t eanc 0 VOL. 44, NO. 28 • Friday, July 28, 2000
FALL RIVER, MASS.
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETIS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
August's Jubilee Mass set at St. John Neumann Parish Editor's Note: This is sixth in a lO-part series on the pilgrimage churches in the Fall River diocese. The series runs once a month in The Anchor to assist diocesan Catholics in making their pilgrimages to these sites. According to guidelines published by the diocese, those who travel to St. Mary's Cathedral or any of the designated pilgrim churches and fulfill the simple conditions of the indulgence, will receive for themselves, or for a soul in Purgatory, the same indulgence as if they have traveled to Rome or the Holy Land for the Jubilee Year.
It went to say that: "It's a handsome building, rugged as a Catholic church should be. It harmonizes well with its pristine country setting." Already visited by many people and groups since being designated one of 10 stational or pilgrimage churches in the diocese marking Jubilee Year 2000, the parish will host Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., as principal celebrant at a special Jubilee Year Mass on August 6 at 11 a.m. When it was dedicated by Bishop Daniel A. Cronin on October 8, 1988, it was said that the scene of the freshly-carved wood in the EAST FREETOWN - In October 1988 new house of worship "was clean and invigowhen St. John Neumann Church was dedicated, rating ... it brings to mind the confidence Cathoa story appearing in The Anchor described the lics have in their parish communities." new structure "as a treat for the eyes." Turn to page 13 - Jubilee
Cape Cod parishioners revisit "Canterbury Tales" on pilgrimage ~
Members of St. Pius Church in South Yarmouth completed a memorable, one-day prayer-filled pilgrimage to eight stational churches across the Fall River diocese.
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BISHOP SEAN P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., imposes hands on Father Gerard O'Connor during ordination ceremonies last Saturday at St. Mary's Cathedral. (AnchodGordon photo)
Father O'Connor ordained a priest By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF
By JAMES N. DUNBAR SOUTH YARMOUTH - While the 32 pilgrims in Geoffrey Chaucer's, 15th Century "The Canterbury Tales," had an unlimited time to travel only 50 miles, 80 modern day pilgrims from St. Pius X Parish hop-scotched the length and breadth of the Fall River diocese in a single day to visit seven, off-Cape parishes hosting Jubilee Year visits. "We all have our own wonderful Turn to page 12 - Tales
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PILGRIM PLANNERS - Members of the Women's Club of St. Pius X Church, South Yarmouth, who coordinated trip include: Seated, from left, Nina Griffin and Val Guerra; and standing, Louise Lanciani, Pat Sherman, Harriet Harrington, Jan Pellegrini and Terri Atkins.
FALL RIVER - Transitional deacon Gerard O'Connor answered the call to priesthood during the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral July 22 and was ordained by Bishop Sean P. O'Malley OFM Cap. He joins five other new priests ordained for the diocese on June 3. The 35-year-old O'Connor is from Kingston Upon Hull, East Yorkshire, England and announced his readiness and willingness to enter into the priesthood at the beginning of the rite of ordination. Following election by the bishop who told the congregation at St. Mary's such a ceremony brings him "great joy," those gathered"including the ordinandi's brother Philip, showed their consent with applause. Bishop O'Malley spoke about the holy woman Mary Magdalene, whose feast day was Saturday, during his homily and advised the new priest to follow her example of devotion to Christ. "Mary is penitent. She is contemplative," said the bishop. She served an apostolate ministering to Jesus. She washed his feet and was a myrrh bearer. "The priest is too. He is a healer of the Body of Christ. As a priest, Gerard, your priestly powers will restore those to life who are dead with sin," advised the bishop. Turn to page 15 - Ordination