VOL. 49, NO. 29 • Friday, August 5, 2005
FALL RIVER, MASS.
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
Thousands descend upon La Salette for Steubenville East Youth Conference By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF
ATTLEBORO - The annual Steubenville East Youth Conference, themed "Experience the Glory," was held July 8-10 and 1517 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette and welcomed more than 5,000 teens to the Fall River diocese. Sponsored by the Shrine and the Franciscan University of Steubenville, it offered young people an opportunity to strengthen their relationship with Christ and enjoy fellowship with other likeminded teens from New England and the Tri-State area through prayerful talks, the celebration of Mass and song. "We enjoy having them," said La Salette Brother Ron Taylor. "It's a
great experience for them and for us. They really love their faith and it's nice to see young adults with a strong faith in Christ. It strengthens our faith." The participants had a full weekend of activities beginning with· their arrival on Friday. The opening session, entitled "See the Glory," went from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and was followed by small group time. Time was set aside each day for the sacrament of reconciliation. Joe Sollecito brought 12 young people from St. Mary's Church, Taunton to the first weekend. He said it was the fourth year his youth group had participated and the teens ARCHBISHOP SEAN P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., of Boston, leads a Eucharistic adoration "had a great experience." service for children at the Northeast Family Conference held at Stonehill College July 16-17. Sollecito told them to "keep their (Photo courtesy of Holy Cross Family Ministries) Turn to page J3 - Steubenville
Family Fuel First-ever Northeast Catholic Family Conference hailed as successful event By DEACON JAMES N.
REPRESENTATIVES OF Holy Ghost Parish, Attleboro, gather for a photo at the Steubenville East Conference held at The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. (AnchorlGordon photo)
DUNBAR
NORTH EASTON - It was billed as a family affair, a two-day conference July 16-17 aimed at rejuvenating and inspiring every member in Catholic families to live his or her faith for all the world to see. Themed "Making the Faith Visible," it offered an opportunity for Catholics of all ages to gather in prayer, learn and celebrate faith through liturgies, keynote talks, dozens of quality and interesting
workshops, reconciliation, music, and join in eucharistic adoration on the campus of Stonehill College. And it offered models for making the faith visible such as saints and sainthood candidates including St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Blessed James Alberione, Servants of God Michael J. McGivney and Holy Cross Fathers own Father Patrick Peyton, known as "the rosary priest"; and Blessed Mother Teresa of
Calcutta. So how did ·it go? "It was most successful, with approximately 800 people of all ages from Catholic families taking part," reported Congregation ofHoly Cross Father Leo Polselli, who is chaplain of Holy Cross Ministries at the Father Peyton Center... "I think we will do it again." While the adults were taking part in more than 27 workshops Turn to page J2 - Families
Bishop Delaney of Fort Worth dies; was a native of Fall River By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR AND CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE FALL RIVER - The Anchor had just gone to press when word came on July 12 that Bishop Joseph P. Delaney, head of the Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas for the last 24 years, had died in his sleep at his Fort Worth home. While his death was sudden, it was known throughout the Fall River diocese that the 70-year-old prelate who called this city home, had been battling pancreatic cancer for the last two years. Even though the cancer was in remission, he had struggled with declining health in the wake of surgery and other treatment. Local clergy, including priest colleagues, said Bishop Delaney had hoped to celebrate his 25th anniversary as Fort Worth's bishop next year.
Bishop George W. Coleman issued a statement on the death ofthe former diocesan priest, whose service in the South, where he was to spend the greater part of his ministry, came after he accepted the invitation of Cardinal Humberto Medeiros, former bishop of Brownsville, Texas, to help out there in 1967. "On behalf of the Fall River diocese I extend prayerful condolences to the clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese ofFort Worth on the sad occasion of the death of Bishop Delaney," Bishop Coleman said. "Bishop Delaney is remembered well here for his gifts of intellect and spirit and for his willingness to serve the Church in whatever capacity was asked ofhim. Over the years from time to time I would meet Bishop Delaney and our conversations always turned to Fall Turn to page J3 - Bishop Delaney
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BISHOP JOSEPH
P.
DELANEY