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VOL. 48, NO. 38 • Friday, October 8, 2004
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ELECTION
Catholic Citizenship's initiative to voters will appear in The Anchor ~
It hopes to motivate Catholics to become informed and to vote.
FALL RIVER - In coming editions, The Anchor will offer articles on Catholic Citizenship, a new initiative to educate Catholics on public policy issues - including the U.S. Bishops' message "Faithful Citizenship" - to voters across the region. With the help of former Boston mayor and former ambassador to the Vatican, Raymond L. Flynn, Catholic Citizenship means to get Catholics more involved in the political process through education and ensure that all Catholics are well informed citizens on the positions of their Church and the candidates when they head to the polls. Flynn, who visited the Greater Fall River Area and The Anchor a week ago, is delivering that message to throngs of Catholics. "I hope the people will take just 10 minutes a week after Mass
to help us educate the people in the pews about what is happening in Washington, D.C., and on Beacon Hill. It is vital we speak up on the issues of the day," Flynn said. Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., and the three other Roman Catholic bishops in Massachusetts - including Bishop George W. Coleman of Fall River - have given full measure to Flynn's new initiative as has the Massachusetts Catholic Conference. The MCC is the public policy arm of the Church in the Bay State. At the heart of the initiative is "Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility," a statement by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released in 2003. In it, the bishops wrote: "In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue and participation in the political process is a moral obligation." Tum to page 13 - Citizenship
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
Diocesan Centennial Rosary Celebration set for October 11 Event at La Salette to complete anniversary observance By JOHN KeARNS, AsSISTANT DIRECTOR DIOCESAN OFFICE OF CoMMUNICATIONS
ATTLEBORO - The yearlong lOOth anniversary observance of the Fall River diocese will come to a close in a big way on Monday, October II, the Columbus Day holiday, with a Centennial Rosary Celebration planned for I p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro. All are welcome to attend. There is no charge for the event. A 12:30 p.m. preliminary concert will precede the afternoon's formal opening. Father George E. Harrison, chairman of the rosary event and pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Seekonk, said he is "looking forward to a great celebration." In the planning since 2001, the Rosary Celebration, Father Harrison explained, "offers us an won-
derful opportunity to give praise to God for all the graces and blessings that he has bestowed on the Fall River diocese in the past 100 years, and to pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our diocesan family as we begin our next century." He said that the program is designed to be multi-cultural and build on the overall centennial theme of "The Spirit Gives Life." (John 6:63) The Rosary Celebration will include a multi-lingual praying of the Luminous • ~. Mysteries of the rosary; a diverse musical program featuring a combined choir of voices from throughout the diocese; a colorful banner procession with representatives of diocesan parishes, schools and organizations; historical reflections; and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Bishop George W. Coleman will preside over the celebration. ''The afternoon certainly has many pieces to it, and it's all come together now thanks to the hard Tum to page 13 - Rosary
Ray Flynn, Maria Parker to speak at East Sandwich Catholic Unity Rally on October 17 - Page three.
Education Fund Fall Dinner is October 28 FALL RIVER - The annual St. Mary's Education Fund Fall Dinner will take place on October 28, at White's of Westport, beginning with a 5:30 p.m. reception. A multi-course meal and program will follow at 6:30 p.m. The St. Mary's Education Fund provides need-based scholarships . to students at Catholic elementary and middle schools in the Fall River diocese. Proceeds from the Fall Dinner benefit the fund.
Volunteer lay committees in four regions of the diocese are reaching out to businesses, community and academic leaders, and individuals to extend an invitation to sponsor a table or purchase a ticket in support of scholarship assistance. From the 1995-1996 through 2003-2004 school years, more than $3.4 million has been distributed from the St. Mary's EducaTum to page 13 - Fund
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FIVE-YEAR-OLD Patricia Kinnane warms up by pushing her friend six-year-old Lexi Michael, at the annual Walk for Mother's and Children in Boston. The Pro-Life event attracted many people from the Fall River diocese. Both girls are from St. Stanislaus Parish, Fall River. (AnchotiGordon photo)
Champions of Pro-Life show their faith at walk in Boston By MIKE GaRCON ANcHoR STAFF BOSTON - Close to 1,000 children, mothers, fathers, clergy and senior citizens wearing their Pro-Life beliefs on their collective
sleeves for all the world to see participated in the October 3, Respect Life Walk to Aid Mothers and Children. Buses brought many people from the Diocese of Fall River to the Bos-
ton Common where the pilgrims heard speakers and music before making the 5K trek. Some held signs proclaiming ':.\lllife is meaningful;' ''Respect life, at any time;' and ''Help Tum to page six - Walk