t eanc 0 VOL. 39, NO. 38
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Friday, September 29, 1995
FALL RIVER, MASS.
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSEnS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly
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511 Per Year
Weekend conferences held for Catholic school and CCD teachers by Dave Jolivet The Diocesan Department of Education sponsored two conferences for diocesan teachers last weekend: on Friday at Bishop Connolly HighSchool, Fall River, for Catholic school teachers and. on Saturday at Bishop Sta.ng High School, North Dartmouth, for religious education teachers. Both conferences were well attended. Catholic Education Convention A Catholic education can provide a student with many things, but most important is its spiritual dimension. That was among messages from Bishop O'Malley during his homily at the opening Mass for the education convention. He told teachers, administrators and other workers in the diocesan Catholic schools that "We're here because we believe in Catholic education. Everyone here has made sacrifices. financial and otherwise, to teach and work in the Catholic school system, but the sacrifices make sense only when we know the sense of mission, and that is to build up the body of Christ. It's fitting to begin with Mass. to gather eNS/photo around the table of the Teacher, THIS IS the annual Respect Life Month issue of the the Master." The bishop stressed that the Anchor. Beginning on page 7, stories and photos will center on teachers, administrators and workthe Gospel of Life as developed in the papal encyclical "Evan- ers are the most important resource gelium Vitae." Thl~y will replace our usual weekly features, all of Catholic schools. "You can show of which will return next week. Above, the Holy Father is a new generation of disciples what true happiness is; love, hope, peace shown blessing a baby girl in an Angolan hospital. and holiness. It's important that we be Catholic Christian disciples," he said. Rev. Richard W. Beaulieu, director of the Diocesan Department of Education, said the convention is an opportunity to support Catholic daily since April," said architect school staff members. "It's an affir. by Christine Vieira mation forthe teachers. We like to Tom Palanza, "and we finished up About 40 people gathered Sepgive them as much support as we about the end of August." His tember 21, the feast ofSt. Mathieu, detailed architectural drawings of can. As Bishop O'Malley stated, for the blessing of the new St. each of the three floors and before 'It's a mission more than ajob,''' he Mathieu's Residence for Women and after photographs of the resi- said. in Fall River. At the close of the Mass, both dence evidenced the work needed Arlene McNamee, LCSW,direcBishop O'Malley and Father Beauto make the badly vandalized tor of the Diocesan Department of lieu honored Grace Taylor for 45 building habitable. Catholic Social Services, welcomed years of service as secretary for the Its first six residents are expected members of diocesan agencies, the Education department. Ms. Tayto move in tomorrow. St. Mathieu's media, and former St. Mathieu lor, who is retiring at the end ofthe will house 18 residents and an onparishioners to the three-story site manager. Each resident will year, received a standing ovation. brick building, onCl: a convent for The keynote speaker was Sister have her own furnished bedroom. the Sisters of St. Joseph de Puy There are shower-equipped bath- Remigia Kushner, C.S.J., Ph.D., who taught at the former St. rooms on each floor, and a spa- of Baden, PA. She has been an Mathieu school. The school closed cious community dining room, kit- elementary and secondary school and the sisters left in 1973. teacher, an administrator' and a chen and living room. "We hope to use St. Mathieu's district superintendent of Catholic "It really looks like home," said residence as a visible sign to the Paulette McKay,. among volun- schools in Bronx, NY. Since 1990 community," she said, "that there teers who literally made the house she has been on the fulltime faculty is safe, affordable housing availaof Manhattan College, Riverdale, shine. "It feels very comfortable." ble for women in need." The wome.n at St. Mathieu's will NY. She has recently published a book on Catholic school teachers Amid the cheery sounds of chil-. have had an initial screening at St. dren on recess at .nearby St. and their ministry. Francis Residence, another dioceSister Kushner spoke on "The Michael's School, Bishop Sean san facility for women, also located O'Malley expressed appreciation in Fall River, and will be persons Seven Habits 'of Highly Effective to those who worked to renovate who for one rea$on or another Teachers," basing her address on the house~ have had trouble finding adequate the theories of a successful proThose in attendance toured the and affordable housing. Father gram developed by Steven R. Covey. She told her audience, all building, viewing the results of its Turn to Page Two of them had reservoirs of talent remodeling. "We have been here
--------:--------------------1 Former Fall River convent now 'Vvomen's reside'nce
and strengths to offer children and developing the seven habits can help them use their abilities to best advantage. Enumerating the steps, she said the first was to be proactive, meaning act, don't react. The second step calls for teachers to keep in mind the goal of giving students a quality ed ucation based on Catholic principles. The third is keeping first things first. Sister Kushner noted how easy it is to lose valuable teaching time for various reasons and said that it was important to plan each school day. The fourth step she listed was that of seeking a winl win situation, an atmosphere in which both the student and teacher benefit. She pointed out that if the same game plan is used, the same results will occur, but changing the ap· . proach can change the outcome.
She also indicated that teachers can choose their perceptions of young people, therefore they should emphasize the positive. Step five asks teachers to seek to understand the student before seeking to be understood themselves and step six is to synergize, let youngsters be a part of the learning process by doing things themselves. Sister Kushner concluded her presentation with the seventh habit, "sharpening the saw," by which she meant that teachers should take care of themselves mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally, thereby giving their students the best possible education experience. Religious Education Convention The theme of this year's religious education convention was ':Imagine God's Mercy." Several Turn to Page Three
Parish collections will aid struggling Marilyn victims The painful recovery process in the wake of Hurricane Marilyn has begun for residents of the V.S. Virgin Islands. Bishop Sean O'Malley has requested a special collection at all Masses in the diocese this weekend to ease some of the difficulties in the diocese of St. Thomas, which he headed from 1984 to 1992. More than a week after the storm devastated the area, the island of St. Thomas was still without power, phones or water. Barbara Gilliard-Payne, director of Catholic Social Services on the islands said Bishop Elliott G. Thomas has requested her to ask V.S. Catholics for continued pray-
ers and has expressed gratitude for funds thus far contributed to help hurricane victims recover and rebuild. Most parishes on St. Thomas and the neighboring island of St. Croix suffered damage ranging from blown-off roofs or windows to complete destruction. Ms. Gilliard-Payne cited generators as an immediate need. Without power, water cannot be pumped from cisterns, making sanitation a major obstacle to reopening shelters, schools and other facilities. She also noted that at present people must stand in line for hours and pay $10 for just a bag of ice.
EVERY LITTLE bit helps. Donations for hurricane victims fill a basket at last week's Catholi.c teachers' conference. Bishop O'Malley has requested a special collection at all parish Masses this weekend. (Jolivet photo)