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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

F riday , October, 9, 2015

Faith Formation convention to focus on Year of Mercy

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — “I can clearly see that what the Church needs today is the ability to heal wounds and warm the hearts of faithful, it needs to be by their side,” said Pope Francis. “I see the Church as a field hospital after a battle.

It’s pointless to ask a seriously injured patient whether his cholesterol or blood sugar levels are high! It’s his wounds that need to be healed. The rest we can talk about later. Now we must think about treating those wounds. And we need to start from the bottom.”

“He said the Church should be welcoming of people who are hurting in many different ways, and since this is the kickoff to the Year of Mercy,” the

Natalie Souza, seated, shows off one of the zucchettos that belonged to her late brother, Cardinal Humberto Medeiros. Behind her is her daughter, Deborah Desmarais, left, and niece Kathleen Lapointe. The surviving relatives of Cardinal Medeiros were happy that a special Mass commemorating what would have been Cardinal Medeiros’ 100th birthday was celebrated at St. Michael’s Parish in Fall River. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

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Annual Red Mass recognizing justice system workers is October 11

FALL RIVER — Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will celebrate the annual Red Mass in the Fall River Diocese at 10 a.m., October 11, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.

A long-standing tradition in the Church, the Red Mass is celebrated each year in the diocese to invoke God’s guidance and strength on those who work Turn to page 18

Family, parish remembers Cardinal Medeiros on his 100th birthday

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — Even though it’s been more than 30 years since Cardinal Humberto Medeiros, the former archbishop of Boston and much beloved priest of the Fall River Diocese, passed

away on Sept. 17, 1983, his surviving relatives and former parishioners still miss and remember him.

“I think about him every day and I pray to him,” said Natalie Souza, Cardinal Medeiros’ sister.

So when she heard that Father Jay Turn to page 12

Four close encounters of the Spiritual kind During Pope Francis’ recent six-day visit to the United States, many faithful from the Diocese of Fall River made the journey to one of three locations the Holy Father visited: Washington, D.C.; New York City; and Philadelphia, Pa. Four of those individuals shared their experiences with The Anchor — Bishop of Fall River Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.; Bishop Emeritus George W. Coleman, former Bishop of Fall River; Father Thomas C. Lopes, a retired diocesan priest; and Deacon Ralph Guerra of St. Margaret’s Parish in Buzzards Bay. Bishop Coleman shared his thoughts in an interview with The Anchor; the others submitted their stories.

By Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. Bishop of Fall River WASHINGTON, D.C. — Even though it was not the first time that I met Pope Francis, being with him and the other bishops of the United States last Wednesday in Washington, D.C., was a unique and special experience. We prayed together at St. Matthew’s Cathedral where he delivered a beautiful message of support and encouragement to all the bishops present.

He told us that he would like to embrace all the local Churches enTurn to page 15

By Bishop George W. Coleman via an interview with Dave Jolivet, Editor WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bishop Coleman was one of scores of brother U.S. bishops and cardinals who gathered at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in the nation’s capital to meet and be fed by “the shepherd of shepherds,” Pope Francis.

“The whole experience was so Spiritual and uplifting,” Bishop Coleman told The Anchor. “I thank God I was able to be there and experience the joy and hope given by Pope Francis, not only through his words, but in his actions.”

The trip to Washington gave Bishop Turn to page 15

By Father Thomas C. Lopes Retired Diocesan Priest PHILADELPHIA — My sister and I journeyed to the “City of Brotherly Love” to see Pope Francis.

We “saw” much more! Early Saturday afternoon, we secured a protected spot at the barrier along the parade route on Ben Franklin Parkway, hoping to catch a view as he passed our way.

We had to wait six hours, but the moment was electrifying, and we almost were pushed through the barrier by the crowd behind us! It was only a moment, and it even appeared that he looked at us Turn to page 14

By Deacon Ralph Guerra St. Margaret’s Parish, Buzzards Bay PHILADELPHIA — It all started with an email that advertised the pope’s visit to Philadelphia looking for volunteers to help families welcome the Holy Father. Intrigued, my wife Sandy and I decided to join and take our grandson to experience this great event; it would be a three-day adventure. We were accepted and found lodging one hour outside the city, three months prior to the event. We would be assisting the handicapped.

An update arrived later asking for Turn to page 14

News From the Vatican

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October, 9, 2015

The family is the answer to world’s brokenness, blandness, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The family is the answer to the two extremes facing the world — fragmentation and “homogenization,” in which everything is forced to be the same, Pope Francis said.

The family based on Marriage between a man and a woman is the answer because “it is the cell of a society that balances the personal and communal,” he said at a recent general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

The family also can be “the model of a sustainable management of goods and the resources of Creation” against today’s culture of consumerism, he added.

The pope dedicated his audience talk to reviewing his September 19-27 trip to Cuba and the United States, where he visited Washington, New York, the United Nations and Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families.

He thanked Cuban President Raul Castro, U.S. President Barack Obama and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for their warm welcomes and extended his thanks to all the bishops and everyone who worked to make the trip possible.

The pope made special mention of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia “for his commitment, piety, enthusiasm and his great love for the family,” which were seen in his work organizing the main focus of the pope’s trip — the World Meeting of Families.

“When you think about it, it was not by chance, but was Providential that the message, rather, the witness of the World Meeting of Families took place at this time in the United States of America, that is, the nation which achieved the highest economic and technological development in the last century without renouncing its religious roots.”

“Now these same roots are asking that we begin again from the family in order to rethink and change the model

of development for the good of the whole human family,” he said.

The pope said the family, which is “the fruitful covenant between a man and a woman,” is the answer to the great challenges of our world.

The challenges, he said, are “fragmentation and homogenization, two extremes that coexist and build on each other, and together support the consumerist economic model.”

The family can play a major role in a sustainable, “integral ecology,” he said.

The human couple, “united and fertile, placed by God in the world’s garden in order to cultivate it and safeguard it,” displays the two fundamental principles human civilization is based upon — communion and fruitfulness, he said.

The pope said that during his trip to Cuba, he was able to share the people’s hope in fulfilling St. John Paul II’s dream that “Cuba open up to the world and the world open up to Cuba. No more closed doors, no more exploitation of poverty, but freedom in dignity” and responsibly serving and caring for others and the most vulnerable.

He said flying from Cuba to Washington was “symbolic — a bridge that, thanks be to God, is being rebuilt.

God always wants to build bridges. We are the ones who build walls. And walls always crumble.”

He said he reminded the United States that its greatest asset is its “Spiritual and ethical patrimony, that is, that all men and women are created equal by God and endowed with unalienable rights, such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

The religious and moral foundation upon which the United States was founded and built can continue to nurture the nation to be “the land of liberty and welcome, and to cooperate for a world that is more just and fraternal,” he said.

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Pope Francis greets Little Sisters of the Poor during an unannounced stop at their residence in Washington last week. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano, handout)

Silence and indifference to migrant crisis lead to complicity, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Indifference to the crises and tragedies today’s migrants and refugees are facing lead to complicity when people remain silent or refuse to act, Pope Francis said.

Jesus’ call to welcome the stranger and show mercy is clear, the pope said in a recent message released at the Vatican.

“Yet there continue to be debates about the conditions and limits to be set for the reception of migrants, not only on the level of national policies, but also in some parish communities, whose traditional tranquility seems to be threatened,” he said.

The pope made the comments in his message for the 2016 World Day for Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated January 17 in most countries. In the United States, National Migration Week will be celebrated January 4-9.

Pope Francis chose “Migrants and Refugees Challenge Us. The Response of the Gospel of Mercy” as the theme for next year’s commemoration.

All migrants are “our brothers and sisters in search of a better life, far away from poverty, hunger, exploitation and the unjust distribution of the planet’s resources, which are meant to be equitably shared by all,” the pope said in his message.

They are seeking the same thing everyone seeks, he said, “a better, more decent and prosperous life to share with our loved ones.”

“Unacceptable humanitarian crises” in many parts of the world force greater numbers of people to flee for their lives, he said.

But “indifference and silence lead to complicity whenever we stand by as people are dying of

suffocation, starvation, violence and shipwreck.”

“Whether large or small in scale, these are always tragedies, even when a single human life is lost,” the pope said.

“Today, more than in the past, the Gospel of mercy troubles our consciences, prevents us from taking the suffering of others for granted, and points out a way of responding” with practical works of Spiritual and corporal mercy, the pope said in his message.

Communities who welcome migrants are seriously challenged by the influx, but with proper motivation, management and regulation, they can find ways to integrate newcomers with their different cultures in ways that are mutually beneficial and prevent racism and discrimination, he said.

While newcomers have a right to preserve their cultural identity, they, too, have responsibilities, he said, as they must respect the “material and Spiritual heritage of the host country, obeying its laws and helping with its needs.”

In his message, the pope said people also have a right not to be forced to emigrate and he called for greater efforts in preventing and stopping the causes of mass migrations. Greater solidarity, cooperation and a more equitable distribution of the earth’s resources will help eliminate the kind of imbalances that lead people to abandon their homeland, he said.

At a news conference to present the papal message, a Vatican official said that, unfortunately, offering concrete help and effective solutions is easier said than done.

Cardinal Antonio Veglio, president of the Pontifical

Council for Migrants and Travelers, said almost every problem in life gets talked about “ad nauseum.”

“Sometimes the Church gets accused of this, right? ‘You talk and talk. We all know about the problem and you continue to talk.’ But to be concrete, that’s not easy,” the cardinal said.

“That is why I really admired the pope’s gesture” and appeal for every parish, religious institution and sanctuary in Europe to take in one refugee family because it was one way the Church could offer real practical assistance, he said.

The cardinal said he hoped that every national bishops’ conference in the world would make some sort of concrete commitment so that Christian charity “is not left as a theory and in the clouds, but comes down to the practical search for solving these problems.”

In fact, he said the pontifical council was preparing a document right now for all bishops’ conferences that would offer “practical and concrete” guidelines and legal considerations so they could better respond to the pope’s appeal to host refugee families.

Msgr. Giancarlo Perego, director of the Italian bishops’ “Migrantes Foundation,” told journalists at the news conference that since the pope’s recent appeal, about 2,500 refugees have been taken in by Italian parishes.

Some 22,000 people — which is one in four refugees in Italy — are receiving shelter and services from a Church institution, parish or religious house, he said. That number has more than doubled from the number of people being helped last year, he added.

The International Church God’s dream for Creation? The union of a man and woman, pope says

October, 9, 2015

Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — Pope Francis formally opened the synod of bishops, telling participants that the union between a man and woman is the foundation of God’s plan for the family, and a solution to the many forms of loneliness in today’s world.

“This is God’s dream for His beloved creation: to see it fulfilled in the loving union between a man and a woman, rejoicing in their shared journey, fruitful in their mutual gift of self,” the pope said in his opening Mass for the Synod of Bishops.

He explained that this plan is the same one presented in the day’s Gospel from Mark, when Jesus says “From the beginning of Creation, ‘God made them male and female.’”

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.

So they are no longer two but one flesh.”

Pope Francis’ comments were made during his Mass marking the official opening of this year’s Ordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family.

Set to last from October 4-25, this year’s synod follows the theme, “The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and the modern world,” and follows last year’s extraordinary synod on the family, which focused on pastoral challenges regarding family life.

In his homily, Francis noted how the first reading from Genesis, which recounts the story of Creation, speaks to us of Adam’s experience of solitude before the creation of Eve. Although Adam was given dominion over the garden and the other creatures, he “felt alone, because there was not found a helper fit for him. He was lonely.”

The pope then pointed to several forms of loneliness in modern society, and said that despite living in a globalized world filled with mansions and skyscrapers, the warmth within families today is diminishing.

While people have great ambitions and many different forms of entertainment, they have little time or freedom to enjoy them, he noted.

“There is a deep and growing interior emptiness,” he said, adding that “the number of people who feel lonely keeps

growing, as does the number of those who are caught up in selfishness, gloominess, destructive violence and slavery to pleasure and money.”

Like Adam, the world today experiences power but also vulnerability and loneliness, Francis observed, explaining that this fits the image of the modern family.

“People are less and less serious about building a solid and fruitful relationship of love.

Love which is lasting, faithful, conscientious, stable and fruitful is increasingly looked down upon, viewed as a quaint relic of the past,” he said.

“It would seem that the most advanced societies are the very ones which have the lowest birth-rates and the highest percentages of abortion, divorce, suicide, and social and environmental pollution.”

Pope Francis then noted how God was pained by Adam’s loneliness when He said that “it is not good that the man should be alone,” and created a suitable partner for him.

God’s words, the pope said, “show that God did not create us to live in sorrow or to be alone. He made men and women for happiness, to share their journey with someone who complements them — to love and to be loved, and to see their love bear fruit in children.”

Francis referred to how in the Gospel, Jesus was questioned about divorce by the crowd, who practiced and established it as an “inviolable fact,” and wanted to trap Him. Jesus responds in “a straightforward and unexpected way” by bringing everything back to the beginning of Creation, he said. By doing this, Jesus teaches us “that God blesses human love, that it is He Who joins the hearts of two people who love one another, He Who joins them in unity and indissolubility.”

Turning to the role of the family, the pope said that Jesus’ command to “let not man put asunder” what God Himself has joined is an exhortation to believers “to overcome every form of individualism and legalism which conceals a narrow self-centeredness and a fear of accepting the true meaning of the couple and of human sexuality in God’s plan.”

Francis explained that for God, “Marriage is not some

adolescent utopia, but a dream without which His creatures will be doomed to solitude!

Indeed, being afraid to accept this plan paralyzes the human heart.”

Paradoxically, there are many people who ridicule this plan while continuing to be attracted to true, steadfast and faithful love, he said. “We see people chase after fleeting loves while dreaming of true love; they chase after carnal pleasures but desire total selfgiving.”

Quoting a text by Pope Benedict XVI while he was still Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Francis said that in Genesis, “forbidden pleasures lost their attraction at the very moment they stopped being forbidden.”

“Even if they are pushed to the extreme and endlessly renewed, they prove dull, for they are finite realities, whereas we thirst for the infinite,” he observed.

Francis then said the Church is called to carry out her mission regarding family life in fidelity, truth and love.

In fidelity to her Master, the Church is called to defend faithful love and encourage families whose married life reveals of God’s Own love, he said.

The Church is also called to defend “the Sacredness of life, of every life; in defending the unity and indissolubility of the conjugal bond.”

He said the Church’s mission must be carried out in truth, which doesn’t change with passing fads or popular opinions. Truth, the pope said, “protects individuals and humanity as a whole from the temptation of self-centeredness and from turning fruitful love into sterile selfishness, faithful union into temporary bonds.”

Finally, Pope Francis said that for the Church to carry out her mission in charity doesn’t mean pointing fingers or judging others, but rather implies being conscious of her duty to seek out and care for wounded couples “with the balm of acceptance and mercy.”

Quoting a speech of St. John Paul II from 1978, the pope stressed that “error and evil must always be condemned and opposed; but the man who falls or who errs must be understood and loved.”

The Church, he said, “must

search out these persons, welcome and accompany them, for a Church with closed doors betrays herself and her mission, and, instead of being a bridge, becomes a roadblock.”

Francis closed his homily by

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asking the Lord to accompany and guide the Church and the synod fathers during the upcoming discussions, and entrusted the gathering to intercession of Mary and her “most chaste spouse,” St. Joseph.

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October, 9, 2015 The Church in the U.S. People with disabilities ‘welcomed, valued’ during Pope Francis’ visit

WASHINGTON (CNS) — When Pope Francis encountered and blessed children during his apostolic visit to the United States, there were events everyone saw because they were on live TV, with others known only to their participants.

These were sometimes by chance. Other times, there was advance planning.

Memorable chance encounters included his blessing of Michael Keating, a 10-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, at the tarmac at Philadelphia International Airport when the pope arrived there for the Festival of Families September 26.

Iris Chavez of Manassas, Va., spent three days figuring out how to get her five-month-old son, Loukas, clad in a tilma, handed up to the pope during the popemobile “parade” outside the White House September 23. When Sophia Cruz, a fiveyear-old girl from Los Angeles, broke through security fences at that event to hand the pope a letter about immigrant laborers, it was the result of a full year of planning by an immigrant rights group. “They deserve to come out of the darkness and be recognized for the hard work that they

do,” Sophia’s letter said.

Janice L. Benton helped plan participation by people with disabilities in the pope’s events in Washington and Philadelphia.

Most of that never attracted the same media coverage as the papal hugs and kisses. The participants’ joy, Benton said, was undimmed.

“We built a nice little community, too, which was special for us,” Benton said in an interview with Catholic News Service.

There were two goals. First, visibility. At the apostolic nunciature in Washington, Benton, who heads the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, and staff from the Archdiocese of Washington arranged to have groups of schoolchildren with physical and developmental disabilities greet the pope as he left there each day.

She also organized what became a group of 30 who stood across the street from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, as the pope’s motorcade drove up for the canonization Mass for St. Junipero Serra September 23: “We had all kinds of folks. One family who has a son with a rare genetic disorder had driven all the way from Miami. We had

one who was blind, one who was deaf, and families with children in wheelchairs who had significant disabilities.”

They displayed a banner proclaiming, “Holy Father, thank you for valuing and defending our lives!”

Did the pope see them? “Yes! Yes he did! He looked almost startled, then he broke out into a big grin and gave us a wave,” Benton recalled.

She has a happy memory of one family member of a disabled person being pressed, by a Philadelphia TV reporter, about why it was so important to see the pope in person. She replied, “Seeing him is like being kissed by Jesus.”

The second goal was full participation by those with disabilities in both worship and at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

Before the canonization, several people participated in a Mass at Theological College, a national seminary, at The Catholic University of America with Father Mike Joly, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Yorktown, Va. Joly is blind and uses a Braille Roman Missal.

During the Serra Mass itself, Meghan Jones, who has Down

syndrome, was the lector for the second reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. A member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Derwood, Md., she has been an altar server for the past five years at the Washington Archdiocese’s annual White Mass, celebrated for those in the health professions.

Hector Reynoso, who is deaf, read a petition in American Sign Language: “For children everywhere, may they be blessed with good health and caring families.”

A graduate of Gallaudet University in Washington, he’s a parishioner of St. Francis Deaf Catholic Church in Landover Hills, Md. “The Church was vibrant with diversity” at the Serra Mass, and “inclusive of all gifts and abilities.

The entire ‘family’ was at the table together,” said Mary O’Meara, executive director of the archdiocesan Department of Special Needs Ministries. “Persons with disabilities were welcomed, valued and celebrated,” she said later in a statement.

In Philadelphia, Benton presented a workshop at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and there was a special Mass at the National Shrine of St. John Neu-

mann at St. Peter the Apostle Church. “We just extended the invitation, and people came. We had at least 600 there,” she said.

Three of the priests who concelebrated that Mass are deaf.

Sister Kathleen Schipani, a Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who is director of the Office for Persons with Disabilities and the Deaf Apostolate for the Philadelphia Archdiocese, supervised the accommodation of disabled Massgoers, Benton explained. “The Mass was captioned on a big TV screen, plus there was an elevated platform so those in wheelchairs and walkers could get up and see.”

Benton has been fielding grateful emails from parents ever since. One had been told, by others in their parish, “Don’t bring your boys to church. They’re disruptive.” They were overjoyed to experience a welcoming venue in Philadelphia.

She also heard from a mother in Washington, whose pastor at a Mass September 27 asked members of the congregation for reflections on the papal visit.

Her disabled daughter stood and said, “The pope loves everyone.

He even loves people with brain injuries.”

Vatican says pope’s meeting with Kentucky clerk is not endorsement

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis’ meeting with Kim Davis, the county clerk from Kentucky who was jailed for refusing to issue Marriage licenses, does not equate support for her “position,” the Vatican spokesman said after discussing the issue personally with the pope.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, issued a statement saying the pope had met with “several dozen persons who had been invited by the nunciature to greet him” in Washington and that “such brief greetings occur on all papal visits and are due to the pope’s characteristic kindness and availability.”

Father Lombardi made a distinction between the brief greetings and more official meetings by saying, “The only real audience granted by the pope at the nunciature was with one of his former students and his family.”

When the pope met with Davis, Father Lombardi said, “the pope did not enter into the details of the situation of Mrs. Davis and his meeting with her should not be considered a form of support of her posi-

tion in all of its particular and complex aspects.”

Davis, the elected clerk of Rowan County, initially refused to grant Marriage licenses to gay couples and then stopped issuing them to gay or straight couples, claiming that doing so would violate her Christian religious values after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled same-sex couples have a right to marry.

Davis told ABC News she met the pope at the Vatican embassy in Washington. “I put my hand out and he reached and he grabbed it, and I hugged him and he hugged me,” Davis told ABC News. “And he said, ‘Thank you for your courage.’”

Father Lombardi initially issued a statement saying he did “not deny the meeting took place, but I have no comments to add.”

However, since the private meeting between the pope and Davis “has continued to provoke comments and discussion,” Father Lombardi wrote, he provided a clarification “in order to contribute to an objective understanding of what transpired.”

Basilian Father Thomas Rosica, who assists Father

Lombardi with the Englishspeaking press, told reporters later that depending on what people say after meeting the pope, it is clear “it could be distorted or manipulated; it could be exaggerated.”

He added, “I would find it hard to believe” that Davis and her husband had 15 minutes with the pope; it was more likely that the pope greeted a group of people, including the Davis’, and that all those greetings took 15 minutes or less.

Father Rosica said his personal opinion was that the meeting with Davis had a negative impact on Pope Francis’ visit to the United States, which otherwise was “extraordinary.”

“To allow this to overshadow it would be very unfortunate,” he said. “This was one very small, small part of a much greater visit.”

Davis had told ABC News that a “Church official” phoned and invited her to meet the pope; later reports attributed the invitation to Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the Vatican nuncio in the United States, who hosted the pope during his stay in Washington.

Although Davis’ name was

not used, Pope Francis was asked about her case during his news conference on the flight back to Rome.

“I cannot know all of the cases of conscientious objection that exist,” he said. “But yes, I can say that conscientious objection is a right that is part of human rights.”

“If a person is not allowed to exercise conscientious objection, he is denied a right,” the pope told reporters.

As a follow-up, the reporter asked if that should apply to a government official, and the pope replied, “It is a human right. If the government functionary is a human person, he has that right.”

After the revelation of the Davis encounter, Yayo Grassi, a former Argentine student of Pope Francis, who now lives in the Washington area and has a boyfriend, revealed that he had met with the Holy Father at the nunciature and Father Lombardi confirmed this to the press. “As noted in the past, the pope, as pastor, has maintained many personal relationships with people in a Spirit of kindness, welcome and dialogue.”

“I think the meeting is more important, than how it came about” Davis’ attorney Matt Staver told CNS. Davis is an evangelical “who came to Jesus about four-and-a-half years ago, and it transformed her life,” he added.

“I think the meeting was incredibly important, especially for Kim Davis, who never thought she’d do that in her life — meet the pope,” Staver said.

Davis is an evangelical “who came to Jesus about four-anda-half years ago, and it transformed her life, he added.

Her parents are lifelong Catholics and she gave them the two Rosaries the pope gave her — in cases with the Vatican seal. Staver said her father remarked he could live to be 200 years old and the Rosary would be the most important gift he would ever receive.

Davis told Staver the pope was “kind and gentle and very caring,” he said, and that when they met they clasped hands, and asked one another for prayers.

“He thanked her for her courage. He specifically said, ‘Stay strong,’” according to Staver. “They embraced.”

October, 9, 2015

The Church in the U.S.

People take part in a candlelit vigil following a mass shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Ore. (CNS photo/Steve Dipaola, Reuters)

‘Unite suffering’ with those grieving, archbishop tells Oregon Catholics

PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) — St. Joseph Parish in Roseburg hosted an emotional Mass the evening of October 1 for 10 people who died in a shooting that morning at Umpqua Community College. Auxiliary Bishop Peter Smith traveled from Portland for the Liturgy.

Authorities in Roseburg, in green rolling hills 180 miles south of Portland, identified the shooter as 26-year-old Chris Harper Mercer, but did not give details about him. Nine others were wounded.

FBI investigators say the gunman brought six legallypurchased weapons to the small college and was wearing a flak jacket. A witness reports he asked students what their religions were before he began shooting.

One student at the college and the sister of a second student told news organizations that Mercer 26, told people in classrooms to stand up and declare whether they were Christian. If they responded yes, they were shot in the head. If they answered no or gave some other answer, they were shot elsewhere.

The attack ended when police shot the gunman on campus.

At a Roseburg news conference, after Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin refused to answer more questions, a foreign reporter called out, “Why does this keep happening in America?”

Portland Archbishop Alexander K. Sample rushed a letter to the people of Roseburg hours after the

shooting.

“I am saddened beyond words over the tragedy that has struck your local community,” the archbishop wrote. “Even though I am unable to be physically present with you at this particular moment, know that I am very much united with all of you in Spirit and in prayer.

We are one Body in Christ, and when even one member suffers, we all suffer with them. My heart is indeed very heavy with sorrow as I grieve with all of you.”

The archbishop went on to say he cannot begin to make sense of the tragedy.

“Why such shooting tragedies continue to happen is hard to understand,” he wrote. “Sadly, we live in the midst of a culture that does not value the dignity and Sacredness of every human life as it once did.”

The archbishop told Catholics in Roseburg to “unite their suffering” with those directly affected and to pray for healing and strength of those who lost loved ones.

Some of the injured were taken to Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg. More critically injured patients were transferred to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene. Of those transferred patients, two were in critical condition and one is serious, a PeaceHealth spokeswoman said.

Many Catholic parishes in Oregon are sending what organizers call “Posters of Hope” to St. Joseph Church in Roseburg. Teens have been writing messages of encouragement and love for

Roseburg residents.

Comments have come from around the nation.

“There’s another community stunned with grief, and communities across the country forced to relieve their own anguish, and parents across the country who are scared because they know it might have been their families or their children,” President Barack Obama said at the White House.

He added, “It cannot be this easy for somebody who wants to inflict harm on other people to get his or her hands on a gun. I’d ask the American people to think about how they can get our government to change these (gun) laws and to save lives and to let young people grow up, and that will require a change of politics.”

“What should have been a sanctuary for education and a symbol of bright futures will now become the latest memorial of victims lost to America’s gun violence epidemic,” said Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

“All of our faith traditions abhor violence, and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon has joined the National Council of Churches in calling for action to prevent gun violence,” said Jan Elfers, interim executive director of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. “Our prayers go out to all whose lives have been impacted by this terrible tragedy; to the victim’s families and friends, and to the entire Roseburg community.

We are grateful to those who

responded to the emergency and undoubtedly prevented the loss of even more lives.”

“Mass shootings like this happen too often and Oregon has not been immune,” said the Rev. Chuck Currie, director of the Center for Peace and Spirituality and University Chaplain at Pacific University in Oregon.

“Today we offer our prayers for those killed and injured.

We also lift up the families of those impacted. Still, we must also work to take steps that reduce gun violence this day so that there are no more days like this.”

“We pray for the victims and their families, and we call for reasonable gun violence control measures to save more innocent lives from meeting the same tragic ends,” said a statement by the Jewish Committee on Public Affairs. “What’s more, it appears this crime may have been motivated by antiChristian bias. Crimes based on prejudice and hatred are deplorable and are anathema

5 to the fundamental values of democracy upon which this nation is founded.”

The statement added, “The overwhelming carnage from the endless stream of mass shootings is utterly unacceptable. Comprehensive and fully-enforced gun regulation and violence prevention is needed to restore the safety of our schools, communities, and public spaces.

While no single solution will prevent all future tragedies, we are committed to supporting efforts to save lives.”

Pax Christi USA said it is “a profoundly sad reality that gun violence is now so commonplace that it is difficult to remember and recall all of the mass shootings which have taken place in our nation over the past few years.”

“It is time that we shake off our collective lethargy and root ourselves in a deep, sustaining and holy anger which will fuel a movement to end this insanity once and for all,” the statement added.

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October, 9, 2015

Anchor Editorial

Can we talk (and listen)?

On Monday NPR’s “Fresh Air” featured an interview with Jorge Ramos, the anchor from the Spanish-language network Univision, who was ejected from a press conference

by Donald Trump late this summer. He was asked about an interview that he had on the new English-language channel, Fusion, with Ann Coulter, in which she said that Americans had more to fear from Mexican immigrants than from ISIS. It was a rather heated exchange, to say the least.

NPR’s Terry Gross was most surprised because after the interview Coulter and Ramos ran into each other in the airport and exchanged a fist bump greeting. Gross asked Ramos why he would interact in a friendly manner with someone who was so hostile to his native land (he is now an American citizen). Ramos said that he and Coulter showed that disagreeing about ideas does not have to include hating each other and he said that comprehensive immigration reform can never come about if there is no dialogue with people opposed to it.

Our reason for mentioning what Ramos said is that it speaks to the divisions which exist in our Church and our society. As you can read on the facing page, there is a lot of hue and cry about whom the pope met privately with during his recent stay at the nunciature in Washington (with some liberal Catholics even saying they’d leave the Church because the pope met Kim Davis, while some conservative Catholics think that they cannot trust the Holy Father to be faithful to Christ because he hugged an old student of his who is in a relationship with another man).

In terms of the anger on the left, some of it stems from the rejection and alienation which people attracted to the same sex have faced for centuries, often from religious people. They felt that finally Pope Francis had shown a compassionate attitude towards them and feel that the meeting with Davis was skullduggery, hiding a hateful attitude that the pope harbors to those who call themselves gay or lesbian.

Ramos is “straight” (he has been married a few times and presently lives with a woman), but describes himself as an “agnostic.” He told NPR that he left the Church in his native Mexico due to the corporal punishment, administered by priests, that he experienced as a boy. Terry Gross asked if he has thought about returning to the Church during his decades in the U.S. He told her no, due to the hypocrisy which also exists here and due to the Church’s inability (according to him) to explain why innocent people suffer. Ramos has also written about his disgust about the clergy sex abuse scandal.

If Ramos and Coulter can be civil to each other, why can’t Catholics who have different opinions on “gay marriage” and Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics be respectful of each other?

We should be. However, the more conservative folks would point out that we’re talking about people’s immortal souls, therefore no compromise should be brooked. The more liberal folks would discuss the emotional hurt, sometimes leading to substance abuse and even suicide, caused by overzealous ways of teaching the Church’s position (although, at present, any mention of the Church’s teaching is considered being a bigot).

As we’ve said before in the editorial column, if the conservative goal is people’s Salvation, the message somehow has to be heard, or else the goal has little chance of being achieved. Pope Francis understands this (we’ve pointed this out repeatedly and we sup-

port him).

If the liberal goal is people’s emotional, psychological and Spiritual health, then browbeating anyone who disagrees with a more progressive approach to couples not in a Sacramental Marriage will not really win over hearts to their side. It will just make their opponents hide their opinions, while resenting the new society which requires this acquiescence.

In his homily this Sunday, Pope Francis noted, “Today we experience the paradox of a globalized world filled with luxurious mansions and skyscrapers, but a lessening of the warmth of homes and families; many pleasures, but few loves; many liberties, but little freedom. The number of people who feel lonely keeps growing, as does the number of those who are caught up in selfishness, gloominess, destructive violence and slavery to pleasure and money.”

Neither the conservative goal (eternal Salvation) nor the liberal one (feeling more at home with oneself in this life) are advanced in such a world. Actually, the lack of warmth and love that the pope described is, in part, what leads to divorce and alienated children.

It contributes to the cycle of violence which we saw demonstrated in Oregon last week (we can discuss that at another time — but here, too, we need people to be able to speak with each other respectfully, not just assume the other side is preparing for a dictatorship or a civil war).

Ultimately, Pope Francis wants both goals — and he knows that feeling loved in this life will help people to be able to accept an eternity full of love. He preached Sunday, “In this extremely difficult social and marital context, the Church is called to carry out her mission in fidelity, truth and love.

“To carry out her mission in fidelity to her Master as a voice crying out in the desert, in defending faithful love and encouraging the many families which live married life as an experience which reveals of God’s love; in defending the Sacredness of life, of every life; in defending the unity and indissolubility of the conjugal bond as a sign of God’s grace and of the human person’s ability to love seriously.

“The Church is called to carry out her mission in truth, which is not changed by passing fads or popular opinions. The truth which protects individuals and humanity as a whole from the temptation of self-centeredness and from turning fruitful love into sterile selfishness, faithful union into temporary bonds. ‘Without truth, charity degenerates into sentimentality. Love becomes an empty shell, to be filled in an arbitrary way. In a culture without truth, this is the fatal risk facing love’ (here Pope Francis was quoting Pope Benedict’s Caritas in Veritate, 3).

“And the Church is called to carry out her mission in charity, not pointing a finger in judgment of others, but — faithful to her nature as a mother — conscious of her duty to seek out and care for hurting couples with the balm of acceptance and mercy; to be a ‘field hospital’ with doors wide open to whoever knocks in search of help and support; even more, to reach out to others with true love, to walk with our fellow men and women who suffer, to include them and guide them to the wellspring of Salvation.”

To do that we need to be able to talk to (and listen to) each other. May the Holy Spirit guide us to do this.

Pope Francis’ Angelus message of October 4 In the Basilica of St. Peter the Eucharistic celebration with which we began the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops has just ended. The Synod Fathers, coming from every part of the world and gathered around the Successor of Peter, for three weeks will reflect on the vocation and

mission of the family in the Church and in society, so that we might have careful Spiritual and pastoral discernment.

We’ll keep our eyes fixed on Jesus to find, on the basis of His teaching of truth and mercy, the most appropriate ways for an adequate commitment of the Church to families and OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

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for families, so that the Creator’s original plan for man and woman can be implemented and lived in all its beauty and its strength in today’s world.

The Liturgy of this Sunday repeats the fundamental text of Genesis on the complementarity and reciprocity between man and woman (cf.

Gen 2:18-24). For this — the Bible says — the man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife and the two become one flesh, that is, one life, one existence (cf. v. 24). In this unity the spouses transmit life to new human beings: they become parents. They participate in the creative power of God Himself. But be careful!

God is love, and one takes part in His work when you love with Him and like Him. To this end — as St. Paul says — love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit

Who was given to us (cf. Rom 5:5). And this is also the love that is given to the spouses in the Sacrament of Matrimony.

And love fuels their relationship, through joys and sorrows, quiet moments and difficult ones. And love awakens the desire to create children, waiting for them, welcoming them, raising them, educating them. It’s the same love that, in today’s Gospel, Jesus reveals to the children: “Let the children come to Me, do not hinder them: for to such belongs the Kingdom of fact their God” (Mk 10:14).

Today we ask the Lord that all parents and educators in the world, as well as the whole society, become of that acceptance and love with which Jesus embraces the little ones.

He looks into their hearts with the tenderness and solicitude of a father and a mother at the

same time. I think of so many hungry children, abandoned, exploited, forced into war, rejected. It is painful to see images of children unhappy, looking lost, fleeing from poverty and conflicts, they are knocking on our doors and our hearts begging for help. May the Lord help us not to be a “fortress-society,” but a “family-society,” capable of welcoming, with proper rules, but welcoming, always welcoming, with love!

I invite you to support with prayer the work of the synod, that the Holy Spirit makes the Synod Fathers fully docile to His inspiration. We invoke the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, uniting ourselves Spiritually to those who, at this moment, at the Shrine of Pompeii recite the “Supplication to Our Lady of the Rosary.”

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October, 9, 2015

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s there anyone with whom Pope Francis should absolutely, resolutely, categorically never meet?

He is called by billions “Holy Father” and has preached incessantly about the love of the Father in the parable of the Prodigal Son as a sign of the love God has for everyone. He is the successor of the fisherman to whom Christ entrusted all of His sheep and lambs.

He has famously asked, “Who am I to judge?” referring to anyone who is of good will and seeking God. He has summoned everyone in the Church to a special mission to the marginalized and outcast, reminding us that Jesus Christ is interested in saving 100 out of 100.

He has met with hardened criminals, shameful dictators, and notorious atheists.

Is there anyone who should unequivocally be excluded from his Christlike concern and paternal engagement?

Of course there is!

That’s the response that was heard in various segments of the American media and even some Catholic circles last week when word got out that Pope Francis had a brief encounter with Kim Davis at the Nunciature in Washington, D.C. To some, Kim Davis is a Hester Prynne with a scarlet letter so dark that even being in the same room with her would indelibly sully even the whitest cassock. Just to greet her — not to mention to thank her for her courage and urge her to “stay strong” — is equivalent to engaging in the diabolical and ipso facto undermines all one’s Christian witness and authority.

Giving her a set of Rosary beads is enough to neutralize not only all Pope Francis said and did during his six days in the U.S. but during the first 30 months of his papacy. It’s enough to get some to leave the Church altogether.

That’s what I heard last week when news broke that Pope Francis had met with the county clerk of Rowan County, Ky., who had been jailed for six days in September for contempt of

Thoughts on Francis and Kim court for refusing to issue was really “bigoted” and opMarriage licenses to sameposed to their “fundamental sex couples in accordance human rights” and for that with the Supreme Court’s reason they were intending recent Obergefell decision.

— most of them, late in life This 5-4 judgment declared — to leave the Church. that Jesus Christ’s teachThey were unwilling to ing on Marriage as the consider that they might be union of one man and one reading too much into the woman — not to mention situation or that there could the understanding of every culture in history, of the foundPutting Into ing fathers and of the the Deep Supreme Court for its first 226 years —

By Father is wrong, prejudiced, Roger J. Landry and contrary to the U.S. Constitution.

Once people heard about Francis and Kim, be an alternative explanamy phone started ringing, tion. None was willing to and my email box began state forthrightly whether to grow, from those who he or she agreed with what thought I would be an Jesus Christ teaches about appropriate messenger to Marriage. While every convey their indignation to interlocutor affirmed that the Holy Father. no one should be compelled I tried to engage the to violate one’s conscience, people, first to understand none was able to state a their position and then to truth of the faith for which try to talk them off the he or she would be willing Spiritual ledge. My into go to jail or be martyred ner Socrates came out in a Several added, “Pope series of questions.

Francis should have stayed What is it that upsets out of the culture wars!” So you so much that Pope I asked, “Was he wrong, Francis would meet with therefore, to have menher? Do you consider it im- tioned the death penalty prudent or sinful? Why do before Congress or to speak you think he met her? Do about welcoming immiyou think that he somehow grants?” They said “no,” concurs with everything she declaring that the culture has said and done any more wars concern exclusively the than by meeting with Raul “sexual issues.” I reminded and Fidel Castro, Presithem that Pope Francis had dent Obama and Speaker spoken on his trip several Boehner and he would times about defending the support all they’ve said and lives of the unborn, about done? Do you agree with Marriage as a union bePope Francis that Marriage tween one man and one is a union between a man woman, and in favor of the and a woman? Do you think U.S. bishops’ defense of reliit’s fitting for the pope gious freedom and freedom to give a sign of support of conscience. They said for someone willing to go that in those circumstances to jail rather than violate the pope’s “tone” was difher conscience? Is there ferent. I asked if they could any Christian teaching for describe for me what the which you would be willpope’s tone was in his brief ing to go to jail rather than conversation with Kim violate your conscience?

Davis, and they changed the In my highly-educated subject. but unscientific sample, the I learned two things from answers were similar. Meet- these conversations that ing with Kim Davis was I think are important to an unambiguous sign that, ponder. contrary to their hopes, The first is that, for Pope Francis sides with the some, Kim Davis is so “religious right,” who detoxic that the only moral spite his “rhetoric” of supresponse to her should be port for gays and lesbians to treat her as a pariah. She

is the bad apple who would spoil even the communion of saints, someone that Jesus Christ Himself wouldn’t dare draw near. Where did Christians learn how to reason and behave like this?

Is it because many of us are getting our categories from antagonistic political talk shows and blogs than from the Gospel?

As Christians we’re called by Jesus to love even those who have made themselves our enemies: from where does the loathing for Kim Davis originate?

The second is about the supposed moral absolute that many insisted Pope Francis not violate during his journey: “Thou shalt not enter into the culture wars!” Some were outraged, others scandalized that Pope Francis, through his private meeting with Davis, immersed himself in “domestic political controversies” as if by doing so he was betraying God and his vocation.

Is not this putative Commandment, however, equivalent to saying to the pope and the Church: “Don’t dare mention or show you take seriously any Church teaching that would make me or others uncomfortable, or that might force me into choosing between my faith and those political and cultural allegiances incompatible with my faith?” Is not the Gospel supposed to penetrate even into politics and culture, to everywhere people interact? From where does that separation of faith from life flow?

Let me suggest an an-

swer to those questions that came from how one of the conversations I had concluded.

When a man said that he and the seven Catholics with whom he had eaten breakfast were all planning to leave the Church over Pope Francis’ meeting with Kim Davis, I asked whether he thought his decision would please Jesus or make Him weep. “He would definitely congratulate me,” the man confidently replied, “for doing what was right!”

So I asked whether he believed in the existence of the devil. “Yes,” he replied just as forthrightly. So I inquired, “Do you think the devil will be upset if you stop practicing your Catholic faith or do you think he’ll rejoice that his many years of hard work have finally paid off ?”

The man paused and, with a tone that seemed somber and humble, said, “I don’t know.”

I thanked him for his honesty and suggested that he ponder that question some more before he decides whether to let Kim Davis get him to divorce himself from the Vicar of Christ and the Sacramental life of the Church.

That brings us to the biggest questions about Pope Francis and Kim Davis: Do you think Jesus is upset that His Vicar met with Kim Davis?

And do you think the devil is upset with the reaction to it?

Anchor columnist Father Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

Lay Fast for Priests 2015

ATTLEBORO — On October 17, people from across the Diocese of Fall River and around the world will participate in the 10th annual Lay Fast Day for Priests.

The fast will last from dawn until 3 p.m. It is a voluntary fast by lay people who offer their prayers throughout the day for the intention of our priests —

past, present and future.

Faithful fast from food, television, computers, cigarettes, etc. Please consider joining the lay fast and offer this powerful form of prayer and sacrifice for our priests.

There will be a 3 p.m.

Benediction to close the fast at La Salette Shrine. All are welcome. Sign up sheets to join the fast are available at www.annaprae.com.

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great king once came to Solomon and asked him for a motto. “It must be one” said he, “that shall be as much use to me in times of trouble as in times of prosperity.” The wise king gave him his motto, and had it engraved on the ring which he wore continually. It was this: “Even this shall pass away.” Anon.

In the first reading this week, Solomon seeks wisdom.

If we look up the word wisdom in the dictionary we will find words like the knowledge and insight that allow us to make the right decision. For Solomon knows the wisdom he seeks is worth more than all the riches and power in the world. He considers wisdom as a guiding presence (God’s presence) that influences his decisions.

We now fast forward to today. When we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation wisdom is one of the seven gifts of the Spirit. This gift of wisdom is not one that will have people beating a path to our door wanting sage advice on all matters. What it does give us is a better perspective, an insight into what God wants us to do,

October, 9, 2015

All is possible with God

how to live our lives. It allows in His words to the young man us to make better life decisions lovingly compliments him on when confronted with things of what he has already done but the world versus things of God. tells him he needs to do one The Gospel readings for the thing more. Jesus said you must past few weeks by and large give up your earthly treasure, have been from Mark. His serve the poor and follow Me. Gospel brings to us many insights. Mark’s Gospel story introduces us to Jesus the Son of Homily of the Week God. The living Word Twenty-eighth Sunday in of God. This message Ordinary Time was sent to all huBy Deacon manity by the Father through His Son James M. Barrett Jr. regarding the Kingdom of God. He brings a Salvation message of Good The young man left with great News into our human lives to sadness for Jesus had asked too guide our thoughts and actions. much. His things just got in the Additionally, Mark’s Gospel way. He did not have the wisgives us a unique insight into dom to see the bigger picture the humanity of Jesus. He can beyond his things. He never react to certain situations with thought of generosity and what true human emotions like love, it meant. What would it have pity, sympathy, admiration, sadmeant to others who received ness, and even anger. We can his gifts? Would his generossee a couple of these emotions ity have led others to do the in this week’s Gospel. same? Would his life have been In Mark, Jesus makes great richer without all his treasures? use of parables to accomplish Would his life have been more some of His teachings. This fruitful and rewarding? week we see the use of the I can only imagine Jesus parable of the rich man. Jesus feeling great sadness as the

young man leaves for he cannot give up his present life. He has become attached to it. This parable not only gives us a message about what is expected of our actions as we contemplate eternal life, but how we actually live out those actions.

Jesus now uses this incident to further explain to His disciples what He means. He knows it is going to be difficult. There are going to be many complaints. He knows that He is about to change the old ways of Jewish thought and tradition and gives them a new direction and a new covenant.

He tells them how hard it will be for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. What He asked of the rich man to do, He now asks of them. Now the disciples begin to get upset and again question Jesus. The disciples’ concerns are based on the Old Testament concept that wealth and power are signs of God’s favor. Peter says “How can this be? How can we be saved?”

Jesus simply answers for

humans it is impossible but not for God as all is possible.

Earthly riches, power and material things are not a free pass into the Kingdom. The entrance is beyond human capability. It is a gift from God. The man who relies on himself and his material things will have difficulty trusting in God. As Paul tells us in the second reading the Word of God is living and effective.

On a daily basis Jesus asks us the same question He asked of the rich man and His disciples: “Can you give up those earthly attachments and serve God and one another”?

Are we being asked to do more than humanly possible?

As Jesus said it may seem impossible to us but if we have faith and trust in His Word, all things are possible with God. The Word is just as alive today as is God Who sent it.

To paraphrase these words from the Old Testament: “The beginning of wisdom is to trust in the Lord.”

Deacon Barrett ministers at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Oct. 10, J1 4:12-21; Ps 97:1-2,5-6,11-12; Lk 11:27-28. Sun. Oct. 11, Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Wis 7:7-11; Ps 90:12-17; Heb 4:12-13; Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27. Mon. Oct. 12, Rom 1:1-7; Ps 98:1bcde,2-4; Lk 11:29-32. Tues. Oct. 13, Rom 1:16-25; Ps 19:2-5; Lk 11:37-41. Wed. Oct. 14, Rom 2:1-11; Ps 62:2-3,6-7,9; Lk 11:42-46. Thurs. Oct. 15, Rom 3:21-30; Ps 130:1b-6b; Lk 11:47-54. Fri. Oct. 16, Rom 4:1-8; Ps 32:1b-2,5,11; Lk 12:1-7.

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’ve written about it before — the end of any Boston sports team’s season. How it hurts to see some of your favorite players for the last time in the Home Towne Team’s uniform.

I’ve mentioned how some players become “part of the family,” or at least part of the fabric of your life, especially if they have any kind of longevity with the team (in this day and age that means more than two seasons).

We all know it’s a business, and loyalties, on the part of ownership or the players, are by and large a fleeting moment in history.

But even more than the players, the teams’ TV and radio broadcasters don’t just seem like family or part of the fabric — they are.

If you think about it, an avid Boston fan, of which there are countless, spends more time listening to the broadcasters more in a season than they may real family members. And that’s not a slight to family members, especially in light of Pope Francis’ call to strengthen the family.

Red Sox Nation — Losing our voice

And as much as I can remember, As a matter of fact, the none of the beloved voices were extended family of broadcasters often entertain real family mem- fired.

That leads me to Sunday’s bers gathered to watch/listen to final Red Sox game of 2015, a game. which happened to also be the As a lad, men like Curt Gowdy, Ken Coleman, and Ned final game for the 15-year voice of the Sox, Don Orsillo.

Martin of Red Sox broadcasts (TV and/or radio) were like my uncles. Giants like Bruins announcers Don Earle, Fred Cusick, and Bob Wilson (radio), kept my winters warm and cozy.

By Dave Jolivet Celtics legend Johnny Most (whose autograph As much as the aforemenI cherish on a baseball signed tioned men, Orsillo was a mostly by former Red Sox playbeloved family member of most ers), was the biggest homer, yet most passionate announcer I ever of Red Sox Nation. Yet, Orsillo laid ears on. Like today’s Patriots, was fired by the Red Sox and NESN, and most of Red Sox he was disdained outside of the Nation doesn’t know why, except northeast, yet adored in New for hearing from the Red Sox England. brass, “We felt that starting next And not to be forgotten are year it was worth going in a difPatriots radio broadcasters Gil Santos and Gino Capelletti who ferent direction reenergizing the broadcast.” More importantly a were far better than a pumpkin vast number of Red Sox Nation latte on a crisp fall afternoon. doesn’t like it.

All of these people warmed Orsillo is a class act. He my heart and touched my soul.

My View From the Stands

was always a gentleman on the broadcasts, and along with his sidekick, Jerry Remy, entertained Sox fans in good times and bad.

Orsillo was never vulgar; was never condescending; never berated a player, coach, or fellow announcer.

He criticized when criticism was warranted, but make no mistake, he was a homer, and that’s what most Sox fans, or any Boston fan, wants — someone to share in the teams’ ups and downs.

Orsillo and Remy could take a blowout game, or a meaningless game, and make it fun anyway.

He wasn’t the same nononsense broadcaster as some in Boston sports’ storied past, but he was always a professional, who never forgot his New England roots and the travails of following a minor league baseball team for nearly 10 years.

As Remy put it during Orsillo’s final broadcast, he and his compadre brought smiles to faces of people in nursing homes,

hospitals and shut-ins.

Orsillo brought all of us into the booth with him each game.

Next year we won’t have access to that booth. It won’t be the same. It may be time to mute the TV volume and listen to Joe Castiglione (Orsillo’s mentor) on radio.

Don Orsillo should not have been canned. Orsillo should have become a Red Sox mainstay of 40, 50 or 60 years, like the legendary Vin Scully with the Dodgers and Harry Caray of Cubs fame, or even the whacky Phil Rizzuto with the Yanks.

I don’t know why the Red Sox and NESN did what they did. And I don’t know what’s in Remy’s mind, but I don’t see him staying that much longer with the network. Why should he? He lost a comrade and a best friend. And so did we all.

Our friend signed off with, “Orsillo rounding third and heading for home.”

And the call is .... safe at the plate, due to NESN interference. davejolivet@anchornews.org.

October, 9, 2015 Sunday 4 October 2015 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — St. Francis of Assisi Day ou know me, dear readers. I may be monolingual, but I find the one language I do speak to be fascinating. Tracking the emergence of new English words and rediscovering old ones is a joy.

This week I discovered the word “outlier.” It was new to me, but outlier, it seems, has been around for a long time.

In the field of mathematics, it refers to numerical data that is well beyond the average. An outlier will throw the median out of kilter. The statistical results will need to be recalculated to accommodate the outlier.

People, too, can be outliers. The 2008 best-seller by Malcom Gladwell popularized the use of the term outlier to describe exceptional people who break away from the pack and go on to achieve legendary success.

In the world of nature, an outlier is an animal that runs apart from the herd. In humans, outlier can refer to a political maverick, a musical prodigy, or anyone who is far beyond the rest of us. These are exceptional people about whom others love to talk.

Outliers are far more in-

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hen I was newlymarried, I remember the firm opinion of a wise older friend who stressed the importance of separate retreats for men and women. The problem with sharing such religious activities, she said, is that each tends to listen on behalf of the other (i.e. “Whew, I’m so glad Father mentioned that — I’ve been telling him that for years!”).

With that in mind, one might suggest that as a woman I should politely ignore the letter that Phoenix’ Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted has just written to the men of his diocese, but that would neglect an amazing document that has much to teach women as well. The lessons for women are peripheral to the text, but essential nonetheless, and so abundant that I’d like to take a few columns to unpack the wisdom therein.

Bishop Olmsted begins his work, “Into the Breach,” by reminding his readers that we are all engaged in a massive two-pronged battle. The Spiritual realm — in which lies assault eternal truths, darkness

Anchor Columnists Outliers

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nary, the gregarious Father teresting than their opposites, Stephenson was ordained “inliers” (a geological term and has been a priest in good from the 19th century that never really caught on). For ex- standing for the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., since 1975. He’s ample, in the current political debates, much is made of those also an acclaimed maestro, having studied under George outside the political orbit who Schick of the Metropolitan are running for party nomination. The pundits refer to them Opera and Robert Abramson of Juilliard. He has served as as coming from “beyond the Washington Beltway.”

They are outliers and, The Ship’s Log of course, people are fascinated by them — Reflections of a at least for the time Parish Priest being.

By Father Tim The Church, too, has its outliers who chalGoldrick lenge the rest of us to live exceptional lives, music director for the New to be something more than York Philharmonic under ordinary. Everyone knows the saintly outlier Francis of Assisi, Zubin Mehta.

Father Stevenson founded but most Church outliers are the Orchestra of St. Peter by not certified saints. Additionally, some Church outliers may the Sea. The 42-piece ensemble is now in its 29th season. It’s be less well-known to many the Jersey Shore’s answer to of us. the Boston Pops. The orchestra Have you ever heard of performs at the Great AudiFather Alphonse Stephentorium in Ocean Grove, N.J., son? No? Well then. He was 60 miles off Broadway. The educated by the Congregation of the Resurrection at St. Mary orchestra’s Christmas concerts especially are renowned — so Seminary in Kentucky. I was much so that some call Father educated by the Congregation of the Resurrection, but at Stephenson “Father Christmas.” Indeed. I am called the their seminary in Canada. He attended St. Mary Seminary in same.

After ministering in a parBaltimore. So did I, but not at ish, Father Stephenson (with the same time. encouragement by his bishop) Having survived the semi-

became the music director of a touring company of the musical “Chorus Line.” During the early 1980s, he was tapped to conduct the smash hit at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre. “Chorus Line” is the longest-running Broadway musical ever. Father conducted more than 3,000 performances.

Some call him the “Super Conductor.”

Then he joined the Air Force as a chaplain. He rose through the ranks to brigadier general and became director of the Joint Chaplaincy Staff at the National Guard Bureau at the Pentagon. As such, he commanded all Army, Air Force and National Guard chaplains.

Father Stephenson, in his spare time, founded the Cecelia Foundation, a not-for-profit organization promoting music education and purchasing musical instruments for deserving Catholic school students. He also co-authored a cookbook of Neapolitan and Sicilian family recipes.

After 25 years of military service, Father Stephenson retired just a year ago. “I’m not just going to go off and do nothing. I’m going to retire to something,” he said at the time.

I have never met Father

Stephenson and I don’t know what he’s doing in retirement, but, from what I hear, nothing would surprise me. Father Stephenson is an outlier, going where none have gone before. And he’s only 65 years old.

Priests are well-educated men. Priests are innately empathetic, caring, and understanding. Priests work long hours for little pay because they love what they do. As a sign of the Kingdom, priests choose to live celibate lives, foregoing Marriage and family.

All of this is exceptional.

Every once in a while, though, there comes along a young seminarian who is even more exceptional. He has some rare intellectual or artistic gift that sets him apart from the rest. He is an outlier.

There must always be room for creativity in the priesthood.

It’s the outliers who call us to be more fully alive.

“Earth’s crammed with Heaven, And every common bush afire with God, But only he who sees takes off his shoes; The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.” — Elizabeth Barrett Browning Anchor columnist Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

in corroding the ideal through seeks to quench the light, and death stalks life at every turn — cynicism and deconstruction is telling; furthermore, distracting manifests itself in the concrete men through materialism, sloth, realities of everyday life. Unfortunately, without understanding and lust is a pernicious tactic in pulling them away from the the larger narrative, distinultimate battle to which they’re guishing the importance of the struggle and how various choices called. play into the dichotomy becomes muddled. Only with a true devotion to Christ and the Spiritual gifts provided by the Church is a soldier able to distinguish the

By Genevieve Kineke authentic battle lines.

The bishop never devolves into stereotypes, It’s not that women don’t but does rely on a key theme: rise in the face of an important Men are encouraged by the call to heroism. We have noticed this challenges, but their inclination is slightly different from that in recent times, as most people of men, who are usually more were riveted by the firefighters mission-oriented. When women rushing to help those trapped act heroically, it usually reveals in New York’s Twin Towers, a dedication immediate to the are edified by young men who person himself, and the necesprotect their weaker peers from sary tasks become relative to the bullies, and are wholesomely love involved. This establishes entertained by good literature a key area of collaboration, for in which a man on a quest men — who do remarkably well perseveres against tremendous in tactics — benefit by the vision odds. The fact that much of our of women, which should be toxic culture has been invested

focused on the individual needs of those around them. If he understands where the breach is and how to defend against it, it is often because she has pointed out the harms — particularly as they relate to those entrusted to her care. She senses the urgency and the damage, he flies into action to safeguard in practical terms that which they both believe to have serious moral and practical implications.

There is a long, sordid history of why this template is so foreign to contemporary ears, but suffice it to say that with two generations seriously damaged by the sexual revolution, trust and collaboration between men and women are in shreds.

At this point, to suggest that women should simply trust men often invites sneers, ridicule, or outright hostility — but it cannot be stressed too strongly that both are at fault. Each has been guilty of manipulation, betrayal, and failure to love. For every an-

ecdote of men failing to meet their responsibilities is another example in which women have taken advantage of men.

Despite monumental damage, the challenge remains: Society is in a death spiral. There is one template that works, and we must return to it or descend further into alienated chaos.

Bishop Olmsted’s letter, found at intothebreach.net, is a lifeline to Catholic men everywhere, and women should trust that it will lift men out of the quicksand of depravity and ruin. Our best response is to be grateful for his wisdom, to pray for its widespread dissemination, and to step back so that men can do what they’re called to do — shore up a battered civilization so that the family can flourish in the task entrusted to it, namely to create a shared life of love and collaboration that gives proper glory to God. Anchor columnist Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman.”

She blogs at feminine-genius. typepad.com.

Into the breach: Let’s call a truce

The Feminine Genius

10

P

resident Obama’s welcoming remarks to Pope Francis on the occasion of the pontiff ’s visit to the White House filled me anew with pride in my faith and my identity as a Catholic. The president called attention to facts about our faith that sometimes get lost in the miasma of political, social and economic issues that divide many of us who nevertheless share a love for the same God and the core tenets of His teachings.

The president said: “Holy Father, your visit not only allows us, in some small way, to reciprocate the extraordinary hospitality that you extended to me at the Vatican last year,

October, 9, 2015

What a proud moment it also reveals how much all Americans, from every background and every faith, value the role that the Catholic Church plays in strengthening America. From my time working in impoverished neighborhoods with the Catholic Church in Chicago, to my travels as president, I’ve seen firsthand how, every single day, Catholic communities, priests, nuns, laity are feeding the hungry, healing the sick, sheltering the homeless, educating our children, and fortifying the faith that sustains so many.”

And what is true in America is true around the world. From the busy streets of Buenos Aires to the remote villages in Kenya, Catholic

It’s What We Do

By James A. Campbell

organizations serve the poor, minister to prisoners, build schools, build homes, and operate orphanages and hospitals. And just as the Church

has stood with those struggling to break the chains of poverty, the Church so often has given voice and hope to those seeking to break the chains of violence and oppression.

In the glorious week we shared with Pope Francis, we witnessed the whole spectrum of our faith. We saw beautiful and meaningful ritual; ceremony rich in symbolism that invites a depth of contemplation and consolation. Perhaps most of all, we heard again and again a radical insistence that we share a common dignity and a common responsibility for the least of our brothers and sisters.

The way the president framed his understanding and respect for the work of the Church, here and around the world, reminded me of the extraordinary impact we can have simply by living our faith. It is easy to get lost in stories of political intrigue or moral turpitude. His Holiness’ message was simple and direct.

Love your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.

As I reflected on his visit I

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was reminded of the everyday examples, here in our diocese, of people living their faith in service to others. Every parish has stories of selfless parishioners who deliver meals to the elderly or provide rides to those without transportation. Our schools are filled with teachers and principals who give of themselves well beyond their contractual obligations. Meals for thousands, beds for hundreds, counseling services, a Spiritual direction in formal and informal settings. All of this and so much more, done in service to a universal brotherhood in the Lord.

Our Church is catholic and our Catholic Church is, as the president noted, active across the world in ministry to all of God’s people. I hope you share my pride in the spotlight Pope Francis’ visit put on our faith. The secular world and the media seemed mesmerized at times by the impact of the simple man of faith and the aura of quiet joy and happiness he exuded.

A priest I know was confronted recently about providing services to illegal aliens.

My friend gently reminded his questioner by saying: “We don’t help only upstanding and deserving citizens. Our calling is to all God’s people. Not because they’re Catholic but because we are.”

That Spirit of service, the ethic to care for our brothers and sisters around the block and around the world was on display at the White House last week and is ever present throughout our diocese. Kinda’ makes you proud!

Anchor columnist James Campbell is director of the diocesan Development Office/ Catholic Charities Appeal/ Foundation to Advance Catholic Education.

11

October, 9, 2015

Despite objections, California governor signs assisted-suicide bill

Los Angeles, Calif.

(CNA/EWTN News) — After months of debate and strong opposition, California governor Jerry Brown recently signed into a law a bill enabling doctors to prescribe drugs that will end the lives of terminally-ill patients.

“This is a dark day for California and for the Brown legacy,” said Californians against Assisted Suicide. The group warned in a recent statement that people and families in the state could be harmed “by giving doctors the power to prescribe lethal overdoses to patients.”

With the passage of the law, California will become the fifth state allowing ill patients to end their lives. Montana, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington also allow assisted suicide, while similar bills have been defeated in several states, including Colorado and Massachusetts.

The California law, based on similar legislation in Oregon, allows doctors to give lethal drugs to adults with a terminal illness if they are deemed medically competent and expected to die within six months. It will not take effect until 90 days after the end of the legislature’s special healthcare session,

which will likely be next year.

The controversial bill had drawn criticism for months.

It was temporarily withdrawn from the State Senate in July, but resurfaced and was recently passed by a vote of 23-14.

Local Catholic leaders had decried the measure as a violation of human dignity.

“Death will always be a mystery and death will never be easy — for those who are dying or for those who love them. But we can make death less painful, less frightening and we can even make it a time of beauty, mercy and reconciliation,” Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez had written in a letter to state lawmakers.

“Once we start down this path — once we establish in law that some lives are not as valuable as others, not worth ‘paying for’ — there will be no turning back,” he warned. “The logic of doctor-assisted suicide does not stop with the terminally ill.”

Health care and civil rights groups also opposed the bill, along with disabilities rights groups, who say that the legislation discriminates against the disabled and could lead to pressure on them to end their own lives.

Opponents argued that

assisted suicide sends a dangerous societal message that suicide is an acceptable way to handle pain and difficulty. They pointed to abuses in other states where the practice has been legalized and lethal prescriptions have changed hands — either knowingly or unknowingly — with deadly results.

In addition, those fighting the bill noted that terminal diagnoses are not always correct, and assisted suicide may end the life of patients who may have gone on to live longer than anticipated or lived to see medical advances that could have cured or eased their condition.

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12

October, 9, 2015

Family, parish remembers Cardinal Medeiros on 100th birthday continued from page one

Mello, the parochial administrator at her home parish of St. Michael’s in Fall River, was planning to commemorate what would have been her brother’s 100th birthday with a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., on October 6, she was thrilled beyond belief.

“I’m happy that they’re celebrating his 100th birthday.

I’m glad they haven’t forgotten him,” Souza told The Anchor.

“And I really like Father Mello.

In some ways he reminds me of how my brother was.”

In fact, Cardinal Medeiros had his humble beginnings serving as pastor of St. Michael’s Parish from 1960 through 1966.

“What is special for me is that in him we see someone from St. Michael’s Parish, both as a parishioner and as a pastor, who became a cardinal of the Catholic Church,” Father Mello said. “He was in the conclaves that elected Pope John Paul I and St. John Paul II. It really is something extraordinary.”

While Father Mello is too young to remember Cardinal Medeiros — he was just three years old when the cardinal died suddenly during openheart surgery in 1983 at the age of 67 — he has heard much about him from those who knew him personally.

“The people of the parish who knew him don’t speak so much of his accomplishments and elevation to the college of cardinals, but they speak of a holy and pious priest who was a compassionate pastor to them and their family,” Father Mello said.

“When Uncle Bert died, I was still in my 30s, so he seemed like he was kind of old to me, but now that I’m older, I realize he really wasn’t that old,” said Deborah Desmarais, Cardinal Medeiros’ niece and Souza’s daughter. “Everything is relative.”

Desmarais’ cousin, Kathleen Lapointe, remembers “Uncle Bert” coming to visit her vovó and his mother in the threetenement house where they all lived.

“I remember Uncle Bert would come on his afternoon off, every Wednesday, and we would meet him at the top of the street,” Lapointe said.

“Sometimes he would retire to what we called the parlor to pray his Breviary and he would make a game of it: Who could

be the quietest? Because there were a bunch of cousins and we all wanted his attention.”

Even after her vovó passed away, Lapointe said Cardinal Medeiros still made a point of coming to spend the holidays with the family.

“I think he especially felt rooted to this parish. It was like where they belonged,” she said. “They came here from St. Michael’s in the Azores to St. Michael’s in Fall River. The Masses at St. Michael’s were in Portuguese and they felt like it was the same Mass, the same language, the same Lord, the same everything. I think they always clung to their religion and their parish, because that was their home.”

Desmarais agreed that her fondest memories of her wellknown uncle are the frequent visits he made to spend time with the family — something he never stopped doing even after he became the high-profile archbishop of Boston.

“I remember we would have clamboils at my Uncle Leo’s house,” Desmarais said. “Uncle Bert would bring his secretaries with him — people like (Father James L. McCune) and (Msgr. William Helmick).

Those were great times and he could just relax and be himself.

I think he was happiest when he was just serving as a parish priest — I think that’s what he really liked doing. He reminds me of (Pope Francis) in that he liked being with the people.”

Describing her late uncle as a generous and gifted man who appreciated the arts, Lapointe vividly recalled family excursions to Providence, R.I. to see theatrical shows like “Peter and the Wolf ” and big-screen Cinerama movies.

“We were a poor family living here in Fall River,” Lapointe said. “Our parents really couldn’t afford to take us into Providence, R.I., so we didn’t know much about that at all.”

“I remember him taking us all to see the movie ‘It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World’ in Providence,” Desmarais said.

“There must have been 14 of us — he took all the kids and our parents as well. Uncle Bert paid for all of us. I still love that movie, that’s one of my favorite movies, and it always reminds me of him. I remember how much fun that whole night was.”

While Desmarais said

Cardinal Medeiros was a brilliant man and a skilled administrator, he preferred the pastoral aspects of his ministry.

When he was named bishop of Brownsville, Texas in the late 1960s, for instance, he would often go celebrate Mass with the migrant workers in the fields.

“He loved serving the migrant workers down there,” Souza agreed. “Of all his assignments, the place he always said he enjoyed the most was Brownsville, Texas.”

Born Oct. 6, 1915 in Arrifes, on the island of São Miguel in the Azores, Cardinal Medeiros emigrated to the United States with his family in 1931 and settled in Fall River where they joined St. Michael’s Parish.

The future cardinal was a quick learner and excelled in his studies.

“I was nine years old and my brother was 15-and-a-half when we came here,” Souza recalled. “He went to work in the mill and then when he was 20 he went to study at Durfee (High School) and finished his studies in two-and-a-half years!

He had some of the highest marks ever back then.”

After graduating from BMC Durfee High School in Fall River in 1937, Cardinal Medeiros entered the Catholic University of America, where he obtained a Master of Philosophy degree in 1942 and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology in 1946.

“I think he was set to become a priest from an early age,” Lapointe said. “When he was studying at Durfee, I remember hearing the story that he was offered a scholarship by a wealthy Protestant woman in Fall River to attend some Ivy League school, but he declined it because he wanted to go to Catholic University. But she ended up paying for his books and first year at school and he told us many times that whenever he celebrated Mass he would always include her in his intentions.”

The future cardinal was ordained by Bishop James E. Cassidy on June 15, 1946. He served several parishes in the diocese, including St. John of God in Somerset, Holy Name in Fall River, and ultimately his home parish of St. Michael’s, where he became pastor in 1960.

“Even today, I always think of Uncle Bert when I walk into

St. Michael’s Church,” Desmarais said. “I mean, the altar has changed, but I remember him walking through the same doorway and speaking from the pulpit. I remember him giving a sermon one time where the basic premise was about vanity and superficial things and he started talking about how you shouldn’t be so concerned about what your hair looks like or your bangs and we all thought: ‘Well, he must be talking directly to us!’ We started taking it personally.”

Cardinal Medeiros initially served as bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas from 1966 through 1970. When Cardinal Richard Cushing retired, he was named the fourth archbishop of Boston on Sept.

8, 1970 and was later elevated to cardinal by Pope Paul VI on March 5, 1973.

“We all went to Rome when Uncle Bert was made a cardinal,” Lapointe said. “There were two planes full of people from St. Michael’s Parish who were taking their vacation from the factory to go to Rome. Everybody stopped what they were doing and took the week off. It was amazing to see our parents receive Communion from the Holy Father; and we all had a private audience with the pope.

I had never even been on an airplane before.”

While there have been numerous memorials and namesake landmarks dedicated to Cardinal Medeiros over the years — from the Cardinal Medeiros Home for Retired Priests here in Fall River to Cardinal Medeiros Avenue in Cambridge to a statue in his hometown of Arrifes in the Azores — his surviving relatives agreed that the 100th birthday celebration at his home parish of St. Michael’s would have meant the most to him.

“Remembering the cardinal and celebrating the 100th anniversary of his birth is important for us as a parish,” Father Mello said. “We remember our most well-known parishioner and pastor, and in doing so recall the importance of being members not just of a wonderful parish, but of the Catholic Church, of which he was a significant leader.”

And the family members are touched that others still fondly remember Cardinal Medeiros with the same affection.

“I still miss him a lot,” Lapointe said. “We all had a lot of love for him.”

“We had a lot of wonderful times with him,” Desmarais agreed. “He was a fun uncle and he had a great sense of humor. I can still remember Uncle Bert’s laugh — he had a big, hearty laugh.”

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, October 11, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Thomas C. Lopes, a retired priest of the Fall River Diocese who resides at the Cardinal Medeiros Residence for Retired Priests in Fall River

13

October, 9, 2015

Faith Formation convention to focus on Year of Mercy continued from page one

title of this year’s Faith Formation Ministry Convention, “The Church as a Field Hospital,” was timely, said Claire McManus, director of the Faith Formation Office of the Fall River Diocese.

McManus, along with Rose Mary Saraiva, events coordinator for the Faith Formation Office, have pulled together a diverse list of presenters for this year’s convention that is being held on November 14 at the Holiday Inn in Taunton.

John Collins is a retired elementary school principal, former director of curriculum, elementary school teacher and director for Religious Education and catechist; currently he is a catechist trainer and consultant with Sadlier, a company that offers a variety of educational tools for Catholic Formation programs. His workshop, “The Holy Year of Mercy for Catechists: Making Connections with your Program Resources,” will offer special resources to help learn about and celebrate the jubilee year.

Father John Spencer, a Jesuit priest who has extensive experience in pastoral ministry, “and he’s pretty well-known in this area,” said McManus, will be offering a presentation entitled, “Ministering to those with Mental Illness and Addiction.”

“We’re envisioning the people who will go to John Spencer’s workshop as either people who have experienced mental illness in their families, or in their ministries,” said McManus. “In catechetical ministry, you deal with people from all different backgrounds, and often we don’t know how to be present for them in ministry.”

Marian Desrosiers, director of the Pro-Life Apostolate and Project Rachel for the Diocese of Fall River, a member of the board of directors for the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment in Washington, D.C., and member of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference’s Pro-Life/Pro-Family Subcommittee, was part of the statewide committee involved in helping to defeat a Massachusetts ballot referendum on physician-assisted suicide in 2012. Her presentation, “Suicide, Assisted or Otherwise, is Always a Great Tragedy,” will focus on young people.

“This came up because the assisted suicide bill is being considered again in state legislature,” said McManus, “and Marian

and I serve on a committee for Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V., to sponsor this and we felt that it was important to talk about the subject of suicide in general.

One of the issues with that bill is that a person who is 18 years old could be allowed to choose suicide as an alternative, and we just felt that the subject of suicide isn’t really discussed enough.

We have it going on in all our communities, especially among the young, so she is focusing specifically on young people.”

Ana Maria G. Hernandez Alstrum’s Spanish-speaking presentation, “Sacraments and Popular Religiosity,” will “talk about popular religiosity from all different countries because we have representation from several Latin American countries; they have different cultural approaches to religion and she’s going to talk about how to use that, don’t try to put it aside but to use it as a good way to teach Sacraments,” said McManus.

“You look at the traditions and they’re so rooted in family, you don’t want to lose that,” said Saraiva. “When I was growing up, First Communion and Confirmation — Sacraments that were such big celebrations and those are for these cultures; this is when they put all money aside to make sure their children are dressed to the nines.”

Walter Mena, director of the Leadership Formation Program’s Department at Instituto Fe Y Vida (Faith and Life National Pastoral Institute for Hispanic Youth and Youth Adults), will be giving his Spanish-speaking presentation focused on youth ministry, “Go and ‘untangle the mess’ Challenges for Youth Ministry in the XXI Century.”

Beth Mahoney’s presentation, “The Home: First Aid Station for Mercy, Forgiveness and Healing,” is a workshop that will explore how mercy

and forgiveness and healing takes place within the family; an experience that “transcends, it’s not just catechetical, it’s for all families who can benefit from that workshop,” said McManus.

M. Donna McLeod will be bringing the “Seasons of Hope,” a bereavement ministry that has not been offered at the convention before, but “it fit into the Year of Mercy and field hospital theme,” said McManus. “Her ‘Seasons of Hope’ program is a six-week, Biblically-based for parishes and people who are grieving.”

Karen Ready, coordinator of the Sister Rose House, will present “Prison: Incarceration and/or Transformation,” offering a compassionate view and, especially in this Year of Mercy, a way to carry the Word of God to those who have lost their way.

Barbara Domingue has been the director of the Faith Forma-

tion program at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea for 17 years, and has been actively involved in the areas of family support and autism consultation for the past 25 years, having served on numerous state and national boards: she will present “10 Things You Should Know to Help a Child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder Succeed in Your Faith Formation Class.”

Ernie Collamati, Ph.D., is vice-chairman and professor of religious studies at Regis College in Weston. His presentation, “Your God is Too Small,” will help guide people through the commonly asked question, “Where is God?” The gift of Pope Francis’ words and actions challenge us to consider a God Who is radically present to us in ways we seldom consider.

A full list of presenters and the convention schedule is available online on the Faith Formation Office’s website. The convention is on November 14 and will be held at Holiday Inn

Taunton, 700 Myles Standish Boulevard in Taunton; registration begins at 8 a.m, with the final workshop and general sessions ending at 3:45 p.m.

“We always try to be expansive in what we offer. The majority of the people [who attend] are serving in catechetical ministry, but we offer it for all ministries in the parish, especially with this theme. Our purpose is enrichment for people who are serving in ministry,” said McManus.

Registration is through the Faith Formation Office: 508678-2828 or via website, www.

FallRiverFaithFormation. org. Registration fee is $35 per person, which includes meals; for parish groups of five or more, cost is $30 per person. Deadline to register is November 5: registrations can be completed online or registration forms can be mailed in to the Office of Faith Formation, Catholic Education Center, 423 Highland Ave., Fall River, Mass., 02720.

14

October, 9, 2015

Deacon Guerra’s papal reflections continued from page one

Pope Francis waved to the crowds in Philadelphia as he “sped” by at 10 m.p.h., in the popemobile. (Photo by Father Tom Lopes)

Father Lopes’ papal reflections continued from page one

and waved (We have a picture!). We were touched by the excitement!

Due to the lateness of the day, early evening descended and provided the opportunity for us to watch an amazing display, through the windows of the cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul.

Pope Francis made a stop at the cathedral in order to bless a grotto, dedicated to Our Lady Undoer of Knots, constructed in honor of Pope Francis, who has fostered devotion to her under this title. During a visit to Germany several years ago, his attraction to her under this title, prompted Pope Francis to share this devotion with everyone.

An amazing addition to the grotto is the magically-projected portrayal, through the windows in the dome of the cathedral, which became very noticeable as it grew darker. It revealed the hands of a woman tying and untying knots in a ribbon, concluding with a banner upon which her hand scrolled the words, “Mercy and Justice.”

Sister Mary Scullion and Meg Saligman are responsible not only for the grotto and the projection, but also for estab-

lishing the “Justice and Mercy Campaign” in the diocese during the past year. This devotion encourages people to leave a ribbon listing a knot in their own lives and to take another knotted ribbon and praying for the knot of another person left at the grotto.

This is one of many such “views” we discovered while waiting for Pope Francis. There were many special moments where we were touched by the several people we met from all over the world!

We also are very grateful to members of St. Vincent de Paul parish and Holy Cross Parish, for their hospitality and generosity, in making our stay among them, a warm experience of brotherly and sisterly love. We will cherish this experience.

Prayer by Pope Francis to Mary Undoer of Knots.

Through your grace, your intercession, and your example, deliver us from all evil, Our Lady, and untie the knots that prevent us from being united with God, so that we, free from sin and error, may find Him in all things, may we have our hearts placed in Him and serve Him always in our brothers and sisters. Amen.

priests and deacons to volunteer to assist at Mass due to large crowds anticipated.

I reregistered and obtained a letter of suitability from the first of many “angels,” the secretary of the bishop. I was given strict instructions on dress, no variances, and to bring a valid ID. God smiled and changed our plans. The city decided to close its borders for the weekend and subway tickets were available on a lottery-based handout only, no guarantees in. An ad from another “angel,” a Sister in Springfield offered bus tickets and entry to the city for Mass. We purchased two, canceled our prior lodgings and decided on a one-day odyssey as family.

Sandy’s sister then got sick, and she went to be with her.

I was committed to assist, a family member volunteered to watch our grandson, and I gave my wife’s ticket to a parishioner to join me.

A five-hour ride from Springfield placed the four buses in a parking lot next to Eagles Stadium filled with buses, not cars, for the event.

It was packed by 11 in the morning. Mass was at 4 p.m., with me to be vested by 2:30 p.m. We were five miles from the altar.

The three-mile subway ride was 45 minutes. The clock was ticking. It was 11:45 a.m. and I needed to register at the Philadelphia Performing Arts Center, obtain my Mass ticket, and then vest at a museum. I walked a quarter mile to and around the building. It was closed — registrations and ticket distributions were over. I was ready to join the crowd. Another “angel” opened the door and asked, “What do you want?” I explained, then content just to enjoy this great event, I really was not needed.

As we talked another “angel” appeared. She listened and was introduced as “Sister,” a nun in charge of volunteers, yet dressed as just another worker. “You’ll need a pass just to get in,” she said.

The first volunteer took her pass and said, “You may have mine,” and smiled. Sister said, “Follow me.” It was now 12:30 p.m. with two miles of crowds in front. We serpentined a quarter-mile through tight crowds to the first security point for Mass participation.

It was for those standing outside. They knew Sister; she approached a policeman and explained, “He won’t make it.

Look at this crowd, but let’s talk to John (or Joe, the crowd was deafening) he’s in charge.”

The captain, a new “angel,” listened and said, “Why not?

Follow me.” The captain, Sister and I made our way as the captain yelled “move” to the handicapped (those I was to help originally — I really wanted to stop, and say it’s OK, stop).

We passed through a second security stop, a tent of Secret Service, FBI, police and some other group that had no visible IDs. It was now 1:45 p.m. A new “angel” stepped forward, whispered to a Secret Service agent, and I was then seemingly being “X-rayed” by the eyes’ of all. No one asked for my papers, and calls through headsets were made to somewhere. It was 2:05 p.m., and I was motioned forward. I followed to a golf cart.

The Secret Service jumped on one seat, and I don’t know who, on the other. I was seated on the rear seat facing backward, alb on my lap. We took off, and entered the pope’s drive path. As my alb blew in the breeze, people started cheering as we went. “No, no, no. You don’t think he’ll come in backwards,” I thought to myself. I was embarrassed — not fit to tie his sandals.

We passed the altar and came to a halt. Someone said, “Get out,” and I was looking up at Rocky Balboa. “Wimp,” he seemed to say. It was then 2:20 p.m., and I was staring at bishops, cardinals, priests and deacons from all over the world, lined up — about 600 in all. An emcee stepped forward and said, “Deacon, follow me.”

I vested in five minutes, picked up the last Mass Missal, and found I stood with only 20 to 25 deacons, six with dalmatics. I noticed five deacons standing to the side in albs only and asked why they were not in line and heard sternly, “They came improperly dressed.”

We processed in. The main altar was the stairs and top landing, with the pope’s chair, with main concelebrants to his left and right. We proceeded up to the right of the main altar to a platform about six to eight feet higher than the

altar and way above the main level. It was plywood on an aluminum stand that seemed to wheeze as we walked.

We sat for an hour as the pope greeted the crowd in the streets. As I looked forward I realized that I probably will not even glimpse the Holy Father — the first three rows of bishops and cardinals blocked all views as they looked down on the altar. I sat at the end of our procession. There were no screens as in the streets and all the speakers projected sound to the street. “It’s OK,” I felt, the presence of God was everywhere. One final “angel” tapped my shoulder.

An emcee said, “We are short three deacons. Will you assist and ask two more?”

I responded, “Glad to.” He said, “Follow the six deacons in dalmatics when they rise.”

The Mass was beautiful. The deacons rose and we followed to the extreme left of all, peering down on the street until we arrived at the front — and there he was — the Holy Father on the altar below.

“Turn, proceed across the front of this group holding the wine in one hand and bread we will give you in the other, then face the concelebrants here with backs to the altar,” we were told. We now blocked the view to the Holy Father. The priests rose, proceeded forward in rows, picking up hundreds of ciboria, and returned to their seats.

It was the Epiclesis and as the Holy Father spoke, hands were extended. The wine and bread we held became Christ’s Body and Blood.

Time stood still and God was present.

We stood as bishops, cardinals, deacons and returning priests came forward to receive.

We were instructed, “Don’t let the Blood leave your hands,” Intinction instructs. “They will dip and receive.” There were some raised eyebrows including mine — tell a cardinal no?

“When complete I will give you the Eucharist and you will consume the Blood,” we were told.

I returned to my seat and a Boston deacon leaned over to me and said, “Remember you are a servant and to serve and as last you will feed those who are the first.”

I will forever remember that day.

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October, 9, 2015

Bishop Coleman’s papal reflections continued from page one

Coleman, former Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River who retired July 3, 2014, the opportunity to meet with brother bishops whom he hasn’t seen since before his retirement.

“It was nice to see them and we had much to talk about after the wonderful events of September 23 in Washington, the meeting with Pope Francis and then concelebrating the canonization Mass for St. Junipero Serra outside the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception later that day,” the retired bishop said. “And it turned out that Bishop da Cunha and I were booked on the same flight to Washington, so we had a nice time chatting while waiting for the flight to arrive.”

This was Bishop Coleman’s first time seeing Pope Francis in person. “I had seen and read so much about him in the print media and on television,” he said. “It was wonderful to see him in person and notice how interested he was with whomever he greeted and spoke with.”

Bishop Coleman said he could sense the anticipation and excitement of his brother bishops before Pope Francis entered the cathedral. “When he spoke to us, his words put everyone at ease,” he said. “He spoke to us as the supreme pastor of the Universal Church. His message was so positive and uplifting for all of us.”

Bishop Coleman told The Anchor that he was so impressed that he not only put the bishops at ease, “but he uplifted and gave hope to the whole country. From what I saw watching coverage from other events on the trip, not only Catholics were buoyed by the Holy Father, but nonCatholics and even people

with no faith were made to feel welcomed by Pope Francis’ words and actions.”

Besides listening to the Holy Father speak to the bishops and concelebrating the St. Junipero Serra canonization Mass, Bishop Coleman said there were so many things the pope did and said during the U.S. visit that moved him.

“The address to the joint session of Congress was exceptional,” said Bishop Coleman. “He provided all of us with a summary of what Catholic social teaching is about. The messages in each U.S. city were so appropriate for each event.

“I was also very moved by the times he stopped the entourage to bless a sick or disabled child; when he had lunch with the homeless; how he listened to immigrants; when he stopped at a school in East Harlem and spoke to the students in Spanish — you could see they were delighted to be in his presence; and the touching ceremonies at Ground Zero.

“And it was the message of family he sent to America during his stop in Philadelphia. He told the people, ‘We’ve come to pray as a family. God did not want to come to us other than in a family.’ That spoke volumes about the importance of family.”

Bishop Coleman also chuckled and said he even got to be in Time magazine in a photo spread of the pope’s address to the bishops.

“The pope taught all Americans by his actions, and people were so moved by his verbal message of caring for poor immigrants. We’re all working toward the common good.”

Bishop da Cunha’s papal reflections continued from page one

trusted to our pastoral responsibility. He asked us to share his affection and Spiritual closeness with the people of God throughout the country.

He reminded us that “Whenever a hand reaches out to do good or to show the love of Christ, to dry a tear or bring comfort to the lonely, to show the way to one who is lost or to console a broken heart, to help the fallen or to teach those thirsting for truth, to forgive or to offer a new start in God, know that the pope is at your side, the pope supports you. He puts his hand on your own, a hand wrinkled with age, but by God’s grace, still able to support and encourage.”

In the areas of Catholic education and service to the needy, he told us that he appreciates the efforts our dioceses are making “to fulfill the Church’s mission of education in schools at every level and in the charitable services offered by your numerous institutions.”

He told us further that he did not come here with a strategic plan to give to us, but only to speak to us “as a brother among brothers.”

He continued to touch on topics of great concern to all of us, the so-called “hot button” issues like abortion, immigration, the victims of terrorism, wars, violence, drug trafficking and the environment.

He concluded by offering two suggestions. The first one refers to our fatherhood as bishops: “Be pastors close to people, pastors who are neighbors and servants. Let this closeness be expressed in a special way towards your priests.

Support them, so that they can continue to serve Christ with an undivided heart, for this alone can bring fulfillment to ministers of Christ. I urge you, then, not to let them be

content with half-measures.”

The second suggestion concerned the immigrant population in this country. He said, “Do not be afraid to welcome them. Offer them the warmth of the love of Christ and you will unlock the mystery of their heart.”

Late in the afternoon, we concelebrated with the Holy Father the Mass of Canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra, who was officially declared saint during the Mass — the first time that a ceremony of canonization has taken place in the United States.

Washington was the first stop of the Holy Father on his pastoral journey to the United States. From there he went to New York and subsequently to Philadelphia for the celebration of the World Meeting of Families.

What a blessing his presence brought to the Church in this country. His speeches and homilies all touched on topics of great importance. He did not come here to scold us or tell us all that is wrong with this country and with us, but rather he was here as a pastor who cares for his sheep, as a father who cares for his children.

As he concluded his apostolic

journey and bid farewell, he said: “I thank the Lord that I was able to witness the faith of God’s people in this country, as manifested in our moments of prayer together and evidenced in so many works of charity.”

Then he concluded with these beautiful words of hope and encouragement as he was preparing to board the plane that would take him back to Rome: “Dear friends, I embrace all of you in the Lord and I entrust you to the maternal care of Mary Immaculate, patroness of the United States. I will pray for you and your families, and I ask you, please, to pray for me.

May God bless you all. God bless America!”

As he thanked the Lord for his visit, for the faith, joy and enthusiasm he encountered, we thank him for being a true instrument of Christ to all of us.

We thank him for his humility, for his fidelity to Christ, his abiding faith in Jesus and in humanity, for his hope that we can all work together to build a more fraternal, caring, compassionate and loving world. We thank him for supporting us in our faith and work, and for challenging us to take care of the poor, the immigrants, the refugees, and the earth, our true home.

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Youth Pages

The students of St. Margaret Regional School in Buzzards Bay planted a “Francis Garden” to celebrate the pope’s visit to the United States.

They learned about his desire that we all become stewards of Creation as they prepared the earth between the church and the school and designed the garden. Each student planted a bulb. They hope to have a statue of St. Francis of Assisi soon to honor the man whose name the Holy Father chose as his papal name. Here, Madisyn Burek, grade eight and her pre-k nephew plant tulip bulbs.

The kindergarten students at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford celebrated the arrival of Pope Francis to the U.S.A. Invited “guests,” waving the papal flag, shouted in jubilation.

“Welcome Pope Francis! Long live the pope!”

Prekindergarten at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton showed off their Pope Francis puppets.

Pope Francis wasn’t able to visit North Attleboro during his busy stay in the U.S., but St. Mary-Sacred Heart students had some fun posing with a life-sized cutout of Pope Francis. The school’s development coordinator, Susan McConville, purchased the cutout to bring some of the excitement of the papal visit to the school. The teachers also had projects scheduled for the 292 students at the school during this momentous occasion. The fourth-grade class posed with Pope Francis and their teacher Molly Smith.

October, 9, 2015

Faith Formation students at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Seekonk welcomed Pope Francis with a visit from “Flat Francis.”

Students at St. Mary’s School in Mansfield tracked Pope Francis’ journey in America.

October, 9, 2015

Youth Pages Sharing Jesus with others

O

n Monday of this week We will probably never know the Gospel reading was fully the reasons why the shootfrom Luke and told of the man ings occurred. However, it seems who was beaten by robbers. We that the individual struggled hear that a priest and Levite came with many issues and felt isolated across the man and crossed to the from others. The first reading other side of the road to avoid this weekend from the book of him. It was the Samaritan who Genesis is about the creation of cared for the man. This reading triggered a couple of thoughts.

I was with several UMass Dartmouth students at the Newman

By Father House when the news David C. Frederici broke of the shootings at Umpqua Community College in Oregon. The following morning Deacon Frank woman. One of the teachings of Lucca and I released a statement this story is our need to be in relathrough the UMass Dartmouth tionship with others. As Aristotle Catholic Campus Ministry Face- said, human beings are by nature book Page. Allow me to share social beings. We need others to that statement with you: thrive and flourish in life. Total “We are saddened by the tragic isolation leads to destruction: event that occurred yesterday at intellectually, emotionally, SpirituUmpqua Community College. ally, and, as we saw in Oregon, Our thoughts and prayers are sometimes physically. with the victims and their families “Let us hear the words of the and the whole college community. Scriptures and of Pope Francis May those killed rest in God’s and work for a world that cares eternal embrace and the families, for all its citizens. Let us work friends and community of UCC for greater healing and underdraw strength and healing from standing. Let us work for a world the Lord. where peace and justice are the “This tragedy occurred on norm.”

October 1, a month that the U.S. On Sunday, I read Pope bishops designate as Respect Francis’ homily at the Mass that Life Month. Our prayers include started the Synod on Family. In praying for a country and world his homily he stated: where the dignity of each human “Today we experience the being is respected, not only in our paradox of a globalized world colleges and communities, but filled with luxurious mansions also in our homes and in relation- and skyscrapers, but a lessening of ships among nations and peoples the warmth of homes and famiof differing races, creed, philosolies; many ambitious plans and phy, etc.” projects, but little time to enjoy Pope Francis’ visit to the them; many sophisticated means United States had the theme of entertainment, but a deep “Love is our Mission.” In all of and growing interior emptiness; his speeches, talks and homilies many pleasures, but few loves; he called all people of good will to many liberties, but little freedom. greater respect for humanity. This The number of people who feel call includes not only the care lonely keeps growing, as does the for the poor and less fortunate, number of those who are caught but also those up in selfishness, gloominess, who struggle destructive violence and slavery to with isolation or pleasure and money.” mental illness.

It seems that in all of our

Be Not Afraid

Amanda Abbott (left) and Madison Burbank (right) were recently awarded the Family Of God Religious Medals by Father Mark Hession at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Seekonk. The girls earned the medals as members of American Heritage Girls Troop MA 3712. The medals are produced by the National Federation For Catholic Youth Ministry.

The middle school students and students studying Mandarin Chinese at Coyle and Cassidy High School and Middle School in Taunton were recently treated to a Chinese puppet show. The performer was Master ZhengAn Fan. He’s 73 years old and started learning how to perform Chinese Shadow Puppetry when he was eight years old. He is the only recognized shadow puppet master in the world, and is in the process of teaching 26 students this extremely old performance art in his home town in Shandon Province, China. He produces the puppets himself out of donkey hide.

Bishop Connolly High School (Fall River) chemistry teacher Christina Fontana (far right, bottom) gathered a group of students to create a skit during their recent freshman and L.E.A.P. retreat. Held on campus, the day-long program featured witness talks, prayer and community-building activities to help Connolly’s newest students get to know each other better and strengthen their class ties.

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progress in the world, our successes and achievements we are becoming disconnected from one another. Such a disconnect goes against the very nature of human beings. We need love to thrive and to survive. There are reports that the night before the shootings at UCC, the gunman was on social media expressing how isolated and lonely he was. Now this is an extreme case and there are reasons behind the shootings that are not as simple as many are making it out to be.

Yet, it does show how destructive isolation — regardless of its causes — can be to anyone of any age.

The second experience occurred on Sunday. A priest from the missions celebrated Mass at the parish which gave me the opportunity to meet with the Confirmation candidates. During my time with them some of them asked various questions about our Catholic faith and teachings.

One of the questions asked was why does God hate gay people?

I assured the young man and his peers that this is not the case. The heart of Christianity is love: love of God and love of neighbor.

How do these two situations relate? Our Christian faith is about a relationship with Jesus Christ and with one another. We are called to share that relationship with all those made in the image and likeness of God. That means engaging those who are seeking God or who don’t believe in God. The person who is lonely and feeling isolated and the young person with a sincere question about faith or God are opportunities to share God’s love with, not a reason to cross to the other side of the street.

Anchor columnist Father Frederici is pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset and diocesan director of Campus Ministry and Chaplain at UMass Dartmouth and Bristol Community College.

Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth announced that 10 students from the senior class have been commended in the National Merit Scholarship Program. The Class of 2016 commended students are: Elaina Alzaibak; Jack Charbonneau; Noah Doer; Adam Estes; Micah Makowski; Jackson Markey; Maeve O’Malley; Nicholas Pacheco; Cole Pavao; and Lucas Payette. Among these students, one, Markey, will continue as a National Merit Semifinalist; one of only 16,000 selected throughout the nation and one of only 344 in Massachusetts. This student will compete to become a National Merit Finalist and Scholarship award winner.

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October, 9, 2015

Annual diocesan Red Mass is October 11 at cathedral continued from page one

to promote justice in the legal system.

Judges, attorneys and others working in the justice system throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands are invited to attend.

The Red Mass will conclude with the presentation of the St. Thomas More Award to

Attorney Matthew J. Bresette

members of the area legal community to recognize dedicated service.

Selected for the honors this year are, as distinguished jurist, Judge Phillip Rapoza, retired Chief Justice, Massachusetts Appeals Court; as distinguished attorney, Robert J. Donahue of Yarmouthport; as distinguished court employee, Daryl G. Manchester, Clerk Magistrate, Wareham District Court; as distinguished recipient of the ecumenical award, Judge Peter Smola, First Justice, Dukes County Probate and Family Court; and as distinguished recipient of the Joseph P. Harrington Founder’s Award, attorney Matthew J. Bresette of Hyannis.

The Red Mass is so named because of the color of the vestments worn during the Liturgy, which is the Mass of the Holy Spirit, Who will be invoked upon those in attendance. Its roots date back to 13th-century Europe, and it is widely celebrated in dioceses throughout the U.S. The St. Thomas More Awards are unique to the Red Mass celebration in the Fall River Diocese. They are named for St. Thomas More, a 16thcentury English layman and lawyer martyred for opposition to the divorce of King Henry VIII and for refusing to renounce papal authority.

Recipients were nominated for the award by the Red Mass planning committee of judges, attorneys, court personnel and priests from across the diocese,

headed by New Bedford attorney Michael J. Harrington.

Judge Rapoza retired from the bench in June after 23 years as a member of the Massachusetts judiciary. First named to serve as a trial judge on the Fall River District Court in 1992, he was subsequently appointed to the Massachusetts Superior Court and then in 1998 to the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

In 2006, he became Chief Justice of the Appeals Court.

Earlier in his career, he was an assistant district attorney in Suffolk and Bristol counties and later a partner in law firms in Fall River and New Bedford.

In addition to his judicial service, Rapoza has been a leader in the field of international criminal justice. He took an unpaid leave of absence from the bench for two years to work as an international judge on a United Nations war crimes tribunal prosecuting crimes against humanity in East Timor and was later appointed to serve on a war crimes tribunal in Cambodia. He has also

Attorney Robert J. Donahue

participated in UN-sponsored justice initiatives in Haiti and Mozambique.

He has frequently returned to East Timor to assist in U.N. efforts to support the country’s justice system. In 2012, he was selected by the U.S. State Department to serve as one of two U.S. observers of the country’s parliamentary elections, and in November he will travel again to East Timor to lead a program on judicial independence.

Rapoza is president of the Switzerland-based International Penal and Penitentiary Foundation and, in that capacity, presented an address on the treatment of offenders and the challenge of mass incarceration to Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2014. (The address appeared in last week’s Anchor.)

For his service to justice in

the U.S. and abroad, he has received several international awards as well as recognition from a number of legal professional associations. In 2002, he was awarded the rank of Commander in the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator by the president of Portugal.

Judge Rapoza earned his

Daryl G. Manchester

law degree from Cornell Law School.

A resident of New Bedford, he is the father of two sons and grandfather of one.

Chief Justice Rapoza is the only Portuguese-American judge to serve at the appellate level in Massachusetts. A leader in his ethnic community, he is involved in many PortugueseAmerican educational, charitable and cultural activities. He is a member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford.

Attorney Donahue has practiced general law on Cape Cod for more than 50 years and received the Lifetime Service Award last year from the Barnstable County Bar Association as well as recognition from the Massachusetts Bar Association.

A graduate of Boston College Law School, he began as an associate in the Hyannis firm of Fern and Anderson, becoming a partner after three years and remaining with firm as it evolved over many years.

For a good part of the 1980s, he served as counsel to the Sheriff of Barnstable County. He currently maintains a sole practice.

Since 1987 he has been pro bono lawyer of the day on the last Friday of each month at Barnstable Probate and Family Court and now also offers pro bono conciliator services for the Barnstable County Bar Association of which he is an active member and past president.

Donahue, who resides in Centerville, has a long record of community and civic involvement: decades-long moderator

of the Centerville-OstervilleMarstons Mills Fire District; Centerville Public Library trustee; Hyannis Public Library president-emeritus; leadership roles in Cape Cod regional chapters of the American Red Cross and American Cancer Society; and former Barnstable Town Meeting representative.

He is a parishioner of Our Lady of Victory Parish, Centerville, where he is a lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and founder and leader of its annual Thanksgiving blood drive. Since 1992, he has participated in the Residents Encounter Christ program at the Barnstable County correctional facilities.

He and his wife Patricia have three daughters and two sons.

Clerk Magistrate Manchester’s years of service to the Massachusetts Trial Court Wareham Division go back to 1981 when he was appointed as its first Assistant Clerk Magistrate. In 2001, he became Clerk Magistrate.

Prior to his Wareham appointment, he was Assistant Clerk Magistrate in the New

Judge Phillip Rapoza

Bedford Division of the Massachusetts Trial Court.

He studied law at Suffolk University Law School and after graduation had a part-time law practice for two years.

A resident of Fairhaven for 61 years, he has served on the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals since 1978. In addition, he has been a Town Meeting member and a coach for several Fairhaven youth athletic programs.

He and his wife Patricia attend St. Joseph Parish in that town. They are the parents of two sons and a daughter and are grandparents of three.

Judge Smola was appointed First Justice of Duke’s County Probate and Family Court last June after serving for almost two years as an associate justice of the Bristol County Probate

and Family Court.

He practiced law for 35 years before his appointment to the bench with offices in New Bedford and concentrated in all matters of civil litigation. He also served as an arbitrator and court mediator.

Through the years, he has been active in various pro bono efforts within the Greater New Bedford legal community

Judge Peter Smola

including serving as General Counsel to the New Bedford Legal Aid Society.

He is married to Elizabeth Smola, and they have two sons.

Attorney Bresette is managing partner of the Hyannis office of Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP, of Boston and Hyannis, and concentrates his practice in the area of trusts and estates.

He worked as a commercial boat captain for seven years before entering the legal profession in 2001. He holds a law degree from the Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. A resident of Barnstable, Bresette contributes a great deal of time to service on several non-profit boards, including South Coastal Counties Legal Services; Cape Cod Times Needy Fund; Cape Cod Child Development of which he is the current board chairman; and clerk of the board of the Cape Cod Foundation, a charitable community trust that provides funding to the region’s nonprofit organizations.

He was among organizers of the Pathfinder ministry program at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville which offers parishioners assistance in navigating the legal system.

He is married to Allison Schiffmann Bresette. They have one daughter and twin sons.

All are welcome at the Red Mass. A reception and luncheon will follow for which a ticket is required. For information, please contact Atty. Harrington at 508-994-5900.

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October, 9, 2015

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17.

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

East Freetown — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

Fall River — Espirito Santo Parish, 311 Alden Street, Fall River. Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel.

A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m.

Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m., and Confessions offered during the evening. Please use the side entrance.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m.

The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

Taunton — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m.

Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church begins each Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. and ends on Friday night at midnight. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~ East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes. All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

Deacon to offer Social Justice course in Attleboro

ATTLEBORO — Deacon Tony Cipriano will be offering a Social Justice course at Attleboro High School, 100 Rathburn Willard Drive, in Attleboro from October 19 though November 23 from 6:30-9 p.m. The cost is $150 for six weeks.

The course is titled, “Social Justice and the functioning of human society, and social relations.”

The Bible says the poor will always be with us, but it does not say why. Since then, some observers have blamed the victim, choosing to punish the “undeserving” and offer a meager safety net to the “deserving” poor.

This class is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives amidst the challenges of modern society; e.g., “Life and Dignity of the Human Person,” “Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers,” and “Option for the Poor and Vulnerable.”

It will discuss how we organize our society — in economics and politics, in law and policy — directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Oct. 10 Rev. James C.J. Ryan, Assistant, Immaculate Conception, North Easton, 1918 Rev. Boniface Jones, SS.CC., Chaplain, Sacred Heart Home, New Bedford, 1987 Rev. Joseph A. Martineau, Retired Pastor, St. Theresa, New Bedford, 1990 Oct. 11 Rev. James A. Downey, Pastor, Holy Ghost, Attleboro, 1952 Oct. 12 Rev. Felician Plichta, OFM Conv., Parochial Vicar, Corpus Christi, East Sandwich, Former Pastor, Holy Cross, Fall River, 1999 Oct. 13 Rev. David I. Walsh, M.M., Maryknoll Missioner, 1999 Rev. James J. Doyle, C.S.C., Holy Cross Residence, North Dartmouth, 2002 Rev. J. Marc Hebert, C.S.C., Holy Cross Residence, North Dartmouth, 2006 Oct. 14 1918, Rev. Dennis M. Lowney, Assistant, Sacred Heart, Taunton 1972, Rev. Msgr. Edward B. Booth, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro 1999 Rev. Frederick G. Furey, SS.CC. Former Pastor, Our lady of Assumption, New Bedford 2003, Rev. Andre P. Jussaume, Pastor, St. Louis de France, Swansea Oct. 15 Rev. Msgr. Raymond T. Considine, PA, Retired Pastor, St. William, Fall River, 1996 Oct. 16 Rev. Raymond M. Drouin, O.P., Former Pastor, St. Anne, Fall River, 1987

supported and strengthened, not undermined.

People have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.

Since social justice cannot avoid the political, it is far better to address these issues explicitly

than to pretend they do not exist.

The middle ground, if one ever existed, has fast receded.

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

For more information, or to register, contact Deacon Cipriano at tonycipriano1949@gmail.com.

Around the Diocese St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 530 Gardner’s Neck Road in Swansea will be hosting its Feast Day Bazaar and Food Fair on October 11 on the church grounds. The festival will be from noon to 4 p.m., and will feature many food items including Venus de Milo clam chowder, and Michael’s Provisions chouriço, caçoila, hamburgers and hot dogs, just to mention a few. There will also be games for all ages, arts and crafts, line dancing, a petting zoo, raffle, pony rides, and more.

The new Culture of Life Chaplet will be prayed on October 15 at 1 p.m. in St. Jude’s Chapel of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee. Recitation is on ordinary Rosary beads and will include a brief meditation preceding each of the five decades.

St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road in Orleans, will host a free presentation and light breakfast on October 17 entitled “End of Life Support.” The event will take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and will feature Marian Desrosiers, diocesan director of the Pro- Life Apostolate and member of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference of Pro-Life/Pro-Family and Health Care Subcommittees; Melissa Weidman, director of communications and community outreach at Hope Health Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod; and Attorney Henry Luthin, Boston attorney and former executive director and chairman of the board of Massachusetts Citizens for Life. Sponsored by St. Joan of Arc Parish, the Respect Life Ministry and Knights of Columbus, the presentation will examine basic moral principles that help guide us in medical decision-making and assist us in helping our loved ones to live out their final days with the true dignity each human person deserves.

The presentation will include an opportunity for Q&A and materials will be provided.

The Women’s Guild of St. John Neumann Parish, located at 157 Middleboro Road in East Freetown, invites all to its One Day Only Barn Sale being held in the parish barn on October 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. The Barn Sale has a large variety of items available to choose from and the prices can’t be beat!

Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 121 Mount Pleasant Street in New Bedford, will hold its parish bazaar on October 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will offer a grand raffle, Chinese auction, 50/50 raffles, dine-out books, White Elephant table, dollarama, baked goods, fudge and cookies, jewelry, theme baskets, used books, and food to go. The kitchen will be open all day, serving French meat pie, chow mein sandwiches, clam chowder and more.

Our Lady of Fatima Church, 4256 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford, will host its Annual Harvest Fair sponsored by the Ladies Guild on October 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the parish hall. Ma’s Donuts and coffee, homemade food, baked goods and candy will be served. The fair will feature many talented crafters and vendors, books, jewelry, raffles of beautiful theme baskets, hand-made quilt and cash raffles, Chinese auction, kids game booth and more! There’s plenty of parking and admission is free.

A day of silence reflecting on the teachings of St. Augustine will be held October 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cathedral Camp and St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown. After gathering at the camp house with a short introduction, folks are free to spend quiet time either in the camp house or on the grounds along the lake, where passages from St. Augustine and Scripture have been posted on trees (about a dozen different stations). There will also be access to the St. John Neumann chapel and parish library. Flyers will be available on how to meditate if folks are not sure how to start, and there will be some hand-outs about St. Augustine. The day is free, but each participant is asked to bring a bag lunch and lawn chair, if one prefers.

There will be bottles of water in the camp house and hot water for tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Participants eat lunch on their own and in silence, and around 1 p.m. they will gather in the camp house for mid-day prayer and a lesson on St. Augustine.

The afternoon will be free to reflect. Confession will be available at 4 p.m. and all are welcome to a 5 p.m. Mass in the main church. Participants are also free to bring small hand-held crafts like knitting or crocheting or wood carving or journals for journaling if that helps to meditate. Please RSVP to Karen Howard at klhoward@ aol.com or call 508-947-0193.

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October, 9, 2015

Visit the newlydesigned Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites.