t eanc 0 VOL. 42, NO. 35 ., Friday, September 11, 1998
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly
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Mothe:r Teresa remembered on anniversary of her death •
Hundreds from across the diocese crowded St. Lawrence Church, New Bedford, to recall the 1995 visit of the holy woman who affected so many people's lives by her words and example.
By JAMES N. DUNBAR NEW BEDFORD - When Mother Teresa of Calcutta came to the Whaling City in June 1995 and swept people off their feet by her presence, she sat in the first pew of St. Lawrence Church for . the liturgy celebrating her visit. As hundreds crowded into the church on September 5 for a Mass celebrating the day of her death in 1997, members of the Missionaries of Charity, the community of nuns Mother Teresa founded to serve the poor, left the seat vacant in her memory. It didn't go unnoticed. Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, who celebrated the Mass called attention to it and recalled the visit of the simple, beloved nun and Nobel Peace Prize recipient who became one of his favorite people. Following the Mass Bishop O'Malley, who said he was pleased at the turnout at the liturgy, met with the news media
gathered near the altar and the questions and talk were of Mother Teresa and her nuns. "Her visit here made such an impact on all of our lives that just the mention of her . . . . . name elicits a response from people of New Bedford and of the area," the bishop said. Her spirit lives on, he said, in the work her sisters are doing, "and the lives of the people who have been RECOLLECTIONS - Bishop O'Malley touched by her as seen by this turnout talks to the news media following a Mass today, at a Mass on for Mother Teresa in St. Lawrence Church, a Saturday morn- New Bedford. lier in his homily, the bishop said ing." Tum to page 11 - Mother Repeating a point he made ear-
Two parishes eager to attend liturgy at Holy Cross Church •
Although SS. Peter and Paul and Holy Cross parishes merged a year ago, the refurbished house of worship will serve both beginning Sept. 20 By
MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF
AT PRAYER - Picture of Mother Teresa rests atop a blue and white sari, the garb of her Missionaries of Charity, in the sanctuary during the Mass marking the anniversary of her death in 1997.
Survey: Churchgoing teens less lilfely to use drugs By
PATRICIA ZAI)OR
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON -- Teens who are regularly involved in religious services are less likely to smoke, drink alcohol oruse marijuana than those who do not attend services, according to a new national study on teen substance abuse. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that 8 percent of teens who attend religious services at least four times a month smoked cigarettes. That
compared to the 22 percent of teens who smoke among those who participate in religious activities less than once a month. The study also found that 13 percent of teens who go to a church or synagogue once a week or more have smoked.marijuana, compared to 39 percent of those who are less involved in religious activities. The results were released in Washington Sept. 1 by the center's president, Joseph A. Califano Jr., former secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. Tum to page 14 ........ Teens
FALL RIVER -
Bishop Sean
P. O'Maney, OFM, Cap., will celebrate a 10:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross Church and rededicate its main altar on September 20. It win mark the first Mass celebrated at Holy Cross since renovations began on the building almost a year ago. SS. Peter and Paul Church and Holy Cross merged a year ago and parishioners have been attending Mass at SS. Peter and Paul. At the end of September work win begin on the second part of SS. Peter and Paul's capital campaign, when the first floor of the school building win be renovated. Father Stephen A. Fernandes, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul, said they are in the midst of a "very exciting time in the parish." "The merger has satisfied the needs of both parishes very nicely," he added. The first floor of the school has served as SS. Peter and Paul Church since a fire destroyed the original church building. The project will also include the
construction of a new daily Mass chapel, but until then the 8 a.m. Mass will take place at Holy Cross. The morning of September 20 will also mark the last Mass celebrated in what has been SS. Peter and Paul Church for over 20 years. It will begin at 8:30 a.m. and be followed by a procession to Holy Cross. Last September, when the parishes merged, several icons were brought
to SS. Peter and Paul and those will be part of this procession. They include an icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, a cross, and a picture of Pope John Paul II with his papal blessing of the merger. Following the 10:30 Mass at Holy Cross a luncheon will be held in the Father Coady Center for parishioners. Preregistration is required.
Annual St. Mary's Education Fund Fall Dinner is planned FALL RIVER - Businesses, academic and community leaders and interested supporters are invited to make a commitment to helping students in financial need and also enjoy an elegant, multicourse meal at the fourth annual St. Mary's Education Fund Fall Dinner, Oct. 15 at White's of Westport. A reception will be held at 5:45 p.m., and dinner will be at 6:45 p.m. Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., has named Richard L. Lafrance, chief executive officer of White's of Westport, as chairman of the dinner. He will be assisted by dinner vice-chairman, Timothy 1. Cotter, CEO and president of the Fall River Five Cents Savings Bank.
First held in 1995, the dinner seeks to raise money for the St. Mary's Educa'{"' . t ion Fun d , w hie h provides " ! .• scholarships to children attending Catholic schools in the Diocese LAFRANCE of Fall River.
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Tum to page two - Dinner