VOL. 30, NO. 30
•
Friday, August I, 1986
FALL RIVER, MASS.
Southeastern Massachusetts' L~rgest Weekly
•
58 Per Year
Joyous release
ASSI.STED BY Father Joseph L. Powers, pastor, Bishop Daniel A. Cronin blesses a statue of the parish patroness at St. Elizabeth Seton church, North Falmouth. (Rosa photo)
North Falmouth celebration St. Elizabeth Seton statue blessed By Joseph Motta St. Elizabeth Seton parish, North Falmouth, received a special pastoral visit from Bishop Daniel A. Cronin last Sunday.. After celebrating a morning Mass at the Cape Cod parish in celebration of the ninth anniversary of its dedication, the bishop blessed a statue ofSt. Elizabeth Seton newly placed in front ofthe church. Father Joseph L. Powers, founding and present pastor, welcomed Bishop Cronin. Father Powers told The Anchor that the statue, fashioned in Italy of Carrara marble, arrived in North Falmouth last fall to await Sunday's anniversary. Life-sized, it depicts St, Elizabeth in her habit as a Sister of Charity, holding a Bible and a rosary. A gift of retired organist Mrs. Alice Creemer, it is mounted on a locally-crafted fieldstone pedestal. "Now the approach to the church immediately indicates who our patroness is," Father Powers said. For two years prior to founding St. Elizabeth's parish, Father Powers was pastor of neighboring St. Joseph's Church, Woods Hole, and from 1969 to 1975 he was pastor of St. Mark's parish in Attleboro Falls, where he was responsible for building the church. The area served by St. Elizabeth's was for many years a mission of St. Joseph's.
Father Powers explained that St. Elizabeth Seton was the first native-born saint. Born in New York City in 1774, Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton married at age 19, later to be widowed with five children. She became interested in Catholicism after her husband's death, and converted. K.nown as the foundress of the American Catholic school system for her 1810 establishment of an Emmitsburg, MD., institution, she founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph order in the United States. She died in 1821, and was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975. 36 blood and marriage-related descendants were present at· her canonization. In the church, Father Powers pointed out a stained glass window depicting Bishop John Carroll, first U.S. Catholic bishop, receiving the vows of St. Elizabeth in the chapel of the former St. Mary's Seminary on Paca Street, Baltimore. Many Fall River diocesan priests studied at St. Mary's and worshiped in the same chapel, noted Father Powers. Other windows in the handsome North Falmouth church depict its "mother church" at Woods Hole, and saints including Joan of Arc, Peter and Paul.'
600 year-round families make up St. Elizabeth's congregation, Father Powers said, adding that Mass attendance triples during the summer. Parochial vicar Father Timothy J. Goldrick assists Father Powers in meeting parish needs, which include ministry to residents at two area nursing homes. Many retirees belong to the parish, Father Powers said. "A certain number have always lived in the area," he said, "and many have moved here from the Boston and Worcester areas. "The experiences they've brought with them from their home parishes benefit us. Their ideas blend in very well with those of the people who've always lived here." St. Elizabeth's has an active women's guild and men's club. A charismatic prayer group meets weekly. There are over 250 young people in the religious education program, and Father Powers notes that 1987's confirmation candidates will be the first to complete studies for that sacrament wh.ile in 10th grade. He describes his parishioners as supportive and cooperative. "They're interested in parish activities, both religious and social in nature," he said.
NEW YORK. (NC) - After 18 under the direction of only local months of twice-weekly Masses staff. He said CRS had not sent calling for the release of Servite ,another American to fill in for Father Lawrence Martin Jenco, Father Jenco, and would not, Catholic Relief Services staff and because any American there would others gathered in happiness July be "too vulnerable." 28 to offer a Mass of thanksgiving. Father Jenco will spend time Father Jenco, 51, director of with his family and his religious Catholic Relief Services in order until he is prepared to Lebanon and one of five kid- resume his work on the CRS staff, napped Americans held there, was Pezzullo said. released unharmed July 26. . At the conclusion of the Mass, Archbishop Theodore McCar- Archbishop McCarrick noted the rick of Newark, who chairs the hostages who remained in captivEurasia subcommittee of the eRS ity must not be forgotten and board of directors, was principal asked for continued prayers. celebrant and homilist ofthe Mass Pezzullo said CRS would probheld at the Church of St. John the Evangelist; which is part of the ably sponsor a weekly Mass to Catholic Center where CRS, the pray for the release of the other New York Archdiocese and other hostages. agencies have offices. Dozens of balloons decorated In Joliet the lobby of the center for the In Joliet, Father Jenco's homeoccasion. town, the bells of seven churches Archbishop McCarrick express- pealed forth the news of the ed gratitude to all the people and priest's release. On the lawn of the Mihelich agencies that had worked for Father Jenco's release. But he house a sign that had marked the offered special commendation to . those who remained "in touch with days of hiS captivity was changed to read: Fr. Martin Jenco. Amerithe Lord" by attendance at the can Held Hostage in Lebanon, Masses over the months. Released July 26.564 days. Amen. "It is He who has answered our prayers," he said. At the July 26 Waterway Daze summer festival in Joliet, members Among those singled out by the of Father Jenco's family took part arcpbishop was Cardinal John J. in the festivities, including a boat O'Connor of New York, who made parade in which they rode in a inquiries about Father Jenco and boat renamed "Freedom." the other hostages during a recent visit to Lebanon. 564 yellow balloons were released at the festival. He said Cardinal O'Connor, who was unable to celebrate the At the festival Mass Bishop thanksgiving Mass himself because Joseph L. Imesch of Joliet called of an engagement in Washington, the Jenco family a good example played one of the "key" roles in of perseverance and persistence. obtaining the release. Citing that day's Gospel reading Archbishop McCarrick also which said, "Ask and it shall be noted the contribution of Angli- given. " he said: "These good peo. can Archbishop Robert Runcie of pIe know what it means to knock Canterbury and the latter's lay until prayer is answered. I can't negotiator, Terry Waite. imagine how many days the Jenco family felt at the bottom...but I The archbishop added that can't say enough about their pe rFather's Jenco's captors' had told sistence and faith and beliefin the him that CRS had withdrawn Lord." from Lebanon, but, he said, CRS .. did not withdraw in response to "'As Christian people we must the capture of Father Jenco and never take freedom for granted. ,remained committed to serving We must make sure that everyone the poor everywhere in the world. has the same chance for freedom and equality," the bishop "Father Martin is not just a continued. , symbol/'the archbishop said. "He is a living representation of what Father Jenco received a telethis agency has' always been and gram of congratulations July 27 what we pray it always will be." from Pope John Paul II, who said he "rejoices with you in your liberMsgr. Robert Carlebois, CRS ation and together with your famEurasia director and a concele- ily and friends...Thanks to God brant, said after the Mass that that this has finally taken place." Father Jenco was "ecstatic" to learn CRS was still serving in The priest was to see the pope Lebanon. and Anglican Runcie of Canterbury, who had repeatedly sent an Lawrence Pezzullo, CRS direc- envoy to Beirut seeking release of tor, said in an interview that the the hostages.' On his return to the CRS program in Lebanon had United States scheduled for today, continued at the same level as Father Jenco may see President before Father Jenco's capture, but Reagan.