Alesse and his wife Mary Gale find that while their venue for Masses and sacraments change from season to season, their faith always remains firmly planted. “Sure, we’ve been heading to Titusville in Florida for the past 11 years to get away from the cold … but another important reason is that we get free health care in Florida,” reported Mary Gale Alesse, who, with her husband is a member of Corpus Christi Parish in
East Sandwich. “We spend six or seven months in Florida, and while we’re there we attend St. Theresa’s Church in Titusville, which is a big church, but nowhere as large as ours at Corpus Christi,” she told The Anchor. So as two of approximately 950,000 who swell the state of Florida and make up nearly 6.3 percent of that state’s peak winter population, what does she see as differences among faith-filled Catholics in both locations? “I think generally people are more church-going in Florida than they are in New England, and as an example there were more than 400 Turn to page 18
CASTING A SPELL — Students from John Paul II High School in Hyannis performed a selection of songs from their recent production of “Godspell,” at the annual St. Mary’s Fund Dinner held July 10 at the New Seabury Country Club in Mashpee. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)
Fall River Deanery to host Year For Priests event By Dave Jolivet, Editor
FALL RIVER — The parishioners of Notre Dame de Lourdes and Immaculate Conception parishes, and their pastor, Father Richard L. Chretien, will welcome clergy and lay people to a Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, as part of the Fall River Deanery’s efforts to celebrate the Year For Priests. An 8 a.m. Mass at Notre Dame Church, 529 Eastern Avenue, on August 4, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John
Marie Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, will kick off the day. Eucharistic adoration will take place beginning at 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. A relic of St. John Vianney will also be available for veneration at that time. Confessions will be heard from 3-4 p.m., and Benediction will take place at 4:15 p.m. Father Chretien has invited all deanery priests to concelebrate a Mass in honor of St. John Vianney at 4:30 p.m., after which the
clergy are invited to a cold buffet. “As priests of the Fall River Deanery we are blessed to serve God’s people,” wrote Father Chretien. “This time of prayer will help both us and our parishioners to give thanks to God for the gift of the priesthood.” Father Chretien has also extended a welcome to all the faithful of the Fall River Deanery to “take time on that day to visit the church and pray for and give thanks for Turn to page 19
News From the Vatican
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July 17, 2009
Art in private chapel is a meditation on following Christ, pope says By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — The private Pauline Chapel in the Apostolic Palace is a place for the pope and his closest aides to contemplate their call to follow the crucified and risen Christ and to lead believers in hope, Pope Benedict XVI said. The pope inaugurated the newly restored chapel — decorated with Michelangelo’s murals of the conversion of St. Paul and the crucifixion of St. Peter — during an evening prayer service July 4. The prayer service was attended by members of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums from the United States, England and Ireland. They donated the $4.6 million needed to restore the private papal chapel. “Solemn celebrations with the people are not celebrated here. This is where the successor of Peter and his collaborators meditate in silence and adore the living Christ, present especially in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist,” the pope said in his homily. “The Eucharist is the sacrament in which the whole work of redemption is concentrated: In Jesus the Eucharist we can contemplate the transformation of death into life (and of) vio-
The Anchor
lence into love,” the pope said. Pope Benedict said it was interesting to note that Michelangelo depicted St. Paul as an old man when he was converted on the road to Damascus, even though the apostle probably was only in his 30s. The artist’s choice recognizes that maturity in faith comes from being enlightened with divine grace, the pope said. The face of St. Peter in the mural on the opposite wall, the pope said, is not that of a man in pain, but of a man who is searching for someone or something. “He realizes precisely at that moment the culmination of following” Christ, the pope said. “The disciple is not greater than the master, and now he will experience all the bitterness of the cross, the consequences of sin that separates us from God, all the absurdity of violence and lies.” Pope Benedict said the chapel invites the pope and his aides “to meditate in silence on the mystery of the cross, which accompanies the Church to the end of time, and to welcome the light of faith, which — thanks to the apostolic community —can extend to the ends of the earth the missionary and evangelizing action entrusted to it by the risen Christ.” OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 53, No. 28
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FIRST LADIES — Pope Benedict XVI poses with the wives of leaders of South Africa, Mexico, Sweden, India, the European Commission and International Fund for Agricultural Development at the Vatican July 8. Leaders from the Group of Eight major industrialized nations met July 8-10 in L’Aquila, the city in central Italy devastated by an earthquake in April. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters)
Pope Benedict unites Ecclesia Dei to Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI has placed the commission responsible for relations with traditionalist Catholics under the authority of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. With a brief apostolic letter issued “motu proprio” (on his own initiative), Pope Benedict said he wanted to “demonstrate paternal care toward the Society of St. Pius X,” founded by the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, so members could return to full communion with the Church. The apostolic letter, dated July 2 and published July 8, was titled “Ecclesiae Unitatem” (“The Unity of the Church”). In a brief note published separately, Pope Benedict accepted the resignation of 80-year-old Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos as president of the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei,” which since 1988 has been charged with outreach to the Society of St. Pius X and assistance to Catholics attached to the preVatican II liturgy. As president of the commission, the pope named U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In addition, the pope named Italian Msgr. Guido Pozzo, assistant secretary of the International Theological Commission and a staff member of the doctrinal congregation, to serve as secretary of “Ecclesia Dei.” “The task of safeguarding the unity of the Church, with concern
for offering everyone assistance in responding to this vocation and divine grace in appropriate ways, is expected particularly of the successor of the apostle Peter, who is the perpetual and visible principle and foundation of the unity of both bishops and faithful,” the pope wrote. He said that after Archbishop Lefebvre ordained bishops against the orders of Pope John Paul II in 1988 and the bishops were excommunicated, the pope established “Ecclesia Dei” to “facilitate the full communion” of the priests, religious, seminarians and laypeople who had a bond with the traditionalist archbishop and an attachment to the liturgy as it was celebrated before the Second Vatican Council. Pope Benedict said his 2007 decision to allow Catholics greater and easier access to the older liturgy was motivated by the same concern. And, he said, his decision in January to lift the excommunications of the four bishops was done to help overcome “every fracture and division within the Church and to heal a wound experienced as increasingly painful.” The excommunications “could have prejudiced the opening of a door for dialogue” with the leaders of the Society of St. Pius X, he said. Lifting the excommunications was an act limited to the field of Church discipline, Pope Benedict said, adding that “doctrinal questions obviously remain and until they are clarified, the society (of St. Pius X) does not have canoni-
cal status within the Church and its ministers may not legitimately exercise any ministry.” The pope’s July letter said that while the president of “Ecclesia Dei” will be the prefect of the doctrinal congregation, the commission would have its own staff. However, the doctrinal questions that arise during the commission’s work and in its contacts with the Society of St. Pius X will be handled by the cardinals and bishops who are members of the doctrinal congregation. In a statement issued by the Vatican, Cardinal Levada “expressed his gratitude to the Holy Father for the trust demonstrated by this decision, assuring the Holy Father — including in the name of the officials of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith — of the commitment to doctrinal dialogue with the Society of St. Pius X.” In recent interviews, Bishop Bernard Fellay, head of the society, said he and the other members have serious concerns about the way the teachings of the Second Vatican Council have been interpreted and implemented, particularly those teachings regarding religious liberty, ecumenism, liturgy and relations with other religions. Placing “Ecclesia Dei” under the doctrinal congregation, he said, “will make it clear that the problems now to be addressed are essentially doctrinal in nature and concern primarily the acceptance of the Second Vatican Council and the post-conciliar magisterium of the popes.”
July 17, 2009
The International Church
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French president vows to find truth about monks’ 1996 deaths
PLANTING THE SEEDS — Diego Gonzalez Caraveo, 14, right, and Oscar Castillo Cisneros, 14, pull weeds that will be used to mulch apple seedlings at a small nursery in Bachiniva, Mexico. The nursery was being developed by members of the Frente Democratico Campesino, a cooperative in partnership with Catholic Relief Services. It runs several programs to improve conditions for apple farmers in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. (CNS photo/David Maung)
Archbishop Chaput is part of current Legionaries’ visitation By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
ROME — A Vatican-ordered apostolic visitation of the Legionaries of Christ and their institutions that began July 15, and the papal delegates carrying out the investigations includes U.S. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver. In a written statement sent to Catholic News Service July 8, the Legionaries’ headquarters in Rome said the Vatican had set the date for the start of the visitation and named the five prelates appointed by the Vatican to carry out the visits. It said Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone told the order that Archbishop Chaput will conduct investigations of the Legionaries’ centers and institutions in the United States and Canada while Mexican Bishop Ricardo Watty Urquidi of Tepic will cover Mexico and Central America. It said Bishop Giuseppe Versaldi of Alessandria, Italy, will cover Italy, Israel, South Korea and the Philippines; Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati Andrello of Concepcion, Chile, will visit centers and institutions in South America; and Bishop Ricardo Blazquez Perez of Bilbao, Spain, will cover all of Europe, excluding Italy. Each delegate will conduct his investigation “according to the timetable and program that he establishes,” said the statement. At the end of the investigation, the delegates will submit reports to the Vatican which will then establish appropriate guidelines or directives for the order, it said. Father Alvaro Corcuera, director general of the Legionaries and its lay associa-
tion, Regnum Christi, invited all members of the congregation “to thank God for the help that the Holy Father is offering us and to welcome the visitors with sincere charity and faith as representatives of the vicar of Christ,” said the statement. The Legionaries announced in March that the Vatican had ordered the special visitation following disclosures of sexual impropriety by the order’s late founder, Father Marcial Maciel Degollado. In the letter that informed the Legionaries of the pope’s decision for an investigation, Cardinal Bertone said the pope wanted to help the Legionaries of Christ deal with its present problems with “truth and transparency.” An apostolic visitation is a form of internal Church investigation ordered by a pope and undertaken by his delegate or delegates. The pope sets the jurisdiction and powers of the visitation, which usually ends with the submission of a report to the Holy See. In February, Legionaries of Christ officials in Rome disclosed that Father Maciel had fathered a child. Sources in Rome said the order was also looking into accusations of financial irregularities by Father Maciel. In the past, Father Maciel had been accused of sexually abusing young seminarians in the order. After investigating those allegations, the Vatican in 2006 told Father Maciel to renounce public ministry as a priest and spend the rest of his life in prayer and penitence; the Vatican did not, however, confirm that sexual abuse had occurred. Father Maciel died Jan. 30, 2008, at the age of 87.
PARIS (CNS) — French President Nicolas Sarkozy has vowed to uncover the truth about the 1996 deaths of a group of French Catholic monks in Algeria following claims that they were beheaded by the Algerian army, rather than their Islamic kidnappers. “Relations between great countries are founded on truth, not on falsehood,” Sarkozy told journalists July 7. A French diplomat testified that the seven Trappists were killed during an air attack by the Algerian military, which later rigged the evidence to incriminate the North African country’s Armed Islamic Group. Meanwhile, French Justice Minister Michele Alliot-Marie told the National Assembly that the claims had “introduced a new element,” adding that investigators would be given “all means to complete their inquiries, including material on international cooperation.” The Trappists, headed by their prior, Father Christian-Marie de Cherge, were abducted the night of March 26-27, 1996, from their hilltop Monastery of Notre Dame d’Atlas in Tibehirine, 45 miles south of Algiers. The heads of the monks were found the following May at Medea, and their deaths were blamed on Armed Islamic Group members, who had previously threatened to kill foreigners. However, in 2004, the Paris prosecu-
tor’s office opened an inquiry after a civil suit questioning the official French and Algerian version of events was filed by one of the victim’s families and a member of the Trappist order, also known as the Cistercians of the Strict Observance. In a July 6 report, France’s Le Figaro daily said it had seen an affidavit filed with investigators by retired Gen. Francois Buchwalter, former military attache at the French Embassy in Algiers, stating that the monks were killed when Algerian army helicopters attacked an alleged Armed Islamic Group hideout near the village of Blida. In the document, Buchwalter said the bullet-riddled bodies were dismembered to prevent their wounds being traced to army weaponry. He added that he had informed France’s chief of staff and ambassador to Algeria after receiving details of the incident from an Algerian officer, but had been told to remain silent to avoid damaging French-Algerian relations. The 65-year-old general, who served in Algeria in 1995-98, told the inquiry he suspected Algerian authorities were also behind the bomb explosion that killed Bishop Pierre Claverie of Oran Aug. 1, 1996, Le Figaro reported. A lawyer for the Trappists’ families, Patrick Baudouin, told Le Figaro, “We will ask France to lift the secrecy order on its military attache’s reports and ask Algeria for (the return of) the monks’ bodies.”
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The Church in the U.S.
July 17, 2009
Encyclical breaks new ground on social issues, commentators say By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service
WA S H I N G TO N — P o p e Benedict XVI’s new encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate” (“Charity in Truth”), breaks new ground on such topics as microfinancing, intellectual property rights, globalization and the concept of putting one’s wealth at the service of the poor, according to Catholic scholars and Church leaders. In interviews with Catholic News Service and in statements about the encyclical released July 7 at the Vatican, commentators said the more than 30,000-word document takes on a variety of issues not previously addressed in such a comprehensive way. “I was surprised ... at how wide-ranging it is,” said Kirk Hanson, a business ethics professor at Santa Clara University in California and executive director of the Jesuit-run university’s Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. “It’s not just an updating of ‘Populorum Progressio’” (“The Progress of Peoples”), the 1967 social encyclical by Pope Paul VI, he added. Hanson said he also was struck by Pope Benedict’s concept of “gratuitousness” or “giftedness,” which reminds people “not to consider wealth ours alone” and asks the wealthy to “be ready to
put (their money) in service for the good of others.” The encyclical is “a plea for the wealthiest on the planet to put their wealth toward the development of peoples,” he said. Terrence W. Tilley, who chairs the theology department at Jesuit-run Fordham University in New York and is immediate past president of the Catholic Theological Society of America, said one unique aspect of the encyclical is Pope Benedict’s “vision that all flows from the love of God.” “It’s unusual as a theological reflection on social justice,” he said. “But that’s what holds it all together.” Tilley said the encyclical makes a “pedagogical attempt to get people out of the mindset that charity is just giving money to those poor people over there.” The pope rejects such a “dismissive attitude,” he said. Bishop Michael P. Driscoll of Boise, Idaho, said that aspect of the encyclical will be particularly helpful in these “difficult times for the poor in Idaho or anywhere around the world.” “The Holy Father, who has seen the terrible toll these times have taken, has given us a new vision on which to build a just economy, where all can thrive,
not merely the rich and powerful,” he said. “We cannot achieve true prosperity unless it is built upon a foundation of justice and care for all, including the poor.” In a different part of the country, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit said people in southeast Michigan “are living through profound changes in the social and economic fabric of our community.” Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington said the encyclical is “very welcome and particularly timely as our political and economic leaders struggle to address the devastating global economic crisis.” Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the encyclical provides helpful guidance for finding answers to the social, economic and moral questions of the contemporary world in a search for truth. “This encyclical offers a powerful warning to the modern world — especially the West,” said Steve Schneck, director of the Life Cycle Institute at The Catholic University of America in Washington. “It speaks to the dangers of commerce, popular culture and technology unhinged from a vision for the common good informed by charity.”
Vincent Miller, associate professor of theology at Georgetown University in Washington, said Pope Benedict “rejects the dominant vision of economics as abstract, technological efficiency” and “calls for a revisioning of economics as an essentially moral undertaking.” Andrew Abela, an associate professor of marketing who
BALTIMORE — During President Barack Obama’s July 10 meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, he presented the pope with a stole that was placed on the remains of St. John Neumann. “It’s a delight that something
of one of our Redemptorist saints would be given to our Holy Father,” said Father Patrick Woods, provincial of the Redemptorists’ Baltimore province. “We’re delighted as Americans that our president is visiting the Holy Father and delighted that something belonging to our province would be given to him.” Father Woods said in a statement that the stole was an appropriate gift because it symbolizes the priesthood that was “at the heart of St. John Neumann’s life as a Redemptorist.” He also said the stole, placed on the saint who had worked extensively with immigrants, was symbolic of the new wave of immigration in the United States and the Redemptorists’ continued service to these groups. A stole is a long, narrow strip of cloth, draped over the neck and falling to about the knees, worn by a priest or bishop when celebrating Mass or presiding at other liturgical ceremonies. Louis DiCocco, president of St. Jude Liturgical Arts Studio, an architecture and design firm based in Pennsylvania that specializes in building and restoring churches, was instrumental in obtaining the
chairs the department of business and marketing at Catholic University, said the pope’s main message is “that spiritual development is essential to development, and that ‘even in the most difficult and complex times, besides recognizing what is happening, we must above all else turn to God’s love.’”
Redemptorists provide historic stole for Obama to present pope
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stole for the president, according to the Redemptorists. His firm designed and built a chair used by Pope Benedict at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington during his visit in April 2008. DiCocco was approached by the Obama administration about a possible gift for the pope. “They wanted to find an antique chalice, but I suggested it was important to get something more personable,” DiCocco said in a statement. “I told them about this stole that was something that belonged to an immigrant who was so instrumental in serving immigrants and building Catholic schools. What better than the stole that represents the priest?” St. John Neumann, Philadelphia’s fourth bishop, is enshrined in a glass casket under an altar at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia. New vestments have been placed on his remains four times since his 1860 death — in 1903, 1962, 1989 and 2008. Born in Bohemia March 28, 1811, St. John Neumann was ordained a priest in 1836 and became a Redemptorist in 1842. He was canonized in 1977.
July 17, 2009
The Church in the U.S.
Pope welcomes Obama to Vatican, discusses results of G-8 summit
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Church’s position on bioethical issues got marked attention during Pope Benedict XVI’s meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama July 10. In addition to giving Obama a copy of his latest encyclical, which the pope had been presenting to visiting heads of state since its release July 7, the pope also presented a copy of the Vatican document on biomedical ethics, “Dignitas Personae” (“The Dignity of a Person”). When presenting the gifts after their 35-minute closed-door meeting, the pope gave Obama a signed, white leather-bound copy of the encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate” (“Charity in Truth”), then indicated the light-green soft-cover instruction on bioethics issued last December by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. “Oh, what we discussed earlier,” said Obama, referring to their closed-door discussions. “I will have some reading to do on the plane.” Obama was given the instruction to help him better understand the church’s position on bioethics, Msgr. Georg Ganswein, papal secretary, told journalists in the pool covering the visit. Obama arrived at the Vatican shortly before 4 p.m., and a squad of Swiss Guards saluted him in the St. Damasus Courtyard of the Apostolic Palace. U.S. Archbishop James Harvey, prefect of the papal household, was the first to greet the president, and he accompanied Obama to a meeting with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state. Pope Benedict and Obama sat at a desk in the papal library and discussed the Group of Eight summit — the meeting of the world’s
wealthy industrialized countries, which concluded that morning in L’Aquila, Italy. The summit focused on the economic crisis, climate change and global tensions. After the pope welcomed Obama, the president said: “Thank you so much. It’s a great honor for me. Thank you so much.” Pope Benedict told the president, “You must be tired after all these discussions.” Obama responded that the meetings were “very productive” and marked “great progress” and “something concrete,” although the precise topic they were discussing at that point was unclear. The pope and Obama discussed issues that represent “a great challenge for the future of every nation and for the true progress of peoples, such as the defense and promotion of life and the right to abide by one’s conscience,” according to a Vatican statement released after the audience. The two men also discussed world issues addressed at the G-8 summit, as well as immigration and the issue of reuniting families, the Vatican statement said. The meeting with the pope and a separate 20-minute meeting with Cardinal Bertone also touched on international politics, such as the peace process in the Middle East, “on which there was general agreement.” “Dialogue between cultures and religions, the global economic crisis and its ethical implications, food security, development aid — especially for Africa and Latin America — and the problem of drug trafficking” were discussed, the Vatican said. “Finally, the importance of educating young people everywhere in the value of tolerance was highlighted,” it said. At the end of the meeting, Pope
Benedict told the president, “A blessing on all your work and also for you.” The president responded: “Thank you very much. We look forward to building a strong relationship between our countries.” The Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, told reporters after the audience that “great serenity and great cordiality” characterized the meeting. Father Lombardi said he spoke with the pope after the meeting and the pope “seemed extremely satisfied with how the meeting went.” He said the pope found Obama to be “attentive and ready to listen.” “The president explicitly expressed his commitment to reducing the numbers of abortions and to listen to the church’s concerns on moral issues,” he said. Denis McDonough, deputy national security adviser for strategic communications and a member of Obama’s entourage, later spoke to reporters about many of the points in the Vatican statement, adding that the two men also discussed Cuba, Honduras and outreach to Muslim communities. “I think the president was eager to listen to the Holy Father, was obviously eager to learn more about his views” on issues such as abortion and stem cells, he said. McDonough said the president asked the pope to pray for his family and expressed his appreciation for the role Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, was playing in trying to resolve the political crisis in his country after the June 28 coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya. After their closed-door meeting, Obama introduced the pope to his wife, Michelle, their daughters, Malia and Sasha, and Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson.
There was private exchange of gifts and moment for photographs. The pope gave each of the girls a silver key chain with a bas-relief image of the pope, and Michelle Obama and Robinson each received a papal medal. Obama’s entourage also included Gen. James Jones, national security adviser; Mona Sutphen, White House deputy chief of staff; Robert Gibbs, White House press secretary; and David Axelrod, senior adviser to the president. In addition to the encyclical and Vatican bioethics document, Pope
5 Benedict gave Obama a mosaic showing St. Peter’s Basilica and Square and a medal marking the fifth year of his pontificate. The president told the pope the mosaic, which was made in the Vatican’s mosaic studio, “was very beautiful” and would have “a place of honor” in the White House. Obama also gave the pope a personal letter from Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., who was diagnosed more than a year ago with brain cancer. It was reported that Obama also asked the pope to pray for Kennedy.
EXCHANGE OF GIFTS — Pope Benedict XVI and U.S. President Barack Obama clasp hands as they exchange gifts in the pontiff’s private library at the Vatican July 10. The president was accompanied by his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, right. Among the gifts was a stole the U.S. leader presented to the pope and a framed mosaic of St. Peter’s Basilica that the pope gave the president. (CNS photo/Chris Helgren, Reuters)
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The Anchor Charity in truth
“To the bishops, priests and deacons, men and women religious, the lay faithful and all people of good will.” That’s how Pope Benedict addresses his third encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, dedicated to the integral development of the human person and human society. The Holy Father wrote this document for every Catholic who can read as well as for non-Catholics who desire to take a deeper look, from the perspective of the Christian faith, at many of the central issues that affect the present and future global economy. The encyclical contains a very powerful message, but for it to have the impact Benedict wishes, it must first be read, then understood, assimilated, and put into practice. To help inspire people to the first step, we have printed the official Vatican summary of the encyclical on page 15, but this is only to whet the appetite, for no 1,350-word taste test can adequately do justice to a full 28,000-word meal. All readers are encouraged to download the encyclical for free from the Vatican’s website (www. vatican.va) and, since it is about the same length as a typical edition of this newspaper, read it over the course of the next couple of weeks when The Anchor will be on its annual summer hiatus. The second step is to understand it, which goes beyond noting the particular things Benedict says about a wide variety of contemporary issues — about globalization, the environment, labor unions, food security, population control, religious liberty, redistribution of income, the economy consequences of contraception, abortion, and marital breakdown and much more — but seeing how they fit into an organic whole. This is a notable challenge. Many of the first reviewers of the encyclical in the media focused on some of the hot-button issues Benedict addresses, but most missed the forest for the trees. The essential point of the document is not to give a list of particular policy prescriptions, but to focus on the essentials for the integral growth of human beings and human society. In order to grasp the whole of the document, we’d propose three concrete helps. The first is the title of the encyclical. Pope Benedict says that “charity in truth” is the “principal driving force behind the authentic development of every person and all humanity” and the “heart of the Church’s social doctrine.” Truth-filled charity is the general principal that Benedict applies to every issue in the document. Charity, sacrificing oneself for others’ good, is the opposite of the selfishness that disintegrates human societies and leads to personal and social misery. Charity, however, is not enough, Benedict states. To achieve its goal, it must be linked to the truth, accessible by reason and faith, about what is genuinely good for others, the truth about the human person, the truth of justice and giving each one his due. “Without truth,” the Holy Father writes, “charity degenerates into sentimentality. Love becomes an empty shell, to be filled in an arbitrary way. … It falls prey to contingent subjective emotions and options, the word ‘love’ is abused and distorted, to the point where it comes to mean the opposite. Truth frees charity from the constraints of an emotionalism that deprives it of relational and social context.” Examining each of the many issues Benedict tackles in the encyclical through the prism of truth-filled charity will help readers more easily grasp the whole of his message. The second concrete help comes from an address the future Pope Benedict gave in Rome in 1985, entitled, “Market Economy and Ethics” (available at www.acton.org/issues/caritas_ in_veritate.php), which is full of useful resources on the encyclical. In this address, Cardinal Ratzinger prophetically described in a crisp and concise way many of the warning signs he saw in an excessively materialistic view of a globalized economy and sketched many of the central economic and social insights he would later develop at far greater length in the current encyclical. His central point was that economic analysis and excellence is not enough; there must also be ethical analysis and excellence. “In order to find solutions that will truly lead us forward,” Cardinal Ratzinger wrote in 1985, “new economic ideas will be necessary. But such measures do not seem conceivable or, above all, practical without new moral impulses.” He forewarned that the free market does not automatically work for the good, independent of the morality of those in the market; rather the economy “is governed not only by economic laws, but is also determined by men.” It is not enough to rest the economy on the “beneficial effects of egoism and its automatic limitation through competing egoisms,” because often this can lead to a “system of exploitations.” It must be grounded on charity in truth that focuses not merely on the “maximum profit” but on a “maximum of ethical discipline” seen in “self-restraint and common service.” He observed, “It is becoming an increasingly obvious fact of economic history that the development of economic systems that concentrate on the common good depends on a determinate ethical system, which in turn can be born and sustained only by strong religious convictions. Conversely, it has also become obvious that the decline of such discipline can actually cause the laws of the market to collapse.” In short, the way out of the ethical mess involves the “truth” of solid scientific economic analysis and the “charity” of equally solid ethical principles. True progress, he concluded, “can only be realized if new ethical powers are completely set free. A morality that believes itself able to dispense with the technical knowledge of economic laws is not morality but moralism. As such it is the antithesis of morality. [On the other hand,] a scientific approach that believes itself capable of managing without an ethos misunderstands the reality of man. Therefore it is not scientific. Today we need a maximum of specialized economic understanding, but also a maximum of ethos so that specialized economic understanding may enter the service of the right goals. Only in this way will its knowledge be both politically practicable and socially tolerable.” These are the general principles on which Pope Benedict elaborates in the body of the encyclical. The third help to grasp the “big picture” of Caritas in Veritate came during Pope Benedict’s July 8 general audience, which took place the day after the encyclical’s publication. The Holy Father stressed the context of the document and then reiterated many of the points he had made as a cardinal 24 years earlier: “The world situation, as the chronicle of recent months amply demonstrates, continues presenting not a few problems and the ‘scandal’ of outrageous inequalities. … Peoples from all over are calling for reform that will overcome the discrepancy of development among peoples, and this cannot wait. The phenomenon of globalization can, in this sense, be a real opportunity, but for this, it is important to undertake a profound moral and cultural renewal and responsible discernment of the decisions that must be made for the common good. A better future for everyone is possible, if it is founded on the discovery of fundamental ethical values. Upright people are needed as much in politics as in the economy, people who are sincerely attentive to the common good. … The economy needs ethics for its correct functioning; it needs to recover the important contribution of the principle of gratuitousness [charity] and the ‘logic of gift’ in the economy of the market, in which the norm cannot be personal gain. But this is only possible thanks to a commitment from everyone, economists and politicians, producers and consumers, and presupposes formation of the conscience that gives strength to moral criteria in the elaboration of political and economic projects.” Benedict is counting, in a particular way, on the “commitment” of Catholics, so that the Church can be an instrument to help the world out of this economic crisis. That commitment begins with the “formation of conscience” that will flow from real study of the encyclical.
July 17, 2009
The holy priest who inspired another
The future patron saint of priests, John Vian- fallen, to Father Balley, “I want to go home.” But ney, never desired merely to be a priest. He hun- the sage old priest reminded him that would be the gered to be a truly holy priest. One of the great- end of his desire to help souls. Vianney decided to est means God used to help him learn the heroic give it another shot, but this time, with far greater virtue required of a saint, and the indefatigably dependence on God. After a pilgrimage of nearly sacrificial heart demanded of a holy priest, was 200 miles round trip on foot to the sanctuary of St. to give him a saintly spiritual father and mentor, Francis Regis, after an interlude of 18 months as Father Charles Balley. a Napoleonic draftee, after having flunked out of Father Balley was born in Lyons in 1751, the the seminary and failed yet again on extraordinary youngest of 16 children. During the ugliest days examinations for the priesthood — a remarkable of the French Revolution, at the risk of his life, story of perseverance worth a future article — he he served as one of four clandestine priests to was eventually approved for holy orders. This the faithful Catholics in the underground Church was in no small part due to the continually patient around Ecully and Dardilly where the Vianney teaching, encouragement, assistance, inspiration Family had its farm. Several times the young and multiple ecclesiastical interventions of Father John Vianney attended his secret Masses, which Balley. were well-remembered because of the celebrant’s After John returned from being ordained a copious tears. priest, he discovered to his great delight that he When the anti-clerical and anti-Catholic per- had been appointed the parochial vicar in Ecully. secution finally ended, Father Balley was ap- The vicar general of the Archdiocese of Lyons pointed pastor in Ecully. So many priests had thought it would be wise to have him continue his been killed in the revolution and so many others studies with his mentor during his baby steps as a had apostasized to preserve their earthly lives that priest. The pastor and curate would discuss cases Father Balley’s top priority was the promotion of conscience late into the night and on afternoon and training of future priests to whom he could walks. Father Balley by this point had grown to adpass the baton of the Gospel. mire his young protégé so much that he asked the He was a very well-educated cleric, having young priest to be his confessor. Since, according several times to the practice of turned down the the time, newlychair of moral ordained priests theology at the needed to wait Lyons seminary for months to in order to continreceive the “facue to accompany ulties” to hear the audacious confessions, FaBy Father flock that he had ther Balley once Roger J. Landry served secretly again intervened during the revoluwith his vicar tion, to reconcile general. The first those who out of ignorance or intimidation had confession the young Abbé Vianney heard was of gone into schism, and to reevangelize those who his holy mentor. had been brainwashed by revolutionary indoctriParishioners soon witnessed a “competition” nation. Because of his education, he fittingly es- between the two priests, both of whose fasts and tablished in his rectory a house of studies for boys other mortifications were so marked that they who thought that the Lord was calling them to each reported the other to the vicar general for serve him at the altar. There he would help them “exceeding all bounds.” There was a holy bond discern and learn the prerequisites of Latin, read- forged between them, however, that only grew as ing, writing and rhetoric that would be the nec- they inspired each other to greater identification essary foundation for future seminary courses in with the sufferings of love of the great high priest. philosophy and theology. Two years after Father Vianney became his John Vianney was 19 when Father Balley vicar, Father Balley got a gangrenous ulcer in his opened up his presbytery school. When Mrs. leg that eventually took his life. His spiritual son Vianney and another relative approached Father heard his confession, anointed him and gave him Balley to ask that John be admitted among the pu- viaticum. After the parishioners left, Father Balley pils, Father Balley responded with a firm no. As entrusted his curate with his hairshirt and discian educator he knew it would be a Herculean task pline — two means of hidden self-sacrifice Cathto help a young man with almost no formal educa- olics have used for centuries to enter into the mystion learn the seminary prerequisites. “I can’t,” he tery of the Lord’s passion — with the instructions repeated over and over again. When John’s broth- to get rid of them, lest any of the faithful draw the er-in-law came to speak to him shortly thereafter, “wrong” conclusion that he had done his penance he reiterated that the task was impossible. He was on earth and wouldn’t be in need of their prayers in his mid-50s and physically felt much older on after the Lord’s visitation. Vianney kept them for account of the sufferings he had undergone dur- his own use in the event that his own instruments ing the revolution. He was implored at least to of mortification fell apart. meet with the young man who used to sit at his After Father Balley died, the parishioners of feet when he celebrated the clandestine Masses. Ecully asked the vicar general that Father Vianney Father Balley assented to the meeting. be appointed his successor, but Father Tripier was When he met with the young aspirant, the sent instead. The latter, probably because he had priest was surprised that, despite his lack of a for- never had a holy mentor like Father Balley, deemed mal education, Vianney was quite knowledgeable his curate — with his tattered cassock, abstemiabout the faith, had common sense and a deep ous appetite, lack of desire to kiss up to the wellprayer life, and was willing to make the types of to-do, and longing for the rectory to be a prayerful heroic sacrifices that would be required for him and austere monastery — too “rigid” for his tastes ever to get up to speed. Father Balley agreed to and so the future patron saint of priests needed to take him on. When John apologized in advance be transferred elsewhere. Unbelievable as it was, it for how much work his education would entail was the means by which God would make the road for the teacher, Father Balley replied, “Do not to Ars a modern road to Damascus. worry, my friend; if need be I will sacrifice myself “I should have ended by acquiring a small for your sake.” measure of goodness,” Vianney would say much Sacrifice he did. The road ahead required al- later looking back at his relationship with his menmost infinite patience and trust in God on both tor, “had I had the happiness of living always with their parts. John needed to sit in class with stu- Monsieur Balley. No one has shown me more dents much younger who grasped instructions plainly to what extent the soul may rise above the much more easily. No matter how much he stud- sense and become akin to the angels. To make one ied, he could not succeed in retaining anything in wish to love God, it was enough to hear him say, his “bad head.” Latin was nearly impossible for ‘God God, I love thee with my whole heart.’ I have him. Everyone was frustrated: professor, Vianney seen beautiful souls, but none so beautiful.” and the much younger students, one of whom — That beauty was so contagious that Father BalMatthew Loras, a future missionary bishop in ley ended up inspiring the farmer with the “bad Dubuque, Iowa — punched him in the face for head” to acquire one of the most beautiful priestly his seeming stupidity. souls of all time. Seeing how he was not only failing but seemFather Landry is pastor of St. Anthony’s Paring to bring others to ruin with him, he said, crest- ish in New Bedford.
Putting Into the Deep
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eflecting on my childhood, I remember always being attracted to Mass, to the Bible, to the beauty of the church building, to the rosary, and to the solace of personal prayer. Although I went to public school, I became an altar server in fourth or fifth grade and then a lector after confirmation. Around the time of preparing and receiving that sacrament, when I was beginning high school, I definitely felt called to the priesthood. What eventually made me step forward much later in life, however, was not one particular moment of vocation — no booming voice from heaven or single event of epiphany — but the persistence of feeling called. That feeling would surface from time to time over the years during both my late teens and my 20s. The possibility of having a vocation probably began with a desire to know the meaning of my life. It was like an obsession. A great big, beautiful world surrounded me and I longed to know my place in it. I
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The Anchor
July 17, 2009
The desires through which God calls
had a hunger and thirst for this. called by God” (Heb 5:4). I Through this feeling, God was believe in that. A vocation is a drawing me to himself. gift from God. I have a convicI also wanted to do something tion, however, that through these great with my life, something very desires God was speaking noble, something extraordinary, to me and calling me. I have something exciting, urgent, and also realized that not everyone adventurous. I saw the priesthas these desires. These dehood as all of this. The vocation sires, moreover, led me toward to be a missionary especially God, not away from him. I was seemed to contain all of this: to leave home, Year of the Priesthood to go to a foreign land, maybe even to face dan- Vocational Reflection ger, in order to spread the faith. By Father I wanted to learn Karl C. Bissinger more about the Catholic faith and I wanted to share it with others. I wanted to teach others about willing to consider a vocation Christ and the Church. I wanted to the priesthood as a solution to help others find God as I had to these desires. Other young found him. men do not; or they object when I know I have been using the someone proposes the priestword “want” a lot. I “wanted” hood to them. So in this I see this and I “desired” that. Somehow God was really calling one might object and ask, “Was me, even though I describe it in this God calling you or someterms of my desires and of what thing you took upon yourself?” I wanted. As the Letter to the Hebrews Furthermore, I wanted to states, “No one takes this honor do something counter-cultural. upon himself but only when I thought of this in terms of
Don’t fool with Mother Nature
would have been to turn around, emember the old Chiffon make a phone call to Denise and margarine commercial avoid any chance of an electrical in the 70s, “It’s not nice to fool encounter. Or at least make it to the Mother Nature”? It’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature also came next bus stop and await my 40-foot public chariot. to mind as I squatted beneath the I’ve been accused of being canopy of an abandoned gas stamany things — prudent isn’t one tion during a pretty nasty thunderof them. Onward I trekked. The storm last week. skies grew darker and the decibel I’m a person who walks evlevel of the thunder increased a eryday to improve my health and bit each time. Soon the lightning keep it improved. Walking in a thunderstorm, however, is not part of a healthy equation, unless said person is looking for a quick perm or to become a human S’MORE. While hoofing it, it’s By Dave Jolivet inevitable that an encounter with inclement weather will occur. Getting caught flashes were visible. Flash. “One in a rain shower is OK with me. I hippopotamus, two hippopotacan live with soggy sneakers and mus,” I thought as I stepped up my a saturated Red Sox cap. Even a pace. The rain began in earnest. saunter through a snowstorm is With each flash, the hippopotagood with me, as long as the snow mus count decreased. Now I was isn’t flying sideways in white-out in no-man’s land. No buses comconditions. But a t-storm? Uh-uh. ing soon, no cell phone, nowhere Last week, as I readied for my to go. I thought of waiting it out 2.2-mile walk home from The Anchor, I glanced out the window and on someone’s porch, but I feared espied some dark clouds approach- someone would think I was some weirdo (well?) and shoo me away. ing in the southwestern skies. About a mile from home, I made As I double-knotted my Reeit to the abandoned gas station. At boks (I hate having to stop midwalk to tie a blown sneaker), I was least it was a shelter, albeit strewn confident I could “beat” the cluster with metal pipes, empty gas pumps and pretty much out in the open. of cumulonimbus clouds heading Remembering the warnings my way. from the Weather Channel when I started to get an uneasy feelcaught in an electrical storm, I ing about one block away from work. The prudent course of action stayed away from the poles and
My View From the Stands
pumps, but I was still wearing glasses with metal rims, had a large set of keys in one pocket, and a fistful of change in the other. I felt like a lightning rod. As the bolts zigzagged about me, I squatted down to make myself less of a target ... and removed my glasses. I must have looked quite the sight. With no let up in sight, I made a dash for the nearest bus stop and caught one to Catholic Memorial Home. Once there I still had half a mile to go. Having no cell phone, I asked the people at CMH if they had a pay phone. Nope. But the kind folks there let me use a private phone. When Denise picked me up a few moments later, she queried, “Why didn’t you call me?” “I thought I could make it,” I murmured. No response from the driver. I learned my lesson about fooling with Mother Nature ... until the following day. Same scenario, only the clouds were further away and less threatening. I can do this. Off I went. There was no thunder in the distance and no flashes to count off. But with one-half mile to go, the skies absolutely emptied ... on me. I made it home with soggy sneakers and a saturated Red Sox cap, but none the worse for wear. Once again, I fooled with Mother Nature and lost. Prudence? I don’t know the meaning of it.
rejecting materialism and the values of our secular society. I wanted to criticize the dominant mentality. I didn’t realize how counter-cultural my decision would, in fact, be. Dressing like a priest and going around as a priest are really eye-opening experiences. I get a mix of reactions that run the whole gamut: deep, sincere respect (most of the time); feigned respect and sanctimoniousness; curiosity; but also indifference and dismissive attitudes; discomfort; and lastly — but, thankfully, very rarely — outright hostility. Finally, I perceived the need — the need for priests — and the fact that I could help fill it. My attitude was, “Here I am, Lord! Send me!” (Is 6:8b). I understood that the Church would have to ratify my vocation. But as long as no one in authority was saying no, I was saying yes. Throughout seminary formation, my private policy always was, “If one day the rector, my spiritual director, or the bishop tells me I don’t have a vocation, I will pack up my things and go home.” I promised myself I would try to accept their judgment with humility and docility. I never had to test that policy. Above all, however, I felt
called to the priesthood in order to follow Christ more closely. I felt that this was the way God wanted me to be a Christian man. I felt this was the way God wanted me to work out my salvation — as a priest. These feelings led me to enter the seminary and answer God’s call to become a priest. While I was in the seminary, I had much time to pray and to reflect on my life. I thought of all the blessings God had given me: my parents, my grandparents, my family, my education, my talents, my friends, and all the things I had experienced. I came up with a big list of what I felt grateful for. I felt I wanted to make a return to God for the wonderful life he had given me — that he continues to give me. I asked myself, “What else can I give God, except my life?” I made my own the words of the Psalmist, “How can I repay the Lord for all the good done for me? I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord” (Ps 116:12-13). Father Bissinger was ordained in 2005 and is diocesan Vocations director and secretary to Bishop George W. Coleman.
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wo thousand years ago Jesus ministered to his people and to the Gentiles, leaving us with a gift of a shepherd’s abiding love and with memories of compassion, mercy and forgiveness. Looking back through that period of time, we may note that nations and cultures have disappeared but Jesus’ legacy of a loving shepherd has endured. Because we have received the sacrament of baptism and share in Jesus’ life as priest, prophet and king, we are also shepherds who tend and guard and with great charity teach others about God’s ways. Many of our senior citizens spend years in private homes and nursing facilities unable to function fully in society. They, as patients, have a great opportunity to be fully involved in the mainstream as shepherds of prayer for themselves, their peers and the myriad of problems affecting our country and our world.
The Anchor
July 17, 2009
A Shepherd’s abiding love
They are valuable assets in educated in the faith. families and in the greater Jesus left us a beautiful community at large because legacy of a caring, loving of their accumulated wisdom, shepherd. A shepherd who intelligence and talents. They called Peter to be his chief should be told how valuable shepherd (Mt.16:13-19). they are as Christians and Jesus also called Saul, a zealmodels for younger generaous persecutor of the Church, tions. to carry on his work as Paul, Recently Pope Benedict XVI emphaHomily of the Week sized the importance of parents in educatSixteenth Sunday ing their children in in Ordinary Time the faith. Parents as By Deacon shepherds certainly share in Jesus’ minisJames P. Leavitt try because he loved children’s innocence and the fact that they are toApostle and shepherd for tally dependent on their parthe Gentiles (Acts 9:1-9). ents for love, guidance and Paul, in his extensive travels sustenance. They are totally established Christian commudependent on their parents nities and churches for those for everything. The guidance who believed and responded parents give is incredibly to Jesus’ message of salvaimportant for their children, tion. Paul loved the people he particularly the direction and ministered to and he treated assistance they give so their them as a good parent would children can take part in the treat his children. As a matter sacramental and liturgical of fact he called himself their life of the Church and to be father (1Thes 2:11).
We are grateful for the shepherds that God has given us down through the ages. We are also grateful for good parents, grandparents, clergy, religious and unknown numbers of lay people who have and are now providing a shepherd’s abiding love in prayer, guidance and protection for God’s people. We must always remember that as followers of Christ we must act as shepherds for each other. In today’s Gospel Jesus demonstrates for posterity his love and fatherly concern for the disciples he had sent out, now returning from their missionary experience. Jesus as a concerned shepherd wants them to retreat to a quiet place and rest but it is not to be for Jesus, for he pitied the crowds that followed him because they were like lost sheep. Jesus set aside his rest to teach them. He is truly the suffering servant shepherd for
God’s people. The 20th century was a disaster for humanity and yet God’s love through his shepherds has thrived. Several years ago a young woman living behind the Iron Curtain was out walking when she was stopped by military authorities. Evening was approaching and they wanted to know where she was going, since a curfew would be in effect in a few hours. Churches were closed and any assembly was forbidden by law. She was actually on her way to an underground home Church to attend Mass, to receive the holy Eucharist and to be with her friends and neighbors. She did not want to lie to the authorities so she said to them, “My brother has died and I am going to meet with my family to claim my inheritance.” This is how a shepherd’s abiding love continues. Deacon Leavitt is assigned to Our Lady of the Cape Parish in Brewster.
Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. July 18, Ex 12:37-42; Ps 136:1,10-15,23-24; Mt 12:14-21. Sun. July 19, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jer 23:1-6; Ps 23:1-6; Eph 2:13-18; Mk 6:30-34. Mon. July 20, Ex 14:5-18; (Ps) Ex 15:1-6; Mt 12:38-42. Tues. July 21, Ex 14:21-15:1; (Ps) Ex 15:8-10,12,17; Mt 12:46-50. Wed. July 22, Ex 16:1-5,915; Ps 78:18-19,23-28; Jn 20:1-2,11-18. Thu. July 23, Ex 19:1-2,9-11,16-20b; (Ps) Dn 3:52-56; Mt 13:10-17. Fri. July 24, Ex 20:1-17; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 13:18-23. Sat. July 25, feast of St. James, Apostle, 2 Cor 4:7-15; Ps 126:1-6; Mt 20:20-28. Sun. July 26, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2 Kgs 4:42-44; Ps 145:10-11,15-16, 17-18; Eph 4:1-6; Jn 6:1-15. Mon. July 27, Ex 32:15-24,30-34; Ps 106:19-23; Mt 13:31-35. Tues. July 28, Ex 33:7-11; 34:5b-9,28; Ps 103:6-13; Mt 13:36-43. Wed. July 29, Ex 34:29-35; Ps 99:5-7,9; Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 38-42. Thu. July 30, Ex 40:16-21,34-38; Ps 84:3-6,8,11; Mt 13:47-53. Fri. July 31, Lv 23:1,4-11,15-16,27, 34b-37; Ps 81:3-6,10-11; Mt 13:54-58. Sat. Aug. 1, Lv 25:1,8-17; Ps 67:2-3,5,7-8; Mt 14:1-12. Sun. Aug. 2, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Ex 16:2-4,12-15; Ps 78:3-4,23-25, 54; Eph 4:17,20-24; Jn 6:24-35. Mon. Aug. 3, Nm 11:4b-15; Ps 81:12-17; Mt 14:13-21. Tues. Aug. 4, 150th Anniversary of the Death of St. Jean Mary Vianney, Nm 12:1-13; Ps 51:1,3-7.12-13; Mt 14:22-36 or 15:1-2,10-14. Wed. Aug. 5, Nm 13:1-2,25-14:1,26-29a,34-35; Ps 106:6-7,13-14,21-23; Mt 15:21-28. Thu. Aug. 6, feast of The Transfiguration of the Lord, Dn 7:9-10,13-14; Ps 97:1-2,5-6,9; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Mk 9:2-10. Fri., Aug. 7, Dt 4:32-40; Ps 77:12-16,21; Mt 16:24-28.
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orty years ago, on July 20, 1969, a low decade reached a glorious apogee when Neil Armstrong steered Eagle over a lunar rock field and, with 17 seconds of fuel left, gently set his spidery spacecraft down on the Sea of Tranquility — the first time human beings had landed on another celestial body. Strangely, Apollo 11 never quite seized the public imagination the way Apollo 8 did with its Christmas Eve circumnavigation of the Moon and those stunning “Earth-rise” photos. Three Apollo missions later (and nine months before the high drama of Apollo 13), Americans were accustomed to success in spaceflight. There was nothing automatic about that first lunar landing, though, which was a hair-raiser until touchdown. On the 40th anniversary, it’s worth remembering what an extraordinary accomplishment Apollo 11 was. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the entire Apollo program was the cre-
What Apollo 11 still means
ativity that went into it. No one sheets of aluminum foil? knew how to do this in 1961, Everything about the Apollo when President Kennedy anprogram — hardware, softnounced that the United States ware, navigation techniques, would land a man on the Moon mission rules and procedures and return him safely to Earth — had to be invented: a stunbefore the decade was out. ning exercise in intellectual The booster rocketry wasn’t creativity and engineering yet designed. The path to the prowess. And it was all done Moon — direct ascent, earth orbit rendezvous, lunar orbit rendezvous — was undetermined. The stack of vehicles to do the job hadn’t been imagined. The Apollo By George Weigel command module, Columbia, was the most complex piece of machinery ever built; millions of without today’s sophisticated parts had to be invented from computers — the computer onscratch. The same was true for board Eagle had less computthe lunar module, Eagle, the ing power than your standard first craft ever built to fly solely phone today. in space: Should it have three In “The Right Stuff,” Tom legs or four? Where would the Wolfe justifiably celebrated windows go? Would the astrothe courage and skill of the nauts sit or stand? How do you astronaut corps, spiritual qualikeep the pilots from punching ties that ought to remain an a hole in the Eagle’s .0000833 inspiration today. Yet in the inch-thick nickel-steel skin — retrospect of 40 years, what a hull the thickness of three seems equally impressive is
The Catholic Difference
the sheer volume of creative ideas that made possible Neil Armstrong’s epic transmission — “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed” — and Buzz Aldrin’s word-portrait of the Moon’s “magnificent desolation.” As we ponder the accomplishment of Apollo 11, the thought that bears repeating is, “No one knew how to do any of this, eight years before it happened.” On this anniversary, it’s also worth reflecting on why we stopped pushing out into space and what that’s meant. At the height of the space race, it was simply assumed that, after conquering the Moon (and perhaps building a permanent base there), there would be a Mars mission, which was thought doable by the end of the 20th century, if not earlier. Yet Congress decreed that we stop exploring the Moon with Apollo 17; we can’t get back with the equipment we have now; Mars remains an unfo-
cused dream; and the next men on the Moon (or beyond) could be Chinese. The lowness of another low decade, the 1970s, had something to do with America’s failure to keep pushing the outside of the envelope in space, I suspect. As in the spiritual life, so in public life: if we look down, or look around, but don’t look up, the human spirit withers a bit. After a season of withering, we find it difficult to imagine ourselves as creatures called to transcend ourselves. So we turn inward, become self-absorbed, and end up, like contemporary Europe — trapped in a crisis of civilizational morale, unable to summon the moral energy to create future generations. God made us for adventure and discovery. Abandoning the great adventure of manned space exploration was a serious mistake, for America and for the human future. George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.
Is it summer yet?
have been bonfires in the fields Wednesday 15 July 2009 — and dancing in the streets of at home on Three Mile River Europe, but not here in The — Saint Swithin’s Day (Old Dightons. Summer stood us England) olks in Jesus’ time reckoned only two seasons, the rainy and the dry. The Reflections of a Vikings had just two seasons as well, sumParish Priest mer and winter. SumBy Father Tim mer in Iceland officially Goldrick began on April 23. I suppose I would jump the gun, too, if New up this year. In my neck of England had winters as bad as the woods, people still believe Iceland. For the ancient Celts, summer is coming eventusummer began a bit later, on ally. They say the same about May Day. Based on astronomical defi- Christmas. Nobody really knows when warmer weather nition, the solstice occurred will finally arrive in southeastin this hemisphere on June 21 ern Massachusetts. at 1:45 am EDT. That’s when In May, my lawn morphed our summer started, or did it? into a mushroom farm. In June, On the longest day, there may
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The Anchor
July 17, 2009
The Ship’s Log
the roses rotted on the bush. In July, the thunderstorms have been frequent and violent. Did I mention I was recently struck by lightning? Not me personally, dear readers, but rather my rectory. I was chatting with Thelma Sherman and Elaine Lee in the sacristy following morning Mass when there was a terrific crack. “We’ve been hit,” I thought, and calmly excused myself to go inspect for damage. I checked the buildings from attic to basement. I checked the computers. I checked the phone system. Everything was fine. It was just another exciting day in the life of a parish priest. I did discover a telephone technician in the basement.
The value of fatherhood
very terms “motherhood” and ne would be hard“fatherhood.” pressed to name a This culture is hardly contemporary television show conducive to raising healthy or movie in which authentic children, and yet the women fatherhood is presented in an involved often choose to aluplifting or edifying manlow the men to behave badly ner. Among our celebrities, — resulting in pain for all likewise, it would be difficult involved. Manhood implies to find an example of a man fatherhood, either physical or choosing a lifelong union with spiritual, which requires the a woman whereby he procollaboration with women who vides a stable home for their understand the needs of the children. Rather, the media human person. When a woman parades a circus of couplings governed by undisciplined passions and contempt for even the most secular of conventions. The mass media’s noisy approval of preBy Genevieve Kineke marital sex, contraception, in-vitro fertilization, and alternative neglects her vocation as gatelifestyles each, in their own way, confuse the young — first keeper of love and guardian of hearts, she thereby allows men about the meaning of sexual to be irresponsible, herself to intimacy, and secondly about be used, and her children to be the meaning of fatherhood. abandoned. When the tragic element of Just as femininity isn’t a list domestic violence is added to of accomplishments or stereothe mix, masculinity is seen as typical attributes, but a mode toxic and dangerous — someof being, the same is true for thing to be avoided, since it’s masculinity. A woman loves no longer understood to be in a motherly manner, and the beneficial to the family unit. man’s mode of loving is called If the broader culture crefatherhood. He may do it well ates a filter showing masculinor badly, but to reject him out ity as unstable, irresponsible, of hand for being himself is and often overbearing, then unworthy of us. In considerwhat relationship is possible for men to establish with wom- ing the essence of fatherhood, a woman’s perception of the en and children? The sexual masculine vocation will ultiembrace is often deliberately mately color her view of the sterile, we shop for children priesthood, which embodies a outside of conjugal intimacy, and we are in the process of re- spiritual fatherhood of enormous proportions. defining the family in language Thus, we must take stock and law, effectively pulling of the way we value a man’s the rug out from beneath the
The Feminine Genius
love — which is all the more important when considering how we receive those men called to be images of Christ himself. If we cannot name the inherent lies in the confused trends named above, then we cannot respond with the truths that define the fatherly vocation of priests. It should be evident that the women to whom priests minister ought to be open to their gifts, but if women have fundamental reservations about the nature of fatherhood and the importance of collaboration between men and women, then these gifts will lie like seeds in barren soil. Just as the Incarnation depended on the receptivity of Our Lady, God’s actions still depend on the openness of women to his generous and faithful love. The damage to fatherhood from misplaced intimacy, confusion over masculinity, and the sterility in the beloved affects all men, including — and especially — priests. Their gift of self is meant to bear fruit, and their beloved — holy mother Church — is imbued with a mission that should extend God’s fatherly kingdom to all the world. In that sense, the understanding and joy with which women share that mission is essential. It begins with the human person and gratitude for his vocation. Fatherhood itself should be cherished. Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman” (Servant Books). She can be found online at www. feminine-genius.com.
He was there at my request to correct our voicemail system. The poor man was as white as a sheet. “Father, did you see the lightning come down the ground wire to the water pipe? Did you see the sparks flying?” he asked. No, I didn’t, but I assured the man that it was his lucky day. I suggested he promptly buy a Megabucks ticket. Of course, the odds are 20 times in favor of someone getting hit by lighting than winning the lottery, but it was worth a try. I don’t know where the bolt struck, but I did notice a tall tree across the street had been sliced in half. Perhaps lightning hit the tree and traveled into the rectory basement. I immediately phoned headquarters. “Good morning, Diocese of Fall River,” said a voice pleasantly. “Good morning, may I please be connected to the person in charge of Acts of God?” I requested. “Acts of God? That would be the insurance department. One moment please.” Nothing fazes Chancery staff. So, other than being struck by lightning, how did I spend the first two weeks of July? That would be unpacking Christmas decorations. I’m referring to Christmas Nativity scenes. You know me. I have lots of them. Every few years, the sets must all be simultaneously unpacked, examined, repaired and repacked. Individual figures sometimes get mixed up. I discovered the Infant from the Irish set had immigrated to Ghana, for example. Pieces also get broken in the process of mounting exhibits. Off goes the broken piece to the “hospital table” and out comes the glue. Once every figure is inventoried, it has to be wrapped in fresh tissue paper, bagged, sealed, and
carefully stored in the properly marked container. This is a huge project. Several hundred Nativity scenes were carried from the rectory to the classrooms. All crates were unpacked and their contents set out on 30 utility tables. I rely on memory to tell me if each set has its proper pieces. I found a lost sheep from Santa Clara Pueblo and restored him to the fold, but I’m still missing a baby from India. I invited Larry Sowinski, director of the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven, Conn., to drive up for a viewing. He arrived in a big white sports utility vehicle, accompanied by Jess Mallory and Greg Jallat, the “summer” intern from Catholic University. The four of us spent the next 10 hours inspecting the sets and selecting the ones that could appear in upcoming museum displays. The 2009/2010 exhibition will have a Latino and American Indian theme. There will also be future African and Asian exhibits. Just as we were about to load the truck, torrential rain let go. The weatherman called it a super-cell thunderstorm. “How often does lightning strike twice in the same place?” I wondered. Fortunately, the answer is (almost) never. The gang was soon on its way home, the truck packed to the roof. Christmas (if not summer) is coming. Do you think I made a mistake in offering that prayer for rain back in April? I’ll get right on it. “O Lord, please delete previous prayer for rain as soon as possible. Repeat: delete. Amen.” Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton.
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The Anchor By Michael Pare Anchor Correspondent
July 17, 2009
Wareham couple shares gifts from God
WAREHAM — Catherine Richard has always had a deep faith in God. She sees him in all kinds of places and situations. She hears him speak to her. She feels his presence. “Faith was always a big part of my family,” she said. Catherine grew up in New Bedford. She got off to a challenging start, being born with bilateral clubbed feet, a condition that required immediate surgery and then years of hospital visits and braces on her legs and for her back. When she was 15 she had major surgery to address the condition. It was not an easy way to grow up, but the experience did not push Catherine away from her faith. Instead, it drew her closer to God. “I always needed my faith to live with what I was carrying,” she said. In a way, because of what she was going through, she had empathy for the plight of others. Even at a young age, she would find comfort in visiting family members who were hospitalized or in a nursing home. Looking back on it now, Catherine sees in her disability a gift from God. “It was a gift for me to be blessed with this disability,” she said. “If I had not been gifted by God with this, I would not be the person I am today. I understand the passion of Jesus and what he went through for us … and always, it was with the grace of God.” Catherine has always felt God close to her — in good times, and not so good. He was there when her father died, and again, when her brother tragically lost his life — seven years to the day that her father had passed away. And he was there when she asked God for an answer to the question if he wanted her to be married. He did. She is convinced of it. His answer took the form of Catherine’s mailman in New Bedford. She had grown up and attended New Bedford public schools with Robert Richard’s brothers. But she didn’t really know Robert until the U.S. Navy veteran started delivering her mail. “I would give him water,” she said. “I was the Good Samaritan.” It took a while to get his attention. “I threw clothespins at him,” she said with a laugh. “He always wore a headset.” Well, Robert got the idea. In 1996, they started their life together. It would be a union rooted deeply in faith. In Robert, Catherine found someone who also looked to share the teachings of his faith with others. Together they channel that shared commitment into volunteering at St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham and in the community. At St. Patrick’s, they often
serve at funerals. Catherine is also a lector. parish, they have found so much that they Their former pastor, Father Arnold R. can do together, like bringing the Eucharist Medeiros, sees them as a wonderful influto patients at Tobey Hospital. It has been a ence for young, fulfilling experimarried couples. ence. “It is important “It goes back to see others step to my days as forward together,” a patient,” said he said. Catherine. “When If other couthe priest or ples do in fact see chaplain would them as mentors, come and see me, Catherine and I would feel so Richard welcome good. And you the role. After all, aren’t only visitthey agree that ing the patients, God’s influence you are bringing on their marriage Jesus to them.” has been undeniRobert has able. also seen the “Our faith has impact of their strengthened our visits. marriage,” said “It does Catherine. “Some seem to change people just invite people’s outlook,” God to the wedhe said. “They ding ceremony, forget why they but not into the are there while marriage. We we are there with have always had them.” God as a part of As Robert our marriage.” ANCHOR PERSONS OF THE WEEK — Robert sees it, it is often Through their and Catherine Richard. when he carries
his faith outside of his parish and into the community when he truly feels its strength. He is a Boy Scout leader, an endeavor that offers him ample opportunity to live his faith. “My faith drives me to give back,” he said. “When I teach merit badges, I try to teach the boys to walk a straight path … to do things the right way. And they see that through my faith I am demonstrating what I am teaching. I always teach them to keep God in all that they do and to thank him every day for the blessings he has given them.” The former mailman delivers a powerful message. There is much for which the faithful should give thanks to God. Robert has to look no further than Catherine to see such a shining example of selflessness. “She’s been wonderful,” he said. “There are days when I know she is hurting.” But even on those days, Catherine gives thanks for God’s gift to her. It was a challenge that shaped her life and has allowed her to influence the lives of others … to see them and hear them more clearly. The way she sees it, God has never left her side. And she has to look no further than Robert to find evidence of that. “He is a prayer answered,” she said. To nominate a Person of the Week, send an email message to FatherRogerLandry@ AnchorNews.org.
The Anchor
July 17, 2009
Catholic Memorial Home resident made big splash in life
FALL RIVER — Since opening its doors in 1939, Catholic Memorial Home has served countless men and women, providing them care in a warm and compassionate environment. Each has a story to tell that makes them unique, and have all accomplished a great deal throughout their lives. One current resident is unique and accomplished. Shirley May France, a native of Somerset, did something better than most, and at a very young age. She swam with great endurance, and challenged herself by swimming long distances. Her first challenging swim was 33 miles across Lake Saint Clair, Mich., at 13 years old. She later swam in races in Lake George, N.Y., coming in 10th and being the only woman to complete the race at the time. In 1949, she swam from Manhattan’s Battery Park to Coney Island with thousands of spectators watching. But her greatest challenge was attempting to swim the English Channel at the age of 17. Although Shirley didn’t succeed in the much-publicized swim due to daunting weather conditions, she achieved local and national acclaim, as well as Hollywood offers. She met celebrities and was courted with offers from people in the movie industry to come to Hollywood. She met celebrities including Cesar Romero, Frank Sinatra, Jackie Robinson, and Clark Gable, before and after her English Channel swim, but decided going home was most important to her. She returned to Somerset where she married and raised five children, and became known as Shirley May Setters. Rick Shane of the Somerset Historical Commission and the director of the Shirley May Project, along with Don Set-
ters, son of Shirley May Setters, have press clips, photos and memorabilia and are working on an exhibit they hope to take on tour eventually. They hope to have the exhibit open to the public in Somerset in August of 2009. They recently showed their film presentation of Shirley May’s swimming accomplishments to the residents and staff at Catholic Memorial Home, where she currently resides.
11 MAKING WAVES — Shirley May France Setters, front left, a resident of Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River, was a world class swimmer as a teen-ager and young woman. The Somerset Historical Society recently showed a film presentation about Setters at the Home. With her are her daughter Shelby Setters, and rear from left: Rick Shane of the Somerset Historical Society, and her son Don Setters. The inset photo shows Shirley prior to her attempt to swim the English Channel at age 17.
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The Anchor
Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, July 19 at 7:00 a.m. Note special time because of ABC’s coverage of The Open golf tournament Celebrant is Father Barry W. Wall, retired resident of the Cardinal Medeiros Residence in Fall River
Sunday, July 26 at 11:00 a.m.
July 17, 2009
Catholic Action League raps AG’s lawsuit against DOMA
BOSTON — The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts has criticized Bay State Attorney General Martha Coakley for filing a lawsuit in U.S. District Court challenging the constitutionality of the federal Defence of Marriage Act. Coakley claims that DOMA, which defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman, interferes with the Commonwealth’s “sovereign authority to define and regulate the marital status
of its residents.” The Catholic Action League called the lawsuit “another flagrant attempt by a minority to use the courts to impose its will on the American majority.” CAL Executive Director C.J. Doyle stated: “Like last year’s repeal of the 1913 law which had prohibited out-of-state couples from marrying in Massachusetts if their unions were not recognized by their home states, this is one more effort
Celebrant is Father Timothy J. Goldrick, pastor of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton.
by Massachusetts to judicially export homosexual marriage to the rest of the country. He added, “One cannot help but note the shameless hypocrisy of a state government which had refused to allow its own citizens — the people of Massachusetts — to vote on the definition of marriage, now claiming that an act of Congress is intruding on its sovereign right of self-government.” “Still, one has to marvel at the sheer expediency of Martha Coakley’s legal strategy,” said Doyle. “For someone as deeply embedded in the political left as Attorney General Coakley, it requires considerable dexterity to suddenly discover the virtues of federalism, states’ rights, and the Tenth Amendment. This is as cynical as it gets.”
Sunday, August 2 at 11:00 a.m. Celebrant is Father John J. Perry, pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Taunton.
Please note: The Anchor will not publish on July 24 and July 31. The Anchor office will be closed from July 18 through July 26, reopening for business on July 27. We will resume publication on August 7.
CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following is a capsule review of a movie recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “I Love You, Beth Cooper” (Fox Atomic) A nerdy high school valedictorian (Paul Rust) uses his speech to declare his love for the head cheerleader (Hayden Panettiere) after which the unlikely pair have a series of graduation night adventures in the company of his sexually conflicted best friend (Jack T. Carpenter) and her two closest pompom pals (Lauren London and Lauren Storm). In director Chris Columbus’ comic misfire, adapted by Larry Doyle from his novel, a potentially charming central relationship gets lost in the shuffle of well-worn social stereotypes, harshly violent confrontations with the heroine’s boyfriend (Shawn Roberts) and freewheeling sexual attitudes and behavior. Brief nongraphic, nonmarital sexual activity, benign view of group sex and homosexuality, underage drinking, drug references, much sexual and occasional irreverent humor, at least one use of the F-word, much crude language and a half-dozen uses of profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Catholic attitudes about marriage differ by generation, says survey
By Maria Wiering Catholic News Service
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Catholic attitudes on marriage in the Church are different among generational groups, according to results of a 2007 survey of U.S. Catholics by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University in Washington. Social scientist Barbara Dafoe Whitehead talked about the survey results in a recent keynote address in St. Paul at the annual conference of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers. The survey showed that older Catholics — those who were adults before the Second Vatican Council — are more likely to look to the Church as the source for meaning and expectations for marriage than are baby boomers or members of Generation X or the millennial generation. Older Catholics also are more likely to be familiar with the Church’s teaching on marriage, to believe in marriage as a lifelong commitment between a man and woman, and to think of marriage as a sacrament that extends beyond the wedding day, it said. Whitehead attributed this attitude to being raised in a time of a distinct Catholic identity that included an emphasis on the Church’s teachings on sex, procreation and marriage. Generation Xers — ages 25 to 35 — and millennial Catholics — ages 18 to 24 — are confused about marriage, and their attitudes are closer to those of the general population, Whitehead said. “Younger Catholics want to marry a soul mate, and they’re much less likely to see marriage in these broader, institutional terms,” she said. Sixty-nine percent of young Catholics believe that marriage is whatever two people want it to be, and the sacramental understanding does not figure as prominently into their understanding, she said. More than half of unmarried young Catholics do not think it is important to marry someone of the same faith, she added. Fortyone percent of young Catholics have married non-Catholics, she said. “In this, they’re very much like their peers,” she said. “More and more people are marrying outside their faith (and) marrying people of no faith.” However distant Catholics in Generation X seem from the oldest Catholics in their beliefs
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The Anchor
July 17, 2009
about marriage, the youngest generation — the millennial generation — is showing a swing toward traditional ideas. “The youngest Catholics ... look a lot more like the pre-Vatican II, Vatican II or post-Vatican II cohorts,” she said. “Huge majorities — 80 percent or more — of these youngest Catholics believe that marriage is a lifelong commitment and that people don’t take marriage seriously enough when divorce is readily available.” Many children of this generation have experienced divorce in their own families, and they are determined not to divorce themselves, Whitehead said. “This is a hopeful change,” she said. Whitehead urged family ministers to share the social science evidence to dispel misconceptions, she said. She also urged her listeners
to find ways to support young adults who aren’t on college campuses and who are scattered in the community. These young Catholics need a welcoming parish, especially as they think about preparing for marriage, she said. Last, she asked the ministers to help young married couples deal with practical issues, such as money. “This does not mean a retreat, or watering down or anything close to it for Catholic teachings on marriage; in fact, it might call for more intense catechesis on marriage,” Whitehead said. “What it does mean, in these times when we have a culture that is so really difficult for people to remain faithful in their marriages, there must be a polar recognition of the circumstances of life and the need of support to help people live out the teachings of their faith,” she said.
The Anchor
news brief
Texas author’s book links saints to Scripture WASHINGTON (CNS) — Theresa Doyle-Nelson couldn’t find any books about saints mentioned in the Bible. So she wrote one herself. “It dawned on me: Maybe this is my book to write,” Doyle-Nelson said. Setting out to do research, she found the Internet rife with mediocre information, with one website even canonizing Adam and Eve. Starting from scratch, she used a list of saints from “Butler’s Lives of the Saints” published in 1756, and did her own investigating. The result is the author’s first book, “Saints of the Bible,” which was published in March by Our Sunday Visitor. The saints are arranged by Church feast days starting with Mary, the mother of God, on January 1 and ending with the Holy Innocents on December 28. Each saint’s history is briefly chronicled and accompanied by Bible verse references. Doyle-Nelson, a former elementary schoolteacher, said she kept the book at about a fifth-grade reading level. “I don’t like things that get too lofty or sophisticated,” she told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview. The book can be found online at www.osv.com, www.leafletonline.com and www.amazon.com and at select book stores.
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The Anchor
July 17, 2009
Family recalls Archbishop Di Noia’s early calling
WASHINGTON (CNS) — It was clear Archbishop J. Augustine Di Noia would become a priest from the age of 11, when he would regularly celebrate Mass for his
younger cousins using a box covered in cloth as an altar and sugar wafers as hosts. “They all honored him as a priest at that age,” said Alfred Mancuso,
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Archbishop Di Noia’s uncle and confirmation sponsor 53 years ago. “He had that feeling way back.” Mancuso was not surprised, then, when Archbishop Di Noia was ordained an archbishop July 11 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. But it was still a big occasion. “It’s devastating, in fact,” Mancuso said to describe the overwhelming nature of the day. An estimated 2,500 people turned up to witness the ordination of the new secretary of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, which over-
sees matters concerning the liturgy and sacraments. The crowd was the biggest William Wooten has seen at an ordination in his 12 years as basilica security director. Concelebrants included three cardinals, two ordaining bishops, 14 Archbishop J. bishops and 148 priests. Augustine The GosDi Noia pel was Jesus’ prayer for priests: “As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into
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St. John Neumann Church 157 Middleboro Road, East Freetown, MA Saturday, 1 August 2009
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the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in faith.” In his homily, Cardinal William J. Levada, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, explained a bishop’s Christ-like, threefold role as priest, teacher and shepherd. “The whole of heaven casts its gaze upon you in response to the prayers of the Church,” Cardinal Levada said, addressing Archbishop Di Noia. “Here today, the prayers of all the saints will lift you up from above.” Archbishop Di Noia lay prostrate in a gesture of abandonment to Christ, and the ordaining bishops and other bishops imposed their anointed hands on his head. The Book of the Gospels was held over his head to represent a renewed commitment to the truth of the Gospel while the prayer of ordination was said. His head was then anointed with chrism, which was described as “none other than the Holy Spirit.” The new archbishop received the ring as a sign of spiritual marriage to the Church, the miter as a sign of his call to be a herald of truth and the crosier or pastoral staff as a sign of his office as a spiritual shepherd. Just as his prostration showed humility to Christ, Archbishop Di Noia proved humble in his concluding remarks. Though there was a temptation to congratulate himself, he said, “it is to God that the glory belongs.” His voice broke when he mentioned his Dominican roots. A native of New York, he was ordained a priest of the order in 1970 and taught at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington for 20 years. Dominican Father John Farren of the Manhattan borough of New York City also said he was proud that a fellow Dominican was ordained to this position. Father Farren, who served 12 years in Rome, also knows that Archbishop Di Noia is the right man for the job. “He’s somebody who knows Rome,” Father Farren said, adding that he cares about the Church and its deep dimension instead of just politics. “His perspective is one that I think is exactly what’s needed in this position.” The importance of the ordination was not lost on others in the crowd. “If you’ve got somebody coming into the Church whose formation is great, then it’s really powerful,” said Barbara Lopes-Dias, a parishioner in the Diocese of Oakland, Calif. Sandi Perez, also from California told CNS, “You feel good inside after you’ve seen something like this.”
July 17, 2009
The Anchor
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SUMMARY OF ENCYCLICAL ‘CARITAS IN VERITATE’
VATICAN CITY (VIS) — Given below is a summary of Benedict XVI’s new encyclical “Caritas in Veritate” (Charity in Truth) on integral human development in charity and truth. The encyclical has an introduction, six chapters and a conclusion and is dated 29 June 2009, solemnity of SS. Peter and Paul, Apostles. In his introduction the pope recalls how “charity is at the heart of the Church’s social doctrine.” Yet, given the risk of its being “misinterpreted and detached from ethical living,” he warns how “a Christianity of charity without truth would be more or less interchangeable with a pool of good sentiments, helpful for social cohesion, but of little relevance.” The Holy Father makes it clear that development has need of truth. In this context he dwells on two “criteria that govern moral action”: justice and the common good. All Christians are called to charity, also by the “institutional path” which affects the life of the “polis,” that is, of social coexistence. The first chapter of the encyclical focuses on the message of Paul VI’s “Populorum Progressio” which “underlined the indispensable importance of the Gospel for building a society according to freedom and justice. The Christian faith does not rely on privilege or positions of power, but only on Christ.” Paul VI “pointed out that the causes of underdevelopment are not primarily of the material order.” They lie above all in the will, in the mind and, even more so, in “the lack of brotherhood among individuals and peoples.” “Human Development in Our Time” is the theme of the second chapter. If profit, the pope writes, “becomes the exclusive goal, if it is produced by improper means and without the common good as its ultimate end, it risks destroying wealth and creating poverty.” In this context he enumerates certain “malfunctions” of development: financial dealings that are “largely speculative,” migratory flows “often provoked by some particular circumstance and then given insufficient attention,” and “the unregulated exploitation of the earth’s resources.” In the face of these interconnected problems, the pope calls for “a new humanistic synthesis,” noting how “development today has many overlapping layers: The world’s wealth is growing in absolute terms, but inequalities are on the increase,” and new forms of poverty are coming into being. At a cultural level, the encyclical proceeds, the possibilities for interaction open new prospects for dialogue, but a twofold danger exists: a “cultural eclecticism” in which cultures are viewed as “substantially equivalent,” and the opposing danger of “cultural levelling and indiscriminate acceptance of types of conduct and lifestyles.” In this context Pope Benedict also mentions the scandal of hunger and expresses his hope for “equitable agrarian reform in developing countries.” The pontiff also dwells on the question of respect for life, “which cannot in any way be detached from questions concerning the development of peoples,” affirming that “when a society moves towards the denial or suppression of life, it ends up
no longer finding the necessary motivation and energy to strive for man’s true good.” Another question associated with development is that of the right to religious freedom. “Violence,” writes the pope, “puts the brakes on authentic development,” and “this applies especially to terrorism motivated by fundamentalism.” Chapter three of the encyclical — “Fraternity, Economic Development and Civil Society” — opens with a passage praising the “experience of gift,” often insufficiently recognized “because of a purely consumerist and utilitarian view of life.” Yet development, “if it is to be authentically human, needs to make room for the prin-
“to promote a person-based and community-oriented cultural process of world-wide integration that is open to transcendence” and able to correct its own malfunctions. The fourth chapter of the encyclical focuses on the theme: “The Development of People. Rights and Duties. The Environment.” Governments and international organizations, says the pope, cannot “lose sight of the objectivity and ‘inviolability’ of rights.” In this context he also dedicates attention to “the problems associated with population growth.” He reaffirms that sexuality “cannot be reduced merely to pleasure or entertainment.” States, he says, “are called to enact
PAPAL IMPRIMATUR — Pope Benedict XVI signs a copy of his encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate” (“Charity in Truth”), at the Vatican June 29. The pope’s social encyclical, released July 7, addresses the global economic crisis. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters)
ciple of gratuitousness.” As for the logic of the market, it “needs to be directed towards the pursuit of the common good, for which the political community in particular must also take responsibility.” Referring to “Centesimus Annus,” this encyclical highlights the “need for a system with three subjects: the market, the state and civil society” and encourages a “civilizing of the economy.” It highlights the importance of “economic forms based on solidarity” and indicates how “both market and politics need individuals who are open to reciprocal gift.” The chapter closes with a fresh evaluation of the phenomenon of globalization, which must not be seen just as a “socioeconomic process.” Globalization needs
policies promoting the centrality and the integrity of the family.” “The economy needs ethics in order to function correctly,” the Holy Father goes on, and “not any ethics whatsoever, but an ethics which is people-centred.” This centrality of the human person must also be the guiding principle in “development programmes” and in international co-operation. “International organizations,” he suggests, “might question the actual effectiveness of their bureaucratic and administrative machinery, which is often excessively costly.” The Holy Father also turns his attention to the energy problem, noting how “the fact that some states, power groups and companies hoard non-renewable energy
resources represents a grave obstacle to development in poor countries. Technologically advanced societies can and must lower their domestic energy consumption,” he says, at the same time encouraging “research into alternative forms of energy.” “The Co-operation of the Human Family” is the title and focus of chapter five, in which Pope Benedict highlights how “the development of peoples depends, above all, on a recognition that the human race is a single family.” Hence Christianity and other religions “can offer their contribution to development only if God has a place in the public realm.” The pope also makes reference to the principle of subsidiarity, which assists the human person “via the autonomy of intermediate bodies.” Subsidiarity, he explains, “is the most effective antidote against any form of all-encompassing welfare state” and is “particularly well-suited to managing globalization and directing it towards authentic human development.” Benedict XVI calls upon rich states “to allocate larger portions of their gross domestic product to development aid,” thus respecting their obligations. He also expresses a hope for wider access to education and, even more so, for “complete formation of the person,” affirming that yielding to relativism makes everyone poorer. One example of this, he writes, is that of the perverse phenomenon of sexual tourism. “It is sad to note that this activity often takes place with the support of local governments,” he says. The pope then goes on to consider the “epoch-making” question of migration. “Every migrant,” he says, “is a human person who, as such, possesses fundamental, inalienable rights that must be respected by everyone and in every circumstance.” The pontiff dedicates the final paragraph of this chapter to the “strongly felt need” for a reform of the United Nations and of “economic institutions and international finance. There is,” he says, “urgent need of a true world political authority” with “effective power.” The sixth and final chapter is entitled “The Development of Peoples and Technology.” In it the Holy Father warns against the “Promethean presumption” of humanity thinking “it can re-create itself through the ‘wonders’ of technology.” Technology, he says, cannot have “absolute freedom.” “A particularly crucial battleground in today’s cultural struggle between the supremacy of technology and human moral responsibility is the field of bioethics,” says Benedict XVI, and he adds: “Reason without faith is doomed to flounder in an illusion of its own omnipotence.” The social question has, he says, become an anthropological question. Research on embryos and cloning is “being promoted in today’s highly disillusioned culture which believes it has mastered every mystery.” The pope likewise expresses his concern over a possible “systematic eugenic programming of births.” In the conclusion to his encyclical Benedict XVI highlights how “development needs Christians with their arms raised towards God in prayer,” just as it needs “love and forgiveness, self-denial, acceptance of others, justice and peace.”
Youth Page
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TEA FOR THREE — SS. Peter and Paul School, Fall River, Pre-K student Ryan Pereira enjoys time with his grandmother, Mary Ferreira (left), and his mom, Darlene Pereira, during a recent Mother’s Day Tea.
July 17, 2009
ON TO THE NEXT PHASE — St. Mary’s School, Mansfield, recently held its graduation ceremony. Pictured from left are: Brendan Bousquet, Michael Griffin, Edmond Gendreau, Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, Christopher Bosse, Brandon Gagliardi, Brendan Crowley, Ryan Peterson, Myles Kincaid, Conor Monks, Brian Harrington, Wil Palanza, Adam Birmingham, Harrison Packer, Daniel Caughey, Patrick Clark, Evan Sommerich, Matthew Garrow, Shannon Dempsey, Kelsey Christian, Elizabeth Kawa, Caroline Rubino, Lauren Puliafico, Robin Hill, and Ron DiFiore, grade eight teacher. (Photo by First Choice Photography)
ALL IN THE FEEHAN FAMILY — Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro celebrated the 25 graduates this year who have Feehan alumni parents. They were front row from left: Scott McGuire, John Cook, Megan Drummey, Patrick O’Neil, Owen Lynch, and Ryan Lee. Middle row: Ashley O’Brien, Meghan Scanlon, David Ramsey, Nicholas Petrella, and Joseph Germaine. Back row: Christopher Patch, Peter Harrington, Patrick Vale, Courtney Morrissey, Cary Kaczowka, Emily Wiklund, and Kelsey McEntee. Missing from the photo: Ryan Bedard, Robert Mark Grundy, Keegan Murphy, Kelly Lynch, Racquel Pacella, and Alexandra Sturdy.
HELLO KITTY — Lexie Katelyn Botelho enjoys the moments following her graduation from Espirito Santo School in Fall River. With an armful of balloons and flowers, Botelho is one of hundreds of eighthgraders who successfully completed their Catholic grammar school education this year and are moving on to bigger and better things.
A GOOD YEAR — St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro recently held its annual Honors/Awards night. Students in each grade were recognized for outstanding achievement in academics as well as their participation in athletics and involvement in all other aspects of the school. Pictured are fourth-grade students Akansha Deshpande, center, and Grace Fay, left, accepting awards from their teacher, Linda Betro.
July 17, 2009
I
must admit I was slightly confused when I first heard that Pope Benedict XVI had declared a “Year For Priests.” After all, we had just completed the “Year of St. Paul,” a year where we honored St. Paul, the “tireless convert, once a Church opponent, who became what some call ‘the second founder of Christianity,’ after Christ himself.” They didn’t appear to be, at first, at the same level of importance. A priest and St. Paul? No contest. At least, that’s what first came to mind. In recent weeks, however, a number of situations and events have caused me to reconsider my somewhat limited perceptions. I had lunch with a priest friend last week. He’s a young man that I’ve known (or at least known of) since he was a teen-ager. (Boy does that make me feel old.) I recently realized how little I knew of his life and journey toward his priestly vocation. Our paths have crossed so many times during these years but I don’t think I ever knew much about him. I took advantage of his service over the years but never took the time to get to know him. I had the opportunity to learn of his path toward priesthood that day, and asked him about it. I learned about his teenage years, the call, his discernment and his answer to that call resulting in the beginning of study for the priesthood and ultimately his ordination. He is a clear example of a man living a priestly life in the real world today. He has the ability to challenge us toward spiritual greatness but is adaptable enough to work within the real world realizing that all of us are at different places in our secular and spiritual lives.
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The Anchor
Let’s let them know they’re appreciated
That luncheon followed closely and every day. In their lives, they are called to be cheerleadmy week at the Christian Leaderers, leaders, spiritual directors, ship Institute at Cathedral Camp. celebrants of the sacraments, Once again, I had the privilege of sons and friends. They are priests directing the week along with a 24/7. It isn’t something you just team of 10 adults and 35 teenturn off. When I leave work each agers from around the diocese. Two of my team members were priests who served not only as team group leaders, but as spiritual directors. One of the priests was a graduate of CLI back in 1990. Spending By Frank Lucca that time at Cathedral Camp, I had an opportunity to view these priests in total ministry. These day, I’m not likely to be looked men are such models of Christ’s at by others as a vice president of love and call to service. They a trade association. Our priests, were not only able, of course, to however, live a life of complete celebrate jubilant liturgies and prayer services but they also acted dedication and service. They live in the world but need to be other as teachers and mentors to the worldly. They give up what some candidates. They mentored the of us would consider a great life of team and me. We prayed early work, family, money and success. morning lauds together. At one How difficult this seems to most of moment, they were leading their teams through the obstacle course us. Others might think that a priest has it made. No worries. But just with great exuberance, and at the imagine what a day must be like next moment they were celebrating Mass. Without missing a beat, responding to the needs of so many different people with so many they moved from hour to hour, different needs and add to that the day to day, as a model of what it financial and structural issues of means to be a priest. It was also the parish that face them every day. with great joy that I saw so many And in most parishes they do it pastors at the closing — supporting the young people they had sent alone. Yet, they do it. They do it for for training. The adults and young Christ and they do it for us. Take a moment to think about people of CLI were truly blessed priests in your life. I recall growing to have all of these men with us last week. I’m sure none of us will up with priests as family friends. I observed these men as parish ever forget their dedication, their priests, like my first pastor, who homilies, their adaptability and their love. They are true examples reminded me of a quintessential Irish priest that was so much a part of Christ in action for all of us. of my young faith development. I It struck me that their parwas lucky enough to have priests ticipation in CLI served as an as teachers during my 18 years of microcosm of what they do each
Be Not Afraid
ONE FINAL PHOTO — The Class of 2009 of St. Joseph-St. Therese School in New Bedford, pose on the front stairs of the church with their pastor, Father Philip N. Hamel; Principal Sherri Swainamer, second row, far left; and members of the school faculty following its recent graduation.
Catholic education. I’ve been fortunate to work with priests such as the spiritual directors in the YES! Retreat program and in the Cursillo movement. I so appreciate the training of the original CLI director, a priest who I always considered a friend and mentor. I have learned so much from these men who have served on the various teams over the years. I have had the privilege of seeing my pastor help heal a parish that was hurt and a previous pastor who was such a good friend to our family and who deeply influenced the spiritual life of my two daughters — especially during the years they served at the altar. I will never forget one priest who was there for me when I felt so low and abandoned during my first years working in ministry to youth. He prayed with me and for me. His words healed me. I still remember and reflect on his words that day. Now that I have taken the time to think about it, my life has been enriched and guided by these men of God. Every one of them have had an effect on my life and if you think about it, most likely yours too. I’m glad the pope has called us
to think about what I’ve taken for granted for so long. These thousands of men walk the same path for the same purpose as St. Paul. It is fitting, therefore, to spend a year considering their roles in our lives. As the number of men called to the priesthood vocation continues to drop, it may not be long before our parishes may not have these men in our midst. Do we have to wait until they are gone from us to realize how important they are in our lives? Young men, if called, I pray and hope you will consider a vocation. I hope the rest of us will encourage and pray for vocations. In the meantime, let your priest know how much you appreciate his vocation. Ask your parish priest what you can do to help. Let’s especially take this year of priests to be grateful to God for their service on our behalf and let’s let them know we appreciate their service. Thank you to the priests in my life. You know who you are. Frank Lucca is a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea. He is chair and director of the YES! Retreat and director of the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI). He is a husband and a father of two daughters.
The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools or parish Religious Education programs have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@ anchornews.org
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July 17, 2009
Year For Priests plans in the works
Snowbirds living their faith at home and away
At the initial committee meeting Father Hession introduced several additional events. The first is a social in late August glibly themed “Three Amigos Cookout,” which is a luncheon for priests at Our Lady of Victory, honoring three Fall River bishops; retired Hartford, Conn. Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin, Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston, and Bishop Coleman. Another event is a three-part colloquy based on the three-fold office of Christ and the challenge of ongoing formation: a) “Giving Shepherd’s Care,” facilitated by Springfield Bishop Timothy McDonnell; b) “The Teaching Office,” by Harvard professor Father J. Bryan Hehir; and c) “The Office of Sanctifying — the Sacrament of Unity,” by a to-be-determined presenter. Also planned is a mailing to all priests in the diocese of “A Priest’s Prayer,” formulated by the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops, with the request that all pray it in union with the presbyterate once a day, preferably at one of the hours of the Divine Office. Included in the mailing would be Pope Benedict’s address to priests given on the feast of the Sacred Heart that began the Year For Priests. In addition, diocesan priests will receive a “Preacher’s Kit,” for weekend Masses when readings may lead to homilies regarding the priesthood and vocations. Other committee recommendations were to request that deaneries consider events like those of the New Bedford prayer service kicking off the year on June 19, and the days of prayer and reflection to take place August 4 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Acushnet and Notre Dame Church in Fall River; and establishing a gathering of the ordained “Collegium,” with the bishop, priests and deacons, as an opportunity for fraternity and dialogue. As Father Bouchard mentioned earlier, the laity is encouraged to be an active, prayerful part of the Year For Priests. “We would love for our priests to share as much of their ministries with the people they serve,” added Father Bouchard, “as much as can be shared.” A suggestion is to provide each
at a parish supper in Florida and it was so nice to see so many anxious to take part in their parish,” Mary Gale Alesse commented. At home at Corpus Christi, she says he likes to attend the 10:45 a.m., Sunday Mass “and see so many young people and families. People are very friendly in our home parish, and they also are in Florida, and so in both places we are made to feel at home.” In the Florida parish, a new pastor arrived shortly before the Cape couple headed home this spring. “There’s a shortage of priests everywhere, and the new pastor is all alone serving St. Theresa’s,” she said. She added, however, “There is only one ‘home parish’ for me and that’s Corpus Christi. Whenever something arises I can always count on calling on Father Marcel H. Bouchard, who is always ready to assist. Being part of the Corpus Christ Parish family is most important to Sonny and me,” she added. The Alesses aren’t the only Corpus Christi parishioners who head south for the winter. “We have many,” reported Father Bouchard, who, like a Snowbird pastor, sees his own congregation swell with vacationers to the Cape — but during the hot summer months. For the past 10 to 15 years, the tradition for Cornelius and Mary Keohane is to leave the Cape shortly after Christmas and motor to Naples, Florida where they become members of St. William’s Parish. They normally venture back to the Cape at the end of April so as to attend the May first Communions at Corpus Christi that involved six children and 11 grandchildren. “Sure it’s principally the warm weather that brings us to Florida in our retirement years,” Cornelius Keohane said, laughing. “The Church community at St. William’s is as wholesome and sound as it is in East Sandwich,” reported the native of Jamaica Plain and a retired educator in the Boston School System, who, with his wife, have been Cape residents for more than 20 years. “Naples is an area initially populated by folks from Ohio, Michigan and Indiana; all very friendly. But if you wear a Red Sox or Patriot’s shirt at the beach you’ll find all kinds of people from Massachusetts coming up to you to start a conversation,” he added. He said he follows “my old habit of attending the Saturday afternoon vigil Mass, which is very crowded because that part of Naples is a very populated area. The people are religious and many attend the sacraments. I don’t find any difference between the wonderful faith shown by those in Florida and those at Corpus Christi.” Active for many years as a lector, sacristan and extraordinary minister of holy Communion at Corpus Christi, Keohane said he hopes to shortly resume duties “of being sacristan for the 4 p.m., Mass.”
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of the diocesan faithful with a copy of the “Prayer For Priests,” and encourage them to pray it daily. “Our diocesan youth can be a very big part of this year,” said Father Bouchard. “With this in mind, we have some ideas, particularly involving our diocesan schools.” Suggestions include having priests visit the Catholic high schools, elementary schools, and Faith Formation classes en masse to talk about their priesthood and answer questions; and using the annual eighth-grade visit to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River as an opportunity to hear from diocesan priests — a young priest, a middle-aged priest, and an elderly priest — all of whom could offer unique perspectives on the gift of the priesthood. The committee envisions utilizing modern technology as well. It is proposing using the diocesan Office of Communications to tape interviews with priests, similar to the weekly testimonies from priests currently running in The Anchor, to be shown on the diocesan website and possibly YouTube. Father Bouchard stressed the Year For Priests is not a time for priests or laity to put clergy on a pedestal, but rather to grow in the understanding of the great gift Christ left his Church, that of the priesthood. “I’m excited about the plans for the coming year to help priests and laity gain a fuller understanding and appreciation of the gift of priesthood,” he said. In his Year For Priests letter to clergy, Pope Benedict said the year is “meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a more forceful and incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s world. “Despite all the evil present in our world, the words which Christ spoke to his Apostles in the upper room continue to inspire us: ‘In the world you have tribulation; but take courage, I have overcome the world.’ Our faith in the Divine Master gives us the strength to look to the future with confidence. Dear priests, Christ is counting on you.” On its website, the USCCB implores the faithful to “Please pray for our priests that they might always be faithful to their sacred calling.”
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For Snowbirds Steve and Josephine Clifford, members of St. Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth, spending from November to early May in Naples, Fla., where they attend St. Peter the Apostle Parish, started out 15 years ago with a month’s visit. “The getaways became longer and longer,” he told The Anchor. He said that St. Peter’s, which has been rebuilt, “is roughly twice the size of the church at St. Pius X, and can seat approximately 2,200. Frankly, I don’t see any difference in the solid spirituality of the Catholics in South Yarmouth and those in Naples,” Clifford commented. “While we went there to get away from the New England winters, there are other reasons,” Steve Clifford said. “I play golf and tennis, and my wife plays tennis and Bridge, and in Florida we find so many others like us, and that’s very enjoyable.” Also noting “many of the Snowbirds in Florida are from Massachusetts,” Steve recalled that after serving as lector at one of the Masses in Naples, a man approached him and said, “I don’t know you, but I know that voice. I’ve heard you lector at St. Pius X in South Yarmouth.” While many Snowbirds head to Florida, Corpus Christi parishioners Tony and Kathryn “Kay” Cambone spend their winters basking in the warmth of Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. “We like to think it’s part of the Sunbelt, and so apparently do many others who flock here,” said the Cambones, who have spent part of the last 10 to 11 years at Myrtle Beach in a “family hotel” alongside Catholics from Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan and from Canada. “It’s like being in family away from family,” they told The Anchor. How’s the faith doing among the Catholic community at St. Michael’s Church where they attend Mass? “Tremendous,” Tony and Kay said jointly. “More than 3,500 people attend Mass in the church that started out as a factory and soon to be rebuilt with a capital campaign currently underway,” Tony reported. “More than 1,500 attended each of the two Saturday and five Sunday Masses with dozens of special ministers of holy Communion assisting distributing the Host and the precious Blood,” he added. “With so many living their faith together at the same time I would say their practice of the faith seems even stronger than it we find on the Cape — although it is very strong there too.” For Kay Cambone, “so much is happening in our Myrtle Beach parish that the church bulletin is several pages thick, But it’s all wonderfully coordinated.” An insider’s look at being a Snowbird who serves the universal Church comes from Deacon Donald L. Battiston, who spends summers assigned to St. Mary-
Our Lady of the Isle Church in Nantucket, and during the winter is chaplain at two maximum security prisons in Florida. “It’s a nice balance,” said Deacon Battiston, who was ordained and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn., in 1967, but for the past 20 years has ministered in the Fall River and Palm Beach dioceses. “From Memorial Day in May to October I am on Nantucket doing many weddings, baptisms, funerals and prayer services. And from October to May I am part of the chaplaincy teams at Okeechobee State Prison in Okeechobee, Fla., as well as at Martin Correction in Indiantown, Fla., within the Palm Beach Archdiocese.” Although Deacon Battiston is assigned to St. Peter’s Parish in Florida, “I don’t do much there,” he said. “They know I’m busy in prison ministry three days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., which I love, and instituted the St. Dismas program for inmates who even in prison don’t get much and have to work for everything including a toothbrush.” Married to Pam Battiston and with five children and 13 grandchildren, Deacon Battiston admits he lives “a very full life. And being a Snowbird offers an unusual opportunity to do God’s work with the talents given me and in the places he sends me.” A pastor’s view on Snowbirds comes from Father Louis Guerin of the Diocese of Palm Beach in Florida, dean of Pastoral Formation at the St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Fla. “For 16 of the 23 years since I was ordained I was a pastor in Florida and know all about Snowbirds,” said Father Guerin, who is assisting at Masses at Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich this summer. “Snowbirds follow the Canadian geese and we have them in the south for a while and then you have them back in the north, but for the most part parishioners who share two parishes are very well founded in their faith,” he said. “Because they are temporarily in two places they are wonderful volunteers because they are given shortterm duties — and not long-term projects — and really help out by giving a respite to those who are in a parish all year round,” he added. “But it can happen that because they are only temporary we tend to brush them off and don’t give them anything to do, and don’t take advantage of the wealth of their willingness as well as their talents,” he explained. Father Guerin said that one of the questions that arises among the migrating Snowbirds is, what parish am I to support? “Some say they give at ‘home’ or ‘away’ and can’t afford to do both,” he noted. “My advice has always been that you can only drive one car at a time; and you have to put gas in it no matter where you drive.”
July 17, 2009
Around the Diocese 7/18
Courage, a group for people who are experiencing same-sex attraction and would like to live the Church’s teaching for chastity, will meet tomorrow at 7 p.m. for prayer, conversation and support. For location information, call Father Richard Wilson at 508-992-9408.
7/18
A “Newly Renovated Barn Sale” will be held at St. John Neumann Parish Barn, located next to Cathedral Camp, Route 18 (Middleboro Rd.), East Freetown tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored by the St. John Neumann Women’s Guild, the event is free and open to the public.
7/18
A Novena to St. Anne will begin tomorrow and continue through July 26 at St. Anne Shrine, Fiskdale. This year’s theme is “Where do we find hope?” A diverse group of speakers and musicians will help during the nine days of prayer to reflect and find an answer to this question. For more information call 508-347-7338 or visit www.stannestpat.org.
7/21
The French Choir and Orchestra will perform “Messe de SainteCecile” by Charles Gounod at St Pius X Parish, 5 Barbara St., South Yarmouth July 21 at 7 p.m. The Young Adult and Children’s Choir with the Youth Symphonic Orchestra from the Maurice-Ravel Conservatory in Levallois, France will perform. Admission is free and the performance is open to the public.
7/22
A four-week seminar titled “Discovering and Celebrating Inner Freedom” will be offered beginning July 22 at La Salette Retreat Center, 947 Park St., Attleboro. Dorothy J. Levesque is the presenter and subsequent sessions will continue July 29, August 5 and August 12. Pre-registration is required by calling 508-236-9083.
7/22
The French Choir will perform “Messe Solennelle de Sainte-Cecile” by Charles Gounod, “The Youth and Children’s Choirs D’Ile de France” and “Youth Symphonic Orchestra” by Maurice-Ravel at Christ the King Church, The Commons, Mashpee, July 22 at 7 p.m. Admission is free and the performance is open to all.
7/25
Boy Scout Troop No. 53 will hold a benefit car wash on July 25 at St. Mary’s Parish, 440 Main St., Fairhaven, in the rear parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the troop and advance tickets can be purchased by calling 508-997-1092.
7/29
The Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Rd., North Dartmouth, will host a final video presentation as part of the “Divorce Care” series titled “Moving On,” July 29 beginning at 7 p.m. All are welcome and refreshments will be available. For more information, call 508-999-6420. Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese: ACUSHNET — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Mondays 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Mondays end with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays end with Benediction at 2:45 p.m. BUZZARDS BAY — Eucharist adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m. Mass. EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place First Fridays at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m. FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration. Refreshments follow. NEW BEDFORD — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place at St. Joseph-St. Therese Church, 51 Duncan Street, Mondays following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until 1:30 p.m. For more information call 508-995-2354. NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m., and confessions offered during the evening. 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. OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Ave. on First Fridays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 5 p.m. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed at 4:45 p.m.; on the third Friday of the month from 1 p.m. to Benediction at 5 p.m.; and for the Year For Priests, the second Thursday of the month from 1 p.m. to the 5 p.m. Benediction. TAUNTON — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street, immediately following the 8 a.m. Mass and continues throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., concluding with recitation of the rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m. 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. WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street, holds perpetual eucharistic adoration. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716. WOODS HOLE — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Joseph’s Church, 33 Millfield Street, year-round on weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No adoration on Sundays, Wednesdays, and holidays. For information call 508-274-5435.
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The Anchor Fall River Deanery to host Year For Priests event continued from page one
the work these fine priests do for all of us. All are welcome to come and give prayerful thanksgiving for our devoted parish priests.” Priests who wish to concelebrate the Mass and/or attend the buffet are asked to contact the Notre Dame rectory at 508-6791991 or FAX a response to 508676-5276. A prayer for priests Dear Lord,
In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks July 20 Rev. Joao Medeiros, Retired Pastor, St. Elizabeth, Fall River, 1983 July 22 Rev. Francis L. Mahoney, Former Pastor, Holy Name, Fall River, 2007 July 23 Rev. Patrick F. Doyle, Founder, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1893 Rev. George B. McNamee, Founder Holy Name, Fall River, 1938 July 25 Rev. Michael J. Cooke, Pastor, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1913 Rev. Raymond R. Mahoney, SS.CC., Former Pastor, Our Lady of Assumption, New Bedford, 1984 July 26 Rev. Msgr. Alfred J.E. Bonneau, P.R. Retired Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1974 July 27 Rev. Damien Veary, SS.CC., Former Pastor, St. Anthony, Mattapoisett, 1981 July 29 Rev. Mathias McCabe, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1913 Rev. Charles P. Trainor, S.S., St. Edward Seminary, Seattle, Washington, 1947 July 30 Rev. Francis Kiernan, Pastor Sandwich, New Bedford, Wareham, 1838 July 31 Rev. Daniel Hearne, Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1865 Rev. Hugh J. Munro, Chaplain, Marian Manor, Taunton, 2003 Aug. 5 Rev. Martin J. Fox, Founder, St. Paul, Taunton, 1917 Rev. Thomas A. Kelly, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1934 Aug. 6 Rev. Joseph P. Lyons, Pastor, St. Joseph, Fall River, 1961 Aug. 7 Rev. John F. Hogan, Pastor, St. Julie Billiart, North Dartmouth, 1986 Very Rev. Roger L. Gagne, V.F. Pastor, St. Mark, Attleboro Falls, 1987 Aug. 8 Rev. William Bric, Founder, St. Joseph, Fall River, 1880
DIOCESAN TRIBUNAL FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS Decree of Citation Since his present domicile is unknown,inaccordwiththeprovisionof Canon1509.1,weherebyciteMatthew A.Buttstoappearinpersonbeforethe Tribunal of the Diocese of Fall River (887 Highland Avenue in Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts) on August 3, 2009 at 2:30 PM to give his testimony regarding the question: IS THE MEDEIROS-BUTTS MARRIAGE NULL ACCORDINGTO CHURCH LAW? Anyone who has knowledge of the domicileofMatthew A. Butts is hereby required to inform him of this citation. Given at the offices of the Diocesan Tribunal in Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts on July 13, 2009. (Rev.) Paul F. Robinson, O. Carm., J.C.D. Judicial Vicar (Mrs.) Denise D. Berube Ecclesiastical Notary
We pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their unity. We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words, “Do whatever he tells you,” (Jn 2:5). May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary’s most chaste
spouse. May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross. May your priests be holy, filled with the fire of your love seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls. Amen. St. John Vianney, pray for us.
20 CONTINUING ON THE WAY — Bishop George W. Coleman visited St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford on June 15 to present the Word of God to 51 parishioners who had completed the eightweek Catecheses for Adults and Mature Teens offered by the Neocatechumenal Way. Here Ana Silva receives the Bible from Bishop Coleman, who was assisted, from left to right, by his secretary, Father Karl C. Bissinger, St. Anthony’s Pastor Father Roger J. Landry, and Neocatechumenal Way catechist Father Antonio Medeiros.
The Anchor
July 17, 2009