VOL. 47, NO.41 • Friday, October 31, 2003
FALL RIVER, MASS.
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
Mass. lawmakers urged not to redefine marriage ~
Bishop Reilly of Worcester appears before legislators; finds support among local representatives.
By
DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR AND CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
BOSTON - Speaking on behalf of the four Catholic bishops in Massachusetts, Bishop Daniel P. Reilly of Worcester urged state legislators October 23 to reject bills before them that would redefine marriage or give same-sex civil unions the same legal status. He also urged passage of a "woman's right to know" bill that seeks to assure that a woman considering abortion is fully informed before undergoing that proct:dure. According to Gerald D' Avolio, executive director of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Massachusetts, state legislators again heard "substantial arguments" on the key issues. This week, State Rep. Philip Travis, the lead sponsor of the Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment, and State Rep. Elizabeth A. Poirier one of the lead sponsors of the Women's
Right to Know Legislation, spoke out strongly. They urged voters to contact their representatives and speak out on what was called "pivotal legislation." Poirier represents the 14 th Bristol District which includes all of North Attleboro, one precinct in Attleboro, one in Norton and two in Mansfield. She is a member of St. Mary's Parish in North Attleboro. "It is very basic, it is a right of information," she said. "That is the baseline of my testimony. I feel that it is a new chapter in the Women's Movement, to enlighten and educate women about this invasive medical procedure. I frankly can't understand how anyone would be against a woman receiving information on something she was about to undergo in areas including C-sections, breast implants ... even car sales and tanning parlors. How can we limit the right of a woman to know in these areas?" She is pushing for "an unbiased brochure from the Department of Public Health that would offer scientific, medical facts about the abortion procedure .,. as a woman approaches a clinic to ask for information. Nothing is available to her now," Poirier asTurn to page 13 - Marriage
THE DIOCESAN Centennial Committee displays a proof of the Diocesan Centennial Calendar that will be available in parishes November 30. It focuses on ministries of the diocese and notable dates from the past. Seated from left: Mercy Sister Elaine Heffernan, episcopal representative for Religious; and John E. Kearns Jr., assistant director of the Office of Communications. Standing from left: Father Barry W. Wall, diocesan archivist; Msgr. Daniel F. Hoye, chairman; and Father Edward J. Healey. (Anchon'Gordon photo)
Diocese's 2004 centennial events begin in November By
DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR
FALL RIVER - It seems the theme "The Spirit Gives Life" for the upcoming 100th anniversary celebrations of the 1904 founding of the Diocese of Fall River that begin next month, is truly a mirror on the people and their living faith that has made the Church here so vital. For months, as part of the ushering in of the actual centennial on March 12 next year, The Anchor
has been offering thumbnail histories of the various parishes in the L-shaped diocese that stretches from the Attleboros south to Fall River and its neighboring communities, and then east to New Bedford, Cape Cod and the Islands. Each of the mini-histories reveal a tremendous depth of the love of God and willingness to sacrifice by the early immigrants and settlers who, alTum to page 13 - Centennial
Diocese hosts annual Catholic Conference on Scouting By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF
EAST FREETOWN - For only the third time in the last 30 years, the Diocese of Fall River hosted the annual New England Region I Catholic Conference on ·Scouting earlier this month at Cathedral Camp. The conference, hosted on a rotating basis by each New England diocese, is for · men and women involved in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts so that they may better serve our Catholic youth. According to Father Stephen B. Salvador, Region I chaplain a"nd diocesan chaplain of Scouting, the event welcomed more · than 50 adult leaders and was a successful venture. "We're very honored to have had such distinguished and wonderful guest speakers representing both the national and local level of scouting," said Father Salvador. "It was a very successful weekend and
it's nice to be able to host this conference." The theme was "The Spirit Lives," and the program centered on the Religious Awards Program and Scouting Retreats. A patch depicting the theme commemorated the event. The weekend also saw presentations on the International Program for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and a program entitled "Walking the Tightrope in Today's Society," which dealt with troubled youth. Committee Member Mary Powers from Immaculate Conception Parish, Taunton, said she enjoyed the speakers and presentations and got a lot out of the weekend. "A weekend like this motivates you to keep teaching the young people and promoting the religious awards. It's nice to share time like this with so many scout leaders," she said. Another participant enjoying the presentations was Deacon John St. George from the Manchester diocese in New HampTurn to page nine - Scouting
COMMITIEE MEMBERS who organized this year's New England Region I Catholic Conference on Scouting take a break from the festivities. The event welcomed Scouting leaders from across the region. Seated from left: Patricia Latinville, Sister Roberta O'Connell, Father Stephen B. Salvador and Diane Cloutier. Standing from left: Mary A. Giusti, Paul Parente, Mary Powers, Timothy J. Kelly Jr., Don Levesque and Father David C. Frederici. (Anchon'Gordon photo)