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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, September 8, 2017

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. recently visited the Barnstable House of Correction to administer the Sacraments of Initiation to several inmates who completed the RCIA program.

Story on page five. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza) The Anchor - September 8, 2017

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Massachusetts March for Life set for October 1

BOSTON — Massachusetts Citizens for Life is once again sponsoring its annual “Massachusetts March for Life.” This year they are emphasizing bearing witness to the tragedy of abortion and for the sanctity of every human life. The other focus for the march is to raise money for Pro-Life charitable organizations across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The march is scheduled for Sunday, October 1 beginning at 2:30 p.m. from the Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Common. A pre-march rally will start at 1 p.m.

The Greater Fall River MCFL Chapter is sponsoring a bus to

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The Anchor - September 8, 2017

bring local walkers to the Boston Common for the march, so participants don’t need to worry about parking or the Boston

charge.

Pickup times and locations are as follows: — 11:45 a.m. from Holy

traffic.

Round trip fare is just $5 for adults and $2 for youth ages 18 and under. Children ages five and under can attend free-of-

Name School parking lot, corner of Stetston Street and President Avenue in Fall River, across from Truesdale Health, 1030 President Avenue (please arrive by

11:35 a.m.); — 12 p.m. from the Taunton Galleria Park ‘n’ Ride at the Galleria Mall in Taunton (please arrive by 11:55 a.m.)

Forms for walkers to collect pledges are available on the MCFL website, www. masscitizensforlife.org.

To reserve seats or for more information, please visit the website or call Paulette Martinville at 508-673-9757 or Liz Montigny at 781-521-3677.

If you can’t march in Boston, please consider supporting the event with your prayers and donations to one of the benef iciaries via the MCFL website (www. masscitizensforlife.org).

New date for annual anniversary Mass ushers in an assortment of Faith Formation programs

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — Usually held in October, this year’s Anniversary Mass is being held on the last Sunday in September, on September 24, at the Cathedral in Fall River, 327 Second Street, at 3 p.m., and the staff at the Office of Faith Formation of the Fall River Diocese hopes the new date will see the same large number of attendants as years past.

“We kick off our catechetical year [with the Anniversary Mass],” said Claire McManus, director of the Office of Faith Formation. “The bishop’s schedule was tight in October. The only date that would work was in September. The bishop does such a good job acknowledging their commitment to Marriage. They renew their vows. We have couples that come back every year. It’s a really moving experience to watch people renew their vows.”

Any couple who has a significant anniversary

this year should go see their pastor for an invitation. The pastors will then send in the names to Rose Mary Saraiva, events coordinator for the Office of Faith Fomration. A packet is put together for each couple, including a certificate signed by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. “We’ve been averaging around 100 couples every year,” said Saraiva. “People forget that a significant anniversary is anything that a couple feels has been a milestone in their life. A couple might hit eight years and might have struggled for two.

They didn’t think they were going to make it to eight, so for them eight is a significant year. It’s a nice, upbeat event.”

The Scripture Alive 2017 schedule, facilitated

by Sister Frances Thomas, R.S.M., has been posted. This year’s focus in on the “Our Father,” and space is limited.

One session is held on Tuesdays, September 12 to October 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at St. John

Neumann Parish in East Freetown. A second session is on Wednesdays, September 13 to October 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at Office of Faith Formation, Catholic Education Center in Fall River.

Each six-week course costs $20 and covers the expense of the resource book, workbook and other materials. Deadline for registration is one week prior to the start of the first session. To register, call the Office of Faith Formation: 508678-2828.

Adult Confirmation classes begin September 19 and 20. Adult Catholics, age 18 or over, who have been Baptized, received First Communion, and are practicing their faith but have not celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation are invited to participate in a diocesan preparation program. Interested adults must inform the pastor or a member of their parish staff in their home parish that they wish to

prepare for the Sacrament. They will then be advised of the process for this preparation and what is required of them as a Confirmation candidate.

The preparation program in the Diocese of Fall River involves six class sessions and a retreat day. The diocesan adult Confirmation conferrals take place twice a year — once in the Fall and once during the Easter season. For more information, contact Deacon Bruce Bonneau, assistant director of the office, at 508-678-2828.

Bereavement Support Group sessions are from September 26 to November 7. This is a support group to help people cope with the loss of a loved one. The basis of the group is to allow individuals to share their experiences, feelings, and emotions with others who are on the very same journey. The group meets on Tuesdays at the Catholic Education Center, 423 Highland Avenue,

Fall River. There is no fee to participate. If you are interested in joining the group or would like more information, please call 508-678-2828, ext. 27 or 508-642-0583, or email: rsaraiva@dfrcs.org or rosemarysaraiva@gmail. com.

This year’s Faith Formation Ministry Convention, “Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples,” will be held at the Holiday Inn in Taunton on November 4, with morning Mass with Bishop da Cunha.

The theme of the convention is based on the book, “Forming Intentional Disciples,”

by Sherry A. Weddell.

Weddell created the first charism discernment process specifically designed for Catholics in 1993, and in 1997, she co-founded the “Catherine of Sienna Institute,” an affiliated international ministry of the Western Dominican Province.

Katherine Coolidge, Turn to page 15

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., Bishop of Fall River, has accepted the nomination of the Very Reverend Robert M. Campagana, O.F.M., Minister Provincial of the Franciscan Friars – Immaculate Conception Province, and has made the following appointment: Rev. Thomas Washburn, O.F.M., Pastor of Saint Margaret Parish in Buzzards Bay Effective July 1, 2017 The Anchor - September 8, 2017

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Bobby Schindler, brother of Terri Schiavo, to speak at Mashpee parish

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

MASHPEE — A prime example of how far mankind has regressed in its regard for the sanctity of life is the fact the some members of the medical community have seized control of who should live and who should die.

From aborting the life of an unborn child, to removing the feeding tubes of a comatose patient whose mind is still alert, to providing lethal drugs to end the life of an elderly parent, many who, for many years, studied to become healers, have justified the utilization of the aforementioned killing methods.

In the classical version of the “Hippocratic Oath” translated from the Greek

by Ludwig Edelstein, Johns Hopkins Press, 1943, it reads in part: “I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not

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give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art.”

That classic oath was modified in 1964 by Louis Lasagna, dean of the School of Medicine at Tufts University. It now reads: “I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death.

If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.” Today abortion on demand is still legal, and the horror of physicianassisted suicide (where the doctor prescribes a lethal prescription and a loved one or the patient administers the drug) and/or euthanasia (where the doctor administers the lethal

The Anchor - September 8, 2017

dose) is becoming legal in more countries including Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the U.S. In the United States physician-assisted suicide is a state law in California, Colorado, the District of

Bobby Schindler

Columbia, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and in Montana by court order.

In 2012 Massachusetts voters narrowly defeated legalizing physicianassisted suicide. But later this month a hearing will take place on Beacon Hill in Boston pushing for a bill (S.1225/H.1994) a Massachusetts End of Life Options Act which would overturn the wishes of those who voted against it in 2012 and allow doctors to prescribe suicide pills to terminally-ill patients with “six months to live.”

One of the most wellknown court battles regarding a patients right to live was the Terri Schiavo case in Florida. In February of 1990 Schiavo collapsed and never regained consciousness.

Although in a coma, she was not brain dead or on life-support machines. She was nourished by a feeding

tube.

According to the Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network website, “She was alert and interacted with family and friends.”

Schiavo’s husband, Michael, eventually placed her in a nursing home and petitioned the courts for permission to starve and dehydrate her.

In March of 2005, the court supported Michael’s request and Terri was deprived of water and food and died 13 days later.

Since then, Terri’s brother, Bobby Schindler has become an advocate for the medically vulnerable in honor of his sister.

Schindler will be sharing the heart-wrenching story of the death of Terri at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee on October 1 at 11:30 a.m., following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. A light lunch will be provided.

Schindler is the president of the Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network and travels the country as a Pro-Life advocate.

The network (www.lifeandhope.com) states, “The Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network upholds human dignity through service to the medically vulnerable.

“We express this mission through public advocacy of essential qualities of human dignity — which include the right to food and water, the presumption of the will to live, due process against denial of care, protection from euthanasia as a form of medicine, and access to rehabilitative care — as well as through 24/7 Crisis Lifeline service to at-risk

patients and families.”

In his Mashpee presentation, “To Be or Not To Be ... Is That the Question?” Schindler will inform attendees of the threats of euthanasia, physician-prescribed suicide and denial-of-care situations. He will also provide information about resources and support for patients and families at risk from physicians, hospitals, insurance companies and others more intersted in healthcare rationing than in providing basic, life-affirming care for their most vulnerable patients.

He has delivered this message in more than 45 states and in more than a dozen countries.

Schindler’s writings have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Time, National Review, and Human Life Review.

He has also spoken on radio and television on programs including: “Hannity & Colmes,” “The Larry King Show,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “Good Morning America,” “The Today Show,” and “Dateline NBC,” as well as on EWTN and the 700 Club.

He is also the co-author of “A Life That Matters: The Legacy of Terri Schiavo.”

Those wishing to attend the Bobby Schindler presentation should contact the Respect Life Ministry at Christ the King Parish, P.O. Box 1800, Mashpee, Mass., 02469; or call Betty Kelley at 508-477-8417 or at bbkelley@comcast. net, relaying the number of people who will be attending with you.

Bishop administers Sacraments to prison inmates

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

BOURNE — The five inmates who had just received the Sacraments of Initiation huddled together in the middle of a mass of prison ministry volunteers, embraced in a giant group hug.

One of the volunteers called out: “Is our God awesome or what?”

To which the assembled group loudly responded: “Oh, yeah!”

A guard on duty who was intently watching through a window in the locked door smiled, breaking his otherwise stern countenance.

One of the inmates, who took the name “Peter” during his Baptism earlier that evening, said he was deeply moved by the experience and embraced another prisoner after the celebration.

“It feels purifying,” he told The Anchor. “I feel joy in my heart and my love for God has become even stronger.”

Although he was raised Catholic, Peter confessed he had let his faith lapse over the years and had all but abandoned his religion since beginning his prison term.

“But I figured it was a good time to start over again and renew (my faith),” he said.

Peter and his fellow detainees at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility in Bourne were welcomed into the Church by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., during a special Liturgy inside the prison chapel on August 22.

It marked the first time that a sitting diocesan bishop had administered

spirit of devotion of all present.”

In his homily, the bishop recalled how St. Paul — even though he

is a testimony of that — how he was free, even in prison, to live his faith, to practice his faith, to proclaim his faith, to announce the Good News of Christ in the world.”

Drawing comparisons between the five newlyinitiated and the early Christians who were often “persecuted, arrested or killed because of their faith,” Bishop da Cunha said they should now set an example to similarly lead others to Christ.

“Now you have a responsibility to be an instrument of God’s grace to others, to help your brothers in their own journey of faith,” he said.

“To behave in a way so that others will look to you and say: ‘I like the Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., applies chrism to the head of an inmate at the Barn- way he lives his faith.’”

As new members of the stable County Correctional Facility in Bourne during a Liturgy on August 22. The bishop Church, the bishop also baptized three inmates and confirmed two others, marking the first time a sitting diocesan ordinary has administered the Sacraments of Initiation at the prison. (Photo by advised the inmates that regardless of the misKenneth J. Souza) takes they’ve made or the offenses for which they himself was imprisoned in God’s grace, in God’s were currently serving tiation at the jail for the for his beliefs — never presence, in God’s love Turn to page 20 five inmates,” Bishop da stopped “living and pro— and nothing else can Cunha told The Anchor. claiming Christ to the stop us from that. St. Paul “For me, is was a powerworld.” ful experience, as I was “They constrained hoping it would be. I was his body, but his mind, touched by the simplicity his Spirit, his faith, his of the setting, the attenwords reached out beyond tiveness of the inmates the walls of the prison and volunteers, and the the Sacraments of Initiation to inmates at the facility.

“I was glad to celebrate the Sacraments of Ini-

and reached the faithful: those who believed in Christ,” he said. “Faith frees us, faith gives us the freedom to live a life

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Anchor Editorial

The end of DACA

On Tuesday representatives of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, its president, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of flood-ravaged Galveston-Houston; its vice president, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles; Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Texas, chairman of the Committee on Migration; and Bishop Joseph J. Tyson of Yakima, chairman of the Subcommittee on Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees, and Travelers, issued a statement criticizing the Trump Administration’s termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program in six months time.

According to the USCCB, “more than 780,000 youth received protection from the DACA program since 2012. DACA provided no legal status or government benefits but did provide recipients with temporary employment authorization to work in the United States and reprieve from deportation.”

The bishops wrote, “The cancellation of the DACA program is reprehensible. It causes unnecessary fear for DACA youth and their families. These youth entered the U.S. as minors and often know America as their only home.

The Catholic Church has long watched with pride and admiration as DACA youth live out their daily lives with hope and a determination to flourish and contribute to society: continuing to work and provide for their families, continuing to serve in the military, and continuing to receive an education. Now, after months of anxiety and fear about their futures, these brave young people face deportation. This decision is unacceptable and does not reflect who we are as Americans.”

Many DACA youth live in the Diocese of Fall River, having come to the state with their parents, often fleeing the strong possibility of being the victim of violent gangs which besiege many Central American cities and towns.

Some of these gangs trace their origins back to the United States. U.S. gangs saw recruiting possibilities after the 1980s civil wars ended in those countries.

The bishops continued, “The Church has recognized and proclaimed the need to welcome young people: ‘Whoever welcomes one of these children in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome me but the One Who sent Me’ (Mk 9:37). Today, our nation has done the opposite of how Scripture calls us to respond. It is a step back from the progress that we need to make as a country. Today’s actions represent a heartbreaking moment in our history that shows the absence of mercy and goodwill, and a short-sighted vision for the future. DACA youth are woven into the fabric of our country and of our Church, and are, by every social and human measure, American youth.”

Many of these young people have little or even no memory of the country from which they came and to which they may be deported. Since they came as minors, many (or most) of them had no choice in the matter when they entered the United States. President Trump himself acknowledged this on Tuesday, “I do not favor punishing children, most of whom are now adults, for the actions of their parents. But we must also recognize that we are nation of opportunity because we are a nation of laws.”

The bishops issued a call to action: “We strongly urge Congress to act and immediately resume work toward a legislative solution. We pledge our support OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 61, No. 15

Member: Catholic Press Association Published bi-weekly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $20.00 per year, for U.S. addresses.

Send address changes to 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA, call or use email address

PUBLISHER - Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Richard D. Wilson fatherwilson@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza k ensouza@anchornews.org REPORTER Rebecca Aubut beckyaubut@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherwilson@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - September 8, 2017

to work on finding an expeditious means of protection for DACA youth.”

In a backwards way, this can be an opportunity to improve the legal situation of the young people currently in DACA. President Obama himself said several times before establishing DACA in 2012 that the executive branch of the federal government does not have the authority to legalize undocumented people — only the Congress does.

In the early years of this new millennium, Senator John McCain, together with President George W. Bush and Senator Ted Kennedy, did begin to work together for comprehensive immigration reform. However, that effort lost a lot of traction after the attacks of 9/11. Many immigration advocates thought that they would get a better deal from Barack Obama than from John McCain and supported Obama’s election. However, during the early years of his presidency, some pro-undocumented groups labeled Obama the “deporter-in-chief,” since more people were deported under him annually than under any previous president (Snopes.com has an article about that moniker, saying that it is partially true, while also partially due to a change in the definition of “deportation” to include people caught at the border and forced back into Mexico).

President Obama told Univision Radio on Oct. 25, 2010, “If Congress has laws on the books that says that people who are here who are not documented have to be deported, then I can exercise some flexibility in terms of where we deploy our resources, to focus on people who are really causing problems as a opposed to families who are just trying to work and support themselves. But there’s a limit to the discretion that I can show because I am obliged to execute the law. That’s what the Executive Branch means. I can’t just make the laws up by myself. So the most important thing that we can do is focus on changing the underlying laws.”

Two years later President Obama changed his mind and created DACA. Later he was under pressure to grant amnesty to all of the undocumented residents in the country. He did not do this larger move, which is a good thing, since it could have been reversed as easily as DACA is being reversed now. David Brooks of the New York Times wrote on Nov. 17, 2014 (when this amnesty via executive action was being contemplated), “Instead of a nation of laws, we could slowly devolve into a nation of diktats, with each president relying on and revoking different measures on the basis of unilateral power — creating unstable swings from one presidency to the next.” President Trump has followed this path that his predecessor trod.

The bishops concluded their statement, “As people of faith, we say to DACA youth — regardless of your immigration status, you are children of God and welcome in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church supports you and will advocate for you.” As members of the Church, may we urge our members of Congress to find a just and merciful solution to these immigrants’ predicament.

We invite you to participate in an Interfaith Candlelight Prayer Service for National Healing and Unity on Sunday, September 17 at 8 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette in Attleboro.

May Our Lady lead us in the path of healing and justice.

Daily Readings Sept. 9 – Sept. 22

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Sept. 9, Col 1:21-23; Ps 54:3-4,6,8; Lk 6:15; Rom 13:8-10; Mt xs18:15-20. Sat. Sept. 9, Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Ez 33:7-9; Ps 95:1-2,6-9; Rom 13:8-10; Mt 18:15-20. Mon. Sept. 11, Col 1:24—2:3; Ps 62:6-7,9; Lk 6:6-11. Tues. Sept. 12, Col 2:6-15; Ps 145:1-2,8-11; Lk 6:12-19. Wed. Sept. 13, Col 3:1-11; Ps 145:2-3,10-13; Lk 6:20-26. Thurs. Sept. 14, Nm 21:4b-9; Ps 78:1b-2,34-38; Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17. Fri. Sept. 15, 1 Tm 1:1-2,12-14; Ps 16:1-2,5,7-8,11; Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35.

Sat. Sept. 16, 1 Tm 1:15-17; Ps 113:1-7; Lk 6:43-49. Sun. Sept. 17, Twentyfourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sir 27:30—28:7; Ps 103:1-4,9-12; Rom 14:7-9; Mt 18:21-35. Mon. Sept. 18, Tm 2:1-8; Ps 28:2,7-9; Lk 7:1-10. Tues.

Sept. 19, 1 Tm 3:1-13; Ps 101:1-3,5-6; Lk 7:11-17. Wed. Sept. 20, 1 Tm 3:14-16; Ps 111:1-6; Lk 7:31-35. Thurs. Sept. 21, Eph 4:1-7,11-13; Ps 19:25; Mt 9:9-13. Fri. Sept. 22, 1 Tm 6:2c-12; Ps 49:6-10,17-20; Lk 8:1-3.

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Building a bridge to holiness and life instead of sin and death

ast Friday at daily Mass, the Church pondered St. Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians, which succinctly and unambiguously states two of the most important truths for the faithful fulfillment of the mission of evangelization Christ has entrusted to the Church.

These truths are particularly relevant for our day.

The first is the vocation God has given to each of us through Baptism. “This is the will of God,” St. Paul writes: “your sanctification” (1 Thes 4:3).

God calls us not to Spiritual mediocrity but to the fullness of Christian life. He summons us to be holy as He is holy, to be perfect as He is perfect, to love as He loves (Lev 20:7, Mt 5:48, Jn 15:12). The universal call to holiness is the central teaching of the Second Vatican Council and, as St. John Paul II stressed, the goal of the Church’s pastoral plan in every age: after all, in the end, we either become holy — by freely and fully cooperating with God’s grace in this world or in purgatory — or we go to hell, since nothing unclean can enter Heaven (Rev 21:7).

The second truth follows immediately for St. Paul upon the first: “that you refrain from porneia,” the Greek word, used

by Christ and St. Paul 26 times in the New Testament, which refers to the sexual sins of adultery, fornication, prostitution, same-sex relations, bestiality, and incest. (The English word “pornography” comes from this root and means the “writing” or depiction of sexual sins.)

In short, God, in calling us to holiness, summons us to the perfection of love not the indulgence of lust. St. John Paul II taught in his famous five-year “Catecheses on Human Love in the Divine Plan” (popularly known as the “Theology of the Body”) that lust changes the “intentionality” of a human person from an unselfish lover made in the image and likeness of God Who is love (1 John 4:16) to a luster, from a self-giver to a consumer of others, from one who sacrifices for others’ good to one who sacrifices others for his or her own pleasure.

The devil tries to corrupt our origin and destiny by corrupting that love, by tempting us toward

assistance to help them embrace porneia, because, as St. Paul the call to holiness through a indicates with crystal clarity, we can’t become holy while indulg- life of chastity that refrains from porneia — the same assistance ing in porneia, just as lucidly as Christ elsewhere said we cannot that the Church must give to all — then that very accompaniserve both God and mammon (Mt 6:24). “For God did not call ment can become a scandal that can confuse not only those beus to impurity but to holiness,” ing accompanied but the whole St. Paul concludes. “Therefore, Church. whoever disregards this, disreFather James Martin’s recent gards not a human being but God” (1 Thes 4:7-8).

Today, in popular culture and in the Church, Putting Into there are many who “disthe Deep regard this” to their great Spiritual detriment, and

By Father in so doing, they’re not merely ignoring the Roger J. Landry Doctor of the Gentiles, or the popes, or the “Catechism,” but God. There are book, “Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the many false prophets today who basically want to baptize porneia, LGBT Community Can Enter to pretend as if sexual immoral- into a Relationship of Respect, ity is not only not a big deal but Compassion and Sensitivity,” unfortunately does not go far even quasi-Sacramental. Many celebrate divorce and remarriage enough in its respect, compassion and sensitivity to gays, lesas if it’s not adulterous as Jesus bians and others with same-sex Himself plainly indicates (Mt attractions.

19:9). Others casually endorse In this short work, which and engage in sex outside of Marriage, pretending as if those can be read in about an hour, the affable, accessible, articulate who think it’s a serious sin are the ones with a problem. Others Jesuit says he is trying to help the “institutional Church” to treat the use of pornography or accept those with homosexual masturbation as healthy rites tendencies with the “respect, of passage. Now we have the compassion and sensitivity” that advent of “sexbots,” robots that the “Catechism of the Catholic people can use instead of prosChurch” (2358) demands and to titutes — and some of which can be programmed to simulate help the members of the LGBT Community to approach the rape victims, others designed as Church hierarchy with the same children to indulge pedophiles virtues.

— as an outgrowth of the ethiFather Martin does a good cally wanton wild west that has job in sympathetically detailing followed the sexual revolution. the sufferings of gays and lesbiWhat I’d like to consider ans have endured in the culture is the particular pastoral and and within the Church. Some Spiritual malpractice current today with regard to the porneia of the sound advice he gives corresponds to what I’ve learned involved in same-sex relations. in serving those with same-sex Some in the Church are workattractions as a Spiritual direcing overtime to alter Sacred tor in Courage and through Scripture’s and the Church’s — my apologetic work on college God’s — clear condemnation campuses and elsewhere. of same-sex sexual activity in He’s absolutely right in sayfavor of ignoring, downplaying, normalizing or celebrating it. In ing we should not single out gays and lesbians by focusing some cases, the initial motivaon their call to chastity without tion is good: striving to reach similarly calling all Christians to out to gays and lesbians and others with same-sex attractions a chaste life.

I also think his controversial to make them feel welcome point about nomenclature — in the Church as God’s much calling people what they prefer loved sons and daughters. But to be called — is pastorally when that outreach does not prudent. Even though there are involve the generous, patient

good reasons why some hesitate to define people according to their sexual attractions or identify them primarily through a larger political movement or lifestyle, if the predominant desire of the Church is to encounter gays and lesbians and help accompany them toward conversion and holiness, then we must begin by not alienating them through using terminology they find grating.

The biggest problem with the book, however, is that it never engages the Church’s teaching on sexual morality, as if it’s not an crucial part of the infrastructure of a bridge between the Church and those gays and lesbians who feel distant from it. Part of respect, compassion and sensitivity for gays and lesbians is to treat them as adults, capable of understanding and living the truth about the human person and human sexuality, and, to the extent that some are engaged in a sinful lifestyle, loving them enough to seek to help them understand and live by the Gospel.

In various interviews, Father Martin said that the reason he didn’t engage in such a discussion of chastity at all or state the Church’s teachings on the immorality of same-sex relations is because Church teaching is clear and well-known by gays and lesbians. “I don’t think there’s any ‘LGBT’ Catholic alive who doesn’t understand that teaching,” he said.

That’s not only untrue factually, but is a duck pastorally.

While most gays and lesbians, Catholic and non-Catholic, would know that the Church teaches that same-sex relations are immoral, many do not understand the why-behind-thewhat. Moreover, many simply do not grasp the Church’s distinction between the person (ontologically good), his or her attractions (ordered or disordered), and his or her choices and actions (morally good or bad). Most in the LGBT community, Martin himself admits, have not “received” the Church’s teaching, which is a euphemism for saying they’ve rejected what they believe it to be.

If there’s anyone who would be an effective evangelist in presenting how the Church’s teaching is part of the Good News, how it belongs to the Truth that sets us free ( Jn 8:32), and how the virtue of chastity is essential so that eros doesn’t corrode philia and agape, it would be Father Martin, with his gifts of communication and his knowledge of and evident love for gays and lesbians. It’s truly a shame that he doesn’t.

In response to criticism, Father Martin has said in several interviews that he “would never contradict Church teaching.”

That is obviously good, but also totally insufficient. Not denying Church doctrine is not the same thing as believing it, affirming it and preaching it as Good News.

By such a glaring and as he describes it “intentional” omission, he treats the Catholic sexual ethic, as one gay reviewer seeking to live by Church teaching remarked, as if it’s an “embarrassing secret.” His assiduous avoidance of explicitly stating and upholding Church teaching has led many — faithful Catholics and members of the LGBT community — to question aloud whether he actually agrees with Church teaching.

And the consequences extend beyond his personal fidelity: it easily could allow sexually active gays and lesbians to infer that if he doesn’t consider it important to try to convince them about the Church’s teachings on sexual morality, then they can just continue as they are, conscience uninformed and unperturbed.

True respect, compassion and sensitivity to the state of their souls demands much more. If the Church’s teaching is true, then sexually active gays and lesbians — and all others who are engaging in porneia — need conversion, not affirmation. And the stakes cannot be higher: holiness is incompatible with porneia and those who engage in porneia, as St. Paul says elsewhere, will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9-11).

The bridge that the Church needs to build is to that Kingdom.

Anchor columnist Father Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@catholicpreaching. com.

The Anchor - September 8, 2017

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M

y biology students were learning the parts of the brain. I clicked to the slide showing the frontal cortex. I had often used math as an introductory example of how this region functioned. However, that day I looked into the smiling faces of a couple of my students who “hated math.” I asked God to provide me another big picture example of how this brain region is a decision maker. I found myself talking about the frontal cortex as the seat of compassion.

Together, we explored the roots of the word.

Essentially compassion is a choosing to walk with another who is suffering.

Our frontal cortex first asks, “How would I feel if I experienced that?” Our

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‘I will go Lord where You lead me’

sential is invisible to the emotional memories, life eyes. Why is it God set up experiences, and analytithe world so that what is cal abilities then allow us essential is at a first glance to imagine how to support the person or perhaps invisible?

That seems so contraeven suggest a possible dictory to what we might solution. Blended in with those thoughts are sugges- expect is needed. However, our sensory systems are tions from and courage to set up to detect contrasts, act supplied by the Holy Spirit. The decision maker of the brain, that frontal cortex, Wrestling with God Holding on for allows us to decide how we choose to His blessing act to possibly aid in the relief of the

By Dr. Helen J. Flavin suffering of another.

In the story “Le signal them, and then fall Petit Prince,” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote, “On to silence. It is only with ne voit bien ce qui est avec le our higher cognitive funccoeur. L’essential est invisible tions that we are capable of seeing deeper. That is pour les yeaux.” Translated this means it is difficult to truly understanding what we see. This is followed by see that which is within analyzing what is essential the heart. What is es-

The Anchor - September 8, 2017

and then freely choosing how to act. That overall system design of having to pause and look deeply provides for individual connection as well as free will. In addition, with such a system guiding our life’s journey, there is always a new opportunity to explore.

As an example, let us examine Jesus’ call to discipleship. Philip tells Nathanael, “we have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law.”

Nathanael’s first response betrayed the anguish in his heart. He said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Mainly out of respect for his friend, Nathanael approaches Jesus. He hears Jesus call him a true child of Israel. A stunned Nathanael inquires how Jesus could possibly know him. Jesus responds, “Before Philip called you I saw you under the fig tree” ( Jn 1:48).

Based upon Nathanael’s immediate turnaround as well as his remark about Nazareth, I imagine he was at a crossroads in his life. I imagine as he rested under the fig tree, hidden within his heart, he wondered: “What is it all for? What is the meaning of life?” Jesus’ words immediately touch Nathanael’s heart. Nathanael realizes this conversation is the answer to his hidden questions. He chooses to follow Jesus. Nathanael knows he will understand more as he continues the journey.

Jesus’ call to Peter is another example. Peter and his friends have been working all night and have caught nothing. It is easy to imagine Peter thinking, “What am I doing here?

There has to be more to life than this. How do I find it?” Jesus first provides the fish haul of a lifetime. Peter rejects that answer. Peter’s heart has been read and his questions answered. Peter falls to his knees before Jesus.

Jesus says, “Come follow Me and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt 4:19).

Peter leaves everything he owned behind and never looked back. His answer to Jesus was always in the present tense. He said, “Here I am. I will go wherever You lead me.”

There is a timelessness to God and the call to discipleship. God chooses to act in our world via the actions of His children.

The Holy Spirit issues the call to one person’s heart.

Through his/her actions, others are not only helped, but are also called to serve yet still others. When we choose to participate, as Thomas Merton said, “We all become doors and windows through which God shines.”

The journey of discipleship often begins and runs close to home. As was true for Nathanael and Peter, the journey starts with a question of the heart. That question does not have to be as dramatic as the meaning of life. It can be as simple as asking oneself: “What do I love to do?” Then, turn around and look deeply at the world immediately around you. The Holy Spirit will show you a new situation where God wishes you to make a difference. This week, step forth and give it a try.

Anchor columnist Helen Flavin is a Catholic scientist, educator and writer and a member of St. Bernadette’s Parish in Fall River.

Stonehill professor publishes book about New Bedford murders

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

EASTON — Maureen Boyle remembers all too well when several women were found dead along the highways of greater New Bedford in 1988.

At the time, the award-winning journalist was working at The Standard-Times in New Bedford, and she would go on to cover what collectively became known as simply “the Highway Killings” extensively for the city’s daily newspaper.

Now, with the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the first victims approaching next year, the director of the journalism program at Stonehill College in Easton has published a riveting account of the crimes and her firsthand experiences with some of the key players in the tragedy.

“I had planned to do this book a number of years ago, and it just didn’t seem right,” Boyle recently told The Anchor. “Nothing seemed to align properly, and part of it was I kept hoping that someone would be arrested.

“A few years ago I realized it was coming up to the 30-year anniversary and I was thinking that people were starting to forget or misremembering what happened. The story was being told through individuals and friends who were telling other family members.

But I thought it needed to be told in a retrospective of what happened then.”

Boyle’s “Shallow Graves: The Hunt for the New Bedford Highway Serial Killer” (ForeEdge/University Press of New England)

reads more like a novel than a non-fiction true crime book, and the author said that approach was intentional.

“I wanted to bring people to that period of time,

“One of the issues I had with the book is because there are so many characters and individuals, I didn’t want to confuse the reader,” Boyle said. “And because there are unfortunately so

remained in New Bedford, maintaining his innocence until his death in 2010.

“I think he was shopping around a book, but he never did anything with it,” Boyle said.

Maureen Boyle, an award-winning journalist and professor at Stonehill College, has just published a book on the unsolved New Bedford Highway Killings, which she covered first-hand while working for The Standard-Times. (Photo by Kevin Kalunian)

so they could experience what it was like back then and make it very readable for people today,” she said.

Stylistically, “Shallow Graves” is reminiscent of author Henry Scammell’s “Mortal Remains: A True Story of Ritual Murder,” that was published in 1991 about the similarly disturbing Satanic cult murders in Fall River.

“That is one of my favorite books,” Boyle said. “He did such a wonderful job on that, and I was lucky to have met him and interview him at The Standard-Times when it first came out.”

There were at least nine women attributed to the New Bedford serial killer between July 1988 and June 1989, and another two who disappeared around the same time and may have become victims as well.

many victims, I really did have to focus on just a few of the families. It doesn’t mean the other families didn’t matter; but for the sake of the reader, I had to use a very narrow focus in terms of which families I included in the book.”

As with any good true crime book, “Shallow Graves” attempts to bring the rogues’ gallery of potential suspects into sharper focus. While the identity of the alleged serial killer remains unknown to this day, Boyle does delve into some of the likely culprits, including Attorney Kenneth C. Ponte, stonemason Anthony DeGrazia, and Daniel Tavares Jr. Although Ponte was the only person indicted for one of the murders, the charges against him were later dropped, and he

Even though Ponte remains one of the more plausible candidates to this day, Boyle isn’t convinced of his guilt. In fact, she doesn’t tip her hand as to the killer’s identity in the book.

But she hopes it might rekindle interest in the case and lead to an eventual solution.

“Some people might say it’s unfair to point to an individual if they’re dead and not able to defend themselves,” she said. “Well, it’s equally unfair to the families not to know who did it. And with the advent of additional forensic testing and advances in forensic science, maybe there might be more evidence or someone will come forward and say: ‘This is the person who did it.’”

Describing the book as “less of a who’s who and

more of a whodunit,” Boyle said one of the main reasons she wanted to write it was to offer the surviving family members some sense of closure.

“In any type of murder investigation, families are often very angry — especially if someone hasn’t been arrested,” she said.

“And you want to channel the grief someplace.

Whether it’s at the media, or at the investigators, or at the D.A. And you saw that with some of the families in the Highway Killings.

They were angry because they wanted someone to do something and they wanted and deserved an answer … and they still deserve an answer.”

Boyle feels one of the contributing factors that hampered the investigation at the time was that emotions were high and people were frustrated that the killer remained at large.

“In the heat of the investigation — even 10 years after that — emotions were still very raw and investigators were still reluctant to talk publicly about the case, because they also harbored the hope that the murderer would be found,” she said.

“But after 30 years they also want people to understand what happened during that period of time.”

The book attempts to explain how 1988 was “a very different era” in terms of technology, Boyle said.

“You can’t look at the investigative tools of today and ask why didn’t they use them in 1988 … because they didn’t exist,” she said.

“Today there are surveillance cameras everywhere.

Everyone has a cell phone.

Everyone is taking pictures and there is video evidence Turn to page 21

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The September apparition of Our Lady of Fatima Editor’s note: This guest column by Grace Small, a parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Attleboro and a high school teacher, is the eighth in a nine-part series on the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. ays prior to the September Apparition of Our Lady, the three shepherd children offered to the united Hearts of Jesus and Mary a multitude of sacrifices done with zealous love to obtain the conversion of sinners and to save them from Hell. The children were not forgetful listeners, but rather they put into diligent practice the maternal requests of the Mother of God. Recall that their lives of consecration to the Immaculate Heart came from their initial response to Our Lady’s request and their firm desire to freely offer themselves to God for the Salvation of souls. From this free response came their decision to grow in their devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which went beyond mere sentiment, to a life of continual prayer, Penance and contemplation in preparation and hope for their final celestial meeting in Heaven where they would be together with Jesus and Mary forever. But until that day came, the children would not omit any means to pray and sacrifice for sinners.

Sister Lucia recounts in her “Memoirs” how she one day found a piece of rope that had fallen off a cart. Just for fun, she tied it around her arm and noticed that the rope was hurting her. “Look, this hurts!” she said to her cousins. “We could tie it round our waists and offer this sacrifice to God.” As an instrument of Penance, the rope caused

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lives and are not indifferent the children terrible sufto our sacrifices and suffering. According to Sister ferings. What a consoling Lucia, “Now and then, Jacinta could not keep back truth this is for all of us!

Many of the Penances of her tears, so great was the discomfort this caused her. the saints are to be admired not expressly imitated. As Whenever I urged her to remove it, she replied: “No! Catholics, it is prudent not I want to offer this sacrifice to undertake any extraordito Our Lord in reparation, nary Penances without the permission of a Spiritual and for the conversion of director or priest. However, sinners.” On another day, there are many ordinary the children were playing Penances that every person and Jacinta encountered can and must do to deny some nettles and stung herself. Realizing the penitential utility of these nettles she exclaimed, Living Our “Look! Look!

Lady’s Message Here is something else which we can

By Grace Small mortify ourselves!”

From that time on, we used to hit our legs occasionourselves daily, as Chrisally with nettles, so as to tian discipleship demands, offer to God yet another sacrifice.” The children also for Our Lord said to His acquired the habit of giving disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must their lunch to little poor deny himself, and take up children. his cross and follow Me” Here we see how the children embraced their vo- (Mt 16:24).

For example, we can go cation of reparation, even to excess. The Mother of God without sugar in our coffee, would appear in September or turn down the air conto tell the children, “God is ditioner in our car, or wear pleased with your sacrifices. pants instead of shorts, or long sleeves instead of no He does not want you to sleeves during the summer sleep with the rope on, but to make reparation for the only to wear it during the sense of immodesty that daytime.” This tells us that the sacrifices offered by the reigns in our society. However, there are also those children were pleasing to Penances that come to us God, but as a good Father, daily, like some displeaGod Who is all knowing, sure we receive from other was aware of the children’s people’s words or actions, inability to sleep with the rope on at night, so he lim- from our jobs, from sickness or other circumstances. ited their exercise of PenThese displeasures accepted ance to wearing the rope with a joyful heart and ofonly during the daytime. fered to God, as Our Lady Jesus sent His Mother to instructed by saying, “O convey to the children His My Jesus, it is for love of will for them in regards to You, for the conversion of Penance. What a caring sinners and in reparation Heavenly Father we have! for sins against the ImJesus and Mary care for us maculate Heart of Mary” in every particular of our

The Anchor - September 8, 2017

can save coutless souls and bring meaning and value to the sufferings in our daily life, because we bear them in union with the cross of Christ and His Immaculate Mother on our way of the cross. Let us call upon the Immaculate Heart of Mary to give us a spirit of Penance and modesty which we can all do in a spirit of reparation.

Sometime later Jacinta and Francisco’s parents sold their sheep. This left Lucia to go out alone to pasture her sheep. Sometimes Jacinta and her brother would join Lucia, while at other times they would be waiting for her on her way home. Lucia remembers these days as “really happy days” when she could be alone, in the midst of her sheep, Lucia, “contemplated the beauty of the heavens and thanked the good God for all the graces He had bestowed on me.” This passage is important because it shows the value of time away or a Sacred time set aside each day in order to pray and contemplate the goodness of God in our lives, speaking heart to heart, with the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, developing a loving relationship with the One Whom we know loves us. The sacrifice of time and prayer is perhaps the most important sacrifice we can make in our hectic daily lives in the modern world and so it is the most important. This can mean spending some time with the Word of God, reading and meditating on Scripture passages or in preparation for Sunday Mass, attending Eucharistic

Adoration for a quarter of an hour or more making a Holy Hour if possible. As important as these are, Our Blessed Mother exhorted us to continually “Pray the Rosary” since it is a practice all people can do every day, while other acts of piety or religion may not be possible every day for everyone.

However, in praying the Rosary what is most important is to pray the Rosary meditatively, asking for a virtue to practice and for light as how to apply that mystery in our daily lives.

On Sundays, we must make Sunday Mass an obligation in our families, after having prepared to receive Our Lord through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Sundays are a day of rest, so this is the opportune time for family recreation but also prayer at family dinner and the family Rosary, remembering the words of Servant of God, Father Patrick Peyton, “The family that prays together, stays together.”

On the 13th of September, as Our Lady had requested in August the three children made their way to the Cova where a large crowd of 30,000 people had gathered. Some were curious, the secular and the atheistic press also gathered, but most people were praying the Rosary and were full of requests for Our Lady.

“At last, we arrived at the Cova da Iria, and on reaching the holmoak we began to say the Rosary with the people. Shortly afterwards, we saw the flash of light, and then Our Lady appeared on the holmoak.

‘Continue to pray the Rosary in order to obtain the end of the war. In October Our Lord will come, as well Continued on page 23

Monday 4 September 2017 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — Labor Day et’s call a spade a spade, dear readers. Summer is getting old.

For children, summer gets old sooner than it does for adults. In elementary school, I would count the days until summer vacation like all the other kids (and now I realize our teachers did as well). No kid plans the events of summer vacation. I was no different. You just do whatever you feel like doing until you no longer feel like doing it (within boundaries, of course). During summer vacation, I bored easily.

My poor mother. I still have the attention span of a hummingbird.

My earliest memories of summer vacation go back to the time we lived in a second floor cold-water flat. There wasn’t much outdoor space. There were no parks or playgrounds. The gaps between the triple-deckers were measured in inches. Any grass hoping to become a lawn soon gave up. Nothing grew but a few scraggly weeds — and these had to be extraordinarily tough to survive. You and your friends went outside and played in the dust with your toy trucks or, if it had rained, you built castles in the mud. And so you spent summer vacation. There was nothing to report when you went back to school.

Then we moved into a row house in the public housing project. This meant there were plenty of other kids with which to play. When one of your buddies wanted you to join him in some great summer afternoon adventure, he would stand outside your unit and chant your name. For some reason, the chant was always three syllables. You were expected to respond by opening the door or coming to the window.

We would never think of telephoning and there was no such thing as texting.

Once buddies had assembled, there were endless possibilities for fun. You could ride your bikes. You could chase each other around like crazy people until somebody got hurt or until your mother called you home for supper. For even

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It’s getting old

greater excitement, you could cross two. “Swiss Family Robinson” and the street.

“Robinson Crusoe” come to mind; Across one street was The and “Treasure Island” and “The Sandbank. It was just a mound of Last of the Mohicans.” excavated earth left over from some I enjoyed the nature books of building project. There you could Hal Boland, and the wistful reflecpractice your mountain climbing tions of Gladys Taber. Among my skills until very favorthe cows ite books came home were those The Ship’s Log or, more by comedic Reflections of a likely, until authors — Parish Priest the street anything lamps came

by Erma

By Father Tim on.

Bombeck Goldrick If you or Giovanhankered nino for someGuareschi thing even more adventurous, you (the “Dom Camillo” series). These could cross the other street. There authors are hilarious. I laughed out you could explore all the mysterloud. ies of the Myrtle Street dump. The I also took great interest in stench was a bit of a problem until books like “Seven Story Mounyou got used to it, but startling the tain,” “Diary of a Country Priest,” flocks of seagulls was always an “Roads to Rome,” and “Keys to the adrenaline rush.

While you could make friends with some kids in the projects, others had to be avoided. They were known to sneak up behind you like ninjas, push you into open cisterns, and then run off laughing. This only happened to me twice before we moved to the country.

“The country” was the north end of the city. It wasn’t rural by any means. There were, however, yards with grass and trees. You could go out at sunset, equipped with a jar with a perforated cover, on a firefly hunting expedition. You could pitch a makeshift tent in the vacant lot next door and spend the night in the wilderness. You could play badminton or horseshoes. You could climb the old pear tree or hang out under the grapevine trellis. There was even a swing set the previous owner had left behind. It was built from very strong pipes. It may still be there. Nobody played video games.

It was at about this age that I discovered the public library was within walking distance. I would come home on a summer’s afternoon with an armful of books. I had, shall we say, eclectic tastes in reading materials. No science books for me. No yucky novels.

Perhaps a classic adventure story or

Kingdom.”

Now that I think about it, there appears to have been common themes: religion, humor, daily life, nature.

Summer is a goner. School begins. Teachers ask, “What did you do on summer vacation?” Kids answer, “Nothing.”

As a young kid on summer vacation, I did “nothing” as well. I did, however, make unusual choices in summer reading. And just look where that led me: A Catholic priest quietly sitting on a porch somewhere on Cape Cod, his dog beside him, musing about the simple joys and challenges of ordinary life. Who could have guessed?

Seems what you read shapes who you are, or is it the other way around?

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

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Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., right, and the Bishop of the Azores, João Engelista Pimental Lavrador, participated in a crowning ceremony at the conclusion of Mass on Sunday, August 27 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River, culminating the weekend-long annual Holy Ghost Feast in the city. (Photo by Deacon Alan Thadeu)

12

The Anchor - September 8, 2017

“I

’ve got one!

I’ve got one!”

In the long, hazy and lazy summer days of my youth you might well have heard such a cry from the river bank of a fishing hole where young boys and girls would while away a Sunday afternoon armed with a long slender pole, a fishing line, a cork floater, a lead sinker and a hook baited with an unfortunate worm dug up from the family vegetable garden.

Today’s youth, if they are at all interested in fishing, are equipped with much more sophisticated gear and the worm is given the Sunday off.

Hook, line and sinker French. They love to The rod, reel, and the kiss on both cheeks artificial lure have and so, by the end of taken over in this era of modernization. The the day, my lips were worn out from all this fish are “fried” before dual-cheek kissing. No, they are even hooked.

I did not French kiss.

The early part of the week had seen two pilgrimages come Moon Over to Kalaupapa.

Molokai First we had our own Bishop

By Father Larry with Patrick Killilea, SS.CC. 32 souls from the Hawaiian Then the fisher men Islands, ready to be and women began to reeled in.

Then we had Father arrive for our annual fishing tournament.

Lane, pastor of St. Once again our very Augustine Church on talented musician and Waikiki Beach, leadelectrician spearheaded ing 32 pilgrims from the Marquesas Islands. and oversaw the tournament.

They spoke French The fishing was and sang in rousing

done on the shoreline all the way from the black sand beach at the base of the pali on the west side of the peninsula to Kalawao on the east side beginning on Friday and ending on Saturday.

Our very own Sister Barbara Jean had expressed an interest in participating as she is an avid fisher.

However, she did not participate. You see she is a very kind and humble person and did not want to show up others with her fishing prowess. For her it was “‘nun’ of this and ‘nun’ of that.” Still, it was a great two days for the

participants.

A good time was had by all at the dinner on Saturday night at the McVeigh Hall when the competition winners received their prizes. There was plenty of delicious food, including fish, not to forget Mr. Heineken or Miss Corona, to satisfy a hall full of residents and fishers.

We do look forward to next year’s event when Sister Barbara Jean plans on participating in the contest — hook, line, and sinker.

Aloha.

Anchor columnist Father Killilea is pastor of St. Francis Parish in Kalaupapa, Hawaii.

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The Anchor - September 8, 2017

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The Anchor - September 8, 2017

Anniversary Mass ushers in an assortment of faith programs continued from page three

Visit The Anchor online at www.anchornews.org

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 September 10, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Freddie Babiczuk, pastor of St. John of God Parish in Somerset

September 17, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, pastor of St. Anthony Parish in East Falmouth

who joined the Institute staff in 2014, and brings more than two decades of parish ministry as catechist, program coordinator, youth minister, director of evangelizations, Liturgist and pastoral associate, will be the part of the general sessions/ workshops at the Faith Formation Ministry Convention.

“She’s one of the contributors to the book,” said McManus. “We’ve asked her to change the format so that it fits into our convention. What she’s doing is fitting it into our time blocks. Her sessions can go until 4:00, and the usual way is for people to do a personal discernment, then she talks about how you bring it into the parish — very interactive.

“So what she’s going to do in the first [session] block, she’s going to talk about how to form intentional disciples through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and then for the second [session block] she’ll do how to become a parish of intentional disciples, and then the third one she’ll talk about how to use Lectio Divina on how to form intentional disciples.”

Additional presenters are Father Tom Washburn’s workshop on relational ministry with youth, and Susan Kay, who is sponsored

by Sadlier, and will do two workshops, one for beginning catechists, and another which will help catechists with their time management while teaching.

Barbara Domingue, executive director of Com-

munity Autism Resources — www.communityautism-resources.com — is another convention presenter: “I had her come in June to do a presentation with the DREs, along with my daughter, Erin McLoughlin, who has done workshops in the past,” said McManus.

“The two of them worked so well together. When I saw the practical things that Barbara presented, [I knew] we needed more of our catechists to have this opportunity, so I asked just Barbara to come. The whole workshop is an overview on how to work with children who have special needs. This one will be just for catechists to give them practical tools to use. Barbara is a great resource.”

This year the convention will offer translation services for Spanishspeaking participants; when registering for the convention, please note if translation services will be needed.

A Brazilian community will also be benefiting from the upcoming convention: “We have a Brazilian apostolate, which is currently worshipping and teaching at Holy Rosary in Taunton with permission from the bishop,” said Deacon Bonneau. “They started last fall, and it’s become a relatively large community. I’ve been working with them, along with the bishop, and I was speaking with their lead catechist about adult Faith Formation. I told him about the convention, and asked if he thought it would be worthwhile to have some workshops for his people.”

The lead catechist supported the idea, and Deacon Bonneau said he was still working on topics for the convention.

Many of the programs at the Office of Faith Formation can’t run without volunteers. The office’s Marriage ministry program actually goes from preparing engaged couples to celebrating their anniversaries, “so it’s a full circle here,” said McManus.

The office’s Marriage Prep Program is a positive ministry run by volunteer couples who share their Marriage and their faith, and is in desperate need for married couples to come forward and be part of the ministry of Marriage Prep and Remarriage Prep. McManus said young and old couples, from all deaneries, are welcome. Each prep program has sessions held in Attleboro, New Bedford and the Cape, and each couple will stay in one deanery while taking part in four to five sessions per year.

“I really credit these volunteers,” said McManus. “They do such a good job talking to the couples about what they’re going to face when they’re married, and also putting a positive face on Marriage.”

For those interested in volunteering for Marriage Prep or Remarriage Prep, contact Claire McManus at the Office of Faith Formation via email: cmcmanus@ dfrcs.org.

For more information on any of the programs covered in this article, contact the off ice at 508-6782828, or www.

FallRiverFaithFormation. org.

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O

ne of the great privileges I have as a deacon is baptizing those entering the Church.

Usually it is a baby, but sometimes I’ve baptized older children. As part of the Rite, I will sometimes speak to the those present of the importance of helping the baptized stand firm in the faith through the years. One image that I may use it that of trees and plants with roots reaching into the soil to gain nourishment and water.

With the proper nourishment and water and sun, the plant grows tall and remains firm. Without it, the plant eventually withers and dies. These images are used often in our faith life to help us understand how we must grow in our faith, to be nourished in our faith and to stand firm in our faith. But exactly how does one do that?

As the child is baptized, the child’s parents agreed to be your first and best teacher in the faith. Dedicated catechists and religious have also supported many parents in fulfilling that commitment to God, the Church and our children themselves.

Unfortunately, it seems today that more and more parents have relinquished their role in teaching the faith to other people, but no matter how good the Religious Education program is; can 30 hours of class time a year substitute in any way for the example given in the day-to-day living-out of the faith in the lives of the family?

Where do these young people get nourished?

How can they plant deep roots and stand firm in the face of the world and the 16

For and About Our Church Youth Firm in the faith? evil that surrounds them? bord that you can choose Many of our young people from what you like and are fortunate to meet up avoid the rest. with mentors, teachers, How did we get here? priests or other religious I’m sure we can all list who do help instill in them where things that may and nurture the seeds of have gone wrong. Did we faith, but it takes a strong as parents set the expectayoung person who can live in faith when the family around them does not.

In my role as a youth minister,

By Deacon I speak to many Frank Lucca young people and while they have a faith, they seem to be lack- tions that young people ing in an understanding of deserve? Did our Spiriour Catholic faith. In fact tual leaders shy away from many hesitate to discuss teaching the truth? Or faith as I believe they are perhaps, we just haven’t afraid that they’ll get ques- provided the proper guidtions or challenges that ance and haven’t made they will have difficulty in available the truths of the responding to. In studying faith in a format that is for the diaconate, I studied understandable to all. If we our faith in many courses aren’t committed faithover the four years of ful Catholics, how will academic preparation and I our children learn what was amazed each time I’d Jesus expects of us? The learn something new about further we move from the our faith that I never knew truth, the more difficult before, especially since I life becomes for all of us. If attended Catholic schools you have any doubts about and colleges from grade this, just look at the world one through grad school! today!

I think what concerns Where can we learn me and others the most is these truths? Well, my that many young people friends, it does take some (and adults) have such a study. Not necessarily in lack of the fundamental a course but by taking beliefs of our faith and the time to learn about so many think that they our faith. And where can can adjust their beliefs to you learn more about the suit their needs. How else truths of our faith? Well can we explain so many there is the “Catechism of abortions, or the decrease the Catholic Church.” Unin church weddings, or fortunately, I can tell you, simply skipping Mass. through experience, that it Of course, this attitude is is not an easy read. Now, hardly exclusive to young for young people, and even people. It is quickly bethe rest of us Pope Benecoming a prevalent attidict released an aid to the tude of so many adults too! “Catechism of the CathoSo many think that the lic Church” designed for Church is like a smorgasyouth and young adults.

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Be Not Afraid

The book is called “YouCat,” for Youth Catechism.

In its 300 pages, you will find answers to just about any question you may have about our faith.

After Vatican II (19621965) and in the changed cultural climate many people did not know what Christians should really believe, what the Church teaches, if it can teach something outright, and how this might fit into the new cultural climate.

Thus, John Paul II entrusted his successor, Cardinal Ratzinger, with the task of coordinating the work of bishops, theologians and young people into a book, edited by the Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn.

Pope Benedict wrote that he “was afraid of this task,” and confessed his doubts that “it would succeed,” describing its existence as something of a “miracle,” the labor of many meetings and “passionate discussions over individual texts.” He then goes on to express the hope that young people will allow themselves to be “captivated” by the catechism, and his certainty that they are far more interested in it than most believe.

In fact he writes in the

forward of “YouCat”: “This aide to the ‘Catechism’ does not offer you any empty praise, it does not offer easy solutions, it requires a new life on your part.” He asks young people to “study the ‘Catechism’ with passion and perseverance! Sacrifice your time for it!”

Pope Benedict continues: “You need to know what you believe, you need to know your faith with the same precision with which a computer specialist knows the operating system of a computer. You need Divine help, so your faith does not dry up like a drop of dew in the sun, so you do not succumb to the temptations of consumerism, so your love is not drowned in pornography, so you do not betray the weak, the victims of abuse and violence.”

Amen!

Anchor columnist Frank Lucca is a permanent deacon in the diocese of Fall River, a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea, and a campus minister at UMass Dartmouth. He is married to his wife of 39 years, Kristine, and the father of two daughters and their husbands, and three grandsons. So blessed! Comments, ideas or suggestions?

Please email him at DeaconFrankLucca@ comcast.net.

Visit The Anchor online at http:www.anchornews.org

For and About Our Church Youth

Classes are back in session at Holy Name School. Holy Name would like to welcome Miss Lavallee (pictured here with grade five) as well as Mrs. Tapis to our staff.

St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro opened its doors for the upcoming school year on August 29. Father Chris Peschel, St. John’s new parochial administrator, greets Faith and Justus Omolo who are eager to start the school year.

St. Mary-Sacred Heart School opened the 2017-2018 school year today, marking the 94th year of Catholic schools in North Attleboro. St. Mary-Sacred Heart School is one of the oldest and largest Catholic Schools in the diocese with 273 students enrolled for this year. Father David Costa, the school director, welcomed grades one to eight students and began the new year in prayer. He prayed for a successful happy and blessed school year for the students and then dismissed them with their teachers one by one. The 40 eighth-grade students stayed behind to take a start of the school year class photo with their two teachers, Mrs. Betty Ann Petterson, Mrs. Mary Jackson, school principal Mrs. Charlotte Lourenco, school director Father David Costa, and honorable guest, Deacon Juan Carlos MuĂąoz.

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

Workers at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford spent the summer sprucing up the building inside and out. Pictured is former graduate, Luz Rivas, and her dad painting the Rosary out on the playground.

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Getting to know our diocesan Catholic schools This begins a series of articles about the Catholic schools that make up the Diocese of Fall River. This edition focuses on schools in the Cape Cod and the Islands Deanery. Future editions will cover the Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton and Attleboro deaneries.

St. John Paul II High School alumns study Arabic language, life in Middle East St. John Paul II High School grads Victoria Sirois, ’13 and Peter Hartnett, ’15, have learned first-hand the life-changing impact of encounter. Sirois and Hartnett share how their Catholic education prepared them for global plurality, and the way their Middle Eastern encounters have shaped their lives today.

Victoria Sirois graduated this past May from Loyola University in Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a minor in Business and Latin American Studies. During her sophomore year, Sirois signed up for Arabic study and later was selected for The William Jefferson Clinton Scholarship at the American University in Dubai. While in Dubai, Sirois studied Arabic and

ing back, Victoria’s love of encountered other people big difference in my life.” language study started with Beyond this, “I received a in challenging ways: “I Señora Carpenter’s Spanish well-rounded education at started to see the side of classes. “Señora Carpenter the ‘other,’ those who have JPII but especially learned had family impacted by the sparked me 100 percent. to focus on encountering She showed me what I events that many Westother people. At JPII, I erners learn learned serabout from vice. Now, I afar. There is hope to make misundereven the standing on smallest difboth sides, ference in the and I wanted world with to bring the skills greater underand experistanding to ences I have Westerners learned.” about AraPeter Victoria Sirois Peter Hartnett bic culture, Hartnett’s and to my applied could do and made me feel mathematics study at HarMuslim friends, greater special for wanting to know vard University would seem understanding, too.” She and love world cultures,” is currently a candidate for to many to be quite chalsaid Sirois. “Señora Carpen- lenging enough. However, an exclusive program in Brussels and hopes to focus ter has kept in touch and Hartnett, a ROTC particion legal issues in migration encouraged me as I began pant, took the opportunity my study of Arabic. The and the shadow world of to study Arabic language JPII teachers have made a human trafficking. Lookthrough the Department

of Defense’s Project Global Officer program.

In 2016, Hartnett studied in Muscat, Oman, and in 2017, Amman, Jordan.

Hartnett sees his experiences through the lens of his Catholic faith and the Church’s relationship with Islam: “I was able to attend Mass at Ghala Church near the Grand Mosque. While Catholics are a small part of Oman, I worshiped with immigrants such as Southeast Asians, and Filipinos.”

Hartnett studied each of the past two summers during Ramadan and found the rhythm of life transformed by the holy season. “This year, I decided to keep the Muslim fast (during Ramadan).

The goals of Ramadan, as a holy month, are similar to Lent in the way of fasting, Turn to page 19

St. Pius X School — Small school, big family To Learn. To Grow. To Lead. These are the words emblazoned over the entrance of St. Pius X School.

Whereupon entering, one instantaneously is wrapped in warmth and a spirit that something good is taking place here. One feels safe, protected, cared for and blessed. A sense of community seems to emanate from the very walls within which our 225 students thrive every day.

A Pre-K through grade eight school, SPXS fosters a Spiritual, safe, supportive, and rigorously challenging community where staff and students teach and apply empathy each day.

The socio- and economi18

cally diverse student population cultivates compassion and nurtures a unique learning environment where all are accepted for

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who they are and what they have to offer. Our families come from across the globe.

Family members are CEO’s of major companies and

CEO’s of the home, some own small businesses, others are skilled craftsman, lawyers, doctors, bankers, police officers, and fire-

fighters.

Classes at the school begin at 7:45 a.m. and end at 2:15 p.m., but it is what happens in between these hours — and after — that is truly impressive. The students walk through glistening hallways, organized classrooms, and specialists’ areas where they are given the opportunity to partake in art, technology, library, physical education, music, and Spanish. Students from fourth grade on participate in band, and those from second grade on can partake in chorus and drama.

The afterschool extracurricular activities are as vibrant as the core curTurn to page 20

Getting to know our diocesan Catholic schools Faith, family, friendship and fun at St. Margaret Regional School

Established as a school of Catholic faith in 1994, St. Margaret Regional School is a faith-filled community. For 23 years, our children have learned about our faith in the classroom and at Mass, and live the faith by bringing Christ to others through acts of service. Faculty and parent volunteers lead our school community in performing acts of mercy to those in need around us. Even our youngest children understand that it is our duty to address issues of social justice. The people of SMRS find ways to ease the pain of hunger, homelessness, and loneliness in the local community around our school. Through our Mercy Club, our middle school students cook and bring meals to the homeless, actively collect food for the local food pantry, fundraise for the unborn and their mothers, collect pajamas for children in local shelters, and provide gifts for underprivileged children through their “Giving Tree.” This year, the Mercy Club will extend into our elementary grades, because our younger students asked what they might do!

Next to our faith, we cherish and respect the family at St. Margaret Regional. Our school family is made up of many blended families, single-parent families, those led by grandparents, and families of differing faiths. Our school community embraces and supports families facing challenges. Like St. Margaret of Scotland, herself, we are dedicated to helping the families we serve.

Our families, too, love and help SMRS in special

ways. Many of the school’s recent renovations such as new bathrooms, tile throughout, painting and upgrading the modular classrooms, ramps and stairs, as well as landscaping have been made possible by the generous families who love our school.

Throughout its years, SMRS has been a very special place in which families grow in friendship; many students form strong bonds that have lasted well into their adult years. “Our students truly care about the friends they’ve made in their years with us,” Principal Joyce Allison-Saucier said. “They sponsor friends’ younger brothers and sisters in Confirmation, and witness for one another when they marry. They serve one another in serious ways, years after they have graduated our school; that means they’ve experienced something profoundly important here.”

Alumni keep in touch with the school after graduation; many distinguish themselves in their high schools, colleges, and careers, and they take the time to tell their teachers at SMRS how what they learned in our school benefited them later in their lives. “The highest compliment our alumni can give us is to continue our relationship by bringing their own children to our school; we are seeing more former students doing this, and it is a testament to the good work we do together here,” said Principal Saucier.

SMRS is a diocesan leader in STEM; as a Project Lead the Way School, we work with Worcester Polytechnic Institute to

promote the importance of hands-on learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Our middle school has 100 percent participation in the yearly science fair; several students participate and place at the regional and state levels. And our STEM curriculum is evidenced in all classrooms, from Pre-K to grade eight.

This year, we are very pleased to present a full music program through parents, Laureen and Richard Fish; Mr. Fish is the director of Performing Arts at St. John Paul II, and he will be bringing his quality program to SMRS. We look forward to a fall production of “The Wizard of Oz” under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Fish. This is in addition to our instrumental music program; the halls are alive with the sound of music at St. Margaret Regional School!

Our students have fun; whether students, parents, and teachers are working on — our weather balloon launch, science fairs, action field research trips, sports, cheerleading, Mercy Club, robotics, solar race cars, Breakfast with Santa, book fairs and ice cream socials, dances, the Hallowe’en Haunted House, spaghetti dinner, spring field day, or one of our many other events, we have fun together.

This year, St. Margaret Regional School is focusing ahead toward its future; it is an important and exciting time! Changes are taking place on our website, in uniform, and logo; as we update and move forward, however, we will build a new and improved SMRS

on the foundations of faith, family, friendship and fun!

If you’d like to find out more, please call us at 508-

759-2213 or plan to attend our next Open House, on Wednesday, November 8 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Father Bruce Czapla, O.F.M., former pastor of St. Margaret’s Parish in Buzzards Bay, welcomed students back to the school for the year.

St. JPII alums study in Middle East continued from page 18

building personal discipline, and Spiritual growth.

We abstain from anything not pure, good, and holy.

These are universal goals, and I felt that I could grow from sharing the Muslim fast.” Hartnett credits his SFXP and JPII education with providing him a firm foundation from which to grow and explore: “I remember reading ‘Persepolis’ in Ms. Hanley’s sophomore English class. The novel is set in Iran, and I could see that there are countries that are villainized in the

Western narrative. Reading ‘Persepolis’ showed me that there are always people to love and respect everywhere.” Hartnett now returns to Harvard and will continue with Arabic study.

Ultimately, he may pursue diplomatic work after his military commitment is completed.

Sirois and Hartnett’s encounters give testimony that a strong Catholic, liberal arts education prepares students for the world’s plurality and to love and serve those they meet.

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Bishop administers Sacraments at Barnstable House of Correction St. Pius X — small school, big family continued from page five

time, there’s always the promise of Reconciliation.

“You know, every computer keyboard has a delete key, right? Well, our delete key is the Sacrament of Confession, which deletes all our mistakes and corrects them,” Bishop da Cunha said. “The Sacrament of Confession washes us and removes the stain and the dirt and makes us clean again. That’s the beauty of our Church, of our faith when we make a mistake.”

That message certainly hit home with “Michael,” one of the newly-baptized.

“I was brought up Catholic, but I made a mistake quite some years ago when I was 15 years old,” he said. “I made the mistake and I tried faking my Confirmation.

But today I feel awesome.

I’m turning my life back over … and it’s time for rebirth and a new way of living.”

Michael said he now felt obligated to serve God and to make amends for his past transgressions.

“And I still owe my church’s St. Vincent de Paul (Society) $20, so

20

I’ve got to make that up to them,” he added.

After pouring Holy Water over the heads of the three inmates who were baptized (the other two received Confirmation), Bishop da Cunha placed a white stole over each of the men’s necks, saying: “You have become now a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ. Receive this white garment, your new Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of Heaven.”

It was a pivotal moment for “Anthony,” who was never baptized and whose entire family is Catholic.

“Now that I’m baptized, I’m a Catholic now, too,” he said. “I got a little teary-eyed in the beginning and I just couldn’t stop. It really feels good to have been a part of this and to have been baptized for the first time.”

“Seeing some of these men crying during the Mass — a grown up, tough man, just allowing the grace of God to touch his heart and allow

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himself to be touched — was a powerful moment to witness,” Bishop da Cunha said. “When I see a person crying during the celebration of a Sacrament, it is a sign that the power of God’s grace has reached the depths of his heart, and that makes all our efforts and all we invest worthwhile.”

Bishop da Cunha likewise offered a message of hope to the five inmates, noting that today they began a new life in the Church.

“Maybe you look forward to the day when you will be released from here and start a new life out there, but that new life begins here today, with your receiving the Sacraments and accepting the faith and the grace of God into your lives,” the bishop said. “So today is a new beginning for your life!”

The bishop praised the ongoing efforts of the chaplains — especially Father Riley J. Williams and Deacons Daniel M. Donovan, Ralph Guerra and Bruce Bonneau — along with the many prison ministry volunteers at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility who “dedicate so much of their time to share their faith with the inmate population and to bring the presence of the Lord into their lives during such a difficult time for them.”

“May the Good Lord reward all of them for their good work,” he said.

“I know we have a wonderful team of volunteers and, thanks to you all, I’m sure that the Word of God, prayers and the Sacraments will continue to be celebrated here.”

continued from page 18

riculum that takes place during the day. Everyone finds something that they excel at. Students can choose activities as diverse as Lego Club, Mini Ninjas, Art, Drama, Chorus, and Therapy Dogs. Students have had the opportunity to participate and to shine in afterschool sports such as basketball, soccer, crosscountry, golf, tennis, softball, Lower School lacrosse, flag football, and t-ball. The smaller team size provides ample opportunities for the players to get out on the court or field, play the game, learn sportsmanship, and hone their skills.

The community spirit extends through all areas of SPXS. Middle School students are paired with Lower School students as buddies and mentors. An aspect of the school that is unique in the diocese is our Middle School House System. This system has been implemented based on values of four saints — each one boasting its own mission and purpose. The overall mission is to create a community where the students work together and support each other as they grow in their Catholic faith. Each house guides and supports the academic, Spiritual, social, and personal development of every Middle School student during his or her time at SPXS. Students are encouraged to not only build community within the new infrastructure of SPXS, but also to provide outreach to the larger community. Middle School students give more than 1,800 hours of service throughout the course of the year at SPXS. They participate in field trips that build life skills and trips that encourage the students

to explore a myriad of worldly opportunities.

At SPXS the staff is dedicated in whole child development where faith is integrated throughout the whole day. Students practice their faith not only within their communities, but also on a global scale.

This fall SPXS undertakes a new endeavor, as it implements Responsive Classroom into all classes from Pre-Kindergarten through grade eight.

With sincere thanks to the Carney Family Foundation for a generous grant, SPXS began the school year implementing strategies from Responsive Classroom that will allow students to fully access the academic, social, and extracurricular offerings available for all our learners.

SPXS also undertakes a new service endeavor these first days of school. Providing service, a core value of our mission, began on day one, as we initiated assistance to a sister school in Texas. The community at SPXS has reached out to St. Pius X School, a high school in Houston. In addition to offering prayers, we have asked how we can best support and assist with student needs when school reopens. The school administration was incredibly touched by our offer.

We will extend help as needed, with our Middle School houses overseeing this service project.

At SPXS students learn from life’s experiences. Our students realize that it is the grace of God that provides us with the strength we need to grow in benevolence. Through this wisdom our students are prepared to lead others through life’s awesome journey.

Stonehill professor continued from page nine

of everything. You can track people with GPS. You can find someone’s background with a keystroke.

Even DNA testing was still evolving (back then).”

As just the secondever title published on the crimes that are often referred to as the worst serial killings in Massachusetts since the Boston Strangler, Boyle’s book holds the unique distinction of being told from the perspective of someone who was directly involved from day one. And she hopes her first-hand knowledge will encourage further study in the case.

“Given how serious the subject is, you don’t want to say things like, ‘I hope people enjoy it,’” she said.

“But I hope they learn something from it and that they feel it is a good read and it does generate some interest in the case.”

While the solution to the Highway Killings may remain as enigmatic as that of the crimes associated with the aforementioned Boston Strangler, Jack the Ripper or Fall River’s own Lizzie Borden, Boyle thinks the notorious crimes all share something in common.

“At the end of the day, no one knows who did it,” she said. “I hope that there is an answer someday, and that the answer will be really crystal clear. You can suspect this person or that person, but what’s frightening is there have been so many people who could have been the killer. And I think that’s what’s very scary. When you look at the sheer number of possible suspects, it’s frightening.”

For more information about the book visit www. shallowgravesthebook. com or the author’s blog at www.maureenboylewriter. wordpress.com.

Interfaith Service at La Salette ATTLEBORO — A candlelight interfaith service will be held at the outdoor chapel at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, 947 Park Street in Attleboro, on Sunday, September 17 beginning at 8 p.m. Floating candles will be provided, which will be launched into the Rosary pond after prayer in the St. Francis Peace Garden.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will be in attendance and all are encouraged to join him and interfaith groups to pray for world peace and unity.

In Your Prayers Please Please pray pray for for these these priests priests during during the the coming coming weeks weeks

Sept. 10 Rev. Hugo Dylla, Pastor, St. Stanislaus, Fall River, 1966 Rt. Rev. Felix S. Childs, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1969 Sept. 11 Rev. Joachim Shults, SS.CC., Our Lady of Assumption, New Bedford, 1987 Rev. Cyril Augustyn, OFM Conv., Pastor, Holy Rosary, Taunton, 1997 Rev. Francis E. Grogan, CSC, Superior, Holy Cross Residence, North Dartmouth, 2001 Rev. Martin Grena, 2004 Rev. Terence F. Keenan, Former Pastor, St. Mary, South Dartmouth, 2010 Sept. 12 Rev. John J. Galvin, STD, Assistant, SS. Peter and Paul, Fall River, 1962 Most Rev. James L. Connolly, Sc.H D, Fourth Bishop of Fall River, 195170, 1986 Rev. John R. Folster, Pastor, St. Louis de France, Swansea, 1995

Diocese to take up collection for hurricane relief on Sept. 9-10 FALL RIVER — Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., has authorized a special collection in parishes of the Fall River Diocese to support the victims of Hurricane Harvey and to assist in recovery efforts in areas impacted by the devastating storm and related flooding.

The collection will be taken up during Masses on the weekend of September 9 and 10.

In the wake of this tragedy, Bishop da Cunha encourages all to continue to pray for the suffering people of southeast Texas and to remember those who have perished.

Proceeds from the collection will support the humanitarian and recovery efforts of Catholic Charities USA and will provide pastoral and rebuilding support to impacted dioceses through the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Catholic Charities USA is the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church.

Donations to the diocesan hurricane relief collection may be made at any of its parishes, or sent directly to the Fall River Diocese, P.O. Box 2577, MA 02722.

Please mark “Hurricane Relief Collection” in the memo section of the check.

Sept. 13 Rev. Antonio Felisbesto Diaz, St. Lawrence Martyr (former St. Mary’s), New Bedford, 1866 Rev. Charles A.J. Donovan, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, North Easton, 1949 Rev. Isadore Kowalski, OFM Conv., Our Lady’s Haven, Fairhaven, 2003 Sept. 14 Rev. Stanislaus J. Ryczek, USA Retired Chaplain, Former Pastor Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Bedford, 1982 Sept. 15 Rev. Henry J. Mussely, Pastor, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1934 Rev. Brendan McNally, S.J., Holy Cross College, Worcester, 1958 Rev. John J. Casey, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, North Easton, 1969 Sept. 16 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jean A. Prevost, P.A., P.R., Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1925 Sept. 17 Rev. Thomas F. McNulty, Pastor, St. Kilian, New Bedford, 1954 Cardinal Humberto Sousa Medeiros , Archbishop of Boston, 1970-83, Pastor of St. Michael, Fall River 1960 -1966, 1983 Rev. Felix Lesnek, SS.CC., Former Associate Pastor, St. Joseph, Fairhaven, 1991 Sept. 18 Rev. Luke Golla, SS.CC., Seminary of Sacred Heart, Wareham, 1945 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Edmund J. Ward, Retired Pastor, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1964 Sept. 19 Rev. Henry E.S. Henniss, Pastor, St. Mary, New Bedford, 1859 Msgr. Arthur W. Tansey, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1985 Sept. 20 Rev. Simon A. O’Rourke,USN Chaplain, 1918 Rev. Omer Valois, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1958 Sept. 21 Rev. George Pager, Founder, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1882 Rev. George Jowdy, Pastor, Our Lady of Purgatory, New Bedford, 1938 Rev. William H. Crane, SM, Superior, National Shrine of Our Lady of Victories, Boston, 1988

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Around the Diocese “The Our Father,” a six-week series of the Fall River and New Bedford Scripture Alive program will be held Wednesday mornings, September 13 through October 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Office of Faith Formation, 423 Highland Avenue, Fall River.

The series will also be offered on Tuesday mornings, September 12 through October 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown. There is a $10 fee to cover the cost of texts and course material. The series will be facilitated by Sister Frances Thomas. To register or for more information call 508-678-2828, extension 27 by September 6.

The Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will meet at St. John the Evangelist Church, 841 Shore Road in Pocasset, on Saturday, September 16 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The topic will be “National Council of Catholic Women.” DCCW President Beth Mahoney welcomes all ladies from the various affiliates in the diocese. For more information, contact Lynette Ouellette (Fall River) at 508-674-7036; Terry Lewis (New Bedford) at 508-9935085; Nancy Martin (New Bedford) at 508-995-1604; Virginia Wade (Taunton) at 508-676-6515; Roberta Dwyer (Cape Cod) at 508-743-5448; or Rebecca Dean (Attleboro) at 508-761-4638.

The Council of Catholic Women at Our Lady of Grace Parish will host its Annual Giant Yard Sale on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. The sale will be held at Our Lady of Grace Parish Center, 569 Sanford Road in Westport, rain or shine. There is a large parking lot and all are welcome. For more information, call 508-672-6900.

The St. Vincent de Paul Store located at 141 Washington Street in Taunton will be having an indoor end of the season yard sale on Saturday, September 16. The hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All families facing challenges are invited to come pray together during an afternoon Family Healing Mass starting at 1 p.m. with adoration, Reconciliation, Rosary and ending with Mass at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 17 in the St. Joseph Chapel near the Father Peyton Center, 500 Washington Street in North Easton. The event is free and family-friendly, handicap-accessible, and open to all. For more information, call Family Rosary at 508-238-4095.

American Heritage Girls Troop MA 3712 will hold an open meeting and registration on Thursday, September 21 from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 984 Taunton Avenue (Route 44) in Seekonk. American Heritage Girls is the premier national character development organization for young women that embraces Christian values and encourages family involvement. They welcome all girls, ages five to 18, of all denominations. Incorporating a six-pronged emphasis on girl leadership, life skills development, social development, character development, Spiritual development and building confidence and teamwork, they work on badges, serve the community, and have fun together. For more information, visit www.americanheritagegirls.org or call Troop Coordinator Liz Day at 774-991-0729.

A Healing Mass will be celebrated at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, 19 Kilmer Avenue in Taunton on Thursday, September 21. The Holy Rosary begins at 6 p.m. and will include the Sacrament of Confession. Holy Mass will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude with healing prayers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. All are welcome.

To submit an event for consideration in The Anchor’s “Around the Diocese” listing, send the information by email to kensouza@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - September 8, 2017

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.

ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 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 time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

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, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

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 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. 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 — St. Anthony of Padua Church, on the corner of Bedford and Sixteenth streets, has Eucharistic Adoration accompanied by music and prayer every first Wednesday of the month from 6-7 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.

FALL RIVER — St. Joseph’s Church has a Holy Hour every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m., with Benediction at 6:45 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Michael’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Benediction at 5:30 p.m.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday.

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 is held every Thursday, with Confessions, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church. 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 Fridays 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 5:30 to 6:30 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.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

NORTH EASTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Immaculate Conception Church Chapel on the first Wednesday of the month beginning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, until 6:40 p.m. Those wishing to make a monthly commitment can sign up on the parish website at www.icceaston.org or call the parish office at 508-238-3232.

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m.

Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

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 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 5 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday. 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.

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as Our Lady of Dolours and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. St. Joseph will appear with the Child Jesus to bless the world. God is pleased with your sacrifices.

He does not want you to sleep with the rope on, but only to wear it during the daytime.”

“I was told to ask you many things, the cure of some sick people, of a deafmute.” “‘Yes, I will cure some, but not others. In October I will perform a miracle so that all may believe.’ Then Our Lady began to rise as usual, and disappeared.”

It is in this September Apparition of Our Lady that we receive more details about the great miracle the children had requested of Our Lady, so as to provide proof to the world that her apparitions were true. Here Our Lady tells in certain terms that Our Lord would come in October.

It is interesting that Our Lady also reveals that she will come as Our Lady of Dolours (Sorrows) and Our Lady of Mount Carmel and that Saint Joseph will appear with the Child Jesus to bless the world.

Although the significance of these apparitions would become clear in October, here Our Lady is preparing the children and thousands for the great miracle of which would follow. Immediately, upon hearing this message, the devout Christian who was praying the Rosary would understand that St. Joseph and the Child Jesus represented the joyful mysteries of the Rosary, Our Lady of Dolours the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the glorious mysteries of the Rosary.

Not only did this message increase anticipation in the promised miracle but also

it gave greater emphasis to the mysteries of the Holy Rosary which the apparition highlighted.

Finally, Our Lady said, “In October I will perform a miracle so that all may believe.” The miracle would be so great that it would remove all doubt and would actually bring unbelievers and atheists to believe in the veracity of the apparition, which in fact happened as a result of the October miracle.

Perhaps many of us would not be reading this article if the October miracle had not happened. The fact that the October miracle was foretold in this Marian prophecy contributed to the credibility of the Fatima Apparitions when they occurred. Finally the disposition of those who followed the apparitions prepared by the prayer of the Holy Rosary, disposed them to receive more or less grace and healing depending on their response to Our Lady’s requests.

The September Apparition solidifies the hope of the children and of the people for a great sign or miracle to confirm Mary’s important message which she communicated to the three shepherd children.

God was appealing once more to His children through His Son, and Mary, Mother of the Word.

Mary came once more to implore us to take up with confidence an instrument of prayer and Spiritual warfare by which we can learn to identify our lives with the life of Christ, because we know that it is through our union with Christ and His merits that we are saved. Through this process of identification wrought by prayer and Penance and the graces it bestows, we become pleasing to the Father to the degree we reproduce in ourselves the sentiments

of His Son which include His total dependence on the Father and His utter submission to the Father’s will “Thy will be done.” He has told us, “I and the Father are One” ( Jn. 10:30).

Through the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, we can see plainly that the Father chose that His Son, the Word made Flesh, be dependent upon Mary, His Mother, who nurtured Jesus and was His first and most faithful disciple. This is God’s desire for us as well.

Mary reveals, that her Son, Jesus wants to establish devotion to Her Immaculate Heart, so that she can form us into the image and likeness of Her Son, the firstborn of many brethren, to be made pleasing to the Father and to bring us safely to Heaven, to the place where Jesus has gone to prepare for us.

On this 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima, there are many graces available to the faithful. Pope Francis has granted an opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence throughout the centennial year, from the 27th of November 2016 till the 26th of November 2017. What is an indulgence? An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. There are specific conditions for receiving an indulgence.

The faithful must fulfill the ordinary conditions: go to Confession and Communion, be interiorly detached from sin, and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.

In addition, on this 100th Anniversary of the Fatima Apparitions, there are three ways to obtain the indulgence, detailed in a statement from the Fatima Shrine in Portugal: 1. Make a pilgrimage to the Shrine in Fatima, Por-

tugal: To the faithful who make a pilgrimage to the Fatima Shrine in Portugal and participate in a celebration of prayer dedicated to the Virgin. In addition, the faithful must pray the Our Father, recite the Creed and invoke the Mother of God. 2. Pray before any statue of Our Lady of Fatima: To the faithful who visit with devotion a statue of Our Lady of Fatima solemnly exposed for public veneration in any church, oratory or proper place during the days of the anniversary of the apparitions, the 13th of each month from May to October 2017, and there devoutly participate in some celebration or prayer in honor of the Virgin Mary. In addition, the faithful must pray the Our Father, recite the Creed and invoke Our Lady of Fatima.

3. The elderly and infirm: To the faithful who, be-

cause of age, illness or other serious cause, are unable to get around, may pray in front of a statue of Our Lady of Fatima and must Spiritually unite themselves to the jubilee celebrations on the days of the apparitions, the 13th of each month, between May and October 2017. They must also “offer to merciful God with confidence, through Mary, their prayers and sufferings or the sacrifices they make in their own lives.”

As the 13th of September and October quickly approach let us take this opportunity, if we have not done so already, to strive to obtain the plenary indulgence which can be applied to our self or the souls in purgatory.

Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to obtain mercy in time of need!

The Anchor - September 8, 2017

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

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The Anchor - September 8, 2017