10.07.11

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Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , October 7, 2011

N.H. refuses Planned Parenthood funds, feds send money anyway By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent

BOSTON — Planned Parenthood caught the attention of Washington politicians twice last month but for very different reasons. First, the Obama Administration restored some funding that had been withheld by New Hampshire, and then, Congress announced an investigation of the abortion provider. On July 1, New Hampshire became the eighth state to turn down Title X funds destined for Planned Parenthood when they refused $1.8 million. The Executive Council, which oversees state contracting in New Hampshire, voted 3-2 in favor of

the repeal. On the same day, the council approved 10 other family planning contracts with organizations that do not perform abortions. Soon after, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent the state a letter to complain, stating that New Hampshire jeopardized compliance with federal rules to provide access to family planning care. The total amount states have denied Planned Parenthood is about $60 million. Of the eight states that have tried to deny Planned Parenthood funds, three — North Carolina, Kansas and Indiana — have had federal Turn to page 14

Annual Procession and Mass for Peace is October 10 By Dave Jolivet, Editor

FALL RIVER — It’s been 10 years since the horrific terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, and the world has been in constant turmoil since. With those disturbing facts as a backdrop, faithful across the Diocese of Fall River are set to take to the streets of Fall River on October 10 to participate in the 37th annual Procession and Mass for Peace. Bishop George W. Coleman will again walk in the procession that begins at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Spring Street at 6 p.m. and ends at St. Anne’s Church, 818 Middle Street where he will be the main celebrant of a Mass there. The procession that takes approximately one hour travels west on Spring Street to South Main Street, where it will head south until it reaches St. Anne’s Church. Several individuals will carry a statue of Our Lady of Fatima at the front of the procession, a vis-

ible sign that Catholics seek the Blessed Mother’s intercession in times of war and conflict. All are invited to join in the procession, which takes place rain or shine. Participants are asked to bring their own candles, with a limited number of candles available at the cathedral. Also, as in the past, parish groups are encouraged to bring banners and flags. In a flyer sent to all parishes, the bishop also invited all priests to attend, and if so to bring an alb and white stole to concelebrate the Mass. The entire procession and Mass is scheduled to conclude at about 8:30 to 9 p.m. The flyer also recommends that parishes utilize busses to transport parishioners to the event, instructing bus drivers to drop off passengers at Rodman Street near Second Street. Persons who are ill or handicapped are instructed to proceed directly to St. Anne’s Church, where a special area will be designated for them.

well worth the effort — The youth group from Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Taunton made its annual appearance at the Respect Life Walk to Aid Mothers and Children in Boston last weekend. A wonderful moment occurred when a young mom, shown in the center, came over to the group and shared her personal story. With tears in her eyes, she told the youth she herself had been adopted at six weeks of age after her 17-year-old mother chose adoption over abortion. She was adopted into a loving family and went on to tell the group that if it had not been for that decision, she would not be holding the beautiful baby she had in her arms, nor have her daughter at home. She then thanked the youth for being a witness to the faith.

Youth across the world armed with Mary’s Rosary this October

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

EASTON — Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, and thanks to the efforts of Holy Cross Family Ministries in Easton, this year the Blessed Mother has armed thousands more Catholic youth with the powerful weapon of the Rosary. At this summer’s World Youth Day event in Spain, more than half a million Rosaries were given to young people from around the world. The 600,000 Rosaries were donated by Family Rosary, part of the Holy Cross Family Ministry family. During this month of the Rosary it’s safe to assume that many more people will be meditating on the 20 mysteries spanning the life of Jesus Christ. Family Rosary had a strong presence at the 2012 WYD, having created, in collaboration with the Knights of Columbus, the House of Mary Chapel, a place where pilgrims could gather, and spend time together in prayer and meditation. The ministry, founded by the Rosary Priest, Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton also hosted a Marian Music Festival, several panels and other events. “The whole experience was exhilarating,” Holy Cross Father John P. Phalen, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries told The Anchor. “So many young people were on

fire with the Gospel.” He said that while many venues at WYD were “hard-driving Jesus-centered rock music,” the Family Rosary site was contemplative. “To the soothing sound of music written by Luis Alfredo Diaz, our director of Fam-

ily Rosary in Spain, young people sat or knelt on the floor mats while video enactments of the Luminous Mysteries were portrayed on four screens which formed the walls of the tent-like structure. Then each

decade was prayed aloud by the group as the music continued instrumentally. Very prayerful and meditative. A great help for folks to go deeper into the significance of these great mysteries.” “Holy Cross Family Ministries had a very good presence at the World Youth Day events,” Father Willy Raymond, director of Family Theater, also a member of the Holy Cross Family Ministry Family. “The House of Mary and the vocation center have been particularly successful with a lot of traffic and discussions. All the priests have been in demand for the flood of pilgrims seeking confessions.” The numbers point to a very rewarding and inspirational result. The House of Mary Chapel averaged 4,000 visitors per day at the WYD event; there were generally lines at the confessionals; 15,000 individuals attended each morning catechesis at the Palacio de Deportes in Madrid; and 600,000 sets of Rosary beads were distributed. “I know the Holy Spirit was at work,” said Father Phalen. “Many sought and found conversion of heart, hope and peace. An A-plus experience.” The mission of reaching more young people with the joy and hope of praying the Rosary didn’t Turn to page 15


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