The Anchor Diocese of Fall River
F riday , October 5, 2012
Church, diocese prepare for Year of Faith
Mass at Cathedral on October 11
Focus on ‘Catechism,’ Vatican II
FALL RIVER — With his apostolic letter of Oct. 11, 2011, Porta Fidei, Pope Benedict XVI declared a Year of Faith would begin on Oct. 11, 2012 and conclude on Nov. 24, 2013. October 11, the first day of the Year of Faith, is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and also the 20th anniversary of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.” During this Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the “Catechism” so that they may deepen their own knowledge of the faith. To officially kickoff the 2012-2013 Year of Faith, Bishop George W. Coleman will celebrate a special Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral beginning at 7 p.m. on October 11, to which everyone in
FALL RIVER — For Catholics around the world, October 11 will usher in Pope Benedict XVI’s call for a Year of Faith. Clergy and faithful in the Diocese of Fall River will join their brothers and sisters in every nation to heed the Holy Father’s call to appreciate the gift of faith, to strengthen our relationship with God, and to make a greater commitment to share that faith with others. Last October the pope made the call in his apostolic letter Porta Fidei (The Door of Faith), giving the faithful one year to prepare. “Faith grows when it is lived as an experience of love received and when it is communicated as an experience of grace and joy,” he wrote. The special year opens on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Turn to page 18
By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff
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By Dave Jolivet, Editor
October is Respect Life Month; Church calls faithful to defend life By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff
FALL RIVER — The Catholic Church will observe Respect Life Month during October, an annual tradition that is in its 41st year. The initiative will be formally launched on October 7, Respect Life Sunday. The month is dedicated to having Catholics renew their personal commitment to defend all human life, especially those most vulnerable. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling on all Catholics to demonstrate this commitment by participating in prayer services and educational conferences, engaging in public witness and advocacy, and helping to offer Church and community services to those in need. According to this year’s Respect Life statement by the USCCB, “The theme of this year’s Respect Life program is one often expressed by Pope Benedict XVI: ‘Faith opens our eyes to human life in all its gran-
deur and beauty.’” The pope reiterated this insight during his recent visit to Lebanon: “‘The effectiveness of our commitment to peace depends on our understanding of human life. If we want peace, let us defend life! This approach leads us to reject not only war and terrorism, but every assault on innocent human life, on men and women as creatures willed by God. The grandeur and the raison d’être of each person are found in God alone. The unconditional acknowledgement of the dignity of every human being, of each one of us, and of the sacredness of human life, is linked to the responsibility, which we all have before God. We must combine our efforts, then, to develop a sound vision of … the human person. Without this, it is impossible to build true peace.’” Respect Life Month is especially timely in the state of Massachusetts, as voters will be deciding in November whether to apTurn to page 14
Diocese names new Development director
FALL RIVER — James A. Campbell, officer at New England Baptist Hosa veteran leader of development efforts pital; vice president for Development for healthcare institutions and and Public Affairs at Spectrum universities, has been named to Charitable Foundation, Worceshead the Development Office ter; and vice president for Defor the Fall River Diocese. velopment at St. Elizabeth’s Bishop George W. Coleman Medical Center and Caritas last week announced the hiring Christi Health Care System. of Campbell as the diocesan DiEarlier in his career he also rector of Development. In that oversaw development for Sufpost, he succeeds Michael J. folk University and for the Donly, who retired at the end of School of Law at Fordham UniJames A. June after 15 years. versity and was director of MaCampbell Campbell comes to the diojor Gifts at the College of the cese after having held top deHoly Cross. velopment positions at several large Most recently, as a consultant, he has New England institutions. He has served worked with a variety of clients includas vice president and chief development Turn to page 15
PARISH PET — Father Conrad Salach, OFM Conv., pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Bedford, blesses his own pet pal, Abby, during the annual Franciscan Blessing of the Animals held last weekend in the church parking lot. Abby is a French poodle who shares the rectory with him. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)
New Bedford chapel rejoices at 10 years of perpetual Eucharistic Adoration By Dave Jolivet, Editor
NEW BEDFORD — For 10 years, Catholic faithful in the New Bedford area have vigilantly maintained a presence with the most Sacred Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady’s Chapel. Through all types of weather and circumstances the true presence of Our Lord was in the tender presence of at least one of His children. On October 13, the faithful who coordinate and maintain a physical presence in perpetual Eucharistic Adoration will celebrate a decade of blessings and devotion. “I’m not surprised that what began here 10 years ago is still being continued today,” Father Louis Maximilian, FI, guardian of Our Lady’s Chapel, told The Anchor. “There are a great many who are devoted to our Eucharistic Lord and Our Lady, who live out their faith by maintaining the adoration schedule. Their faith is a
great inspiration to the body of Catholics in the New Bedford area. They’re solicitous about spreading the Good News of Our Lord’s presence. They know Eucharistic Adoration changes lives.” The chapel will host a weeklong series of events leading up to the October 13 celebration Mass. Beginning October 8 various priests, including diocesan priests, will lead a Holy Hour each night at 6:30 followed by a 30-minute reflection on the Eucharist and Our Lady. Father George Roth, FI, from Griswold, Conn. will begin the celebration on October 8, followed on consecutive nights by Father Edward A. Murphy, pastor of St. Anthony’s Parish in New Bedford; Father Ron Floyd, a parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham; Father David Mullen, pastor of St. Brendan Parish Turn to page 18
