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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

F riday , August 1, 2014

Diocesan parishes play role in passage of minimum wage law

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — Twenty-one Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Fall River, working with the United Interfaith Action, played a key role in the passing of the minimum wage bill on June 26, allowing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to raise the minimum wage to the highest in the country. By collecting signatures, the parishes gave voice to the Fall River Diocese’s support in raising the minimum wage; the partnership between UIA and the parishes also played a role in adding the proposed “Earned Sick Days” benefit to be on the fall ballot.

Margaret LaFleur, parishioner of St. Michael’s Parish in Fall River and a UIA leader during the campaign, said: “Low wage earners deserve to be treated with respect and love. The least we could do was to collect all those signatures so the legislature knew we were serious. When so many voters signed at the churches, we knew they supported us.”

LaFleur added, “The vehicle of using petitions gave the workers a concrete task to bring to the people how they can help minimum wage earners. It also reminded the voters the power they have in democracy. The success of the petitions gave a signal that pushed the state elected officials to realize that it would be in their favor to pass their own bill.”

The bill will raise the minimum wage from eight dollars an hour to $11 an hour over the next two-and-a-half years, begin-

ning with an increase to nine dollars an hour on Jan. 1, 2015. This will help more than 600,000 low-wage earners over time, and will also put $1.1 billion back into the economy as the low-wage earners spend their wage increases.

According to the UIA press release, the campaign was led by Raise UP Massachusetts, and was co-chaired by the Massachusetts Communities Action Network, a faith-based community improvement organization, and an affiliate of UIA in Fall River and New Bedford. UIA and its participating congregations collected more than 20,000 signatures on the petitions.

For Father John Sullivan, pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham, getting his parish involved in the campaign was more than just trying to increase the minimum wage, it was about bringing to action the good works the Catholic Church has been doing for decades.

“The Catholic Church’s more than 100 years of social justice work makes issues like an increase in the minimum wage and improved working conditions a natural issue for all Catholics,” he said. “We are all very much aware of the unevenness of the recovery from the Great Recession and the fact that wages of working people have not increased anywhere near the same rate as upper income people. Here in Wareham there are a very large percentage of people who are employed in minimum-wage or low-wage jobs.

“It is very necessary for the voice of the Turn to page 18

Fairhaven priest to retire from pastoral ministry

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

FAIRHAVEN — It’s been quite a year for Father Thomas McElroy, SS.CC., pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Fairhaven.

It all began on Mar. 11, 2013, when the Sacred Hearts priest underwent an emergency surgical procedure to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung.

Having cleared that hurdle, in January Father McElroy traveled to Rome on a 10-day pilgrimage of thanksgiving for his speedy recovery, during which he met and stayed in the same apartment building as the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

Now, after serving more than 30 years in the Fall River Diocese in a variety of roles and as pastor of three different parishes, his provincial superior, Father Johnathan Hurrell, SS.CC., has approved his request to retire from pastoral ministry.

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Father Thomas McElroy, SS.CC., who has served as pastor of three different parishes within the Fall River Diocese, most recently at St. Joseph’s in Fairhaven, will formally retire from pastoral ministry this weekend. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

Father David Marcham, center, vice postulator for the sainthood cause of Servant of God Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton, is shown at a closing Liturgy in Albany, N.Y. in 2011 for the Tribunal formed to investigate a possible medical miracle in that diocese attributed to the Rosary Priest’s intercession. With Father Marcham are then-Albany Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, left, and Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, postulator of Father Peyton’s cause. A positio is currently being prepared to give to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome to determine if Father Peyton can possibly be designated as “venerable.” (Photo courtesy of Holy Cross Family Ministries)

Plans on cue for delivery of positio on Rosary Priest to Vatican by Christmas

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor

NORTH EASTON — Calling it “our present,” Father David Marcham, vice postulator for Servant of God Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton’s sainthood cause told The Anchor from his office at Holy Cross Family Ministries, plans are on track to have the Rosary Priest’s positio finalized for delivery to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican by Christmas.

The positio, or position, is a summary of a diocesan inquiry which collects interview responses from individuals in all stages of Father Peyton’s life, including his growing up in Ireland, his time when he emigrated to Pennsylvania with his brother, his seminary years at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind., the time he spent in the Diocese of Albany, N.Y., and the countless Rosary crusades he led across the world.

“The diocesan inquiry, which was initiated by the Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, was completed on July 20, 2010,” Father Marcham told The Anchor. “It included oral testimonies and responses to questionnaires containing about 200 questions from individuals covering 35 dioceses across the world.

In all the document totaled 6,000 pages worth of testimony.”

The document was sent to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome, where a review was conducted of the contents. The congregation deemed the inquiry to be “juridically valid,” per

canon law guidelines.

From the 6,000-page document, a positio was begun. “Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, the postulator of Father Peyton’s cause, along with a priest at the Vatican with a great deal of experience in the process began a review of the inquiry that was all-inclusive,” explained Father Marcham. “The purpose is to fine-tune the information giving a finer representation and more accurate picture of Father Peyton’s life for the congregation.”

Besides testimony from people who knew and worked with the Rosary Priest, the inquiry included Father Peyton’s writings, homilies, talks, books, movies, audio reflections, and documentation of communications between him and his superiors, bishops, and even popes.

“It’s a test to see who Father Peyton was,” added Father Marcham. “The priest who is working with Dr. Ambrosi is a theologian who is reading the documentation ‘with the eyes of those who will review the positio.’ He knows what they will be looking for.”

Father Marcham said the final positio will still be quite lengthy at more than 1,000 pages.

“I haven’t seen other diocesan inquiries since this is the first time I’ve ever been a vice postulator of a sainthood cause, but I believe the 6,000 pages is more than usual,” Father Marcham said. “It’s because the breadth of inquiry was so worldwide and the fact that Father Peyton was a priest for more than 50 years.”

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News From the Vatican

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August 1, 2014

Papal puzzler: Leo XIII anonymously published riddles in Latin VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Going by the pseudonym “X,” Pope Leo XIII anonymously crafted poetic puzzles in Latin for a Roman periodical at the turn of the 19th century.

The pope created lengthy riddles, known as “charades,” in Latin in which readers had to guess a rebus-like answer from two or more words that together formed the syllables of a new word.

Eight of his puzzles were published anonymously in “Vox Urbis,” a Rome newspaper that was printed entirely in Latin between 1898-1913, according to an article in the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano.

A reader who submitted the correct answer to the riddle would receive a book of Latin poetry written by either Pope Leo or another noted Catholic figure.

The identity of the mysterious riddle-maker, however, was soon revealed by a French reporter covering the Vatican for the daily newspaper Le Figaro.

Felix Ziegler published his scoop Jan. 9, 1899, a year after the puzzles started appearing, revealing that “Mr. X” was, in fact, the reigning pope, the Vatican newspaper said.

In the pope’s hometown, Carpineto Romano, which is about 35 miles southeast of Rome, students at the middle school now named for him have published 26 of the pope’s Latin puzzles in a new book titled, “Aenigmata. The Charades of Pope Leo XIII.” Three middle school teachers and their pupils said they have included puzzles they found, but which had never been published before.

One example of the pope’s Latin riddles talked of a “little boat nimbly dancing,” that sprung a leak as it “welcomed the shore so near advancing.”

“The whole your eyes have known, your pallid cheeks have

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

shown; for oh! the swelling tide no bravest heart could hide, when your dear mother died,” continues the translation of part of the riddle-poem.

The answer, “lacrima,” (“teardrop”) merges clues elsewhere in the poem for “lac” (“milk”) and “rima” (“leak” or “fissure”).

Pope Leo, who headed the Universal Church from 1878 to 1903, had the fourth-longest pontificate in history, after being nudged out of third place

by St. John Paul II. He wrote 86 encyclicals, including the Church’s groundbreaking “Rerum Novarum,” which ushered in the era of Catholic social teaching.

Known for his openness to historical sciences, Pope Leo ordered in 1881 that the Vatican Secret Archives be open to researchers and he formally established the Vatican Observatory in 1891 as a visible sign of the Church’s centuries-old support for science.

A trained Vatican diplomat and man of culture, the pope was also a member of an exclusive society of learning founded in Rome in 1690 called the Academy of Arcadia, whose purpose was to “wage war on the bad taste” engulfing baroque Italy. Pope Leo, whose club name was “Neandro Ecateo,” was the last pope to be a member of the circle of poets, artists, musicians and highly cultured aristocrats and religious.

The pope was also passionate about hunting and viniculture. Unable to leave the confines of the Vatican after Italy was unified and the papal states brought to an end in 1870, he pursued his hobbies in the Vatican Gardens.

He had a wooden blind set up to hide in while trapping birds, which he then would set free again immediately.

He also had his own small vineyard, which, according to one historical account, he tended himself, hoeing out the weeds, and visiting often for moments of prayer and writing poetry.

Apparently, one day, gunfire was heard from the pope’s vineyard, triggering fears of a papal assassination attempt.

Instead, it turned out the pope had ordered a papal guard to send a salvo of bullets into the air to scare off the sparrows who were threatening his grape harvest.

Recently taking the Vatican cafeteria by surprise, Pope Francis eats with the Vatican’s blue collar workers. “Pope Francis acted as the humblest of the workers,” Franco Paini, chef of the Vatican cafeteria, told Vatican Radio. “He got here, he took his tray, his utensils, he got in the line and waited his turn, and then we served him.” (L’Osservatore Romano photo)

Changes in synod process designed to increase discussion, cardinal says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family will be shorter than a usual synod and will include new rules aimed at helping the bishops really grapple with the issues together, said the general secretary of the synod.

“We want a frank, open, civilized discussion,” Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri recently told Catholic News Service.

The extraordinary synod will meet at the Vatican October 5-19, bringing together the presidents of national bishops’ conferences, the heads of Eastern Catholic churches and Vatican officials. The world Synod of Bishops, which will include more bishops — many elected by their peers — will meet at the Vatican Oct. 4-25, 2015, to continue the discussion on pastoral approaches to the challenges facing families today.

Although the number of participants in the extraordinary synod is smaller, it will include a dozen or more voting members named by the pope, three priests chosen by the Union of Superiors General, a dozen or more expert advisers, about a dozen representatives of other Christian churches and up to 30 observers, more than half comprised of married couples — who will be encouraged to address the assembly, the cardinal said.

Cardinal Baldisseri said he is not surprised by all the attention the synod is getting in the Church and the media, because “the problems of the family are what people are dealing with every day.”

He knows there are “great expectations,” and he is pleased about that, although he has

cautioned repeatedly that decisions about the Church’s pastoral approach to families are not expected until after the 2015 synod gathering.

The synod is a gathering of bishops, he said, but the preparatory questionnaire distributed in October 2013 and summarized in the synod working document that was published in June demonstrated a desire to hear from the grassroots.

The topics raised in the questionnaire included contraception, divorce and remarriage, same-sex marriage, premarital sex and in vitro fertilization.

Some responses questioned the Church’s teaching or encouraged greater understanding of people who cannot always live up to that teaching. Cardinal Baldisseri said that the bishops “must recognize that the faithful perceive the truth” about the Gospel and its values and their input cannot be ignored. “But the bishops have the responsibility and authority to discern ways to apply the constant teaching of the Church,” he said.

The big change from past synods is that the voting members of the extraordinary synod will be asked to submit their presentations in writing at least two weeks before the meeting opens, the cardinal said.

“This is not to limit the discussion, but to help organize it,” he said.

The report opening the synod, which used to be a rephrasing of the synod working document, now will be a first summary of the bishops’ submissions, he said.

During the first week of the synod, instead of reading their presentations, the bishops will have “three or four minutes” to

summarize it — focusing only on one theme — and, perhaps, include ideas or clarifications that have come from listening to their brother bishops, he said.

Cardinal Baldisseri said that as the bishops address the assembly, the synod’s opening report will be modified to reflect the discussion. At the end of the first week, the revised report will be presented to the group.

In the past, the synod would take a half-day break while the relator or recording secretary and synod staff worked far into the night writing a report summarizing the discussion. “Staying up all night required a huge effort, but it also was difficult to produce an excellent text under those conditions,” the cardinal said.

The second week of the synod will be taken up mainly by work in small groups organized according to language, he said.

But instead of brainstorming propositions for the pope, the small groups will work, theme by theme, on amending the summary report, which is likely to be used as the working document for the 2015 synod.

The cardinal, who spent 20 years as a nuncio before being assigned to the Roman Curia, has never actually participated in a synod. He said he told Pope Francis that before the pope named him head of the synod office last year, “but I think that is partly why he did it.”

With a fresh approach, but also in consultation with synod veterans, Cardinal Baldisseri hopes the synod reforms that began under Pope Benedict XVI will continue to make it an effective, more efficient forum for tackling questions facing the Church.

August 1, 2014

Archbishop tells fighters stop targeting civilians

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican representative to the U.N. Human Rights Council urged the Israeli military and fighters in the Gaza Strip to stop targeting civilian areas.

“As the number of people killed, wounded, uprooted from their homes, continues to increase in the conflict between Israel and some Palestinian groups, particularly in the Gaza Strip, the voice of reason seems submerged by the blast of arms,” Archbishop Silvano Tomasi said recently during a special session of the council in Geneva.

Since hostilities exploded in early July, he said, most of the victims have been civilians, “who by international humanitarian law should be protected.”

“The United Nations estimates that approximately 70 percent of Palestinians killed have been innocent civilians. This is just as intolerable as the rockets and missiles directed indiscriminately toward civilian targets in Israel,” said the archbishop, who serves as the Vatican’s permanent representative to U.N. agencies in Geneva.

The text of Archbishop Tomasi’s remarks to the council was distributed by email.

The archbishop reiterated the position of the Catholic Church that violence brings only destruction and that Israelis and Palestinians must engage in a dialogue, accepting each other’s right to exist peacefully in their own states with internationally recognized borders and that Israelis and Palestinians have a right to decent living conditions.

Archbishop Tomasi also called on the media to report in a “fair and unbiased manner the tragedy of all who are suffering because of the conflict.”

The violence must stop, he said: The only thing violence does is spread poison and push the possibility of peace further away.

“The perpetration of injustices and the violation of human rights, especially the right to life and to live in peace and security, sow fresh seeds of hatred and resentment,” he said.

“A culture of violence is being consolidated, the fruits of which are destruction and death,” Archbishop Tomasi said. “Consciences are paralyzed by a climate of protracted violence, which seeks to impose solutions through the annihilation of the other. Demonizing others, however, does not eliminate their rights. Instead, the way to the future lies in recognizing our common humanity.”

The International Church

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The Church in the U.S.

August 1, 2014

Obama Administration says it plans opt-out alternative on mandate

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Obama Administration has filed a brief with the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver indicating it plans to develop an alternative for Catholic and other religious nonprofit employers to opt out of providing federally mandated contraceptives they object to including in their employee health care coverage.

Several media outlets, including AP, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, reported recently that the administration said it would come up with a “work-around” that would be different than the accommodation it currently has available to such employers.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as part of the health care law, requires nearly all employers to cover contraceptives, sterilizations and some abortion-inducing drugs for all employees in their company health plan. It includes a narrow exemption for some religious employers that fit certain criteria.

Currently, there is an accommodation for those employers who don’t fit the exemption but who are morally opposed to providing the coverage. They must fill out a self-certification form — known as EBSA Form 700 — to direct a third party, usually the manager of an employer’s health plan, to provide the contested coverage.

Many religious employers who have sued over the mandate argue that even filling out Form 700 makes them complicit in providing coverage they find objectionable.

According to an AP story, the alternative the Obama Administration said it plans to draft would allow these employers to opt out of the coverage they oppose without having to submit the form.

The White House has not provided details, but said the brief was filed as a response to a July 3 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that granted a Christian college in Illinois temporary relief from the HHS mandate and said the school did not have to fill out Form 700.

Instead, the court said, Wheaton College can send a letter to the government.

If the applicant informs the HHS secretary “in writing that it is a nonprofit organization that holds itself out as religious and has religious objections to providing coverage for contraceptive services,” the high court said, “the respondents are enjoined from enforcement against the applicant the challenged provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and related regulations pending final disposition of appellate review.”

The order in Wheaton College v.

Burwell came three days after the Supreme Court issued its Hobby Lobby decision saying that closely held for-profit companies could be exempted from some requirements of the federal health care law because of the owners’ religious beliefs.

The 10th Circuit is the court that has heard an appeal in a suit filed against the mandate by the Little Sisters of the Poor, a Denver-based religious order that cares for the elderly poor in several facilities around the U.S. The religious order first filed suit in September 2013 in U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and lost.

The order appealed to the 10th Circuit. Last December, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the Little Sisters a temporary injunction on enforcement of the mandate and now the order seeks to make that protection permanent.

Carmelita Sharpback of Winnebago, Neb., swaddles her eight-week-old daughter, Willow Rain, during the parade of nations at the recent annual Tekakwitha Conference in Fargo, N.D. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)

Native American Catholics gather to pray, reflect, recharge their faith

FARGO, N.D. (CNS) — U.S. Conference of Catholic low Native Americans to conOn the 75th anniversary of the Bishops. He told the groups tinuing Christian conversion.

Tekakwitha Conference, Na- that he would share their con“When we ask forgiveness, tive American Catholics came cerns with the bishops of the that means we can change and together again to review the United States. start over. And nothing is better past, plan for the future and reYoung people were not only than starting over,” he said. “It charge their faith. on the minds of conference- gives us new energy.”

More than 750 people from goers, but they took part in the The archbishop, who is a 35 states and representing meeting activities, including member of the Prairie Band 135 tribes gathered under the leading some Native American Potawatomi tribe, said true theme “To walk humbly,” a nod rituals. happiness is found in one’s relato namesake St. Kateri TekakAt a sunrise prayer service, tionship with God, and pointed witha, the gentle Mohawk-Alto St. Kateri as one gonquin woman canur youth are losing their cultural and who listened to the onized two years ago. religious connections,” said a woman Word of God “not Gathering in “talkjust with her ears, ing circles” on the speaking on behalf of her small group. “And but with her heart.” conference’s first full we’re not encouraging them enough to go to catHe said he hoped day, groups of them echism and to go to Mass.” the Tekakwitha agreed that young Conference would people were their top be a source of ongoconcern. a young man conducted the ing conversion for native peo“Our youth are losing their smudging — the Indian purifi- ple. “That we might listen, love cultural and religious connec- cation ritual using the smoke of and be saved.” tions,” said a woman speaking burning cedar, sage and sweet Before his homily Archon behalf of her small group. grass. bishop Chaput also an“And we’re not encouraging Carmelita Sharpback of nounced some news — that them enough to go to cate- Winnebago, Nebraska, swad- Pope Francis has accepted his chism and to go to Mass.” dled her eight-week-old invitation to attend the World Some of the other issues daughter, Willow Rain, as she Meeting of Families in Philapeople brought to the floor walked in the event’s evening delphia in September 2015, included expanding evange- parade of nations with other even though the Philadelphia lization and inculturation ef- tribe members.

Archdiocese still has not reforts and a need for more NaCrow Creek Sioux Jaime ceived official confirmation tive American priests, women Berens of Charter Oak, Iowa, from the Vatican. religious and lay leaders. One was attending the Tekakwitha Fawn Antone, 32, of the group mentioned a desire for Conference for the first time Tohono O’odham Nation in “spiritual healing centers” to with her nine-year-old daugh- Pisineno, Arizona, was attendhelp people overcome drug and ter, Saige. ing the Tekakwitha Conference alcohol addiction problems.

“I hope to learn more about with several family members.

The talking circles were fa- St. Kateri and more about my She said she rarely misses the cilitated by Father Henry Sands faith,” she told Catholic News annual meeting. of the Ojibwe, Ottawa and Po- Service. “I also want to help “I come here to recharge my tawatomi tribes. A priest of the raise my daughter the best way religious battery,” she said. “You Detroit Archdiocese, he heads I can in the Catholic faith.” feel a lot of joy when you come the Native American efforts of During the opening Mass, here because everyone who the Secretariat of Cultural Di- Archbishop Charles J. Chaput comes here comes in the name versity in the Church for the of Philadelphia called his fel- of Kateri.”

“O

August 1, 2014

The Church in the U.S.

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Christian groups urge Obama to take action to stop violence in Gaza

Migrants from Guatemala who have been deported from the U.S. wait to provide their personal information to immigration authorities recently after arriving at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City. A growing wave of families and unaccompanied minors fleeing Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are streaming by the thousands into the U.S. (CNS photo/Pakal Koban, Reuters)

U.S. must adapt foreign policy to solve migrant crisis, says bishop

Washington D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) — The head of the U.S. bishops’ international justice and peace committee implored Secretary of State John Kerry to utilize U.S. foreign policy to address the “root causes” of child migration from Central America.

“The crisis on our borders will not be minimally resolved until drugs and arms flows, harmful trade provisions, and other critical economic policies that contribute to violence are addressed and rectified,” wrote Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines in a recent letter to Secretary Kerry.

Bishop Pates wrote the letter after his “solidarity trip” to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, the origin countries of many of the child migrants coming to the U.S. He outlined the root causes of migration there — violence at home, human and drug trafficking, and lack of economic opportunity — and asked Secretary Kerry to focus more on U.S. investment in education and jobs than on military assistance in order to spur a “long term resolution” to the problems.

The number of unaccompanied child migrants to the U.S. has doubled each year since 2011. An estimated 90,000 will have come by the end of this fiscal year, and in 2015 the number is expected to rise to 145,000, according to U.S. officials.

Bishop Pates blamed the exploitative practices of multinational mining corporations, the over-militarization of U.S. assistance, and current trade agreements for the economic and social hardships that are

driving migration.

“My brother bishops in Central America have urged us to encourage alternatives to militarization of U.S. assistance and instead emphasize economic opportunity,” he wrote. “The United States must recognize our own contributions to this crisis, and support more effective programs that reduce drug usage here at home.”

Current trade policies like the Central American Free Trade Agreement are suffocating small businesses in those countries, the bishop continued.

“As an example, U.S. corporations, receiving significant subsidies and other protections from our government, have been able to export corn and other agricultural products to Central America, driving down local prices for these products and forcing rural families off their lands,” he explained.

And U.S. and Canadian mining companies are harming the environment and public health in those countries and forcibly silencing opposition to their practices, he added.

“We heard powerful testimonies, by civil and Church leaders, of brutality and oppression, including torture and murder. Community leaders and representatives of indigenous communities in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, who resisted the unregulated expansion of mining activities in their native lands, have been targeted,” Bishop Pates wrote.

The U.S. government must ensure that companies abide by the same “standards of care for human life and ecology” abroad as they do in the U.S. and Canada, he said.

All these problems are behind the increase in migration, the bishop underscored, and the U.S. must address them to solve the current crisis in the long-term.

“We must recognize that there are correlations between these harmful trade practices and the deplorable conditions that lead to poverty, increased unemployment (especially among the young), violence, trafficking and the resultant push for migration,” he concluded.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — U.S. Christian organizations called on President Barack Obama to take direct action to stop the current violence in the Gaza Strip and to work toward a just peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.

“The Obama Administration and Congress have rightly condemned the indiscriminate rockets from Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups into Israel. It is time for the U.S. to condemn the Israeli bombardment of civilian centers and the blockade just as strongly.

This latest escalation cannot be divorced from the broader context of the Gaza siege and occupation,” they wrote in a recent letter to Obama and copied to members of the House and Senate.

They added that U.S. military aid to Israel creates a heavy moral obligation on the United States to ensure that it is not used in violation of U.S. law and human rights.

“As the situation continues to deteriorate, and horrendous death and destruction mount in Gaza, we are called by conscience to say, ‘enough,’” they said.

Previous military operations in Gaza have failed because the root cause of the violence, the Israeli occupation, has not been resolved, they said.

“To achieve a lasting peace, the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, including the siege of Gaza, must end. The U.S. must, therefore, make ending the occupation and lifting the Gaza siege priorities for our foreign policy in the region,” they said.

Among Christian groups signing the letter were the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Pax Christi International, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas’ Extended Justice Team.

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August 1, 2014

Anchor Editorial

Mosul

The National Catholic Reporter’s editor-at-large Tom Roberts had a posting on its website this Tuesday entitled, “Where is the outrage over Mosul?” Roberts quoted Father Robert Imbelli from Commonweal magazine (both of these publications are considered left-of-center, which gives more credibility to their concern over the expulsion of Christians from Mosul, Iraq, since it cannot be seen as merely a right-wing attack on the Obama Administration), who wrote, “What actions are being taken in the United States? Could a National Day of Fast be proclaimed, perhaps in preparation for the feast of the Transfiguration [Wednesday, August 6]? Could a delegation from the Bishops’ Conference travel to Iraq, accompanied by editors of prominent Catholic periodicals?”

Roberts echoed Imbelli’s call, although he did get in a dig at conservative Catholic and Protestant critics of the administration. “Indeed, this is a case where religious liberty is actually and demonstrably being denied. Any ideas for how to show solidarity? Call the world’s attention to the tragedy amid all the other chaos claiming our notice?”

Imbelli did praise the New York Times editorial board for writing, “The brutal crackdown, by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, an offshoot of Al Qaeda known as ISIS, has cleared Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq, of a Christian population that has lived there for two millenniums. These attacks deserve the strongest possible international condemnation and may warrant prosecution as a crime against humanity.”

Imbelli also quoted Vatican Radio’s coverage of prominent Moslems who have spoken out about the expulsion of the Christians. “The most explicit condemnation came from Iyad Ameen Madani, the secretary general for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the group representing 57 countries, and 1.4 billion Muslims. In a statement, he officially denounced the ‘forced deportation under the threat of execution’ of Christians, calling it a ‘crime that cannot be tolerated.’ The secretary general also distanced Islam from the actions of the militant group known as ISIS, saying they ‘have nothing to do with Islam and its principles that call for justice, kindness, fairness, freedom of faith and coexistence.’”

Commonweal had a link at the end of Imbelli’s article to The American Conservative (showing that we can be united, occasionally, once we cross the water’s edge), which praised secular France for stepping

up to the plate to help these Christians (just as we did here at The Anchor, when France decided to put its own soldiers at risk to save Christians in the Central African Republic this year). Rod Dreher wrote on that conservative website, “And what of our nation, whose previous government did so much to ruin the lives of Iraq’s Christians? Why is Washington silent? Is there no room in our country for Christians whose families have been in Iraq for nearly 2,000 years — until the U.S. invasion caused the condition that led to their exile? Ours is a big country, filled with well-off and not-so-well-off churches that would surely be willing to help resettle and support these refugee families.

As a Christian and an American, it is a matter of shame to me that France, which did not participate in the war that has resulted in the destruction of Iraqi Christianity, a secular nation where relatively few people go to church, is opening its doors to these displaced and persecuted Christians. Why not us? What is wrong with us? Vive la France!

Yes, there’s probably some deeply cynical and political reason that Paris is doing this. But still, they’re doing it, and that’s probably the only thing that matters to refugee families. So, encore: vive la France!”

The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, has written twice to National Security Advisor Susan Rice, most recently on July 25. “I ask the U.S. government to do all that it can to provide this critical assistance to those in desperate straits and to work with other governments in an effort to stop the violence.” The U.S. government, in its official statements about ISIS had barely commented on the situation of the Christians under its rule.

Pope Francis on July 20, during his Angelus remarks, said, “May the God of peace create in all an authentic desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence is not conquered with violence. Violence is conquered with peace! Let us pray in silence, asking for peace; everyone, in silence: Mary Queen of peace, pray for us!”

Maybe over this next week we can take Imbelli’s advice to pray and fast for our fellow Christians under attack there and throughout the world — on the feast of the Transfiguration (Wednesday) or on Monday (when we celebrate the patron feast of parish priests, St. John Vianney, praying for these people who have lost their parishes) or whenever we can.

Anything we do will be a help.

Pope Francis’ Angelus address of July 27

Dear brothers and sisters, good day!

The short similes proposed by today’s Liturgy are the conclusion of the chapter of the Gospel of Matthew dedicated to the parables of the Kingdom of God (13:44-52).

Among these there are two small masterpieces: the parables of the

treasure hidden in the field and of the pearl of great value. They tell us that the discovery of the Kingdom of God can occur suddenly, as a farmer plowing, for whom the treasure is unexpected; or after a long search, as for the pearl merchant, who finally found the pearl of great price which for a long time he had OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

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dreamed. But in either case the primary fact remains that the treasure and the pearl are worth more than all other assets, and therefore the farmer and the merchant, when they find them, give up everything else to buy them. They do not need to reason, or to think, to reflect: they realize immediately the incomparable value of what they have found, and are willing to do anything to not lose it.

Thus is the Kingdom of God: whoever finds it has no doubts, he feels that he has found what he wanted, what he had waited for, and what responds to his most authentic aspirations. And it is really so: those who know Jesus, who met Him personally, remain fascinated, attracted by so much kindness, so much truth, so much beauty, and everything in great humility and simplicity. Look for Jesus, meet Jesus: this is the great treasure!

How many people, how many saints, reading with an open heart the Gospel have been so impressed

by Jesus that they converted to Him. Think of St. Francis of Assisi, he was already a Christian, but a “rosewater” Christian. When he read the Gospel, in a decisive moment of his youth, he met Jesus, and found the Kingdom of God, and then all his dreams of earthly glory vanished. The Gospel makes You known to us Jesus, you meet the living Jesus; He speaks to the heart and changes your life. And so yes, you leave it all. You can actually change your way of life, or you can continue to do what you did before but you are another person, you are born again: have you found what makes sense, what gives flavor, what gives light to all, even the hardships, even suffering and even death?

Read the Gospel. Read the Gospel. We have talked about this, remember? Every day, read a passage from the Gospel; and also bring a little Gospel with you in your pocket, purse, however at hand.

And there, reading a passage, we find Jesus. Everything makes sense

when there, in the Gospel, you can find this treasure, which Jesus called “the Kingdom of God,” that God Who reigns in your life, in our lives; God Who is love, peace and joy in every man and in all men. This is what God wants, that for which Jesus gave Himself up to die on a cross to free us from the power of darkness and move into the realm of life, beauty, goodness, joy. To read the Gospel is to find Jesus and have this Christian joy, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Dear brothers and sisters, the joy of having found the treasure of the Kingdom of God shines forth, is seen. A Christian cannot hold hidden his faith, because it shines through in every word, every gesture, even in the most simple person, everyday: the love that God shines has given us through Jesus.

Let us pray, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, that His Kingdom of love, justice and peace comes to us and to the whole world.

August 1, 2014

O

ne of the weightiest, perennial pastoral challenges is the effective Religious Formation of young people.

There are two main issues.

The first is the issue of teachers. Occasionally there will be superstar catechists, who know and believe all aspects of the faith and are geniuses in passing it on with contagious enthusiasm to children. The majority are good and generous people without much formal study of the faith or pedagogical training who out of love for God and for young people are humbly willing to do the best they can in response to the desperate annual appeal for Religious Education instructors.

In many cases, however, they’re like solid baseball infielders who have been suddenly cast into the role of pitcher. They have some knowledge of what they need to do and some analogous skills to help them get the ball over the plate, but they pitch like second basemen instead of natural hurlers. Often their goal is just to get out of the inning without allowing too much damage.

They’d be much more effective doing what is more natural for them, backing up a great pitcher on the diamond.

The second issue is the students. Some students come from homes that have made them excited and hungry to learn the

Anchor Columnist Forming dynamic Catholics faith. But most arrive to class dis- tive resources for teachers in the engaged and unenthusiastic, with classroom and parents at home the excitement of students arrivto help the students to learn and ing for detention. Many come live the lessons. As an inner-city from homes that don’t practice pastor, I have also hoped that I the faith regularly by active prayer wouldn’t have to institute a grand and Sacramental life and many annual collection in order pay for times struggle to perceive the rel- these materials. evance of what they’re learning.

It seems the long Advent — In short, many students in and for some students and teachReligious Education have never ers, the long Lent! — is over with really been evangelized — they’ve never really had the experience of a Putting Into consciously personal enthe Deep counter with Jesus loving them and calling them to follow and live with

By Father Him — and trying to Roger J. Landry catechize someone who has not been evangelized can be like trying to plant seeds on asphalt. Especially the May release of “Decision as the younger generation has be- Point,” the new Confirmation come more and more dependent Program developed by Matthew on visual media — television, Kelly and his team at Dynamic computer screens, tablets and Catholic. smart phones — studying the This curriculum features 72 faith through the classic textbook short videos, generally about six model is becoming less efficaminutes in length, all taught by cious each year.

Matthew himself, accompanied I’ve been searching, waiting by superb leader’s guides and and frankly praying for years for workbooks for the students.

Religious Formation materiAll the materials are available als that will adequately address for free download on the these two issues: for video-based internet (dynamiccatholic.com/ curricula that will have a superconfirmation), but if parishes star catechist evangelize and want hard copies the entire DVD engage the students directly and set will be shipped out for less then provide awesome, interacthan $10, the workbooks for $4

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a copy, and the leader’s guide for $6. Free review copies of all the materials will be sent out for the cost of shipping.

In refreshing contrast to various catechetical publishing companies, not to mention most Catholic outfits that produce high quality video religious formation materials for adults, the main goal for the folks at Dynamic Catholic is not to make money but to make disciples. Dynamic Catholic has become famous among pastors in evangelizing parishes for its Parish Book Program that sells great Catholic books in bulk for $2 a copy so that pastors can give them out to all of their parishioners at Christmas, Easter and on other occasions to help them grow in faith.

The whole strategy of Dynamic Catholic flows out of Matthew Kelly’s zeal. He’s a 41-year-old Australian partner in a prestigious American business consulting firm who works a few days a month advising major corporations and the rest of his time using his business school training to come up with best practices for passing on the faith.

For the last 20 years, this husband and father of three has spoken about the faith to three million people in 50 countries

and his best-selling books — especially his “Rediscover Catholicism” and “The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic” — have been translated into 25 languages.

He’s now translating his highly effective skills in passing on the beauty of the faith to adults to teens in preparation for Confirmation and for faithful Catholic life after Confirmation.

The “Decision Point” point Confirmation materials took four years to develop through research of the best materials available, focus groups of teachers and students, and much feedback. The results are simply superb. I used some of the materials with my Confirmation students last spring during a Day of Recollection and the students and catechists thought the materials were “outstanding.” We’re going to be using it for our Confirmation program starting this upcoming year.

I’d encourage not only those involved in Confirmation programs to give these superlative free materials a look, but also anyone who wants to grow in faith and become more capable of passing the treasure of the faith on.

Anchor columnist Father Landry is pastor of St. Bernadette’s Parish in Fall River. fatherlandry@catholicpreaching. com.

care of for you — you didn’t have to worry about anything, you just kept going.”

Originally trained in spiritual ministry and retreat work, Father McElroy said it wasn’t long after his ordination that he soon found himself administering to a parish.

“They needed someone to do pastoral work in the diocese where I was in Rochester, N.Y.,” Father McElroy said. “Then I did some work in the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas when thenBishop Humberto Medeiros brought (our congregation) down there. We were his confessors when he was chancellor here (in the Fall River Diocese) and when he became bishop, he asked if we would go down there and form our own mission.

“When I was finished in Texas, that was the beginning of my parochial work (here in the diocese). Over the course of my ministry, I’d say the community has assigned me to 18 different missions.”

One of the new avenues that Father McElroy is ex-

cited to explore in retirement is prison ministry. Following in the footsteps of fellow Sacred Hearts Father Matthew Sullivan, who has been referred to as the “Mother Teresa” of prison ministry among inmates and staff at the Dartmouth House of Corrections, Father McElroy recently revived weekly Mass celebrations at the Dartmouth correctional facility.

“We haven’t had a full-time priest there in years, so I asked if I could get involved,” Father McElroy said. “I’ve become active with the Residents Encounter Christ community of lay people from different parishes who have been going there. So I got involved through them. I go every Friday to celebrate Mass and I’ve been offering Mass for the women — there’s been nothing for the women before.”

Noting there are about 2,300 people incarcerated at the Dartmouth House of Corrections, Father McElroy said he’s also working on a program to provide the Sacrament of Recon-

Fairhaven priest to retire from pastoral ministry continued from page one

Effective August 8, Father McElroy will step down as pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Fairhaven, where he’s been assigned since 2008.

Father Bob Charlton, SS.CC., who has served as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Edinburg, Texas for the past eight years, will return to Fairhaven to assume the pastoral duties from Father McElroy.

“Part of the reason for my retirement is, it’s time,” Father McElroy told The Anchor. “I want to get out of the leadership role and I want to do more priestly stuff. And my doctors have said they don’t want me to be working where there’s any type of stress or tension. So my provincial said I can continue to do parochial work in the sense of celebrating Mass, administering the Sacraments, and whatever I can in a limited capacity.”

Even though he’s giving up the administrative duties of being a pastor, Father McElroy, 74, won’t be traveling far — he plans to stay here in the diocese and will be living at the Con-

gregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary residence on Adams Street in Fairhaven, just across the street from his current parish.

“I’m happy about that,” he said. “I’ll be doing a lot more retreat and Spiritual direction work now.”

Father McElroy began his ministry in the diocese in 1983, when he was appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in New Bedford.

In 1987 he became director of the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham, where he served for six years before being named pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet, which at the time was still a mission of the Sacred Hearts’ congregation.

“We had a program going on to return the parish missions we had back to the diocese (so we could) take on new areas of ministry,” Father McElroy said.

“So I was the last of the Sacred Hearts priests to serve as pastor there. We founded that parish along with St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s parishes in Fairhaven and

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in New Bedford.”

When Father Paul Caron became the first diocesan pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Father McElroy returned for a brief stint at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham before becoming pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in 2008.

“I had four years at Our Lady of the Assumption, three years at St. Francis Xavier, and six years at St. Joseph’s — so 13 years of pastoral ministry altogether,” Father McElroy said.

While he said there have been many great things about serving as pastor, Father McElroy admitted he won’t miss “doing paperwork or signing contracts.”

“I’m doing contracts now for some of the employees, which is something you have to do when you have a (parochial) school,” he said. “We never learned anything in the seminary about this.

I never had to balance a checkbook in my life until I was 43, when I first became a pastor in a parish. I came from a community where everything was taken

Turn to page 20

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A

t the beginning of this week’s Gospel, we are told that when “Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, He withdrew in a boat to a deserted place

by Himself.” John’s death reminded Him (not that Jesus needed a reminder) of the even bigger suffering which awaited Him, which would make what John endured under Herod and Herodias look like nothing. Jesus prays over this situation, but in the midst of His prayer, the crowds seek Him out, many of whom were in need of healing.

Late in the day Jesus performs the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, so as to feed them that day and to remind Christians throughout all time that Jesus is Lord

August 1, 2014

Accepting God’s invitation and is capable of having out paying and without His Body and Blood be cost” we would feed on, simultaneously consenot grain, but the Body crated on thousands of of Christ, and not wine, altars daily all over the but the Most Precious world.

Blood.

St. Paul asks us rhetorically in the second reading, Homily of the Week “What will sepaEighteenth Sunday rate us from the in Ordinary Time love of Christ?”

By Father Apparently not Richard D. Wilson even Jesus’ physical need of rest or His desire to take time to pray. He is With this nourishalways available to us. ment we can face the Even though He was tragedies of our times, saddened by the colbe they incidents in our laboration with evil that own homes or families or Herod and Herodias things happening thouhad done, Jesus was not sands of miles away. The closed in on Himself. He Eucharist is proof of the came to do the Father’s truth of what St. Paul will and He would do wrote. Nothing external it. He fulfilled Isaiah’s can separate us from the prophesy about God’s love of Christ. Only we generosity, how “withcan push Him away in

our sins — He does not push Himself away. He will not force Himself on us, but always will be lovingly present, just waiting for us to accept His Divine invitation to repent and walk in His freedom.

Back on May 5, Pope Francis spoke about the multiplication of loaves and fishes. “Then the people went looking for Him. Jesus admonished them for this attitude as though He had said to them: ‘You seek Me out of some self-interest.’” I think it is always beneficial for us to ask ourselves: Why do I seek Jesus? Why do I follow Jesus? We are all sinners (we always have some interest, something) “that

needs to be purified in the way we follow Jesus; we have to work interiorly to follow Him for His own sake, for love.”

Again, the only thing that could separate us from the love of Christ is ourselves.

God even urges us to be pushy with Him. In the book of the prophet Isaiah, He said, “Heed Me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to Me heedfully.” Let us take God up on this invitation. Let us come before Him, in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion, asking for the healing and nourishment that we call need.

Father Wilson is pastor of St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Attleboro.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Aug. 2, Jer 26:11-16,24; Ps 69:15-16,30-31,33-34; Mt 14:1-12. Sun. Aug. 3, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Is 55:1-3; Ps 145:8-9,15-18; Rom 8:35,37-39; Mt 14:13-21. Mon. Aug. 4, Jer 28:1-17; Ps 119:29,43,79-80,95,102; Mt 24:22-36. Tues. Aug. 5, Jer 30:1-2,1215,18-22; Ps 102:16-23,29; Mt 14:22-36 or 15:1-2,10-14. Wed. Aug. 6, Dn 7:9-10,13-14; Ps 97:1-2,5-6,9; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Mt 17:1-9. Thurs. Aug. 7, Jer 31:3134: Ps 51:12-15,18-19; Mt 16:13-23. Fri. Aug. 8, Na 2:1,3;3:1-3,6-7; (Ps) Dt 32:35c-36b,39,41; Mt 16:24-28.

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ore than once in this column, I’ve admitted that I’m a home-body, and don’t travel all that much. In fact, the last really long excursion I took was to Disney World in 2006, and while there had an incredibly painful kidney stone attack.

Of the five days we were there, four of them were spent nearly doubled over in pain. Yet it didn’t prevent me from totally enjoying the Rockin’ Roller Coaster (twice) and the Tower of Terror. My biggest fear was spending the three-hour flight from Orlando to Providence in barely bearable agony. But the Good Lord was looking over me and the flight was uneventful.

Once home I spent two nights in the hospital before they had to blast the blasted thing.

But as usual, I digress.

I rarely travel, so I rarely have use for the handy Global Positioning System, more commonly known as a GPS. This compact keeper of maps of every street in the world has replaced the good old road map, given free of charge as a courtesy from your local Gulf gas station attendant.

‘GPS signal lost’ wonder if GPS manufacturers You seasoned road veterans are in cahoots with fuel comparemember those, don’t you? nies.

You know, the map that once Anyway, we got to experience unfolded could never be refolded a great day of Blues music with the same way again.

The GPS eliminates the folds, the legendary BB King, and the sizzling Robert Randolph and providing a real-time view of the Family Band, and the soulful the route you’re on and literally Shemekia Copeland. tells you where to go. My smart phone GPS has a British woman’s voice. I call her Gwyneth. Sounds like a Brit name to me. Denise and Emilie simply shake their heads.

I recently used

By Dave Jolivet Gwyneth to direct me to a concert the three of us were going to at Lake Since we didn’t want to have Chargoggagoggmanchauggato make the return trip over goggchaubunagungamaugg in Webster, at a venue called Indian the meadows and through the woods in the dark, we stayed Ranch. the night at a nearby hotel.

Webster is not that far away, Gwyneth got us there with no but it is off the beaten path, so problem.

I called on Gwyneth for asThe next morning I set the sistance. My British friend’s directions transformed a roughly GPS to get us back home. I put one-hour trip into an hour-and- the phone in my pocket, and we gathered our luggage and cooler a-half. The Beatles’ “Long and and entered the elevator for the Winding Road,” should have been playing in the background, trip down to the lobby.

After a short trip of only one because that’s the route Gwynof the four floors, the elevator eth mapped out for us. I do

My View From the Stands

stopped and the doors opened.

There stood a young couple with two small children. There wasn’t room for them and they waved us on.

It was then when Gwyneth chimed in, “GPS signal lost.”

The young couple were grinning from ear to ear, and my peeps were in full laughter mode. As the doors were closing, the young man said, “Just go down.”

At that we all burst into laughter, and we could hear the couple laughing even through the closed elevator doors — on the way down.

We were still laughing as we alit on the first floor. I went to the front desk to check out, and within seconds, the young couple got off the elevator and were behind me at the desk.

I turned to the young man and said, “I made it!” He began to laugh and said, “That’s a relief ” — and he had a British accent! Gwyneth must have made him feel right at home.

Then I said, “You can never be too careful.” He replied, “This is too funny!”

We wished each other well and I left the hotel saying to Emilie, “See, I showed them that Americans can be funny.”

Emilie’s reply was short and to the point: “Or stupid.”

Gwyneth’s antics weren’t quite over though. A few weeks later, I was going to another concert in Boston at the Garden.

Since the routes in Beantown change daily, I enlisted Gwyneth’s expertise once again. This was Boston, after all, a former British stronghold.

She had no problem getting us into the city, but when we were less than a mile from our destination, she led me astray.

I was at a traffic light where I knew I should go right. Gwyneth thought otherwise and said, “Bear left,” in that charming British accent. I couldn’t resist.

Forty-five minutes later, I was at the same intersection. She led me through tunnels and over bridges to get there. I said “Ta ta,” shut her off and headed to the Garden a minute away.

Talk about a lost GPS signal.

Dave Jolivet can be reached at davejolivet@anchornews.org (with or without a GPS signal).

August 1, 2014

Wednesday 30 July 2014 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — Elvis Presley’s first concert appearance, Memphis: 60th anniversary elcome, dear viewers, to “America’s Got Talent — Local Clergy Edition.” Here we are this fine summer’s day at the bandstand on Falmouth Harbor. And what a scenic location it is for our show. Cameraman, can you get a shot of the harbor?

Look at those gorgeous yachts!

To my left is the Island Queen ferry, waiting at the dock as the passengers file past in anticipation of a trip to Martha’s Vineyard. If you look farther down the shoreline you can see St. Thomas the Apostle Chapel, with its stunning stained-glass window of Jesus calming the storm.

And what an exciting show we have for you today. The winner will go home with the coveted Vianney Award in the hidden talent category. Our expert panel of judges today includes Fathers Dick Chretien, Bob Oliveira, with special guest judge Bishop Edgar da Cunha. Bishop da Cunha will soon be reporting for duty as the eighth Bishop of Fall River. This will give our new bishop the opportunity to see his priests in action. Don’t forget, at the end of the show you viewers at home will be able to vote for your favorite contestant and even nominate others not appearing

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ummer, a wonderful time of gatherings and cookouts, of taking in all that the season has to offer, and enjoying the long days filled with sunshine. It is a time when we feel refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated. During the summer months we find ourselves enjoying the very fruits of nature, from fresh produce to the bounties of the sea (especially for us New Englanders). All this serves as a very subtle reminder that we are loved and taken care of; that what we need is provided for us.

This Sunday’s readings remind us of how loved we truly are and how God has throughout the ages ensured that His people are taken care of. In the first reading from Isaiah, we are invited to come, to gather as His people to eat and drink, to be His guests, to come just as we are, to have no fear of arriving empty-handed, because He has so much to offer, His desire for us is that we delight in the gifts He shares. In return, He only asks that we heed His Word, living our lives knowing that

Anchor Columnists America’s got talent — Local clergy edition Next, if you turn your attenon stage today. tion to the field on your right, Without further ado, I call you will witness a breathtaking up on stage our first contestant, dressage performance by equesMsgr. Tom Harrington and his trians Fathers Mark Hession saxophone rendition of “Unforand Tom McGlynn. gettable.”

(Performing horses.)

(Opening number.)

Thank you. While our Thank you, Tom. I hope the grounds crew gets out the title is a prediction for our show: shovels, we will have intermisunforgettable.

Our second contestant is none other than the The Ship’s Log acclaimed composer and music director Father Reflections of a Ray Cambra with the Parish Priest Flint Chamber OrBy Father Tim chestra. This, ladies and Goldrick gentleman, will be the world premiere of his avant garde work entitled sion. During intermission, Msgr.

“Bones in my Bed.” Ronald Tosti will softly strum (Performance.) his melodious harp, with Father Let’s give it up for Father Bill Campbell on tambourine.

Cambra.

After intermission, we will have Wheel the grand piano on Father Joe Viveiros giving a stage, boys, for next we have fascinating Japanese origami concert pianist Father Rick demonstration. Please be sure Degagne. He will be playing to return to your seats promptly “Candle in the Wind.” when the stage lights blink.

(Performance.)

(Performance.)

Thank you, Rick. We go now Thank you, Father Joe. Next to a commercial break during on stage are Father Henry Arwhich Father André Patenaude ruda and the Portuguese choral will tell us all about his latest group the Chamaritas, followed recording. We will be back with immediately by Father John Father Jack Andrews and his Dolan virtuoso with the Chahilarious George Burns impression — compete with unlit cigar. tham Chorale.

(Two performances.)

Don’t go anywhere.

Keeping the musical theme, (Performance.)

the next contestant will be acclaimed soloist and skilled orchard-hybridizer Father Martin Buote singing “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” followed by the reunion of some of the original members of our diocesan priests’ singing group, Fathers David Costa, Jon-Paul Gallant, Tom Rita, Phil Hamel, and Tom Frechette. The group last appeared in public in 1986.

(Performances.)

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. And now, for something completely different, award-winning filmmaker Father Ken Gumbert will introduce his never-before-seen short subject film on our giant screen.

(Film-showing.)

I’m sure you found that film inspiring, and thank you, Father Gumbert, for your insightful documentary. Father Gumbert’s paintings and sculptures will be available for your viewing pleasure at the marina after the show.

And next we have Father Tom Lopes who has been practicing since his seminary days that beautiful song, “Lisboa Antigua.” Father Lopes will be performing today in authentic Portuguese fisherman’s costume (also left over from his college days). Father Lopes tells me he finds the hat (barrete de pescador)

Sharing the bounty

leftovers. we are gifts to each other. Even If we who are simply humans, the Psalm reminds us that “The with many faults and failings, are hand of the Lord feeds us; He able to share with others, how answers all our needs.” much more is God willing to do In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus for us? That is a question that is feeds the thousands with only so easily answered, just turning a handful of fish and bread, yet no one in the gathered crowd left hungry. Not only were they fed and satisfied, there was still enough left over to fill a dozen wicker baskets.

By Rose Mary How often have you Saraiva invited people over for a cookout or gathering, and worried about having the pages of the Bible, traveling enough to feed all your invited through the Old Testament into guests? I know I always do. But the New, we see over and over as a child, I remember my paragain, the multitude of times ents always saying, “When you give with an open heart, you will when we were taken care of. always have more than enough.” We see God providing food for Moses and the people He has And over the years, this sentiled from bondage, giving them ment, this motto if you will, has always reminded me that like my manna, meat and water; we find Jesus helping the Apostles fill parents, God finds a way to give their nets with fish; providing us what we need and so much drink at the wedding feast in more. Even when the pickings Cana, and feeding the crowds seem so slim, somehow there is more than enough to go around, that gathered to hear Him speak.

We are reminded time and and yes miraculously, always

In the Palm of His Hands

time again that we are blessed with so much even when things around us seem bleak. That God only wants and desires all that is good for us. So as we enjoy these summer months, taking in all the bounty of nature, let us not fail to recognize the gifts that we so freely receive. And most importantly, let us not withhold anything from each other.

We are given gifts and talents that not only fill our needs, but can help fill the needs of others.

We may not have much money, but a kind word can fill the empty silence, filling the hearer’s heart with much-needed nourishment. A hug can help another feel the warmth of God’s loving embrace. Simple gestures can quench the deep thirst of another. God has poured Himself out, into the vessels that we are, hoping that we will overflow into each other. So open your arms wide, better yet, open your hearts wide, and let it all in. Let it flow in and through you.

Remember always that “like

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useful for carrying his lunch.

(Performance.)

Good job, Father Lopes!

Now we’re going to kick it up a notch! Father Bill Blottman will rock the keyboard as we all sing together some favorite golden oldies. Hit it, Bill!

(Sing-along begins.)

Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, that’s Father Mike Nagle overhead doing a spectacular parachute jump. Oh, dear. He seems to be landing in the field to the right. I hope the grounds crew did a good cleanup job.

(Father Nagle lands while the crowd roars and applauds) Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, what a finale for today’s show! Unbelievable! Unforgettable! Unforgiveable! All of our contestants were terrific but only one can take home the Vianney. Now, while our judges are consulting, you too can participate. Simply email your vote to VianneyAwards@gmail.com.

If you want to nominate some other priest, just let us know his hidden talent.

That’s it for today, folks.

Come back soon, ya hear?

And don’t forget to visit Father Gumbert’s art exhibit on your way out.

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

the birds of the air that do not sow or reap, yet God continues to feed them, how much more valuable are we” (Mt 6:26). So if God and Jesus have no qualms about taking care of us, why should we in turn hesitate to care for each other? Why do we hold back when often it is very little that is asked of us? If we believe that we are truly children of God, do we not believe as well that He will provide us with everything we need? There is a song that has stayed with me through the years that simply states, “Whatsoever you do for the least of My brothers, that you do unto Me.” So as we enjoy this time of year, let us be ever mindful of what we have, and what we have to share, and be truly grateful for all the blessings in our lives.

Anchor columnist Rose Mary Saraiva lives in Fall River and is a parishioner of St. Michael’s Parish, and she is the Events Coordinator and Bereavement Ministry for the diocesan Office of Faith Formation. She is married with three children and two grandchildren. rsaraiva@dfrcs.org.

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August 1, 2014

PACE executive director completes federal program for non-public schools

BOSTON — Dr. Frederick M. Kalisz Jr., executive director of the Parents Alliance for Catholic Education, has recently completed a one-week program on federal program opportunities for non-public schools. The Essential Services Institute was presented by Catapult Learning and the Alliance for Catholic Education of Notre Dame University, South

Bend, Ind. The week-long event was conducted on the campus in South Bend.

The program is a wealth of knowledge in federal education programming initiatives such as Title 1 and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. Participants come away with concrete tools to implement the information presented. Under federal law,

Catholic schools are eligible to participate in a number of such federal program initiatives. The challenge often comes in dealing with local public school administrators as well as Catholic school principals who may not be fully understanding of the application process and resources that are available to all students regardless of the education institution or system

they are attending. The goal of the U.S. Department of Education through these programs is to meet the needs of students in the educational environment they are in. Kalisz was one of 19 Catholic education leaders from around the country to be in this the third institute conducted by Catapult and Notre Dame.

PACE is a non-profit, public policy and advocacy organization dedicated to serving the 60,000 students attend-

ing Catholic elementary and secondary schools in Massachusetts. PACE engages with elected officials and public policy leaders to enhance social justice and choice in education.

Catholic schools offer a unique educational experience and it is the mission of PACE to assist Catholic schools with accessing public resources for their students.

For more information on PACE go to the website at paceorg.net.

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August 1, 2014

Dartmouth Knights donate $500 to Solanus Casey Food Pantry

DARTMOUTH — The Knights of Columbus Father Hogan Council in Dartmouth recently donated $500 to the Solanus Casey Food Pantry in New Bedford, the largest food pantry south of Boston, servicing 800 people per month.

The donation will be used for food and supplies for families this summer, an often overlooked period of giving.

Head of the council, Chris Pereira, presented the check to Marc Abdow, coordinator of the food pantry program.

Pereira said, “The Solanus Casey Food Pantry needs help more than ever. We think about needs like this around Christmas or during the winter. Food pantries need assistance all year.” This food pantry program is operated under Catholic Social Services that serves all of southeastern Massachusetts.

The Knights of Columbus is committed to ending hunger in local communities by asking its local councils to participate in the Orderwide Food for Families Program.

Since 2012, the Knights of Columbus has donated more than $3.5 million and four million pounds of food to local food pantries, community food banks and soup kitchens.

Catholic Social Services, together with St. Mary’s in South Dartmouth; Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Parish, Our Lady of the Assumption, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in New Bedford; and St. John Neumann in East Freetown, collaborate in the everyday operations.

Also, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Child Nutrition Partnership, Salvation Army, Citizens for Citizens, First Baptist Church, along with

local schools and community members, groups, and drives support the food pantry.

The Knights of Columbus is a Roman Catholic fraternal service organization with 15,000 councils and over 1.8 million members in the United States. The Knights participate in many chari-

table events and work with a variety of nonprofit groups to support the community. The Knights of Columbus stand for four core principles which are charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. The Knights donated more than $170 million dollars to charity and volunteered over 70 millions last

year. These contributions are the most ever by the Knights of Columbus. The Knights of Columbus Father Hogan Council serve the Dartmouth parishes of St. Julie Billiart and St. Mary’s.

For more information or to donate to the pantry, please call 508-997-7337.

Shipping in early September!

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August 1, 2014

Smartphone tour introduces visitors to Boys Town, Father Flanagan BOYS TOWN, Neb. (CNS) — People have been touring Boys Town for nearly 100 years — since Father Edward Flanagan purchased land for the campus in what is now west Omaha and welcomed visitors there.

But now tourists have a whole new way of exploring the famed home for at-risk children — an interactive, smartphone guided tour.

“We’re moving into a new age of tourism,” said Tom Lynch, director of community programs at Boys Town.

Other historic Catholic sites in the Omaha Archdiocese provide tours, including St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha and the scenic rural churches of St. Boniface in Elgin, St. Bonaventure in Raeville and several in Cedar County.

But Boys Town is unique with its smartphone tour.

Smartphone users can scan quick response codes, known as QR codes, found on maps and signs at the village to read about famous sites there. The “Visit the Village” section of the site www. boystown.org has details about various tours, including the interactive tour.

Lynch said he saw how businesses used the QR codes — square, pixelated images found on labels, advertisements, even T-shirts — to link users with information, and thought: “I bet that could be applied at Boys Town, too.”

The smartphone tours reflect Father Flanagan’s welcoming attitude, Lynch said.

“He always had big signs welcoming visitors. He wanted transparency. He had no large walls keeping kids in and visitors out.”

Boys Town officials will continue to upgrade the smartphone guided tour, adding audio and video, as they promote Father Flanagan’s cause for canonization, opened two years ago by Omaha Archbishop George J. Lucas, and prepare for an influx of visitors, said Lynch, who also is chief historian for the canonization cause.

For example, over time, smartphone tourists may be able to hear Father Flanagan’s voice, as well as the voices of alumni and current residents, and watch video from the

1930s and ’40s, Lynch said in an interview with the Catholic Voice, the archdiocesan newspaper.

He said he hopes to have an area near Father Flanagan’s tomb with a link on how to become active in the canonization cause, including contact information for the Father Flanagan League, a group of lay people promoting the cause.

Boys Town — which has about 100,000 people go through its campus each year, including people attending Mass or classes — already is drawing visitors who want to know more about the founder, said Mary Huard, who as gift shop manager schedules Boys Town tours.

Boys Town received a state tourism grant to help develop the smartphone tour, Huard said. And in 2013, when the interactive tour was launched, the Nebraska Tourism Commission named Boys Town the state’s outstanding tourism attraction, in part crediting the added technology.

For visitors who don’t have smartphones, CDs can be rented or purchased to guide visitors as they drive through the campus.

Tours led by guides also are available seven days a week. Tour guides include Lynch, Huard, gift shop and museum employees, and Boys Town residents, including Boys Town Mayor Samuel “Sam” Saintizaire of Greenacres, Fla. Huard recommended a student-led tour.

“That’s the best thing to do,” she said. “They can give you the history, but they also can tell you about what it’s like to live here.”

On any type of tour, visitors can learn about the world’s largest ball of stamps, formed over the years by the youths at Boys Town, or see Spencer Tracy’s Oscar award for best actor for his portrayal of Father Flanagan in the 1938 movie “Boys Town.”

The tours are important because many people who travel to Omaha for sporting events, conferences or graduations also are curious about Boys Town.

“They’ve heard about Boys Town, and they want to know what it is,” Lynch said.

Kellan Lutz stars in a scene from the movie “The Legend of Hercules.” For a brief review of this movie, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/Summit)

CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by Catholic News Service.

“And So It Goes” (Clarius) The indignities of romance in one’s 60s entwine with a mortifyingly weak and implausible script for an aging couple played by Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton, he a grumpy real estate agent, she a lissome aspiring singer. Director Rob Reiner and screenwriter Mark Andrus have nothing new to say about either the vicissitudes of aging or the need to connect with family members as Douglas’ character learns compassion from his granddaughter (Sterling Jerins) then demonstrates it by aiding Keaton’s late-life career. Implied pre-marital sexual activity, a scene of childbirth, a few uses of profanity, fleeting crass language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

“Hercules” (Paramount) Dwayne Johnson plays the strongman of the title in director Brett Ratner’s mildly demythologizing take on his legendary exploits. Based on Steve Moore’s graphic novel

“Hercules: The Thracian Wars,” this passable 3-D adventure finds the hero — who may or may not be a demigod — leading a band of super-skilled mercenaries (Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Aksel Hennie, Ingrid Bolso Berdal and Reece Ritchie) around the political patchwork of ancient Greece.

He and his followers get more than they bargained for, however, when, at the behest of a fetching princess (Rebecca Ferguson), they agree to help her father ( John Hurt), the king of Thrace, rid his realm of a marauding rebel (Tobias Santelmann). The odd witticism and some on-target messages about

believing in oneself and putting strength at the service of goodness are scattered through Ryan J. Condal and Evan Spiliotopoulos’ script. But the real agenda of Ratner’s sweeping film is large-scale combat and plenty of it. Constant, mostly bloodless violence, some gory images, a glimpse of rear nudity, occasional sexual references, and a handful of crude and crass terms. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, August 3, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Robert A. Oliveira, pastor of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in New Bedford

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August 1, 2014

I

am writing this article as a column, as opposed to an editorial, so that while sharing with you, gentle reader (as Miss Manners would say), the teachings of the Church regarding immigration, I might also share my own opinion. As such, I am not writing this column as a official representative of the Church.

Mark Fisher, one of the Republican candidates for governor of Massachusetts, was quoted in the Boston Globe last Friday saying, “I don’t take my moral example from Deval (Patrick, the current governor) or the mayor of Somerville, but rather from Pope John Paul II who, for the occasion of World Migration Day, stated on July 25, 1995, that ‘Illegal immigration should be prevented.’” I do agree with that statement, but I think that Fisher may be taking the sainted pope’s words out of context when applying them to the present situation of the minors showing up at the U.S.-Mexican border.

Right before the sentence which Fisher quoted, the Holy Father wrote, “Today the phenomenon of illegal migrants has assumed considerable proportions, both because the supply of foreign labor is becoming excessive in comparison to the needs of the economy, which already has difficulty in absorbing its domestic workers, and because of the spread of forced migration. The necessary prudence required to deal with so delicate a matter cannot become one of reticence or exclusivity, because thousands would suffer the consequences as victims of situations that seem destined to deteriorate instead of being resolved. His irregular legal status cannot allow the migrant to lose his dignity, since he is endowed with inalienable rights, which can neither be violated nor ignored.”

In other words, St. John Paul was speaking about the situation in 1996, which he called a “social emergency” due to competition for jobs between documented (or “legal”) and undocumented (or “illegal”) immigrants and citizens and due to what he termed “forced migration,” due to drastic situations in the countries of origin. Note that at the end of the paragraph, the pope reminded us that

The immigration crisis This quote is a reminder to “inalienable rights” cannot be all of us Catholics that we are denied to anyone, regardless called to be “co-heirs” with of their immigration status.

Christ (as the second EuNext the Holy Father said charistic prayer reminds us) the line which the gubertogether with our brothers natorial candidate quoted and sisters from any and all (whose positions on the countries. We need to be wel“non-negotiable issues” of life coming to whomever crosses and Marriage are the only the threshold of our parishes, ones amongst the candidates realizing that we are Catholics which are in conformity with first and foremost. the teachings of the CathoNext the pope said what lic Church, so please do not we (Catholics in lands where think that I am personally hostile to Fisher).

St. John Paul wrote, “Illegal immigration should be prevented, but it is also essential to combat vigorously the criminal activities

By Father Richard which exploit illegal D. Wilson immigrants. The most appropriate choice, which will yield consistent and long-lasting results these folks were arriving) had to do. “The Church acts is that of international coopin continuity with Christ’s eration which aims to foster political stability and to elimi- mission. In particular, she asks herself how to meet the nate underdevelopment. The needs, while respecting the present economic and social law of those persons who imbalance, which to a large are not allowed to remain extent encourages the migrain a national territory. She tory flow, should not be seen also asks what the right to as something inevitable, but emigrate is worth without as a challenge to the human the corresponding right to race’s sense of responsibility.” immigrate. She tackles the Here we see the context problem of how to involve in of the pope’s quoted line. this work of solidarity those He would want all countries involved, the ones from which Christian communities freare coming the immigrants, as quently infected by a public well as the “destination” coun- opinion that is often hostile tries, to work together to fight to immigrants.” To summarize this, we need to: (1) meet criminals who are exploiting their needs; (2) respect laws; the immigrants (such as the (3) question whether the laws drug cartels in Latin Amerare just; (4) not allow ourica). He said that the “most appropriate choice” of what to selves to be “infected” with do would be to work together anti-immigrant sentiment.

The Holy Father then told to eliminate the causes of this flow of people. He noted that we all have a “responsibility” to do this.

The saint then discussed the Church’s role in this situation: “The Church considers the problem of illegal migrants from the standpoint of Christ, Who died to gather together the dispersed children of God (cf. Jn 11:52), to rehabilitate the marginalized and to bring close those who are distant, in order to integrate all within a communion that is not based on ethnic, cultural or social membership, but on the common desire to accept God’s Word and to seek justice. ‘God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him’” (Acts 10:34-35).

Guest Columnist

us a concrete thing that we could do. “The first way to help these people is to listen to them in order to become acquainted with their situation, and, whatever their legal status with regard to state law, to provide them with the necessary means of subsistence.”

The Catholic Church always strives to do this (although, we may need to remind ourselves that the Church is not just its social services arm, it is each and every member of the Mystical Body of Christ.

We are all called to do this — to take the time to patiently listen to the immigrants and see how we can be of help).

Next the pope did turn to a responsibility of the immigrants themselves, but even here he is much more lenient than Fisher implied. “Thus it is important to help illegal migrants to complete the necessary administrative papers to obtain a residence permit. Social and charitable institutions can make contact with the authorities in order to seek appropriate, lawful solutions to various cases.

This kind of effort should be made especially on behalf of those who, after a long stay, are so deeply rooted in the local society that returning to their country of origin would be tantamount to a form of reverse emigration, with serious consequences particularly for the children.”

I could continue to quote from this document, which is very much worth reading

(it can be found at http:// www.vatican.va/holy_father/ john_paul_ii/messages/ migration/documents/ hf_jp-ii_mes_25071995_ undocumented_migrants_ en.html). Fisher inadvertently did us a service by bringing it to the Globe’s attention. St. John Paul reminded Catholics, “In the Church no one is a stranger, and the Church is not foreign to anyone, anywhere. As a Sacrament of unity and thus a sign and a binding force for the whole human race, the Church is the place where illegal immigrants are also recognized and accepted as brothers and sisters. It is the task of the various dioceses actively to ensure that these people, who are obliged to live outside the safety net of civil society, may find a sense of brotherhood in the Christian community.”

The Diocese of Fall River, as an institution, strives to live out what the saint wrote here.

Again, we need to remember that the diocese is each and every Catholic living in this territory.

Right before extending his apostolic blessing at the end of the document, St. John Paul wrote, “Today the illegal migrant comes before us like that ‘stranger’ in whom Jesus asks to be recognized. To welcome him and to show him solidarity is a duty of hospitality and fidelity to Christian identity itself.” May we do our duty.

Father Wilson is executive editor of The Anchor, and pastor of St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Attleboro.

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August 1, 2014

For some Mideast Catholics, Church is anchor of hope amid violence

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) — As the death toll in Gaza surpasses 1,000, violent demonstrations in the West Bank leave dead and wounded, and an entire Christian community is exiled from the Iraqi city of Mosul by Islamic extremists, Christians in the Holy Land find themselves facing harsh realities.

For some Catholics, the Church and its tenets serve as an anchor of hope.

At the Church of St. Catherine, adjacent to Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, parishioners recently spoke of the struggle. That day, parishes throughout the West Bank celebrated special Masses for Gaza, Iraq and Syria.

“Christ tells us not to use violence. We try to raise our children to love each other.

Sometimes you lose your mind and feel like you don’t know what to do, but we pray with our sons at home, and we come to church every Sunday to keep in touch with God. It is a safe haven. Violence is not our way,” said Bethlehem resident Jamila Basha, 44, as she arrived at St. Catherine’s with her husband and two sons, ages nine and 12.

“As Catholics, sitting here in church really comforts us. We

are living Jesus on the cross, we are sharing in the pain of Jesus, this is the Blood of Jesus,” said her husband, Walid Basha, 47.

“If I look at Israel, and at what is happening in Iraq and look at Hamas at the same time (I worry), that maybe if they could, they would do the same thing here (as the extremists in Iraq). Both of them (Israel and Hamas) are killing, both of them are violent. The hand of God is up above but Satan is doing his work down below.”

The couple said that at home they talk to their sons about the nonviolent teachings of Christianity, keep TV news viewing to a minimum and spend time going on hikes and walks with them to keep them occupied.

“I always tell my boys that a god who asks his followers to fight is a weak god. Our God is strong enough to fight Himself,” said Walid Basha.

Samia Shahin, a mother of three grown children, noted that she has lived all her life in Bethlehem. She has lived through all the different moments of violence, she said, and she believes these moments are a symbol also of Jesus’s Own suffering for people.

“It is not just in the Holy Land but in the whole world,

you have to feel Jesus inside you, peace has to live inside you, not just with a cross on a building or around your neck,” she said. “You have to believe it, live it and be a mirror for Him so whoever deals with you knows you have Jesus inside.

“Each day I stand is a gift from God and I have to face it and live it, knowing at the same time there are people who are suffering more than me,” she added.

To teach her children how to live in the face of violence, Shahin says she must mirror her Christian faith.

“If they see how you are living, even without words, you are like a mirror for them. They see that in our religion we put our faith in Jesus, in peace,” she said.

In the West Bank village of Jifna, Father Firas Aridah of St. Joseph Catholic Church said he tries to show his young parishioners during summer camp that prayer and moments of silence while lighting memorial candles can also be a form of protest to the situation, bringing them Spiritual strength without resorting to violence.

“In the Holy Land, as the Mother Church, we have to pray and hold the cross with joy,

Israeli soldiers walk next to their armored personnel carriers after coming back into Israel from the Gaza Strip recently. A flurry of long-range rocket launches that day set off sirens around Israel’s commercial capital of Tel Aviv, where witnesses reported several interceptions by the Iron Dome air defense system. (CNS photo/Amir Cohen, Reuters)

even in moments of death and destruction,” he said. “If I bring more violence that does not mean I can win. No one will win. Violence begets violence.”

He said he counsels his parishioners to act as a bridge, to love their neighbors even as they love God, even in periods of difficulty.

“If you do not love your neighbor, you do not love God,” he said. The love and hope of Christianity must be kept in their hearts, he tells them, encouraging them to “act” but not “react.”

He said none of the Catholic youth from Jifna were involved in the rioting in nearby West Bank city of Ramallah, which left eight dead in late July.

“They don’t have to throw stones,” he said of Palestinians in the West Bank. “There is destruction in Gaza; I don’t want anybody to be killed here. (Israeli) soldiers have families, too.

We don’t have to fan the flames (of violence).”

Nagi Sleiby, 25, of Bethlehem, said it has not always been easy for him to maintain his faith surrounded by the violence in the Middle East.

He said his questions through prayer were answered by Jesus.

He said he realized he must be thankful for what he has and help people in Gaza through nonviolent ways, such as prayer and donations. He also said he finds peace in prayer.

Israel and Hamas are fighting for peace through violence, and neither is perfect, he said.

Having had the opportunity to meet with Israelis who also want peace has renewed and strengthened his faith, he said, and he feels that peace is possible despite the violence.

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August 1, 2014

Meeting 200 Pentecostals, pope renews friendship, talks unity

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — His voice breaking with emotion, Giovanni Traettino, a Pentecostal pastor in southern Italy and long-time friend of Pope Francis, welcomed the pope, “my beloved brother,” to his partially-built church in Caserta.

Pope Francis said he knows some people were shocked that he would make a special trip outside of Rome to visit a group of Pentecostals, “but I went to visit my friends.”

Traettino told the pope his visit was “unthinkable until recently,” even though, he said, “even among evangelicals there is great affection for you. Many of us pray for you, every day.

Many of us, in fact, believe your election as Bishop of Rome was the work of the Holy Spirit.”

Pope Francis told the Pentecostals that “the Holy Spirit is the Source of diversity in the Church. This diversity is very rich and beautiful. But then the same Holy Spirit creates unity.

And in this way the Church is one in diversity. To use a beautiful Gospel phrase that I love very much, reconciled diversity” is the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In addition to the visit, the pope fulfilled one specific request of the Italian evangelical community by recognizing the complicity of some Catholics in the fascist-era persecution of Italian Pentecostals and evangelicals.

“Among those who persecuted and denounced the Pentecostals, almost as if they were crazies who would ruin the race,

there were some Catholics. As the pastor of the Catholics, I ask forgiveness for those Catholic brothers and sisters who did not understand and were tempted by the devil,” Italian news agencies quoted the pope as saying.

The Vatican had described the visit as “strictly private” and, except for Vatican media, reporters were kept on the roof of a nearby apartment building.

In the new worship space of the Pentecostal Church of Reconciliation, still under construction, Pope Francis met with about 200 people, including members of Traettino’s congregation, other Italian evangelicals and representatives of Pentecostal ministries in Argentina and the United States, the Vatican said.

The pope and Traettino first met in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the late 1990s when Traettino was establishing ties between charismatic Catholics and Pentecostal Protestants. The then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio and Traettino also appeared together at a large ecumenical charismatic gathering in Buenos Aires in 2006.

Traettino was present June 1 in Rome’s Olympic Stadium when Pope Francis spoke to an international gathering of Catholic charismatics.

Meeting with Caserta’s Catholic priests and bishops from the Campania region July 26, the date originally scheduled for his visit with the Pentecostals, Pope Francis said he had not known that date was

Pope Francis greets a woman during his recent visit with Giovanni Traettino, a Protestant pastor and his friend, in Caserta, Italy. Pope Francis said he knew people would be shocked that he would make such a trip outside of Rome to visit a group of Pentecostals, “but I went to visit my friends.” (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters)

the city’s big celebration for the feast of St. Anne.

If he had gone to the Pentecostals that day, without celebrating the feast with Catholics, “the newspaper headlines would have been ‘On the patron feast of Caserta, the pope visits Protestants,’” he said. So, he asked an official in the Vatican Secretariat of State to help organize the Mass “to remove this noose from around my neck.”

Pope Francis also gave the priests a glimpse into his thoughts about Catholic relations with the Pentecostals, which some people have found surprising, especially given how many Catholics in the pope’s Latin America have joined evangelical communities.

He told the story of a priest who went on mission in a remote area of Argentina and met a woman who told him the Catholic Church had aban-

doned her and her fellow Catholics.

“I need the Word of God, so I had to go to the Protestant service,” the woman said.

The pope said the priest apologized on behalf of the Catholic Church, but recognized and respected the depth and sincerity of her faith.

“Every man, every woman has something to give us,” the pope said. “Every man, every woman has his or her own story and situation, and we must listen. Then, the prudence of the Holy Spirit will tell us what to say.”

“Never be afraid to dialogue with anyone,” Pope Francis told the Caserta priests. Dialogue is not being defensive about one’s faith, although it can mean explaining what one believes. And it is not pressuring another to join one’s faith.

“Pope Benedict XVI was right when he said, ‘The Church

grows not through proselytism, but through attraction,’” Pope Francis said. And attraction is “human empathy guided by the Holy Spirit.”

Msgr. Juan Usma Gomez, who handles the Catholic Church’s official relations with evangelicals and Pentecostals, recently told Vatican Radio that Pope Francis teaches that “to work for Christian unity you need brotherhood,” which is why he continues to nurture the friendships he established in Argentina. The iPhone video message the pope made in January with another Pentecostal friend, Bishop Tony Palmer, who died in a motorcycle accident July 20, “opened a door because it reached a really significant number of people,” Msgr. Usma said. “It’s an adventure that Pope Francis is asking us to establish. He’s way ahead of us and we’re trying to follow this pattern.”

Youth Pages

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Twenty-nine students recently graduated from St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro in St. John’s Church. Father Richard Wilson celebrated Mass. All of the graduating students took part in the Mass by reading, bringing up the gifts, and singing. Kevin Baker and Colleen O’Brien sang the meditation hymn and Kevin Lane gave the graduate reflection. Students from the St. John’s graduating class will be attending various high schools in the area including Bishop Feehan, Attleboro and Norton high schools. (Photo courtesy of Laprade Studio)

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools or parish Religious Education programs have newsworthy summer stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchor ne ws.org

A

re you conscious of what you are going to say before you say it? In other words, do you think twice before speaking once? This “golden rule” of communication has helped me from getting into misunderstandings with others. Are you careful to choose the best words to convey how you feel, your point of view, advising others, etc.?

All too often I hear people say what they “cannot” do instead of what they “can” do. They give me the impression that they are unwilling to try something new, usually because of the fear of failing. Is this you? What if you were to remove this one word from your vocabulary and replace it with another?

I believe you could put yourself in the driver’s seat and gain control of your life.

More often than not, the word “can’t” is the cause of your failures. Replace “can’t” with “won’t” and you will open the door to asking yourself the right questions that may help you to think “outside the box.” In other words, get you out of your imaginary prison.

Do you say, “I can’t take a vacation,” or “I can’t get a better job”? By changing those statements to, “I won’t take a vacation,” and “I won’t get a better job,” you raise some important questions that need answers. Why won’t you? What’s holding you back? What are you not willing to do to make it happen? Many people have done those

August 1, 2014

Eighth-grade students from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford recently enjoyed the end-of-year celebrations with a dance.

The graduating class of St. Michael School in Fall River gathered for a group photo following their recent commencement ceremony.

Words change reality Allow me to share three reasons. First, things, so they’re obviously not imposfollowing instructions frees us from sibilities! Start your own transformafrustration. How often have you been tion by paying close attention to when in a hurry to assemble something? Did and how you use the word “can’t,” and you have parts left over? Sounds like then repeat the sentence in your mind, there might be a safety issue there. It’s replacing “can’t” with “won’t.” Anaeasy to be overconfident when it comes lyze the sentence! You may be in for a to assembling. After all, who has time pleasant awakening — you will realize to read all of that you “can.” that fine print “Whoever ponand count to ders a matter make sure that will be successthe package ful; happy the includes the one who trusts right numin the Lord”

By Ozzie Pacheco ber of parts?

(Prov 16:20).

Ignoring Every word instructions you speak changes reality — your own and others. inevitably leads to some very frustratWe live in a fast-paced world. We want ing moments. Ignoring God’s instructhings done now or even yesterday. But, tions for our lives will also lead to some very frustrating moments. How often we make mistakes because we often we think that we have life all don’t think things through and pay atfigured out, that we can handle life’s tention to the small, important details. twists and turns on the strength of our Have you realized that we live in a understanding alone and fail to see the world of instructions? Practically evbigger picture. Proverbs 13:13 states, erything that we buy comes with a set “Whoever despises the Word must pay of instructions. Instructions are a vital for it, but whoever reveres the compart of our daily lives and influence us more than we realize. It is important to mand will be rewarded.”

Second, following instructions delivfollow instructions because these make ers us from danger. Whether it’s a tag us conscious of what we are doing.

Following instructions helps us to omit on the cord of an electric hair dryer the “cannot” from our lives and gives us with the warning, “Danger — Electrocution possible if used or dropped the confidence that we “can” change.

Why should you follow instructions? in tub” or a street sign reading “Slow

Be Not Afraid

Down — Children at play” we simply cannot escape instructions, regardless of where we go. When these instructions are neglected tragedy is often the result. Scripture is filled with instruction that warns us of danger. There are many negative commands in the Word of God, like the Commandments, “You shall not.” When God says “no” it is because He wants to protect us from danger and provide something better for us. We would be wise to heed the advice of Proverbs 4:13, “Hold fast to instruction, never let it go; keep it, for it is your life.”

Third, following instructions enhances our enjoyment. When we follow the instructions that come with a purchased product our enjoyment of that product is enhanced and we discover that the product lasts longer when used properly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. So it is with our lives. We will enjoy life more when we make a conscious effort to live our lives in accordance with God’s instructions. In some cases we can expect to live longer when we follow God’s instructions because we will avoid the paths, habits and relationships that might endanger our lives.

Be conscious of what you say. Think before you speak. Trust in God. Anchor columnist Ozzie Pacheco is Faith Formation director at Santo Christo Parish, Fall River.

Youth Pages Rio favela continues to reap fruits from World Youth Day

August 1, 2014

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (CNA/ EWTN News) — After nearly two years of preparation, Father José Almy Gomes, 40, almost wasn’t ready for Pope Francis’ World Youth Day pilgrimage to Rio de Janeiro.

A student at Rome’s Patristic Institute Augustinianum from 2003 to 2007, Father Almy was the pastor of St. Dominic’s in Perdizes — a rural neighborhood of São Paulo. He worked from June 2011 to August 2012 organizing a group of more than 100 international pilgrims, including 20 Americans, for a three-week Catholic dream experience: seven days of tourism and cultural immersion in São Paulo, a week of mission work in Rio’s favelas, and seven days of WYD celebration on Copacabana Beach.

His only hope, for the sake of the project’s success, was not to be transferred before then.

But in February 2013, fewer than five months before WYD, Rio’s Archdiocese of St. Sebastian came calling. Father Almy was directed to Our Lady of the Rosary Parish — just two blocks from where Pope Francis would stand on Copacabana Beach.

Shaken by his transfer, Father Almy faced the immediate challenge of building his new parish’s volunteer efforts almost completely from scratch.

“We had just one volunteer signed up when I arrived,” he said in Portuguese, his native language. “World Youth Day just didn’t seem very important here.”

Located in the Rio favela of Babilônia, Our Lady of the Rosary has long been a controversial setting in the heart of a neighborhood searching for a faith identity.

Of Rio’s 976 recognized favelas, Babilônia is among the most famous for its violent history. A subject of the internationally-popular Brazilian film “Elite Squad,” the favela was governed exclusively by Rio de Janeiro drug-trafficking cartels for nearly 80 years before government police pacification forces took over in 2009.

According to Father Almy, residents lived amid frequent gunfire and constant law changes when new cartels assumed control of the neighborhood. Babilônia’s laws included a 6 p.m. curfew and restrictions on religion. Violators of the law were often executed.

Favela law nearly shut down Our Lady of the Rosary, as Mass was permitted only on church grounds. For three years before pacification, priests were prohibited from celebrating Mass in public areas or visiting Babilônia’s residents in their homes.

“To pray here with residents, the archbishop would have to ask for permission from a 17-year-old boy guarding the favela entrance,” Father Almy explained. “And the boy would normally grant permission, but only if priests used archdiocesan automobiles to enter the neighborhood instead of their own.”

Though the majority of Babilônia’s

residents are Christian, their beliefs are often radical and come from a variety of cultures from across the world, says Father Almy. Popular religions within the favela include Pentecostalism, practiced only by an estimated 11-15 percent of all Brazilians and the Afro-Brazilian religions of Candomblé and Umbanda, practiced by less than five percent of the country’s population.

Among Babilônia’s Roman Catholics, Father Almy emphasizes the need for a stronger Spiritual Formation to fight a “magical” view of Christian faith.

The combination of extreme devotionalism with non-Catholic beliefs such as reincarnation, he says, has mixed Catholicism with other favela customs and traditions.

“Spiritually, our community needs to have a stronger Catholic proximity,” he said. “It’s important to have an accurate Spiritual education.”

He refers to Our Lady of Fatima, whose statue passed through Babilônia as part of a three-year celebration in Brazil for its upcoming 100-year anniversary in 2017, as an example. In honoring the Virgin Mother, Father Almy stresses the importance of thinking, beyond pure devotion.

“It’s important to be devout, to pray the Rosary, but also think beyond the image — what did Mary do? What qualities did she have that we can imitate?”

To educate residents, Father Almy is exercising new legal rights for Babilônia clergy members: the freedom to evangelize and participate in the favela’s community. His involvement includes celebrating Saturday Mass in Babilônia’s community centers, attending interfaith community meetings, bi-weekly visits to residents’ homes, and leadership in new seasonal Church activities such as prayer of the Christmas Novena and neighborhood participation in an annual Emmaus Walk.

“My goal is to speak the language of our neighborhood and give a rationalized perspective,” he said. “I want to translate a high-level of theology into a language that’s more accessible, and being a consistent presence is one way to do that.”

With just one volunteer registered fewer than five months before World Youth Day, Father Almy put his new parish to work. Forming WYD community groups among Our Lady of the Rosary’s 300 parishioners, he began celebrating weekly Saturday Mass in Babilônia, and by May 2013 had recruited an additional 10 WYD volunteers from the favela.

Though the parish’s efforts were growing, Father Almy still felt unprepared to host the 70 French and Portuguese pilgrims scheduled to lodge in the parish two months later.

“I thought people here were still closed to the Holy Spirit in the months before World Youth Day, like no one really wanted this experience.”

But as Father Almy’s communi-

ty groups continued to grow, so did Babilônia’s participation in WYD-related preparation. By July, Our Lady of the Rosary had 15 registered WYD volunteers, and an additional seven parishioners offered to help out part-time.

To make the church suitable for visitors, Father Almy used parish funds to rent eight bathrooms, adding to Our Lady of the Rosary’s single bathroom, and solicited food donations from the parish.

“Food was probably our biggest concern. We wanted to at least be able to offer snacks to our pilgrims.”

As parishioners divided responsibilities, food donations picked up, and it appeared that the church would have enough food to feed all of its WYD visitors.

But when Our Lady of the Rosary opened its doors to pilgrims on July 19, it wasn’t 70 French and Portuguese pilgrims, but 141 that arrived expecting WYD lodging. An additional group of French journalists also lobbied for a spot at the parish, in hope of easy access to Copacabana Beach.

“It was difficult. We thought we were pretty well-organized, but there was certainly confusion at the start.”

With more pilgrims than parish space available, some visitors were left to sleep on the floor in Our Lady of the Rosary’s church and in Babilônia community centers. As demand for lodging picked up, favela residents also stepped in. A total of 45 pilgrims were given housing

by Our Lady of the Rosary parishioners in Babilônia, the neighboring favela of Chapéu Mangueira, and the surrounding neighborhood of Leme.

Most importantly, Father Almy attests, the combined effort of the parish and community successfully provided lodging and food for everyone who asked for it.

“Who are we, as the Church, to say no to someone in need? We always asked ourselves, ‘What can we offer so that other people can be taken care of ?’ We may not have had the resources right away, but we provided for everyone that needed our help.”

After eight decades of violence, a favela once known for suppressing Catholicism had played a key role in the success of one of WYD’s most relevant host churches in Rio’s largest ever Catholic event.

“I was happiest about the way people were welcomed here,” Father Almy said.

“I think the way our community opened its arms to our visitors was the most important thing.”

The success of WYD 2013 has brought a greater awareness of Pope Francis’ teachings to Babilônia and Our Lady of the Rosary, according to Father Almy. As Catholic residents grow stronger in Catholic faith formation, he believes the Holy Father’s presence in Brazil and his Latin American roots provide for a closer connection with residents and parishioners.

17

“I think the pope’s effect, more than anything, was that people here learned to see themselves in him and really love him. He knows how the Church here functions and the perspective of our people.”

Lucia Kiris, one of the parish’s 15 registered WYD volunteers and host of two French pilgrims, agrees, adding that Pope Francis’ messages of acceptance and welcoming are becoming more characteristic among the favela’s residents.

“He reminds us to stay true to our identities,” she said, “as grateful, caring, and loving people.”

Another Babilônia resident, David Bispo, owner of an internationallyawarded restaurant in the favela, attests to a lasting spiritual impact from WYD that remains nearly 11 months after Pope Francis’ pilgrimage to Rio. “Pope Francis passed a strong energy through here, a happiness and a simplicity,” Bispo said. “His presence rings strong in our neighborhood and across all of Rio de Janeiro.”

As the community’s pastoral presence, Father Almy continues to celebrate weekly Saturday Mass in the favela, attend community faith dialogues, and make visits to sick parishioners’ homes.

His presence, Father Almy says, is based on WYD’s mission to “Go and make disciples of all nations.”

“After WYD I decided, from now on, I’m really going communicate the Word of God to all of His creatures,” he said, “because through dialogue, a person grows closer to others and makes friends. Then, after, that person can listen and teach.”

He speaks especially about a weekly women’s community group, composed of eight Babilônia residents from Catholic, Pentecostal, and Afro-Brazilian communities, among others. Though often criticized by non-Catholic group members, Father Almy values the chance to facilitate conversation and to clarify misunderstandings among group members.

“These opportunities only exist because I’m present there,” he said. “Because I studied the Word, I studied theology, I can give people a stronger perspective. This small contact is important, because if I wasn’t there, people wouldn’t be able to ask these questions.”

Thanks to WYD, his involvement in the community, and improvement in basic amenities available to residents — such as computers and Internet access, Father Almy says more people in Babilônia follow Pope Francis on a consistent basis, and he’s receiving more questions than ever about the Holy Father’s teachings.

“Even if I don’t talk about the pope, they still ask about him. When I’m asked, ‘Pope Francis said this, what does it mean?’ I’m honored to answer. The fruits of WYD gave people here a new, more positive vision of the Church — a vision we needed for a rationalized, authentic view of the Catholic faith.”

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August 1, 2014

Hopes high for Christmas delivery of positio on Father Peyton continued from page one

Father Marcham became vice postulator of Father Peyton’s sainthood cause on Nov. 25, 2009. “When I was appointed, I didn’t know what it would entail,” he told The Anchor. “The notification came in a big legalsized envelope stamped about 15 times. It was intimidating.

But since then each day is a learning experience for me.

“My responsibilities include assisting Dr. Ambrosi in Rome, working with the Baltimore Archdiocese, the Albany Diocese, interacting with canon lawyers, reading through people’s testimonies, and handling requests for documents.

I basically facilitate communication and documentation for the cause.”

But even more importantly for Father Marcham, it gives him the opportunity to “Promote Father Peyton’s life as a Spiritual inspiration. Sharing

it with others, drawing them closer to the life of Christ and the example of the Blessed Mother. We do this through the Internet, television, print media, preaching and blogging.”

The opening of Father Peyton’s sainthood cause was formally announced on June 1, 2001, by then-Fall River Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap., at the Cardinal Medeiros Residence in Fall River.

The cause was opened in the Fall River Diocese because it is where Father Peyton is buried, at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Easton.

Responsibilities for his sainthood cause were later transferred from the Fall River Diocese to the Baltimore Archdiocese. “Because the breadth and scope of the study of Father Peyton’s life is so large, worldwide, it wasn’t fair to ask the Fall River diocesan Tribu-

nal to undertake the diocesan inquiry,” Father Marcham explained. “The Baltimore Archdiocese’s Tribunal was much better equipped to take on the task. But thanks must go out to those in the Fall River Diocese who worked on the cause because it wouldn’t be where it is now without them.”

Father Marcham told The Anchor that he is pleased and excited about where the cause stands right now. “I’m extremely encouraged at this point,” he said. “Our hope is to present the positio to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints by Christmas. After that, it is up to them when it will be studied.”

Father Marcham said that there are other causes that the congregation has to study, but he feels that Father Peyton’s may have some elements that could help to push the process along a bit more quickly.

Diocesan parishes play role in passage of minimum wage law continued from page one

people to be heard. The poor do not have the same level of access to the political process as those who can afford to employ fulltime lobbyists such as the Chamber of Commerce. UIA and other community action agencies provide that for the common people.

A successful petition drive, especially one that had a very large proportion of signatures gathered by people of faith, gave a great deal of credence to the impor-

tance of the issue.

“A pastor is always a little nervous about getting involved with social justice issues because of a fear of a backlash from some people who incorrectly believe that should not be something the Church should get involved in. I didn’t hear one comment of opposition. I believe that is indicative of the importance of the issue. I was very happy to hear of the success of the petition drive,

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and of course believe that it was key to the positive response the legislation received in the Massachusetts legislature.”

Jack Livramento, parishioner of Our Lady of Assumption Parish in New Bedford and UIA leader, said he was excited to take up the task of acquiring signatures, and felt the parishioners at Our Lady of Assumption rose to the challenge.

“Almost all of our parishioners felt it was a just cause to raise the minimum wage,” said Livramento. “Many of our parishioners are working at minimum wage jobs and this has a direct impact on their lives. They recognize how difficult it is to live on eight dollars an hour. For many of our parishes in New Bedford, pastors were more than willing to assist their parishioners in the collection of signatures by allowing members to speak at the end of Mass and allowing members to collect signatures outside of church at the end of Mass. Passage of the minimum wage bill by the legislature brought excitement, joy and relief to our community. Finally, the legislature has acted; finally, we can look forward to a pay raise; and finally, we can celebrate the accomplishment of raising the minimum wage.”

Father Gastão Oliveira, pastor of Santo Christo Parish in Fall River, acknowledged that the passing of the bill could not have happened if Catholics and other organizations hadn’t gotten involved in the campaign:

“Many factors go into the congregation’s decision to look into the positio,” he said. “Father Peyton does have two possible miracles credited to his intercession that are being studied.

And we’re hoping to send a copy of the positio to Pope Francis as well if possible. We’re looking into that right now and praying that will happen.

“Pope Francis speaks often of the importance of family and praying and there is the big World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next September.

I feel that Father Peyton could be an excellent patron saint for families.

“The congregation will see what the needs of the Church are. I feel as though some things are lining up. There is a Providential confluence of things.”

Father Marcham said that some sainthood causes can go on for hundreds of years, and some are not deemed worthy. “I feel things are moving along at a very good pace. But we know

all things are in God’s time, and I surrender to that and view this as God teaching us, for the good.”

If the Congregation for the Causes of Saints determines, via the positio, that Father Peyton’s life was heroic, it would present the case to the Holy Father who could declare Father Peyton as “venerable.”

Should that happen, one of the two purported miracles attributed to Father Peyton’s intercession would be investigated. One of the miracles is said to have occurred in the Albany, N.Y. Diocese, and the other in Uganda.

Father Marcham admits that the time since Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton’s cause was opened in 2001, time has gone quickly. He also admits that the greatest Christmas present he could receive this year is to send a nice packaged positio to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome, and possibly even Pope Francis.

“The Holy Father, St. John Paul II, at the close of the celebration of the Jubilee Year, requested that all Christian communities of the world begin the 21st century and the third millennium with a renewed energy to transform the world by the values specified by Evangelical Justice. This request will never be accomplished without the active involvement of all Christians in the building of the society in which we live.

“In other words: this will only happen if the Catholics actively involve themselves in the political process — and exercise their right to vote. The bishops of the United States, in their pastoral letter ‘Faithful Citizenship’ of September 1999, instructed all parish priests to impress upon their faithful the necessity for each of them to register in the electoral process, and to become active in the political life of the community.

It is in this spirit of non-partisanship and integration in the United Interfaith Action that we as a parish have been working.

“This is the spirit of our success here at Santo Christo Parish — the parishioners understand their faith commitment with the Social Gospel of the Church throughout the years and also help the Church to transform the world in the spirit of the Gospel by actively participating in the events of justice.”

Carol Cioe, UIA president, said that the pastors in the Fall River Diocese were incredibly supportive and welcoming of

the campaign initiative, including Father John Ozug, rector of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River and that “signatures were obtained at many locations by volunteers of all ages,” said Cioe, adding that the passing of the bill was “received with joy and a sense of relief that people will get a muchdeserved raise, and a sense of pride because we helped make it happen.”

Now the UIA and the parishes are turning their attention to the “Earned Sick Days” benefit that made it to the ballot for this fall; “We still have work to do regarding the earned sick time petition,” said Cioe. “People should not have to choose between staying home with their children when they are sick, losing a day’s pay, or worse — getting fired.”

This is a list of the 21 parishes that participated: Our Lady of Assumption, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James, St. Lawrence, and St. Anthony’s of New Bedford; St. Michael’s, St. Joseph’s, Santo Christo, St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart, Holy Name, Holy Trinity, and St. Anthony’s of Fall River; St. Bernard’s Parish of Assonet; St. George’s Parish in Westport; St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea; St. Vincent de Paul and St. John the Evangelist in Attleboro; St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham; St. John Neumann Parish in Freetown; St. Anthony’s Parish in Mattapoisett; and St. Joseph’s Parish Fairhaven.

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August 1, 2014

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

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel at Holy Ghost Church, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

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

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at St. John the Evangelist Church on N. Main St. Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m. Mass.

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

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

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

Fall River — Espirito Santo Parish, 311 Alden Street, Fall River. Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

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

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

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

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m.

Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday, following the 9 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 4:30 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

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

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

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration 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.

Please use the side entrance.

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

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

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

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

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

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

Mass.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church begins each Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. and ends on Friday night at midnight. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~ East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

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

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

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes. All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

All is lost with war, especially children’s lives, future, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — It’s time to stop war, fighting and conflicts, which do nothing but kill and maim, leaving children unexploded ordnance for toys and lives without happiness, Pope Francis said.

“Never war! Never war! I think most of all about children, whose hopes for a dignified life, a future are dashed, dead children, wounded children, mutilated children, orphans, children who have the leftovers of war for toys, children who don’t know how to smile.

Stop it, please! I beg you with all my heart! It’s time to stop!”

The pope made his appeal after praying the noon Angelus with people gathered in St. Peter’s Square July 27.

The pope’s plea came as he recalled the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, which, with more than 37 million causalities, was one of the deadliest conflicts in history.

Beginning July 28, 1914, the “Great War” left “millions of victims and immense destruction,” Pope Francis said.

He said July 28 would be “a day of mourning” and a chance for people to remember the lessons of history. “I hope people will not repeat the mistakes of the past,” he said, and will uphold “the rationale of peace through patient and courageous dialogue.”

Highlighting the crises in the Middle East, Iraq and Ukraine, the pope called for continued prayers so that the leaders and the people there would have the wisdom and will needed to choose peace with determination and face problems with “the tenacity of dialogue and negotiations.”

“Let’s remember that everything is lost with war and nothing is lost with peace,” he said.

He urged that all decisions be based on respect for others and the common good — not personal interests.

In Your Prayers

Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks 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

Around the Diocese The annual Good Shepherd Parish Feast will be held on August 8 and 9 from 5 to 10 p.m. and on August 10 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at 1598 South Main Street in Fall River. The feast will feature a multi-national food tent and live entertainment including Steel Dreams on Friday, Kings Row on Saturday, and Summer School on Sunday afternoon. Activities include homemade malassadas, a Portuguese bazaar, Chinese auction, jewelry, a country kitchen, games and activities for children and teens, along with many crafters, artisans and vendors. On Sunday, August 10, the Feast Mass will be at 10 a.m., followed by a procession through the surrounding neighborhood.

The Women’s Guild of St. John Neumann Parish, 257 Middleboro Road in East Freetown, will host its annual Summer Barn Sale on August 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This one-day barn sale will offer a large selection of items to choose from, and the prices can’t be beat. Admission is free and all are welcome.

A Healing Mass and Blessing with St. André’s Relic and Anointing with St. Joseph Oil will be held at St. Joseph Chapel at Holy Cross Family Ministries on September 14, the Solemnity of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, with Rosary at 1:30 p.m. and Mass at 2 p.m. St. André’s relic will be available for blessings and veneration. Don’t miss this special opportunity to bring your family and friends for a blessing. St. André was known as the “Miracle Man of Montréal” for healing thousands of the faithful at the St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal. More than two million people visit his shrine each year. For more information call Holy Cross Family Ministries at 508-238-4095 or visit www.FamilyRosary.org/Events. The event will take place at the Father Peyton Center, 500 Washington Street in Easton.

St. Mary’s Parish, 106 Illinois Street in New Bedford, is hosting its annual Holiday Fair in November and is looking for crafters. The fair will be held November 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and November 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information contact Linda at 508-995-4166.

The Children’s Choir at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee needs more voices. The choir sings at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 52 Sundays a year. There is no age limit and no auditions. It meets in St. Jude’s Chapel at 8 a.m. to go over the music program for the 8:30 Mass, sing the Mass, then have rehearsal in the chapel after Mass. It sings a simple hymn program and has lots of fun. Just show up before or after Mass and enjoy. Being a choir member you will be assigned a robe and choir book. Call Dick Tellier at 508-888-7012 if you have any questions.

Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River is searching for missing alumni as the school plans for its 50th anniversary to take place during the 20152016 school year. If you or someone you know is an alumnus of Bishop Connolly High School and is not receiving communications from the school, please send your contact information by email to Anthony Ciampanelli in the Alumni Office at aciampanelli@bishopconnolly.com; via the school’s website at www.bishopconnolly.com; by phone at 508-676-1071 extension 333; or mail the school at 373 Elsbree Street, Fall River, Mass. 02720. Please provide the graduate’s name (including maiden name if appropriate), complete mailing address, telephone number, email address, and the year of graduation.

20 Continued from page seven

ciliation for inmates along with Spiritual counseling for them.

“I go down there every Friday,” he said. “The last group I had — they only allow a certain amount in each section — but I had 22 guys for Mass. And they’re so hungry and they have no idea why. Because I don’t get to sit and just talk with them, I’ve turned the homily into lessons

August 1, 2014 so that I can teach them during Mass. They have such problems, but you learn a lot from them.

And when Mass is over, I’ve had many of them ask: ‘Are you coming back?’ And I tell them: ‘Yes I am.’ You can tell it’s something they need to have, even though they don’t know why.”

Even though the notion of celebrating weekly Mass at the prison was initially met with

some resistance, Father McElroy said he was able to convince them otherwise.

“I told them this was wrong because they were not allowing them to celebrate their faith, and they have a right to that,” he said. “For years they weren’t having regular Masses unless someone would come to celebrate one for a special occasion. But I said it has to be a permanent thing

and we need to do this all the time, and they agreed.”

Although he’s anxious to begin working on these ministries, after celebrating his final Masses at St. Joseph’s Parish this weekend, Father McElroy said he’s first going to take a little time for himself.

“I’m 74 years old and I’ve never gone on a sabbatical and I’ve never taken any extended time off, so I asked my provincial if I could have one year to relax a bit,” he said. “So for the first year, I’ll basically be traveling around to visit my family and other members of my community. Most of my family lives in Rhode Island now, so I’ll be able to go and spend some time with them. I’d like to go down to Texas and visit some of the people I know there, too.”

Looking back over his years of pastoral ministry, Father McElroy said there will be some things he will miss.

“I think I’ll miss the ability to have people affect me,” he said. “We have such great talent in this parish — as there was in New Bedford and Acushnet.

The greatest thing I saw here was the ability of people to return to their faith, to return to

the Church, and not be afraid. I saw a great deal of that happen here in the programs and different things that we’ve offered.”

Father McElroy said he’ll also miss interacting with the students at St. Joseph’s School, celebrating Mass for them, and the welcoming sense of belonging that is a hallmark of St. Joseph’s Parish.

“There’s a sincere sense of hospitality here that people appreciate,” Father McElroy said.

“I had one family come to join the parish the other day and they said: ‘We came here because we were so welcomed.’ You wish you had droves coming in, but as I always tell people: Jesus only had 12 and they ran away.

So thank God for the ones we do have.”

“I’ll miss being able to celebrate the Liturgy with the community,” he added. “That is so exciting for me every week, every day. And you really get to know people. I was looking around the other day and thought to myself: ‘How many stories do I know here?’ There are so many wonderful stories.

So that will be something I’ll miss. But I certainly won’t miss the daily grind.”