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DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSI, CAPE & ISLANDS Vol. 26, No. 39
Fall River, Mass., Friday, October 8, 1982
20c, $6 Per Year
Alaywoman was first
NCCW meets on Cape
By Pat McGowan "It was a laywoman who was first consulted by God the Father in implementing his plan of salvation." The reminder came from Mary Meismer, the soft·spoken presi dent of the largest federation of women's organizations in the world. With some 300 top leaders of the 10 million-member National Council of Catholic Women, she was in Hyannis this week for the organization's biennial as· sembly, held on alternate years from its full·f1edged convention, open to all members. Opening Monday, the meeting adjourned yesterday. At a press conference Mrs. Meismer said that NOCW's basic goals, unchanged in its 61 years of existence, are to inform and educate women and develop the potential of each member. Political activism, currently evidenced by NCCW support of the nuclear freeze movement and a human life amendment to the Constitution, is also an "ongoing thrust," she observed. 'Mrs. Meismer noted that as she travels to NCCW functions throughout the nation she is ob· serving a general spiritual reo
new'al among laywomen. "They She stressed the importance of volunteer activity in the field of are calling for more spiritual di rection and a better prayer life," Christian service. - Kathleen Murphy of Davis, she said, adding that the role of Church Communities Mary in the church is receiving Calif., Commission chairman, said scrip increasing emphasis. ture, liturgy and ecumenism She termed the· Fall. River Di were the focuses of her com· ocesan Council of Catholic Wom en "very well developed" and mission. She showed a film on' evangelizatio"n and repo~ted on a said that great things are ex pected of the area, which has recent evangelization cQngress she attend in Los Angeles. She enjoyed "excellent leadership." The petite president termed also worked with clergy repre her job tough but rewarding, sentatives in planning assembly saying she "gives.24 hours a day liturgies which had among their to NCCW." ' 'themes Franciscan spirituality; Mrs. Meismer was followed at "Called and Gifted," the assem the press conference by women bly motif; and women's role in the church. who presented "showcase" pro - Marie Jennings of Denver, grams at the four-day meeting, held at the Sheraton Regal Hotel. International Affairs" Commiss - Jeanne Busse of Warren, 'ion chairman, brought the nu Mich., Legislative Committee clear freeze message to the as chairman. reported on innovative sembly, pointing out that NCCW supported the pro-freeze stand political action programs count ed by councils in Wisconsin and of Pope John Paul II; and also ,Florida and presented a slide reported on an inspection tour she made of African refugee show on the importance of Cath olic women running for political camps earlier this year as NCCW representative. She note~ the office. importance of such NCCW-sup - Lois Spiering of Powell, ported African undertakings as Wyo., Community Affairs Com. mother/child clinics and well mission chairman, offered "suc cess stories" of diocesan council digging projects. - Louise Hartz of Richmond, projects on ethnic outreach, im Va., Faq1i1y Affairs Commission migration affairs, community service and aid to the disabled. Tqrn to Page Six
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Marian tribute Mo·nday Diocesan preparations are complete for the by now tradi tional Columbus Day Marian procession and outdoor Mass. Marche~s will gather at 5:30 p.m. Monday' at St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River, to prepare for the one-mile walk to Kennedy Park in the city's south end. They will carry candles, recite the rosary and sing Marian hymns as they walk. Leading the procession will be a state of Our Lady of Fatima, carried by vol unteers from participating par ishes. At the park Bishop Daniel A. Cronin will be principal concele brant of the Eucharistic liturgy, which will be concluded by the European gesture of waving white handkerchiefs at the de parting Marian statue. Begun in 1975 as a prayer for peace in all nations and as a
particular response to the then troubled political situation in Portugal, the Mass' has become a diocesan expression of solid arity. During the procession preced ing the liturgy, the rosary and Marian hymns are heard in lang. uages reflecting the ethnic mix of the diocese, including Portu-
ANOTHER WAY to P'QY
THE ROSARY
See page 9
guese, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish and English. On Monday many parishes will be distinguished by banners, flags or other insignia. The handicapped or ill and their escorts are asked to pro THIS DRAWING of Father Maximilian in prison garb ceed directly to Kennedy, Park, is by a former fellow-prisoner at Auschwitz. (NC Picture) where an area near the altar will be reserved for them. At the Mass, holy communion will be distributed throughout the congregation, making it un- ' necessary for worshippers to Three priests and a number All are, like Blessed Maximilian, move to the altar area. of lay persons from diocesan Conventual Franciscans. Parish volunteers will be pro parishes will be in Rome Sunday Blessed Maximilian, who will cession marshals and, will guide at canonization ceremonies for be the first person canonized by ministers of the Eucharist to en Blessed Maximilian Kolbe, OFM Pope John Paul. died in 1941 at sure coverage of all' areas of the Conv. age 47 in the Nazi prison camp park during distribution of holy communion. The marshals are To be present are Father Joa· at Auschwitz. He had volunteer· ed to take the place of a man asked to meet with Father John chim Dembeck, Holy Cross par with a' family who had been Raposo for final instructions at ish,Fall River; and Fathers Bona 5 p.m. Monday at the cathedral venture Jezierski and Stanley selected at random for death by schoolyard. Wlodyka, Holy Rosary, Taunton. Turn to Page Two
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A new saint