teanc 0 VOL. 43, NO. 42 • Friday, October 29, 1999
FALL RIVER, MASS.
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETIS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
Catholic Education Convention draws hundreds to Connolly High FALL RIVER - Catechists, teachers, coordinators of religious education as well as priests, deacons and religious from across the Fall River Diocese joined at Bishop Connolly High School here on Oct. 23 for the annual Catholic Education Convention. More than 600 participants enjoyed coffee and pastries as, well as the presentations offered by 19 exhibitors who
had set up booths. Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., celebrated a morning Mass which was enhanced by the musical. adaptations of the psalms provided by Denise Morency Gannon and others. Following Mass, Bishop O'Malley welcomed the attendees, congratulated them for their work and called on them to consider their ministries as a highly re-
..
':
'0'
il ~
~
IJ ',i'
KEYNOTE SPEAKER Thomas Thibodeau, right, meets with Augustinian Father William T. Garland, director of the diocesan Education Department and Deacon Bruce J. Bonneau, director of Religious Education, during last week's Catholic Education Convention.
Halloween: The communion of saints vividly remembered. By JAMES N. DUNBAR FALL RIVER - While the Church on Nov. 1 and 2 celebrates two similar but distinct feasts, I recall that the subtlety between All Saints Day and All Souls Day escaped me as a young elementary school student. Maybe it was because I didn't yet know that "Halloween" was a contraction of "All hallows eve," really meaning the vigil of the feast of all those holy people who were in heaven - as opposed to a day remembering all Christians who have died. All Saints Day will be celebrated Monday. Traditionally is a holy day of obligation, except that this year it falls on a Monday and so does not bring the obligation for Catholics to attend Mass. But it marks a real emphasis of the bond between those who are in God's presence in heaven and those of us still Tum to page J3 - Halloween
spected vocation in the Church. Keynote speaker Thomas Thibodeau, who had arrived in the early morning hours from Wisconsin after encountering , turbulent weather in Chicago, "was compaSsionate, thoughtful and energized all who heard him," said Deacon Bruce Bonneau, diocesan director of Religious Education and coordinator for the convention. Thibodeau, an assistant professor of theology at Viterbo College in Wisconsin as well as a pastoral assistant and parish catechist, addressed the theme, "God the Father: A People of Forgiveness and Justice." He spoke of the catechist's mission to be engaged in the fundamental option for the poor. He also explained to th~ audience that 'this essentially means to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those who only seem to hear the bad news of life. The audience broke into spontaneous applause when Thibodeau asked all catechists and teachers under the age of 25 to stand. He then recognized them as signs of hope and courage for the Church and the young people it serves. Thibodeau was thanked for his presentation and drew a standing ovation himself. The remainder of the day consisted of more than 25 workshops in different areas of catechesis, teaching methods, spirituality and social justice issues which were integrated into three sessions which concluded at 3:15 p.m. "The success of the day is in the gathering of so many who share in the common purpose of teaching the Catholic faith regardless of any particular venue," said Bonneau. He also expressed his gratitude to the convention committee "which had worked so diligently throughout the year and during the day resulting in such a successful convention."
DEACON LEO W. Racine processes past Bishop Sean P. O'Malley with Venerini Sister Maria Cra'ledi, left, and Mercy Sister Dympna Smith at Sunday's White Mas$ at St. Mary's Cathedral. (Photo by Kim Rivard)
Healthcare workers honored at ,White Mass FALL RIVER - Healthcare professionals throughout the diocese gathered Sunday at St. Mary's Cathedral for the annual White Mass that paid tribute to them for the physical, mental and spiritual care they provide. Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., was principal celebrant. Concelebrating were Msgr. Edmund J. Fitzgerald, secretary for Health Care and executive director of Diocesan Health Facilities; Father Edward J. Healey, director of Pastoral Ministry to the Sick; and chaplains of hospitals and nursing homes as well as other diocesan priests. Special homilist was Dominican Father Romanus Cesario, professor of moral and sacramental theology at St. John's Seminary, Brighton. He reflected on the significance of Catholic healthcare providers and the commandment of love in preserving the Godgiven goodness and personal dignity of their patients. "It is time for Catholic witness," Father Cesario Tum to page 13 - White Mass