10.24.08

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The Anchor F riday , October 24, 2008

Diocese of Fall River

Inaugural Mass for new St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Taunton is Sunday

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

TAUNTON — When St. Andrew was first introduced to Christ, he immediately recognized him as the Messiah. “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus” (John 1:41-42). At the first glimpse of Jesus, Andrew felt the calling to

share him with others. This Sunday, St. Andrew the Apostle will beckon the faithful from the communities of St. Joseph’s and St. Paul’s parishes in Taunton, to unite as one and continue to let others know “We have found the Messiah,” and bring them to Jesus. At 12 a.m. on October 26, the parishes of St. Joseph and St. Paul will be suppressed and become St. Andrew the Apos-

tle Parish one minute later. The inaugural Mass for the new faith community will take place at St. Joseph’s Church with an 11 a.m. Mass celebrated by pastor, Father Timothy P. Reis. One week later, Bishop George W. Coleman will officially install Father Reis as pastor at a Mass at St. Joseph’s Church also at 11 a.m. “There is a certain sadness for many, being members of either

Patriots linebacker has faith in Catholic school education

By Michael Pare Anchor Staff

WESTPORT — Nearly 500 people turned out October 14 at White’s of Westport for the St. Mary’s Education Fund’s 14th Annual Dinner. Since its inception in 1991, the St. Mary’s Education Fund has provided scholarships to needy students attending Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Fall River. The fund was originally established from the proceeds of the sale of the former St. Mary’s Home of New Bedford, an orphanage sponsored by the diocese. Interest from those pro-

ceeds provided seed money for scholarships. Since its humble beginning, the fund has grown dramatically. The annual scholarship dinner has taken place each year since 1995. The dinner and a fundraising event each summer on the Cape serve as the fund’s primary sources of revenue. Since the mid-1990s, more than $6 million has been distributed from the fund to families who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend Catholic schools in the diocese. Last year, the fund made it Turn to page 18

parish for so long,” said Father Reis. “But there is also an excitement about this process. It’s much like the early Christians establishing a faith community that we can mold into the way we want it to be.” The faith communities of the two Taunton parishes have worked long and hard to make this union a fruitful and prayerful transition, with the formation of

a Founding Parish Task Force in March of this year, comprised of individuals from both parishes. “I have been so impressed with these people from day one,” Deacon Alan Thadeu told The Anchor in a recent interview. “Everyone of them has been an outstanding leader, open-minded, prayerful, and tough when they had to be. It is so vital in a situaTurn to page 12

LIVES OF SERVICE — Several religious Sisters celebrating various anniversaries gathered for a photo with Bishop George W. Coleman at the annual gathering of religious Brothers and Sisters October 18 at St. Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth. Front from left: Sisters Barbara Barton, OP; Agnes Shannon, OP; Agnes Banville, RSM; Grace Donovan, SUSC; the bishop; Barbara Hunt, RSM; Monique Lesage, SCO; Rosellen Gallogly, RSM; and presenter Catherine Griffith, SND. Back: Sisters Simone Rodrigues, SSJ; Mary Duffy, SSJ; Zita Foley, RSM; Mercia Moran, RSM; and Marie Lorraine Halpin, RSM. (Photo by Eric Rodrigues)

Religious jubilarians invite today’s youth to answer call By Deacon James N. Dunbar

STANDING PAT — New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel, center, meets with members of the Bishop Connolly High School football team and coach Coach Frank Sherman, left, at the St. Mary’s Education Fund Dinner at White’s of Westport last week. Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl champion, was the keynote speaker. (Photo by Michael Pare)

Question 1 approval could hurt needy By Gail Besse Anchor Correspondent

BOSTON — Ballot Question 1 asks Massachusetts voters if they want to repeal the state’s personal income tax by phasing it out over the next two years. The proposed law would reduce the current 5.3 percent

rate by half for the 2009 tax year, then eliminate it in 2010. Both proponents and opponents of the referendum agree it would drastically alter how state government operates, but differ markedly on whether that change would be good or bad. It would largely be up to

the governor and legislature to determine where the budget axe would fall if state revenues shrink by the $12.5 billion, the amount the income tax produces annually. But some expenses, like state debt, would have to be paid first; human Turn to page 15

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Holy Union Sister Grace Donovan and Brother of Christian Instruction Walter Zwierchowski have spent differing amounts of time in God’s service in various ministries. But they are in a timeless solidarity in urging young people to heed God’s call to follow him in his service, and be their successors. “I tell young men who might be interested in such a vocation, ‘Try it out. You might just like it,’” said Brother Zwierchowski, a religion teacher at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River

and who is observing his 25th anniversary in vowed religious life. “I tell them they must pray every day and ask God to help them decide. Daily prayer is vital if they are to draw near to and have a relationship with Christ and subsequently to take up his work,” he added. Sister Donovan, 87, now retired and in residence at The Landmark in Fall River, is marking her 70th jubilee as a religious Sister. “I would tell young women discerning a vocation to religious life to be good listeners to God’s Turn to page 18

Special Marriage Supplement pull out in this week’s Anchor


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10.24.08 by The Anchor - Issuu