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FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS

VOL. 30, NO. 28

Friday, July 18, 1986

FALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

58 Per Year

.Mary Joy Gonsalves

A .miracle girl

n

By Joseph Motta tally disabled, a condition previously thought always to accompany Last month, a nature trail for the syndrome. visually disabled Girl Scouts at Their father says that fact Wind-in-the-Pines Girl Scout Cenprompted a doctor to note that ter, Plymouth,· was dedicated to the memory of a very special Scout "Mary and Martin have changed our medical books." from South Dennis. The couple are also the parents Mary Joy Gonsalves, who died Jan. 21, 1984, at age 17 of of three healthy sons, Jeff, 3D, Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome, a rare Craig, 27, both Cape Cod masons genetic disease, had completed re- like their father, and Damien, 17, a quirements for the Gold Award, dance student. Both older sons are Girl Scouting's highest recognition, . professional arm wrestlers, their father proudly notes, and will apdespite multiple handicaps. Her parents, John and Anita pear in a fihl) being made on the Gonsalves of Our Lady of the sport. Craig is married and has Cape parish, Brewster, discussed given the Gonsalves their first grandchild, a girl. their daughter's life. Mary Joy attended the former They knew from birth that she was ill, they said, because a pre- Nazareth School in Hyannis from· viously-born son, who has also age 5 to 13, her parents said, but died, suffered from the. same syn- decided herself to attend DennisYarmouth Regional High School, drome. Maroteaux-Lamy, which only where she quickly made the honor occurs if both parents are carriers roll. "I was always honest with my of the gene that causes it, prevents physical growth after about age 3, children about their limitations," causes blindness and impaired hear- Mrs. Gonsalves said, "but I always ing and eventually confines vic~ stressed the importance of doing tims to wheelchairs. Worldwide, all that they could," In addition to her exceptional only about 15 cases are diagnosed academic performance and achieveeach year. Mary Joy lived longer than any ments as a Girl Scout, Mary Joy other person with the syndrome, took riding lessons and in January her parents said, and neither she 1983 m~de an ECHO retreat. nor her brother Martin were menTurn to Page Six

ANITA AND JOHN Gonsalves with a photo of Mary Joy. (Motta photo)

Checking in with the Class of '85 By Joseph Mott.a After a year at any vocation, an individual should ·be allowed to speak about his or her experience. Poets, pirates, plumbers and priests mightappreciate the opportunity. Priests'! Why not'!

• • •

Ordained by Bishop Daniel A. Cronin in June 1985 at St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River, were Fathers James A. Calnan, David A. Costa, Michael R. Dufault, Philip N. Hamel, Michael K. McManus and Jose M. Sousa. All are parochial vicars in diocesan parishes, with the exception of Father Sousa, recently assigned to graduate studies in canon law at .St. Paul's University, Ottawa, Ontario. Previo·usly he was parochial vicar at Espirito Santo parish, Fall Rl'ver. All recently discussed their firstyear impressions. Father Calnan Father Calnan, at Corpus Christi parish, Stlndwich, enjoys the Cape Cod lifestyle. "I like getting out and meeting the parishioners, he said. "You learn an awful lot from them. You learn what their needs are."

The New Bedford native, who will witness his younger brother's marriage this year, is very happy with his lot. "The bishop gave us good first assignments," he said. "The parish rectory is a very happy home." • Father Calnan's housemates are pastor Father George W. Coleman and parochial vicar Father Felician M. Plichta, OFM Conv. Like most of his classmates, Father Calnan finds the priesthood "a very hectic and busy lifestyle" with very irregular hours. "You can't work on a 9 to 5 schedule," he laughed. When asked if celibacy was a concern for a young priest, Father Calnan spoke in favor of it and its benefits. "Our celibacy says that we're available," he said. "We're free to minister." The 28-year-old isn't afraid to talk about vocations, particularly from the pulpit. He also stresses that he's recognized that a lot of parishioners, especially young persons, would like to become more involved· in church activities, but "need the contact," or the invitation, of a priest. Asked where he sees himself in

25 years, Father Calnan replied, "HopefUlly, I'll still be doing parish work somewhere in the diocese. "I love parish life." The Cape priest was both director and coordinator of the parish religious education program this past year. "It was a challenge," he said, noting that he looks forward to working with Sister Doreen Donegan, SUSC, who will arrive in the parish Aug. I to take over the coordinator's position. Corpus Christi parishioners are enthusiastic about adult education, added Father Calnan, citing the parish Bible study group's request to meet all summer. Father Costa When The Anchor arrived to interview Father David Costa at St. Thomas More pat:ish, Somerset, he was writing a homily, an enjoyable undertaking for him. Calling the high points of his priestly ministry his ability to cele'brate the Eucharist, reconciliati'on parish retreats and weddings: Father Costa said his vocation "is always going to be a challenge. If there's no challenge, something's wrong." He especially enjoys working

with parish children, and says that St. Thomas More parishioners in general are "very enthusiastic, supportive and affirming. "I don't think you can be taught what I've experienced," he said, looking back to his seminary years. "You have to experience it yourself." He gratefully notes, however, that the ,advice and direction of Msgr. John J. Regan, St. Thomas More pastor, have helped him, Always smiling, Father Costa has a talent for piano and a strong singing voice that can inspire parishioners. "Our example speaks louder than anything we could ever say," noted the Taunton native. "If we're happy as priests, let's show it." When told he shows it himself, Father Costa replies, "I'd do it again." Father Dufault "The year as a whole was full of firsts," says Father Michael Dufault. "Everything was a new experience." Serving at Our Lady of Victory parish, Centerville, Father Dufault reiterated what a number of his .classmates felt about their seminary training.

"It prepared us very well academically," he said, "but there is no way of preparing for situations that will be experienced, because nobody knows what you're going to see." In his own case, he said, early in his ministry he received a latenight phone call requesting that he anoint a woman who had suffered a heart attack. When he arrived at the scene, Father Dufault found she had been deceased for several hours. His initial reaction was one of shock, he said.. "It was a very emotional moment," he said, "and also a very rewarding experience because you're a valued presence and a source ofcomfort to the survivors." Father Dufault has no problems with a priest's lifestyle. His ministry has been "all high points," and he credits Father John A. Perry, his "understanding and helpful" pastor, with helping make his first year so pleasant. "The parishioners are the same way," the Fall River native said. "They are just so receptive, loving and giving of themselves. It's so easy to serve them. "And I'm in awe each time

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