08.14.15

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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

F riday , August 14, 2015

For more than 70 years, Sister Gertrude has carved out her legacy By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — This past May, Sister Gertrude Gaudette, O.P., celebrated 70 years of being a Sister of the Dominicans of St. Catherine of Siena. A true “renaissance” nun, her innate do-it-yourself attitude coupled with an amazing artistic flare can been seen in the pieces of her artwork in permanent residence throughout the Fall River Diocese, including schools, parishes and the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro. The youngest of five children, and currently the last of her siblings still grac-

ing the earth, Sister Gaudette has been a resident at Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River for the last two years. She is of a generation who can remember using an outhouse on a regular basis at her childhood home on a farm in Rochester, and is a child of the Great Depression. Her creative side was showcased in her love of music, and a project she worked on before she was a teen-ager. Sister Gaudette was 12 years old when she, along with Ernest Labadie, built a log cabin clubhouse on the farm property that was enjoyed by youngsters durTurn to page 18

Students for Life America recently organized rallies in 64 cities, including Boston, calling for investigations and defunding of Planned Parenthood. These are some of those who gathered for the Boston rally. (Photo courtesy of Boston Rescuer)

Area Catholics urge investigation, defunding in wake of Planned Parenthood scandal By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent

At 93 years old, Sister Gertrude Gaudette, O.P., may not be spending much time creating pieces of artwork, but reminders of her amazing talent decorate the walls in her room at Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River. Her niece Louise DesRoches visits her aunt regularly, and is also the proud owner of a number of “Aunt Gert’s” works of art. (Photo by Becky Aubut)

BOSTON — The pleas of Massachusetts Catholics fell on deaf legislative ears last week. Members of the faithful from across the Commonwealth called for taxpayer dollars to be allocated away from Planned Parenthood. On August 4, a federal bill with that aim failed to garner enough votes; both United States senators from the state voted against it. A few hours later, the Center for Medical Progress released the fifth in a series of undercover videos showing high-level PP employees pricing fetal organs over lunch. Believing that they were speaking with biotech researchers, the employees’

discussions were casual, cavalier and, at times, off color. The videos have spurred several corporations and three states — Alabama, Louisiana and New Hampshire — to rescind funds from PP; a total of 12 states, including Massachusetts, launched investigations. After a week-long review, Attorney General Maura Healey cleared the PP League of Massachusetts of any wrongdoing, adding that the organization does not have a fetal tissue donation program. The sale of human body parts is a federal crime. PP officials at the national level have denied illegal activity, saying Turn to page 14

Holy Cross Father Hugh W. Cleary named national director at Holy Cross Family Ministries Special

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The Anchor

EASTON — Father Hugh W. Cleary, C.S.C., has been named national director of Holy Cross Family Ministries, the Catholic organization devoted to family prayer, especially the Rosary. He previously served on the Board of Directors for Holy Cross Family Ministries and was superior general of the Congregation of Holy Cross, which sponsors the ministry founded by Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton. As national director, Father Cleary is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day pastoral outreach efforts of Holy Cross Family Ministry within the United States, which includes promoting and supporting the Spiritual well-being of the family by making the Rosary widely known and using media to help families pray. “I am delighted Father Hugh is joining

our team. He’ll be an essential member of our leadership,” said Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C., President of Holy Cross Family Ministries, who leads and guides the mission in 17 countries. Father Willy went on to say, “Families that Father Hugh has ministered to often tell me how much they benefit from his prayerful and peaceful countenance. He is a joy to be with and to work with.” Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton was one of the most influential American Catholic priests of the 20th century. A candidate for sainthood, he encouraged millions of people to pray the Rosary daily through massive Rosary Rallies and the use of modern media, including radio, television, films and billboards.

Father Cleary actually met Father Peyton in 1964 as a first-year seminarian; and while superior general, he presented the Cause of Father Peyton to the Vatican to begin the process that, God willing, will culminate in Father Peyton’s canonization. “I had the chance to meet Father Peyton more than 50 years ago,” Father Cleary said. “Even then, he was considered something of a living saint. I have a strong belief that the mission of Father Peyton and Holy Cross Family Ministries are essential to help families pray.” Father Hugh brings a wealth of academic, pastoral and administrative experience to this position. As Provincial for the former Eastern Province of Priests and Brothers, Father Hugh was the chairman

of the Corporate Members Board and the Board of Directors. Father Hugh began his ministry as associate pastor at Holy Cross Parish in Easton. He then was pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel, a parish in inner-city Brooklyn, N.Y. He served as novice director for the Congregation of Holy Cross at their Novitiate in Colorado. He was also superior of the Eastern Province of Priests from 1994 to 1998 and he served as superior general from 1998 to 2010. He was the director of Campus Ministry at Stonehill College in Easton. Most recently Father Cleary was the chaplain at the Monastery of Bethlehem in Livingston Manor, N.Y. Father Cleary received his Ph.D. and MA in formative Spirituality from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He also received a master’s in counseling psychology from Loyola University in ChiTurn to page 14


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08.14.15 by The Anchor - Issuu