10.31.08

Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , October 31, 2008

SEEKING OUR BLESSED MOTHER’S HELP — Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich recently took part in the national 3,000 “America Needs Fatima” Public Square Rosary Rallies. Our Lady’s banner was displayed and a consecration to her was prayed along with the rosary and other prayers and songs.

Catholics continue to hope, pray for Father Patrick Peyton’s canonization

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

EASTON — Tomorrow the Catholic Church celebrates All Saints Day, commemorating all the blessed in heaven. There are many in the Diocese of Fall River and across the world who hope and pray that one day Servant of God,

ROSARY PRIEST — The grave stone of Servant of God Congregation of Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton in Easton is usually adorned with rosary beads that people take and replace with new ones.

Congregation of Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton will be included among those special holy people who are recognized by the Church on earth for giving their all.

Father Peyton, perhaps most well known as the “Rosary Priest,” spent his entire ordained life advocating prayer and holy family lives.

Particularly devoted to Our Lady, Father Peyton strongly advised praying the rosary.

A man ahead of his times, Father Peyton utilized state of the art methods to spread the Gospel.

Most notably the electronic media of, first radio, then television and motion pictures.

He spread devotion to the rosary and Our Lady proclaiming the Gospel message before thousands of faithful at a time.

Following a full life of service to the Lord, Father Peyton passed Turn to page 18

Saturday is All Saints Day Catholics are encouraged not only to rejoice in those blest in heaven by attending Mass, but to seeing and striving for holiness as a worthy goal. Attendance this year is not obligatory.

Diocesan students understand true meaning of Halloween

By Michael Pare Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — As dusk turns to dark this Halloween evening, children will be out in force. At doorsteps from Attleboro to Fall River to Cape Cod, residents will be greeted by a colorful cast of characters.

Yes, you’re sure to see ghosts and goblins and clowns. There will be witches and wizards and of course, all of the characters from classic movies like “The Wizard of Oz” and modern releases like “High School Musical.”

There will be ballplayers and cheerleaders and pop music superstars. And one would be safe to wager on the appearance of a number of Sarah Palin look-a-likes. The focus on this evening is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Snickers, and M&Ms. Can’t you just hear the conversations?

“Stop running ahead of your brother and sister!”

“How much more can that candy bag take?”

“Can’t we ring just one more doorbell?”

“I know they’re home. They’re just not answering the door.”

But Catholics in the Fall River Diocese can be assured that those children from diocesan elementary schools who pay them a visit this evening, beneath their elaborate costumes, do in fact have an understanding of the deeper meaning of Halloween, or as it is more historically known, the feast of All Saint’s

Day. At elementary schools around the diocese, these past few days have been spent ensuring that students understand the difference between what has become a wildly popular and commercial secular holiday and the reverence of the true celebration for Catholics.

The original festival of All Saints for the Christian Church dates back to 609 or 610 when Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Blessed Virgin and all martyrs. The feast of the Turn to page 19

SAINTS FOR ALL SEASONS — Students from Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford dress as saints for Halloween.

Assonet parish will host adoration on Election Day

By Deacon James N. Dunbar

ASSONET — Area Catholics mulling for whom to vote in the upcoming presidential election, might want to stop by St.

Bernard’s Church on November 4 to pray for divine help before casting their ballots.

“We’ll host eucharistic adoration all day on election day, fol-

lowing Mass at 9 a.m., recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m., and at the same time the polls close at 8 p.m., we’ll be having BenedicTurn to page 18

News From the Vatican

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October 31, 2008

Pope urges physicians to respect patients’ dignity

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Whether a patient wants physicians to do everything possible to save his or her life or simply wants ordinary care, doctors must form a “therapeutic alliance” with each patient, Pope Benedict XVI said.

So many diseases today are treatable and even curable that there is a risk of abandoning patients “the moment one senses the impossibility of obtaining appreciable results,” the pope said in a recent meeting with the Italian Society of Surgeons.

The society met the pope during its annual convention in Rome.

Pope Benedict told the surgeons that every patient, even those who are incurably ill, have value and have a dignity that must be honored.

“Respect for human dignity,

in fact, requires unconditional respect for every single human being, born or unborn, healthy or ill, in any condition,” the pope said.

Pope Benedict said an effective therapeutic plan — one that leads the patient to serenity and hope — can be formulated only when a physician truly listens to the patient and understands his or her history and family life.

Whether the patient chooses “bold lifesaving interventions” or decides “to be content with the ordinary measures medicine offers,” mutual respect must characterize the patient-physician relationship, he said.

A patient, the pope said, “wants to be looked at with kindness, not just examined; he wants to be heard, not just subjected to sophisticated tests; he wants to be certain that he is in the mind and heart of the doctor treating him.”

Our Lady’s Monthly Message From Medjugorje October 25, 2008

Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina “Dear children! In a special way I call you all to pray for my intentions so that, through your prayers, you may stop Satan’s plan over this world, which is further from God every day, and which puts itself in the place of God and is destroying everything that is beautiful and good in the souls of each of you.

Therefore, little children, arm yourselves with prayer and fasting so that you may be conscious of how much God loves you and may carry out God’s will.

“Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Spiritual Life Center of Marian Community 154 Summer Street Medway, MA 02053 • Tel. 508-533-5377

Vatican prepares three alternative endings for dismissal at Mass

By John Thavis Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has prepared three alternative endings for the priest’s words of dismissal at Mass, to emphasize the missionary spirit of the liturgy.

Pope Benedict XVI personally chose the three options from suggestions presented to him after a two-year study, Cardinal Francis Arinze told the Synod of Bishops in mid-October.

The Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, published an interview October17 with Cardinal Arinze, head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.

He said along with “Ite, missa est,” the Latin phrase now translated as “The Mass is ended, go in peace,” the new options are: — “Ite ad Evangelium Domini annuntiandum” (Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord).

— “Ite in pace, glorificando vita vestra Dominum” (Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life).

— “Ite in pace” (Go in peace).

The idea for alternative words at the end of Mass was raised at the 2005 Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist. Many bishops wanted the final words to reflect a more explicit connection between Mass and the Church’s mission of evangelization in the world.

Cardinal Arinze said the concern was that, for many Catholics, the current words of dismissal sounded like “The Mass is ended, go and rest.”

The cardinal said his congregation undertook a wide consultation and came up with 72 different possible alternative phrases. Of these, the congregation chose nine and presented them to the pope, who chose the final three.

The three alternatives were published in October in the latest edition of the Roman Missal, along with “Ite, missa est,” which has not been abolished, Cardinal Arinze said.

The cardinal said the congregation still was studying another suggestion made during the 2005 synod, that of moving the sign of peace to a different part of the Mass.

In 2005, the pope said the sign of peace had great value, but should be done with “restraint” so that it does not become a distraction during Mass. He asked for the study on moving the sign of peace from a moment just before Communion to another time in the liturgy.

Cardinal Arinze said that, after consultation, the congregation had written to bishops’ conferences asking their preference between leaving the sign of peace where it is now and moving it to an earlier moment, after the prayer of the faithful.

He said the responses from bishops’ conferences were expected to be in by the end of October, and the question would then be presented to the pope for a final decision.

Cardinal Arinze said that in addition to its timing some have

The Anchor

suggested that the sign of peace be limited to an exchange between the Massgoer and those in his or her immediate vicinity. He said that in some churches today, the sign of peace is extended to the point that it becomes “almost a jamboree.”

Cardinal Arinze said a third suggestion from the 2005 synod, a “eucharistic compendium,” also has made progress and is near publication.

He said the compendium would include doctrinal notes on the Mass, as well as prayer texts, passages of papal liturgical teachings, canon law tracts and other explanatory materials.

He emphasized that the compendium would propose ideas, not impose them.

Cardinal Arinze said a fourth project of the worship congregation, working together with Vatican congregations for doctrine and clergy, was the drawing up of a list of homily themes that correspond to Sunday scriptural readings and to the Church’s doctrinal teachings.

“This is not a matter of model homilies, but general indications in which, for each theme, elements are furnished to be able to develop the theme,” he said.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 52, No. 41

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PUBLISHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jimdunbar@anchornews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase m arychase@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Michael Pare michaelpare@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza kensouza@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

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The International Church

October 31, 2008

3

Pope closes synod, says Bible is put into practice through service

By John Thavis Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI closed the Synod of Bishops on the Bible by preaching a lesson on love of God and neighbor, saying the word of God must be put into practice through service to others.

The concluding liturgy came after the pope accepted 55 final synod propositions, including a proposal that women be admitted to the official ministry of lector, or Scripture reader, at Mass.

Joined by more than 250 bishops at a Mass October 26 in St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope said the synod had highlighted a fundamental truth: that the Church’s missionary activity will fall flat unless it is nourished by scriptural reading and understanding.

The papal liturgy closed an intense three-week period of speechgiving, small-group discussion and elaboration of final recommendations by the 253 voting members of the synod and some 50 other ob-

servers and experts.

One of the synod’s strongest recommendations was to improve the scriptural aspect of homilies, and the pope seemed to offer a model at the closing Mass.

Examining St. Matthew’s account of Christ’s words on the “greatest commandment,” the pope began by looking at the historical context of Judaic law and the originality of what Christ was proposing.

Then he drew connections with the previous readings from the Book of Exodus and a letter of St. Paul to underscore a crucial point: “To be disciples of Christ is to put into practice his teachings, which are summarized in the first and greatest commandment of divine law, the commandment of love.”

He expressed his disappointment that bishops from mainland China were not allowed by their government to attend the synod.

The synod’s propositions, all of which were approved overwhelmingly, were presented to the pope

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL

His Excellency, the Most Reverend George W. Coleman, Bishop of Fall River, has announced the following appointment: Reverend Marek Chmurski, Parochial Administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish, North Easton.

Effective November 5, 2008

along with an invitation to prepare a document on the topics raised during the assembly.

Proposition 17 asked that “the ministry of lector be opened also to women, so that their role as proclaimers of the word may be recognized in the Christian community.”

Women already act as Scripture readers, but cannot be installed officially in such a ministry, which is reserved to males.

Some Vatican sources said that, if approved, it would have to be emphasized that the ministry of lector arises from baptism and not from any connection to priestly ordination.

In its propositions, the synod identified several areas needing further study or guidance: — Proposition 12 suggested that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith clarify “the concepts of the inspiration and the truth of the Bible” in order to make more understandable the Second Vatican Council’s teaching on the question.

— Proposition 15 asked for a “homiletic directory” to help priests in preparing homilies. Such a directory would cover the principles of homiletics and the art of communication and would present biblical themes that recur in liturgical readings; — Proposition 47 asked the Vatican to conduct a study on “the phenomenon of the sects,” citing deep concerns over their growing popularity in traditionally Catholic countries. Often, it said, these sects attract followers by promising “an illusory happiness through the Bible, often interpreted in a fundamentalist way”; — Proposition 16 asked for an examination of the Roman Lectionary, the book of Scripture readings for Mass, to see if “the current selection and ordering of readings is truly adequate to the Church’s

mission in this historical moment.”

In particular, it asked that the Old Testament receive greater attention in the lectionary; — Propostion 54 treated the theme of ecology, urging greater pastoral and theological emphasis on the connection between Scrip-

ture and current efforts to safeguard the created world.

On another liturgical question, the synod suggested that moments of silence be more universally adopted between the first and second readings at Mass and at the end of the homily.

LISIEUX, France (CNS) — Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins encouraged those present at the beatification of the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux to thank God for their own parents.

“I have thought about my own father and mother, and I would like you also to think at this moment of your father and mother, so we will thank God together for having created us and made us Christians through the married love of our parents,” said Cardinal Saraiva Martins, former prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes.

“Receiving life is a wonderful thing. But it is still more admirable for us that our parents should have led us to the Church, which alone is capable of forming Christians.

No one can become a Christian by himself,” the cardinal said at the October 19 beatification Mass for Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin in St. Therese Basilica.

Among the approximately 15,000 people attending the Mass was a six-year-old Italian, Pietro Schillero. When he was 13 months old, his parents prayed for the intercession of the Martins to cure his fatal lung condition; in 2003, the Church recognized the cure as miraculous.

In a message read at the beatification Mass, Pope Benedict XVI said that the Martins had “proclaimed the Gospel” through their

exemplary lives, passing on their “ardent faith” to their children. The pope said he hoped their example would be “a source of joy and hope for all parents and all families.”

Cardinal Saraiva Martins said St. Therese, who died of hemoptysis, or bleeding of the lungs, at age 24, had described her parents as “more worthy of heaven than earth.”

The “secret of success” of the Martins’ Christian life, the cardinal said, had been their readiness to “walk humbly with God in seeking the advice of the Lord,” while also “placing all aspects of their lives in harmony with Church teachings.”

He added that the Martins were a “gift to parents,” widows and widowers, and those facing illness and death.

“Louis and Zelie are a gift for spouses of all ages, through the esteem, respect and harmony with which they loved for 19 years,” the cardinal said. “They lived the promises of marriage, the faithfulness of engagement, the indissolubility of the bond, the fruitfulness of love, in happiness and in trials, in health and in sickness.”

Marie Zelie Guerin married Louis Martin, a watchmaker and jeweler, in 1858. She died of cancer in 1877, at the age of 46, after giving birth to nine children. Four of the Martins’ children died in infancy. The five who survived all entered religious life.

Cardinal beatifies parents of St. Therese of Lisieux in French town

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The Church in the U.S.

October 31, 2008

Poll finds majority of voters favor California marriage amendment

B y C atholic N ews S ervice

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A majority of likely voters in California favor a proposed constitutional amendment stating that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in the state, according to a new poll commissioned by the Knights of Columbus.

The survey, carried out by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, also showed support for California’s Proposition 8 among a majority of likely Catholic voters (57 percent), Republicans (83 percent), men (53 percent), women (51 percent), Latinos (57 percent), married people (59 percent) and those 45 or older (59 percent).

Groups most likely to oppose Proposition 8 were Democrats (63 percent said they were opposed), Independents (54 percent), those under 45 (54 percent), single people (54 percent) and college graduates (50 percent), according to the poll results.

The survey was conducted by telephone September 28-October 5 among 1,008 registered voters in California. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

Among all likely California voters, 52 percent said they planned to vote “yes” on Proposition 8, 43 percent said they would vote “no,” and five percent were unsure.

Same-sex marriages have been permitted in California since June, after the California Supreme Court ruled in May that sexual orientation “does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights.”

Californians voted in 2000 to allow marriages only between opposite-sex couples, but the high court’s ruling overturned that.

The Knights, based in New Haven, recently agreed to fund a new campaign of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops aimed at promoting the unique nature of marriage and defending its status against moves to redefine marriage through legislatures or the courts.

The survey, made public last week, found that 52 percent of likely voters said they thought the California Supreme Court was wrong to overturn the 2000 referendum results, while 42 percent said the court’s action was right and six percent were unsure.

Asked whether they thought the definition of marriage should be determined by judges or by California voters, 72 percent said voters should have the final word, 15 percent said it should be left to judges and 13 percent were undecided.

The survey respondents also were presented with various scenarios that could follow passage or failure of Proposition 8 and asked whether that possibility would make

them more or less likely to vote for the proposed constitutional amendment.

Among likely voters, 58 percent said they would be more likely to vote for Proposition 8 if same-sex couples would “still be able to form civil unions and have the same rights as married heterosexual couples” if the proposed amendment is passed. Thirty percent said they would be less likely to support it and 12 percent were unsure.

Another question hypothesized that if Proposition 8 fails, “priests, ministers and other clergy who won’t perform same-sex marriages because of their religious beliefs will face lawsuits and may lose their right to perform heterosexual marriages.” Forty-four percent said that would make them more likely to vote in favor of Proposition 8, while 41 percent said it would make them less unfavorable to the proposal and 14 percent said they were unsure.

About half (49 percent) of likely voters agreed with the statement, “Same-sex marriage should not be law if priests, ministers and other clergy who believe the Bible allows for marriage only between a man and a woman will not be able to legally marry these couples in their place of worship without risk of lawsuits or loss of their tax-exempt status.”

Forty-three percent said they believed “same-sex marriage should become law, so gay and lesbian couples may have the same rights as other couples through marriage,” and eight percent were undecided.

REMEMBERING THE DEAD — Students position a statuette of Mary while assembling an altar for the Day of the Dead at Casa Hispana, the Hispanic Cultural Center at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y. The Day of the Dead is celebrated by Mexicans and Guatemalans on All Saints’ Day, November 1, and All Souls’ Day, November 2. (CNS photo/Mike Crupi, Catholic Courier)

Prelates say both social and political steps are necessary to protect life

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholics are required to oppose abortion on demand and to provide help to mothers facing challenging pregnancies, the chairmen of two committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said in an statement.

Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, also urged Catholics to study Church teaching on matters pertaining to abortion rather than rely on statements and materials from outside organizations.

The prelates’ statement was released in response to two arguments that have surfaced in the abortion debate during the run-up to the November 4 election.

The first maintains that the Catholic Church should accept the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision on abortion as a “permanent fixture of constitutional law” and the only way to reduce abortions is through broader government support for pregnant women.

The second holds that the Church

Associate Director of Pastoral Planning

The Diocese of Fall River’s Office for Pastoral Planning currently has a position available for an experienced Associate Director of Planning.

The Associate Director of Planning primarily facilitates the development, training and support of pastoral councils on the parish, region and diocesan level.

The Associate works closely with the Director of Planning in the development of policy and procedure regarding planning issues.

Qualified candidates for this position will possess a Bachelor’s degree in Education, HR, or other related field (Master’s degree preferred); at least 5 years experience in significant professional leadership position or equivalent combination of experience and education. Qualified candidates should be familiar with principles of organization development.

Candidates interested in viewing a complete job description should access: www.fallriverdiocese.org Interested parties should forward a cover letter and resume, including salary requirements by November 12 to: Office for Pastoral Planning Diocese of Fall River 450 Highland Avenue, P.O. Box 2577 Fall River, MA 02722

should focus solely on restoring recognition for unborn children’s human rights and that proposals to provide life-affirming support for pregnant women distract from that effort.

“We want to be clear that neither argument is consistent with Catholic teaching,” the prelates wrote.

“Our faith requires us to oppose abortion on demand and to provide help to mothers facing challenging pregnancies.”

In issuing their statement, the bishops signaled both sides of the abortion debate that efforts to protect life must take place both in the social and political realms.

“Providing support for pregnant women so they choose to have their babies is a necessary but not sufficient response to abortion,” they said. “Similarly, reversal of Roe is a necessary but not sufficient condition for restoring an order of justice in our society’s treatment of defenseless human life.

“Both approaches to opposing abortion are essential. By protecting the child’s life to the maximum degree possible, improving life-affirming support for pregnant women and changing the attitudes and prejudices imposed on many women to make them see abortion as an acceptable or necessary solution, we will truly help build a culture of life,” they said.

Overturning the court’s decision would not automatically grant legal protection to the unborn, Cardinal Rigali and Bishop Murphy said.

The prelates also cautioned Catholics about the numerous materials that have surfaced recently that attempt to “interpret Catholic teaching” or imply that such resources “represent the teaching of the Church.” They affirmed that the year-old “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” document is “the teaching that has been approved” by the bishops to help guide Catholic voters.

They also encouraged Catholics to review documents issued by local bishops and state Catholic conferences for guidance prior to the election.

The Church in the U.S.

October 31, 2008

5

Bishop Wenski seeks balanced, humane immigration policy

TAKING OFF THE GLOVES — U.S. presidential nominees Republican Sen. John McCain and U.S. Democratic Sen. Barack Obama shake hands as Cardinal Edward M. Egan of New York looks on during the 2008 Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner in New York recently. (CNS photo/Jim Young, Reuters)

U.S. bishops address abortion, ’08 election in columns, statements

WASHINGTON (CNS) — As the right choice but also have the Similarly Archbishop Dolan the presidential election cam- courage to discuss these issues wrote in the Milwaukee Journal paign was drawing to a close, with others who may have been Sentinel newspaper that many some U.S. bishops urged Catho- misled by our materialistic cul- see abortion not as “a theological lics not to base their votes on one ture,” he said. matter but a civil rights one.” issue alone, while others said Bishop Robert F. Vasa of Responding to a letter writer no combination of issues could Baker, Ore., in a column for the who had accused the U.S. bishtrump a candidate’s ops of “meddling” in stand on what Milwaupolitics for correcting o a vote for a promoter of abor- Catholic politicians kee Archbishop Timotion, when there is another less who had misinterpretthy M. Dolan called the “premier civil rights evil alternative, is a vote for abortion,” ed Church teaching issue of our day” — Bishop Vasa said. on abortion, the Milabortion. waukee leader said the Bishop Robert J. writer was wrong “in Hermann, a St. Louis implying that bishops auxiliary who is apostolic admin- latest issue of the Catholic Senti- are out of bounds in clarifying the istrator of the St. Louis Archdio- nel diocesan newspaper, warned truth of their faith on this issue.” cese, writing in the St. Louis Re- against what he said were mis“We cannot be mute on this view October 17, said the choice taken interpretations of the U.S. premier civil rights issue of our was clear. bishops’ 2007 document, “Form- day,” he said.

“The decision I make in the ing Consciences for Faithful Citvoting booth will reflect my val- izenship.” ue system,” he said. “If I value “The document does not say, the good of the economy and my for instance, that it is just fine current lifestyle more than I do to vote for a pro-abortion candithe right to life itself, then I am date as long as one votes for that in trouble. My desire for a good candidate only because of his economy cannot justify my vot- or her stand on other important ing to remove all current restric- social issues,” he wrote. “Casttions on abortion. My desire to ing a vote, even for reasons other end the war in Iraq cannot justify than the candidate’s pro-abortion my voting to remove all current position, is still casting a vote restrictions on abortion.” for the preservation of ‘a legal Contrasting the judgment day system which violates the basic of the election to the final judg- right to life.’” ment day in heaven, Bishop Her“Just as a vote for a genocidal mann urged St. Louis Catholics maniac is a vote for genocide and to “pray your way into confor- a vote for the avowed torturer is a mity with the teachings of Christ vote for torture ... so a vote for a and his church.” promoter of abortion, when there “Pray the family rosary daily is another less evil alternative, is between now and Election Day a vote for abortion,” Bishop Vasa so that you may not only make said.

“S

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Lamenting that illegal immigration has been largely unaddressed during the presidential campaign, Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando, Fla., said the new White House administration and Congress must confront the issue and develop a consistent, effective and humane policy that bridges political divisions.

Writing in The Washington Post, Bishop Wenski, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace and a consultant to the conference’s Committee on Migration, said the current enforcement-only approach to illegal immigration is ineffective and contrary to national interests.

“In truth, intermittent work-site raids, increased local law enforcement involvement and the creation of a wall along parts of our southern border, among other efforts, have done little to address the challenges presented by illegal immigration,” Bishop Wenski wrote in an opinion piece in the daily newspaper.

While high-profile, lightningfast work-site raids across the country “meet the political need to show government’s law enforcement’s capabilities,” they have had a minimal impact on the number of undocumented workers in the country, he said.

Such efforts have done little more than cause what Bishop Wenski termed “dislocation and disruption in immigrant communities” while victimizing permanent U.S. residents and citizens, including children.

In addition, he said the involve-

ment of local law enforcement officers in immigration enforcement has diminished the trust between the immigrant community and local authorities.

With a lack of trust among immigrants comes fear and damage to long-term relationships, he added.

“Not only do legal immigrants worry that a loved one may be swept away in a work-site raid or after a knock at the door at home, they are fearful for their own futures — and the futures of their children — in the United States. This is not the way to encourage integration and responsible citizenship,” Bishop Wenski said.

It is doubtful that stringent enforcement actions will lead to a mass exodus of illegal and legal immigrants, as some organizations that oppose immigration hope, Bishop Wenski said.

“What (those opposing immigration) do not acknowledge is that 70 percent of the undocumented have lived in this country for five years or longer and have no home to return to,” he said. “These people identify themselves more as Americans than anything else and would rather live here in the shadows than take their U.S.-citizen children back to a place they do not know.”

Not addressing the immigration issue will elevate tensions in states and local communities and “tacitly affirm the acceptance of a hidden and permanent underclass in our country,” the bishop added.

He stressed that a broad and balanced immigration policy must be enacted to fill the “policy vacuum” that congressional inaction in 2007 left behind.

6

The Anchor Looking carefully

During the past two months, we have run a series of editorials seeking to inform the consciences of Catholics with regard to our moral duty to defend innocent human life. We have tried to make the teaching of the Church as simple, intelligible and authoritative as possible, quoting liberally from the increasing number of prophetic American bishops who have specified what that duty means with respect to the moral choice Catholic citizens will make on Tuesday.

No bishop, however, has presented the Church’s teaching as clearly and simply as Cardinal Edward Egan of New York did in a column in his archdiocesan newspaper last week. He didn’t present lucid critiques of whether someone could ever have a sufficiently “grave proportionate reason” to vote for a candidate who supports abortion. He just printed a photo — with an accompanying moral commentary. That photo and commentary provide a fitting contemplation for Catholics in the Diocese of Fall River as we prepare to head to the polls on Tuesday: “The picture on this page is an untouched photograph of a being that has been within its mother for 20 weeks. Please do me the favor of looking at it carefully.

“Have you any doubt that it is a human being? … Have you any doubt that the authorities in a civilized society are duty-bound to protect this innocent human being if anyone were to wish to kill it?

“If you have no doubt that the authorities in a civilized society would be duty-bound to protect this innocent human being if someone were to wish to kill it, I would suggest — even insist — that there is not a lot more to be said about the issue of abortion in our society. It is wrong, and it cannot — must not — be tolerated.

“But you might protest that all of this is too easy. Why, you might inquire, have I not delved into the opinion of philosophers and theologians about the matter? … Why do I not get into defining ‘human being,’ defining ‘person,’ defining ‘living,’ and the rest? Because, I respond, I am sound of mind and endowed with a fine set of eyes, into which I do not believe it is well to cast sand. I looked at the photograph, and I have no doubt about what I saw and what are the duties of a civilized society if what I saw is in danger of being killed by someone who wishes to kill it or, if you prefer, someone who ‘chooses’ to kill it. In brief: I looked, and I know what I saw.…

“If we agree that the being in the photograph printed on this page is an innocent human being, you have no choice but to admit that it may not be legitimately killed even before 20 weeks unless you can indicate with scientific proof the point in the development of the being before which it was other than an innocent human being and, therefore, available to be legitimately killed. … If there is a time when something less than a human being in a mother morphs into a human being, it is not a time that anyone has ever been able to identify.…

“The matter becomes even clearer and simpler if you obtain from the National Geographic Society two extraordinary DVDs. One is entitled ‘In the Womb’ and illustrates in color and in motion the development of one innocent human being within its mother. The other is entitled ‘In the Womb — Multiples’ and in color and motion shows the development of two innocent human beings — twin boys — within their mother. … The one innocent human being squirms about, waves its arms, sucks its thumb, smiles broadly and even yawns; and the two innocent human beings do all of that and more: They fight each other. One gives his brother a kick, and the other responds with a sock to the jaw. If you can convince yourself that these beings are something other than living and innocent human beings, something, for example, such as ‘mere clusters of tissues,’ you have a problem far more basic than merely not appreciating the wrongness of abortion. And that problem is — forgive me — self-deceit in a most extreme form.

“Adolf Hitler convinced himself and his subjects that Jews and homosexuals were other than human beings. Joseph Stalin did the same as regards Cossacks and Russian aristocrats.

And this despite the fact that Hitler and his subjects had seen both Jews and homosexuals with their own eyes, and Stalin and his subjects had seen both Cossacks and Russian aristocrats with theirs. Happily, there are few today who would hesitate to condemn in the roundest terms the self-deceit of Hitler, Stalin or even their subjects to the extent that the subjects could have done something to end the madness and protect living, innocent human beings.

“It is high time to stop pretending that we do not know what this nation of ours is allowing — and approving — with the killing each year of more than 1,600,000 innocent human beings within their mothers. We know full well that to kill what is clearly seen to be an innocent human being or what cannot be proved to be other than an innocent human being is as wrong as wrong gets. Nor can we honorably cover our shame by appealing to the thoughts of Aristotle or Aquinas on the subject, inasmuch as we are all well aware that their understanding of matters embryological was hopelessly mistaken; … by feigning ignorance of the meaning of ‘human being,’ ‘person,’ ‘living,’ and such; by maintaining that among the acts covered by the right to privacy is the act of killing an innocent human being; and by claiming that the being within the mother is ‘part’ of the mother, so as to sustain the oft-repeated slogan that a mother may kill or authorize the killing of the being within her ‘because she is free to do as she wishes with her own body.’

“One day, please God, when the stranglehold on public opinion in the United States has been released by the extremists for whom abortion is the center of their political and moral life, our nation will, in my judgment, look back on what we have been doing to innocent human beings within their mothers as a crime no less heinous than what was approved by the Supreme Court in the ‘Dred Scott Case’ in the 19th century, and no less heinous than what was perpetrated by Hitler and Stalin in the 20th. There is nothing at all complicated about the utter wrongness of abortion, and making it all seem complicated mitigates that wrongness not at all.

On the contrary, it intensifies it.

“Do me a favor. Look at the photograph again. Look and decide with honesty and decency what the Lord expects of you and me as the horror of ‘legalized’ abortion continues to erode the honor of our nation. Look, and do not absolve yourself if you refuse to act.”

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October 31, 2008

From Satanist to saint

onight we celebrate All Hallows’ Eve, Catholics. Each day for two years, as a volunmeant originally to be the vespers of tarily-imposed penance, Bartolo worked in the the feast on which we celebrate all the saints Neapolitan Hospital for Incurables. He prayed. in heaven and reflect on the vocation we’ve re- He became a third-order Dominican. He made a promise of celibacy to serve God with an unceived one day to be numbered among them.

Unfortunately in many places Halloween has divided heart. He sought to do reparation for his a far different meaning. I’m not talking about the scandal by returning to his Satanist hangouts, relatively innocuous practice of boys’ dressing up holding up the rosary and publicly renouncing as Spiderman or Jack Sparrow and girls’ vesting his former ways.

But he still despaired. He couldn’t forgive as Hannah Montana or Tinkerbell. I’m referring to the explicitly diabolical connection Satanists himself or see how God could ever forgive him. give to this day. As ex-Satanists have testified, Sa- One day, while fulfilling some legal business tanists mark this day as the devil’s “birthday” and in Pompeii for his client Countess Mariana di Fusco, and seeing how great was the people’s seek to celebrate it with sanguinary sacrifices.

This is admittedly a topic that most people poverty, ignorance, moral corruption and depenfor straightforward reasons want to avoid. Secu- dence on witchcraft, God helped him to see both larists have problems publicly recognizing the how he could be saved and how he could spend existence of an all-loving God; it’s immeasur- his life saving others.

“One day in the fields around Pompeii,” he ably more difficult to acknowledge the existence of a spiritual being who hates God and hates us. wrote, “I recalled my former condition as a priest Even many Catholics prefer to ignore the evi- of Satan. … I thought that perhaps as the priestdence of the diabolical, rationalizing Jesus’ mul- hood of Christ is for eternity, so also the priesttiple confrontations with the devil in the Gospel hood of Satan is for eternity. So, despite my repenas literary devices, and regarding the films of tance, I thought: I am still consecrated to Satan, contemporary exorcisms either as creepy fiction and I am still his slave and property as he awaits or as evidence as yet-to-be-diagnosed-and-med- me in hell. As I pondered over my condition, I experienced a deep icated psychologsense of despair ical disorders. As and almost comuncomfortable as mitted suicide. the topic may be, Then I heard an however, Satan echo in my ear of is real and so are the voice of Friar Satanists.

Alberto repeatToday is as

By Father ing the words of fitting a day as the Blessed Virany to remember Roger J. Landry gin Mary: ‘One this reality and to who propagates pray for the conversion of Satanists and all those who have be- my rosary shall be saved.’ Falling to my knees, guiled into various occult practices that are any- I exclaimed: ‘If your words are true that he who thing but benign. For this intention, there’s no propagates your rosary will be saved, I shall reach greater intercessor than Blessed Bartolo Longo salvation because I shall not leave this earth with(1841-1926), the former Satanist priest who be- out propagating your rosary.’”

He spent the whole rest of his life, beginning came, according to Pope John Paul, the “Apostle in Pompeii, propagating the rosary and imitating of the Rosary.”

Bartolo was born to a devout Catholic family the mysteries it contained. With the financial supnear Brindisi, in southern Italy. He was a bril- port of the Countess, he built Pompeii’s famous liant, though mischievous kid, who began to lose Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, his way at the age of 10 after his mother died. founded elementary schools and orphanages, His adolescence was a time of great upheaval inaugurated a print shop and technical school in his country, when Garabaldi was seeking to to give the children of convicted criminals the eliminate the papal city states and unite Italy. chance of a better life. He wrote books on the By the time Bartolo entered the University of rosary, composed novenas and prayer manuals.

Naples law school, many of his professors were The former Satanist eventually became a friend ex-priests preaching nationalist venom against of Pope Leo XIII, who had a great devotion to the Church. He was quickly caught up in their the rosary. From Pompeii he also began the popfervor. “I, too, grew to hate monks, priests and ular movement that led to the solemn dogmatic the pope,” he would later write, “and in particu- proclamation of the Assumption in 1950.

Perhaps his most lasting contribution of all lar [I detested] the Dominicans, the most formidable, furious opponents of those great modern will prove to be the Luminous Mysteries of the professors, proclaimed by the university the rosary. It was from Blessed Bartolo’s writings sons of progress, the defenders of science, the that Pope John Paul II found not only the idea of mysteries covering the time of Jesus’ public minchampions of every sort of freedom.”

In his confusion and emptiness, without God istry, but also what the individual mysteries should to turn to, he began to visit some of Naples’ in- be and what all five as a whole should be called. famous mediums. That was his introduction into When he proposed the new Mysteries of Light in the occult. Soon, his thirst for the supernatural his 2002 encyclical “The Rosary of the Blessed led him into outright Satanism, where after a pe- Virgin Mary,” Pope John Paul II didn’t hesitate riod of intense study and such rigorous fasting to show his admiration for this holy man whose that he was reduced to skin and bones, he was conversion and subsequent holy life demonstrate consecrated a satanic priest and promised his that no matter how far away from the faith one soul to a demon. For the next year, he began to is, there’s always hope. After referring to Blessed preside over satanic services and to preach more Bartolo’s insights throughout his rosary encycliboldly and blasphemously against God and the cal, Pope John Paul II concluded by quoting the Church — treating them, in a diabolical rever- prayer of the man he beatified in 1980.

This prayer is a fitting way for us to conclude sal, as the real evils.

His family back home tried to talk him out the month of the rosary and to pray for those who, of the path he had chosen, to no avail. The began like Blessed Bartolo once was, are still caught unto pray and to ask for help from whoever might der the bondage of Satanism and the occult: “O Blessed Rosary of Mary, sweet chain that lend a hand. Professor Vincenzo Pepe, a solidly Catholic professor at the university, responded. unites us to God, bond of love that unites us to He began to meet with Bartolo, accosting him, the angels, tower of salvation against the assaults “Do you want to die in an insane asylum and be of Hell, safe port in our universal shipwreck, we damned forever?” Bartolo couldn’t ignore the will never abandon you. You will be our compsychological and physiological state he was in. fort in the hour of death: yours our final kiss as Professor Pepe eventually convinced him to see life ebbs away. And the last word from our lips a Dominican priest, who after three weeks of will be your sweet name, O Queen of the Rolengthy conversations, on the feast of the Sacred sary of Pompeii, O dearest Mother, O Refuge of Heart in 1865, was able to welcome him back Sinners, O Sovereign Consoler of the Afflicted.

May you be everywhere blessed, today and alinto the Church and give him absolution.

To keep an eye on him, Professor Pepe al- ways, on earth and in heaven.”

Father Landry is pastor of St. Anthony of lowed Bartolo to move in with him and started to surround him with faithful and dedicated Padua Parish in New Bedford.

Putting Into the Deep

Seminarians add so much to parish life

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ur parish has been blessed The seminarians have made during this past year with a special effort to work with the the presence of eight seminarians young people in the various barwho are in their final year of forrios. They have invited youth to mation. They arrive at the parish participate in formation sessions every Saturday to do their pastoral to receive the sacrament of confirpractice and leave on Sunday. mation, as well as form neighborThey work in the neighborhoods, hood youth groups. One of the or “los barrios,” by visiting youth groups recently hosted a families, leading celebrations of “concert” at the parish with the the word, and working with the youth. They have made quite an impression in the barrios where they have ministered.

Among themselves the seminarians have

By Father formed a bond as they Craig A. Pregana return from the barrios on Saturday evenings for the parish Mass and supper together after Mass. They help of the two seminarians who have shared with me about their minister in their barrio. The envocation journey, as well as their ergy and enthusiasm for the faith struggles living in a country so have touched not only the youth, poor. Life in the seminary for but the adults as well, and espethem is modest, as is the food, so cially the parents of the youth. these eight fourth-year men enjoy They are grateful knowing that the hospitality of the Casa Cural their children are being invited to in Guaimaca on their weekend get involved in the Church. pastoral visit.

One of our hopes is that the

Our Mission

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involvement of the seminarians in the barrios will foster vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The young people are already disposed to offering their time and talent to the Church. Their faith is strong and sense of service is remarkable. With the added support of the family and the society in general, these young people are open to the possibility of a vocation.

A few weeks ago, the seminary invited me to celebrate Mass for the seminarians on a Saturday morning at 7 a.m. Since it is a two-hour ride to the seminary, we had to leave quite early. I invited a few of the young people who seem more disposed to a vocation. They were eager to visit the seminary for Mass and to visit the seminarians who come to the parish regularly.

We left at 4:30 a.m. on our excursion to the seminary. The youth were more animated than I was at that hour to make the trip.

When we arrived the seminarians

were gathered in different groups around the seminary grounds to pray Morning Prayer before Mass. Following Mass we were invited to have breakfast with the seminarians. It was a very simple breakfast: two hot dogs, some beans, cheese, and a few tortillas.

While the food didn’t do much to impress the youth, the camaraderie among the seminarians did.

They commented that they could imagine themselves studying in the seminary and living in community as they saw. The presence

of the seminarians adds much to the life of our parish, and their enthusiasm has touched the youth of the parish.

Our works to inspire vocations are a community effort. Together we need to demonstrate the needs of the Church, the gifts of the youth, and the invitation of the community. This coupled with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit will bring a new springtime of vocations to the Church.

For more information, visit us at: www.FallRiverMissions.com

ANSWERING GOD’S CALL — Seven of the eight fourth-year seminarians in Guaimaca attending a recent conference.

St. Paul on vocations to celibacy and virginity

by God to give oneself totally to he works of St. Paul rephim. resent the oldest Christian The main reason one might writings in existence. Because of decide to respond affirmatively to their position in the New Testathis vocation and to live in volunment after the Gospels and the tary continence is the more perfect Acts of the Apostles, we someimitation of Christ, who was himtimes forget this fact. self a virgin and a celibate. Indeed, The Pauline Year gives us a St. Paul’s desire to take Jesus as his great opportunity to rediscover model led him to renounce marand reclaim the treasures of the riage for the sake of the kingdom.

Apostle’s epistles and teachings.

We find much more than the doctrine of justification in his letters: prayer, Living the mysticism, his love for the Pauline Year churches he established, his understanding of the

By Father Church, and the theology of marriage.

Karl C. Bissinger Leading logically from the discussion on the Christian vocation to marriage, we In turn, the Apostle wrote to the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, turn this week to what Paul has to say about vocations to celibacy and as I am of Christ” (1Cor 11:1).

St. Paul believed that Jesus’ virginity. birth and public ministry, his death Until Christianity, people usuand resurrection — in short, the ally did not think of celibacy and appearance of Christ — meant virginity as permanent states of that the end of the world was imlife. In their essential meanings, a celibate is a single man, a bachelor; minent. In this situation, it was his opinion that staying celibate was a virgin is an unmarried woman, preferable to getting married. one who has not experienced We should not draw the conclusexual intercourse. In a religious context, however, celibacy and vir- sion from this that avowed virgins and celibates are holier than marginity each refer to a life in which ried people or that consecrated life one commits to abstain from is better in general. Maybe celibamarriage and to remain chaste — cy seemed more practical to Paul in this way, these terms may be used somewhat interchangeably. A than starting a family, with the end of the world expectedly so near at person undertakes such a lifestyle hand. The Apostle thus taught the not out of a notion that sex or the human body is bad, nor to suppress important dictum that “everyone should remain in the state in which the fullness of one’s personality or he was called” (1Cor 7:20). emotions, nor for selfish motivaSt. Paul contrasts the vocations, but because one feels called

tions to marriage and to virginity.

He sees marriage as sharing in the natural order. Instead, chaste celibacy more clearly points to the supernatural, to the kingdom. Today the call to virginity still retains its character as a sign of the new life of the Resurrection.

The Apostle also teaches that on the one hand “a married man ... is divided. He is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and a married woman, how she may please her husband” (cf. 1Cor 7:3334). On the other hand, “an unmarried man, an unmarried woman, or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he or she may please the Lord and be holy in both body and spirit” (1Cor 7:32,34).

Surprisingly, however, the vocations to marriage and virginity go together like two sides of the same coin. Despite the apparent tension between them, they are inextricably linked and serve to support each other. Celibacy isn’t about disrupting the social order, putting down the institution of marriage, or dismantling the family.

The vocation to virginity mirrors the image of the virgin Church and her mystical marriage to the bridegroom, Christ.

In this way, we see how the celibate priesthood, the religious life, and vocations to consecrated virginity all fit into the same wonderful view of ultimate reality as the sacrament of matrimony. They each reflect the intimate

love that God has for his people and the love his people are called to reciprocate.

Finally, St. Paul’s dictum to “remain as you are” (1Cor 7:20) has important consequences for the Church’s life. This saying is one of the reasons why priests and deacons cannot marry after ordination. A married man can be ordained (usually only to the diaconate in the Latin Church), but if his wife should die, he cannot remarry. He must remain as

he is. In the same way, those who have been divorced or widowed who stay chaste and unmarried also imitate the vocations to celibacy and virginity, and thereby bear witness to the Kingdom of Heaven. This goes for all who never marry and remain single and chaste throughout their lives out of love for God. Father Bissinger is vocation director of the Diocese of Fall River and secretary to Bishop George W. Coleman.

Come and See Sponsored by The Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement (A Come and See is a weekend of reflection for women considering a vocation to the consecrated life.)

The weekend will include time for prayer and reflection, Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, presentations on St. Francis, personal witness talks and opportunities to meet the Sisters at Graymoor and learn the history of the community.

Vocation Weekend November 14-16, 2008 (5:30 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Sunday) Our Lady of the Atonement Retreat House Graymoor, Garrison, NY

For more information or to register: contact Sr. Jean Tavin, SA (1-845-230-8231) Email: vocationministry@graymoor.org

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his weekend at all the Masses we are asked to pray for and remember all the deceased in a very special way as we celebrate All Souls Day. The readings remind us that for those who put their faith and trust in Christ, death is not the end, but the beginning of the eternal life that we are called to have with God. For those of us old enough to remember the old “Baltimore Catechism” we can recall the answer to the second question: Why did God make me? The answer: “To know him and love him and serve him in this world ... and in the world to come.”

For every person who calls himself or herself a Christian and a Catholic this very simple answer possesses great truths about our relationship with God, our own personal mission in this life and the ultimate purpose of

The Anchor

All Souls Day

our creation. We can understill imperfectly purified are stand that in the mystery of indeed assured of their eterGod creating us for this world nal salvation, but after death that we were also created for they undergo purification, the life to come the kingdom so as to achieve the holiness of heaven. necessary to enter the joy of The Old Testament tells heaven. The Church gives the us that it is right and good to pray for the dead. The Apostles’ Homily of the Week Creed reminds us of the truth of our faith All Souls Day that one day, at the time of final judgBy Father ment, there will be John J. Perry the resurrection of the body. Catholics since time immemorial have prayed for the dead, name Purgatory to this final have had Masses said, and purification of the elect….” have offered their acts of We believe that on the day almsgiving and charity knowof final judgment that we ing these would help those on shall be mysteriously retheir journey to heaven. united with our earthly body.

We don’t hear too much How God will do this will reabout purgatory these days. main a mystery that belongs The new catechism tells to God and really isn’t ours us, “All who die in God’s to figure out. Because of this grace and friendship, but Christians have always held

October 31, 2008

great respect and reverence for the bodies of the deceased as both the former temple of the spirit or soul and also with the understanding that on the day of resurrection the two shall be mysteriously reunited.

It is for this reason that the tombs of the faithfully departed have been always held as sacred places, places of veneration and sometimes places of pilgrimage. It is for this reason that it is only churches and cemeteries are considered to be sacred and consecrated places.

On this All Souls Day, a day that only occasionally falls on a Sunday, perhaps we can use it as an opportunity to make a visit to the cemetery. I urge you to take this opportunity to visit the grave of our loved ones and pray

for them. To recall the lives that they lived and how they were not only a part of, but are still a part of your lives.

Their love, their concern and their influence haven’t ceased being a part of who you are.

How good it is to pray for them, and for us to know that we have helped them on their journey to their eternal home.

The goal of every Christian is sainthood. It means everlasting joy in the presence of God. As we leave church this day let us reflect on how so many of the saints are buried in our cemeteries.

Those many saints were the ones in this life the ones that cared for and loved us, and who now still do the same as they intercede before the throne of the Almighty.

Father Perry is pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Taunton and diocesan director of Catholic cemeteries.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Nov. 1, All Saints Day, Rv 7:2-4,9-14; Ps 24:1b-4b,5-6; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a; Sun. Nov. 2, Sunday, The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, Wis 3:1-9; Ps 23:1-6; Rom 5:5-11 or 6:3-9; Jn 6:37-40; Mon. Nov. 3, Phil 2:1-4; Ps 131:1b-3; Lk 14:12-14; Tues. Nov. 4, Phil 2:5-11; Ps 22:26b-32; Lk 14:15-24; Wed. Nov. 5, Phil 2:12-18; Ps 27:1,4,13-14; Lk 14:25-33; Thu. Nov. 6, Phil 3:3-8a; Ps 105:2-7; Lk 15:1-10; Fri. Nov. 7, Phil 3:17-4:1; Ps 122:1-5; Lk 16:1-8.

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here will be much to ponder, once this interminable electoral cycle comes to an end. Why has so much of the campaign seemed like a prolonged episode of “American Idol,” with candidates trying to sell their personal “narratives” rather than their ideas and policies? Why did Pastor Rick Warren, rather than talented, veteran journalists, raise the questions that many Americans would like to explore in considering their new president: questions of the candidates’ character, compassion, intellectual roots, and moral depth? What does the non-stop cable news cycle do to our national ability to pause and think seriously?

Earlier this year, at the height of the primary season, a

Praying for those to be elected senior producer in the network of feeling. 1960 is supposed news business told me that, to have been an exception — while a political junkie, she our age’s answer to Lincoln was appalled by what she had and Douglas — but few today experienced within many cam- remember that Kennedy and paigns: the carefully crafted, Nixon spent an inordinate poll- and focus groupdriven manipulation of the electorate’s emotions, in what amount to a variant on the sleazier forms of advertising. Isn’t

By George Weigel there something more to running for president than appealing to consumer tastes?

And then there’s the media’s amount of time during their deown fixation with “gotcha,” bates arguing about two rocks which further fuels the vacuity off the China coast, Quemoy of political conversation and and Matsu. Still, these past two debate. years seem, at the moment, to Truth to tell, campaigns are have been singularly devoid rarely pretty, if you’re interest- of a serious exchange of ideas, ed in ideas rather than spasms and singularly dominated by sound bites.

So, with the end in sight, let me suggest that it’s time to pray: to pray for the candidates, because whoever is inaugurated on January 20, 2009, is facing a world of trouble; to pray for ourselves, that we refrain from tribal voting and make wise and prudent choices; and to pray for our country, that we grow up a bit more in the years ahead. With thanks to the Diocese of Wilmington, let

The Catholic Difference

me commend to everyone the Litany of St. Thomas More, martyr, and patron of statesmen, politicians, and lawyers: V. Lord, have mercy.

R. Lord, have mercy.

V. Christ, have mercy.

R. Christ, have mercy.

V. Lord, have mercy.

R. Christ, have mercy.

V. Christ, hear us.

R. Christ, graciously hear us.

V. St. Thomas More, saint and martyr, R. Pray for us.

V. St. Thomas More, patron of statesmen, politicians, and lawyers, R. Pray for us.

V. St. Thomas More, patron of justices, judges, and magistrates, R. Pray for us.

V. St. Thomas More, model of integrity and virtue in public and private life, R. Pray for us.

V. St. Thomas More, servant of the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Christ, R. Pray for us.

V. St. Thomas More, model of holiness in the sacrament of marriage, R. Pray for us.

V. St. Thomas More, teacher of your children in the Catholic faith, R. Pray for us.

V. St. Thomas More, defender of the weak and the poor, R. Pray for us.

V. St. Thomas More, promoter of human life and dignity, R. Pray for us.

V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, R. Spare us, O Lord.

V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, R. Graciously hear us, O Lord.

V, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, R. Have mercy on us.

Let us pray: O glorious St. Thomas More, patron of statesmen, politicians, judges, and lawyers, your life of prayer and penance and your zeal for justice, integrity, and firm principle in public and family life led you to the path of martyrdom and sainthood.

Intercede for our statesmen, politicians, judges, and lawyers, that they may be courageous and effective in their defense and promotion of the sanctity of human life — the foundation of all other human rights. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.

R. Amen.

George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

The screaming meemies

Friday 31 October 2008 — real danger. The screaming at home on Three Mile River meemies can be fun. This is — Eve of All Hallows the reason spooky stories have his is a scary time been told around the world for of year and so it has thousands of years. Stories of always been. It’s enough to give you the screaming meemies or the heebee jeebies, or a bad case of the Reflections of a hoo-ha’s. “Screaming Parish Priest meemies” was army slang used to describe

By Father Tim whistling bombs.

Goldrick “Heebee jeebies” is a nonsense phrase coined in 1923 by an Amerithis sort are best told softly, can cartoonist. The term thereby giving greater empha“hoo-ha’s” was coined in T.S. sis to the inevitable scream.

Eliot’s poem, “Fragment of an They are also best told in Agon” (1927). darkness, so that listeners can Call them what you will, imagine creatures lurking in most of us enjoy being scared the shadows. if we know there isn’t any I remember from my child-

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hood the Halloween parties held at the home of my Uncle Frank and Aunt Ethel. All the cousins would be gathered into a dark room with the only light being that of the dying fire in the hearth. Uncle Frank would tell the stories masterfully.

Unbeknownst to us little ones, our older cousins were hiding behind the furniture and in the closets, waiting to spring out at just the right time. When it comes to spooky stories, timing is everything. After being scared half to death, we would move on to the pumpkin carving and apple bobbing. The grand finale would be handfuls of candy corn. Even as a

Power to the people

t’s one of those things day. I feel so powerful. in life that too many But the most excitement Americans take for granted. comes every four years during Americans seem to take a lot the presidential elections. for granted.

My very first time voting for It’s almost like breathing, to a U.S. president was in 1976. step into a voting booth every The choices were a peanut first Tuesday in November farmer from Georgia, and a and let our voices be heard. former center and linebacker Yet there are some who opt who helped the University not to exercise that right for of Michigan to two national one reason or another — many championships. I voted pigbecause they feel their vote skin. Peanut won by a nose. doesn’t matter.

This will be my ninth presiI have a dear friend who dential election, and the stakes emigrated to this country when she was younger. When she became a U.S. citizen she was adamant that she would vote in every election. “People don’t know how lucky they

By Dave Jolivet are to be able to vote,” she would plead. “It’s inexcusable not vote.”

I have been voting since seem to increase each time. I I was a puppy at St. Anne’s feel so powerful.

School in Fall River. We voted George Washington won for class officers and patrol the first presidential election in leaders.

1789 handily. He ran unopI recall one year I was one posed. But after that elections of two class presidential nomibecame interesting ... and ugly. nees. Come voting day, I didn’t How I wish I could have want to be selfish, so I voted stepped into a voting booth for my opponent. I lost. Thank- and cast a ballot for the logfully it wasn’t by a single vote. splitter from Illinois, Abraham I hadn’t quite understood Lincoln; or rough and ready the whole voting thing back Teddy Roosevelt, or his distant then — I’m better at it now. relative Franklin Delano I still find it exciting to go Roosevelt. Such historic men. to the polls, give my name and America has had good address and get my own ballot. presidents and bad presidents, I find it quite comical that as I and will continue to do so. But enter the polling station strangultimately it is Americans who ers with banners and pins and make the final decision in the stickers all wave to me with a voting booth. great big smiling hello. These This is the 56th U.S. presiare people who otherwise dential election, and things are wouldn’t give me the time of so very different than the first

My View From the Stands

contested election in 1792.

Today, people have to sift through hours and hours of partisan news coverage. Want a Democratic point of view?

Watch CNN or NBC, or read the New York Times or Washington Post. Want a Republican angle, turn to FOX News.

You’ll find the same campaign events with entirely different coverage.

Not only that, we now have rock stars and Hollywood notables telling us how to vote.

I think I’ll formulate my political opinions from sources other than druggies and the anything-goes crowd.

First things first.

Vote. Your ballot does matter.

Secondly, as Catholics, bring God into the booth along with you.

The first few times I voted, I felt like I had to shield my ballot from the folks on either side, much like taking an exam in high school. But if I had really thought about it, I should have let others copy my votes.

We know the issues. We know where our Church stands on the issues. And if we bring God into the booth with us, he’ll help us along. Don’t worry, no one will see him, and a police officer won’t drag you out of the booth for voter fraud.

This Tuesday one ticket will win and the other will lose.

Much hangs in the balance.

Pray and vote.

And regardless who wins the biggest popularity contest in the world, pray for the winner to take God to the White House with him.

child, I enjoyed the screaming meemies.

Sometimes such stories have a deeper purpose. They teach youngsters to be constantly alert as they make their way in the world. The holy martyrs, our saintly ancestors, met terrible things with faith and courage, as Anchor columnist Heidi Bratton reminds us. Beware. We Christians live in the real world, not in Never-Never Land. Even in Never Land, there could still be danger.

The other night, I was at the first formal meeting of the Women’s Guild. I knew that in another part of the Pastoral Life Center our youth leaders were plotting a Halloween party for the kids. I wanted to at least make a cameo appearance at the youth meeting so I quietly slipped outside. I decided to peek in the window of the youth group meeting room and make scary faces at the teen-agers. Their reaction puzzled me at first. Instead of breaking into the screaming meemies, the kids acted with great delight, laughing and applauding. Had I lost my touch as a ghoul? No, it had to do with timing. Before I arrived, the planners had already decided on a “Pumpkin Painting Room,” a “Touch Yucky Stuff While Blindfolded Room,” and a “Pop the Balloon and Win a Prize Room.” Just when my apparition appeared at the window, the young people were discussing whom they might recruit as a storyteller in the “Not Too Scary Stories Room.” I was drafted. Seems I’m always in the wrong place at the wrong time. Timing really is everything.

Death came last night. It was time for the wheel of the year to turn. I knew it was coming. During the day, the

air was absolutely still. There wasn’t the tiniest of breezes.

There never is when the killer frost is coming. I hurried to rescue the houseplants from their summer home on the piazza and to bring them safely inside.

I have friends who are cranberry growers. At this time of year, some tell me they sleep with a special alarm near their bed. When the temperature in the bogs reaches a certain point, the alarm sounds, the men jump out of bed, and rush off to flood their bogs and protect the crop from frost. While they were out flooding their bogs the other night, I was sleeping nice and toasty under my new electric blanket (that day I had found a 40 percent off sale at the mall. This can be a very chilly old house and I wanted to be ready for the cold and dampness this year.)

When I awoke the next morning, I peeked out the window at the thermometer.

It read 20 degrees. Summer had slipped away during the night. Outside, the grass was sparkling silver. The summer glory of the Impatience flowers had turned to black mush.

Leaves in great numbers fell silently from the pepal tree next to the church door. Even my old greyhound Cleopatra noticed something was wrong.

She stood for a few moments staring up at the tree and wondering what was happening.

I assured her it was the first frost, not to be afraid, and that everything would be just fine.

From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties and things that go bump in the night — Good Lord, deliver us.

(Traditional Scottish prayer) Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Nicholas of Myron Parish in North Dighton.

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The Anchor Orders taken for bridal party jewelry

401-453-9643 busybeaderkagan@aol.com

Marilyn D. Kagan 311 Rochambeau Ave. Providence, RI 02906-3507

October 31, 2008

Duo inspired to promote Pro-Life campaign

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

“We have a faithful core group of about 20 to 30 individuals who have spent repeated days there,” Larose SEEKONK — It seems the Holy Spirit was work- added. “They’re out there either everyday or several ing overtime when fellow Our Lady of Mount Car- times a week.”

Larose noted there’s approximately 170 cities mel parishioners Ron Larose and Steve Marcotte were called to join forces on a mission that needed to be around the country participating in the 40 Days for done in their own backyard. The two are about to com- Life effort — a number that’s increased from just 80 plete their first successful 40 Days for Life campaign cities during the recent Lenten campaign. While the at the Four Women Clinic in Attleboro — the only national effort also includes a more concerted door-toabortion facility still operating within the Fall River door outreach component, it’s something that Larose Diocese. Although members of the same parish, it and Marcotte haven’t yet attempted locally. “Since took chance experiences in Boston and Providence to this is our first attempt, we decided we didn’t have the resources to pursue that element of the campaign,” Launite them on their own home turf.

For Ron Larose, the journey began back in 2007 rose said. “But in some sites around the country, that while attending the Walk for Mothers and Children in element is strong.”

Larose and his wife, Claudette, have been acBoston. It was during the event that he heard an inspirational speech from David Bereit, the National Cam- tively involved in the Pro-Life movement for the last 20 years after relocating paign Director for 40 Days here in 1985 from Califorfor Life. nia, where Claudette was “About three to four involved with Birthright. months after that, I received “The spouses normally get a call from Steve Marcotte involved and that’s how I — I didn’t know him at the became involved,” Larose time — but he wanted to talk said. “When we moved to to me about doing someOur Lady of Mount Carthing related to the 40 Days mel Parish in 1999, we both for Life campaign here,” Labecame actively involved rose said. “It rang a bell and in the Pro-Life Committee then I recalled David’s prethere.” sentation. But I wasn’t reFor Marcotte, the call ally too interested in getting to action was a little more involved at the time because direct. As an eight-year vetof my work commitments.” eran of the Attleboro Fire Meanwhile, Marcotte Department and an Emerfirst became interested after gency Medical Technician attending a 40 Days for Life (EMT), he was called to reevent in Providence. “I respond to an incident at the member praying at my parFour Women Clinic involvish’s eucharistic adoration ing a 19-year-old girl for and saw a flyer for a 40 Days for Life event in Providence ANCHOR PERSONS OF THE WEEK — Ron whom no one at the facility had any vital or identify… so I ended up going to Larose, left, and Steve Marcotte. ing information. It was this pray with a woman and her anonymous, almost callous daughter outside a Planned Parenthood clinic,” he said. “I knew we had a clinic treatment of a human life that compelled Marcotte to here in Attleboro and the Lord just put it on my heart become involved with planning the 40 Days for Life vigil outside the very same facility. at that point to bring this campaign to Attleboro.”

“I’m spending five to six hours onsite everyday,” Despite successive calls from Marcotte, Larose didn’t finally agree to get involved until he was urged Marcotte said. “It’s tough sometimes, but God through to do so by a mutual friend. “I inquired about Steve other witnesses has shown me how great his love is. and his intentions were verified as honorable, so I did There’s no doubt in my mind that he is behind this make contact with him,” Larose said. “We talked at campaign. There is no question whatsoever. If there some length about the program and he was such a sin- was any doubt at the beginning of this campaign, it’s cere individual that after thinking about it and some all been completely erased. There are so many blessings that I’ve witnessed since it began.” prayer, I found it hard not to agree to join his effort.”

While it’s difficult to determine whether their pres“It’s interesting how the Lord brought the two of us ence outside the clinic is having any impact on those together,” Marcotte agreed.

Now joined for a singular purpose, Larose and going in, Marcotte said he believes even if they help Marcotte worked to bring awareness to the Pro-Life just one person, it would be worth the effort. “We don’t effort in the diocese and to specifically shine a light have any record of people who come to us and say on the Four Women Clinic using the 40 Days for Life that because of our prayers and presence they’ve dethree-pronged approach of fasting and prayer, com- cided to keep their child,” he said. “But I know Mother munity outreach, and maintaining a peaceful presence Teresa once said we’ve been called to be faithful, not successful, so I just focus on that.” outside the facility.

While a 40 Days for Life event was held earlier this “We want to make individuals in the local area aware of the presence of an abortion clinic,” Larose year during Lent, the latest campaign was timed to cosaid. “Our intention is to really change the hearts and incide with the upcoming November 4 election to keep minds of individuals towards abortion and, hopefully, Catholics informed about the importance of the Prowomen will have a change of heart and not get an Life issue in selecting a presidential candidate.

“I know Pope Benedict said something to the efabortion through our efforts. Ultimately, over time, we fect of: on some issues there’s room for maneuvering, hope the clinic would close due to lack of interest.”

“We were getting a little discouraged going into but on this life issue, there’s no room for alternative the campaign, because we hadn’t had a lot of people opinions,” Marcotte said. “This is critical. I think this signed up on our vigil calendar,” Marcotte said. “But issue of life is very important. It affects every other aspeople are still coming out and filling those hours. pect of society — how we treat each other, the elderly There have been people there in the rain. There’s been and the disabled. For me it’s the most important issue one woman there on Sunday mornings when no one in this election and I’m discouraged it’s not for othelse was there. People have been coming out and sup- ers, especially Catholics. I can’t understand why, but Turn to page 20 porting this campaign incredibly.”

MARRIAGE BLESSING — Bishop George W. Coleman blesses couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries this year, at the annual anniversary Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.

More than 100 couples attended the event. (Photo by Michael Pare)

Bishop Coleman joins couples celebrating wedding jubilees

By Michael Pare Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — Leo and Anne Berard were among the 100 couples, from 47 diocesan parishes, to take part in the 29th annual Diocese of Fall River Anniversary Celebration on October 19 at the Cathedral

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October 31, 2008

of St. Mary of the Assumption.

The Berards, celebrating 50 years of marriage, made the drive from Hyannis, where they are parishioners at St. Francis Xavier Church.

They had a simple, yet profound reason for taking part in the anniversary celebration.

“God has been very good to us,” said Anne Berard. “We wanted to say, ‘thank you.’”

And so they did. Couples, along with family members and friends filled the cathedral. The Office of Family

Ministry received requests to participate in the ceremony from each deanery in the diocese, from Attleboro to Cape Cod. The couples celebrated wedding anniversaries ranging from 10 to 65 years.

Sixteen couples were there to celebrate 25 years of marriage, while 11 were celebrating 40 years. Thirty-nine couples were celebrating 50 years and nine were celebrating 60.

Bishop George W. Coleman opened with a prayer in which he thanked the couples for joining in the celebration. He told them that their marriages were “a perfect sign of the union between Christ and his Church.”

In his homily, Bishop Coleman said that the many graces God has granted to all people “reflects his covenant in the sacrament of matrimony.”

He prayed the couples in attendance would see their love for one another continue to increase and strengthen.

“You have experienced many changes in your lives, and in the world,” said Bishop Coleman.

“However, many things have remained constant, like the love that brought you together.”

He reminded them of the beauty of their love and urged them to reflect on how it has grown.

“You have learned what it means to be selfless and selfgiving to one another and your children,” he said. “Seasons change … years pass by.

Your children grow and have children of their own. And your love grows stronger.”

Bishop Coleman also used his homily to illustrate to those in attendance the strong connection between the sacrament of matrimony and the Eucharist.

“Did Jesus not institute the Eucharist in a family like setting at the Last Supper?,” asked Bishop Coleman. “Truly the anniversaries you celebrate today are made possible only through the grace and help of God, through the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist.”

The bishop closed his homily by thanking those gathered for being such shining examples of faith.

“Thank you for the witness of your married life, for your selfsacrifice and fidelity,” he said.

After the ceremony, couples waited to receive a personal blessing from the bishop, many of them having their photographs taken with him. Benoit and Claire Charland were among them.

Parishioners at St. Bernard’s Church in Assonet, the Charlands were on hand to celebrate 60 years of marriage.

They agreed that their faith has played an important role in their lives. And then Benoit smiled at Claire. And she smiled back. And they looked a whole lot like newlyweds.

“She’s been the greatest wife a man could ever have,” he said.

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CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“Changeling” (Universal) Gripping true-life drama set in 1928 Los Angeles recounting how the young son of a single telephone operator (a fine Angelina Jolie) goes missing, and how the corrupt Los Angeles police department tries to silence her when she protests that the child they subsequently return to her is not her son, while a crusading Presbyterian minister (John Malkovich) takes up her cause. Clint Eastwood directs with trademark austerity. Though the subject matter is often grim, with some necessarily unpleasant scenes, the story has historical significance as the case led to reform.

There’s also inspiration in the mother’s stubborn determination to continue the search for the boy against all odds. Strong if nongraphic scenes of violence, murder, nonsexual child abuse, patient abuse in a mental institution, an execution, some rough language and profanity.

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“Pride and Glory” (Warner Bros.)

Powerful but often brutal drama of a family of New York police officers (Edward Norton, Colin Farrell, Noah Emmerich and Jon Voight, all solid) torn apart by a major corruption scandal. Though director and co-writer Gavin O’Connor’s absorbing drama starts out noisily frenetic as a drug bust goes fatally awry, the family elements eventually come to the fore, taking on the dimensions of genuine tragedy, with that age-old conflict between right and wrong in vivid play.

Strong violence with bloodshed, pervasive rough language and profanity, some crude sexual expressions, drug use and suicide. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture

The Anchor Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“The Secret Life of Bees” (Fox Searchlight) Beautifully produced adaptation of Sue Monk Kidd’s best-seller set in South Carolina about a spiritual beekeeper (Queen Latifah) and her sisters (Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo) who take in a 14-year-old runaway (Dakota Fanning) and her caretaker (Jennifer Hudson) fleeing the girl’s abusive father (Paul Bettany). Writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood elicits welljudged performances from the cast, with Latifah and Dakota outstanding, and the compassionate — albeit melodramatic — story includes elements of forgiveness and redemption.

Some profanity and crude language, racial epithets and violence, nonsexual child abuse, light underage sensuality, murder and suicide; acceptable for older teens. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III — adults.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned.

Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

“W.” (Lionsgate) Largely speculative but generally absorbing dramatization of George W. Bush (an uncannily accurate Josh Brolin) making the decision to invade Iraq and its aftermath, interspersed with flashbacks showing his undisciplined youth, initiation at Yale, courtship of wife Laura (Elizabeth Banks) and his unlikely rise to the governorship of Texas and the presidency.

Director Oliver Stone and screenwriter Stanley Weiser take a cautious, surprisingly balanced approach to their central character, and the other familiar personages — Dick Cheney (Richard Dreyfuss), Condi Rice (Thandie Newton), Colin Powell (Jeffrey Wright) and others — with Bush drawn as a God-fearing leader whose actions were motivated by his complicated relationship with his father (James Cromwell) and a rather simplistic sense of good and evil. One use of the Fword, several crude words and brief profanity, a few sexual references, fleeting strong war footage and alcohol abuse; acceptable for older teens. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

October 31, 2008

NARRATOR OF JPII FILM — Actor Michael York poses during an interview in Rome recently to promote a new documentary film on the life of Pope John Paul II. (CNS photo/Chris Helgren, Reuters)

Poignant moments, some surprises in new film about Pope John Paul II

By John Thavis Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Pope John Paul II was lightly wounded by a knife-wielding priest in Portugal in 1982, one year after a gunman tried to kill him in St. Peter’s Square, according to one of the late pope’s closest aides.

The disclosure came in a biographical film screened for the first time at the Vatican on October 16, the 30th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s election.

Pope Benedict XVI and many of the world’s bishops were in attendance.

Titled “Testimony,” the film is based on a book of memoirs

by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow, Poland, who was the late pope’s personal secretary for 39 years, until the pope’s death in 2005.

In the film, Cardinal Dziwisz recalled that the pope went to the Marian sanctuary of Fatima, Portugal, in 1982 to thank Mary for saving his life in the 1981 shooting. During an evening ceremony, a priest carrying a large knife lunged toward the pontiff.

At the time, Vatican officials said the pope was unharmed and was only informed about the incident the next day.

In the film, Cardinal Dziwisz said the pope was in fact able to carry on with the prayer service and the rest of his schedule in Fatima.

“It was only when we returned to his room that I saw blood on his vestments,” the cardinal added. He did not elaborate, but other Vatican sources said the pope may have been superficially

wounded in the attack.

The 90-minute film, narrated in English by the actor Michael York but dubbed in Italian for the Vatican screening, used actors to depict scenes from the pope’s life along with historical video footage and still photographs.

Cardinal Dziwisz recounted how he and aides would spirit the pope out of the Vatican on secret outings to the mountains near Rome, sometimes hiding the pontiff behind an opened newspaper in the back of a car.

In one of the most dramatic re-enactments in the film, the pope performs an exorcism on a woman brought to him thrashing and screaming. Cardinal Dziwisz said the woman was possessed, and only when the pope told her he would celebrate a Mass for her did she suddenly become calm.

Some of the film’s most poignant moments came when Cardinal Dziwisz revealed simple facts about the pope’s day-to-day life in the Vatican: how each morning he read the prayer intentions that had been sent to him and placed on his kneeler, then spent a long

time praying for them; how he was upset by the fact that homeless people were sleeping on the Vatican’s doorstep, and so asked Blessed Mother Teresa to open a charity shelter inside the Vatican; and how he brought Polish traditions to the Vatican, especially at Christmas.

The pope would sing aloud at least one Christmas song a day for several weeks, beginning Christmas Eve, he said.

The film drew the biggest round of applause when it showed then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger — now Pope Benedict — embracing the pope many years ago.

At the end of the screening, Pope Benedict addressed the several thousand people in the Vatican’s audience hall and told them the film had allowed them all to relive the moving story of Pope John Paul, who “from heaven is certainly with us.”

“The film reveals Pope John Paul’s human simplicity, his resolute courage and finally his suffering, faced right up to the end with the strength of a mountaineer and the patience of a humble servant of the Gospel,” he said.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, November 2 at 11:00 a.m.

Scheduled celebrant is Father Maurice O. Gauvin, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in New Bedford.

October 31, 2008

T

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The Anchor

Elections and the abortion abolition movement

he Pro-Life crowd flowed across the Boston Common, heading for the street that passes the Bull & Finch Pub, made famous by the TV sit-com “Cheers.” As in years past, people waving placards defending abortion rights greeted the participants in the October 2008 Walk for Life. From within the moving stream of fellow Pro-Life walkers, I raised my right hand and held it high, with my thumb extended sideways and my index finger and little finger stretched upwards, the sign language gesture for “I love you.”

I have done this simple act for many years now during previous walks. In past Octobers, most of those opposing our peaceful witness to the dignity of all human life did not even seem to notice my silent action. Those few that did see me would look away, perhaps because they did not recognize the hand signal’s meaning or they were just confused about how to respond.

This year was different.

For the first time, I saw a man amidst the protesters raise his own hand, somewhat tentatively, to return the same unspoken message. Brief though the moment was, and of such little mass when scaled against the behemoth that is today’s abortion calamity, the exchange nonetheless infused me with new conviction.

As a long-time backer of the abortion abolition movement, I came away unexpectedly encouraged, and the lift still has not yet, days later, left me. There was no concrete achievement, no major advance, that is true, but somehow because of what happened to me at this year’s Walk for Life, I am ready, again, to keep going.

For any social movement confronted by the gap between core objectives and actual social progress, elections are often anything but lifting. An allergy to principle can cause the political system to sneeze on election day when challenged to be true to founding ideals.

This is being written as the quadrennial campaign for U.S. president, our country’s political version of international soccer’s World Cup, enters its final, frenetic days. Yard signs and television ads, the flora and fauna of the partisan contest, sprout from every porch and screen. The candidates leap by jet-aided bounds between roaring crowds that are

not only time-zones apart but children and women, and that also worlds apart in terms of we should “love them both.” outlook and focus.

The campaign to nurture a Now is the time when every culture of life into being has thing of social consequence, employed foot soldiers at evwhether it includes for ex- ery social front, working to ample the economy, the war, address the real needs of those our global climate or certainly forced by circumstances into and most critically the protection of defenseless human life, Massachusetts assumes a more acute political importance Catholic in the rush of heightConference ened electoral engagement. The clamor

By Daniel Avila of competing priorities increases the difficulty of the voter’s prudential task.

For movement advocates thinking that abortion is the of an abortion-free America only “realistic” choice. Leg— the priority that spurs the islative debates and elections most intense disgust among come and go, but the greatthe favored nobility of the est non-governmental social self-proclaimed thoughtful network in the history of this — this election, more so than country, the Pro-Life care net, any other national election it continues to operate, grow, seems to me, is proving itself to be especially daunting. The stakes are so high, and the fear and possibility of backtracking on previous achievements are so strong.

The fault-line of tension for those who dream of a Pro-Life society lies between two shifting plates of differing strategies, and this year’s election is perhaps the earthquake that seismic rumblings have long predicted. Do we continue our quest to reform the law or do we abandon that as a quixotic tilting at windmills in favor of less direct, less “divisive” endeavors, such as working to improve the economy?

It is my experience that for most Pro-Lifers this is not an “either-or” proposition.

This is, after all, the movement that is governed by the conviction that abortion hurts

and change the world, one loving encounter at a time.

But the Pro-Life movement cannot focus just on the “demand” side. Here is where a renewed effort to reform the law continues to have great bearing. There are those on the “supply” side who believe that abortion is the solution to every pregnant woman’s problems.

We must continue to propose legal measures based on the premise that killing is never society’s solution to any problem, no matter how “efficient” abortion may seem as a “backup to contraception” or as a gateway to educational, economic or social success.

Ultimately, the law may be the only real supply-side obstacle that impedes the misguided designs of abortion purvey-

ors.

We cannot, therefore, abandon our quest for electing public officials who value the legal protection of defenseless human life and who see the importance of legal reform to make our laws more consistent with the culture of life. But again, it is not the law alone or alternatives alone that should define the abortion-free objective.

Will my uplift from the Walk for Life persist beyond Election Day in November?

I do not yet know about that, but I do know about this: no matter what happens then, I will continue to pray for the strength to do what is right, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

Daniel Avila is the associate director for Public Policy and Research of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference.

REAL CATHOLICS will not vote for a candidate who supports: - ABORTION - SAME SEX MARRIAGE - EMBRYONIC STEM-CELL RESEARCH or one who will appoint Supreme Court Justices and Judiciary whose decisions will affect your children and grandchildren

Defend your Faith!

VOTE PRO-LIFE! Cape Cod Family Life Alliance - capecodFLA@comcast.net

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St. Anne’s Food Pantry given Project Bread grant FALL RIVER — The Food Pantry at St. Anne’s Parish, which assists hundreds of families each week, has received a $1,000 grant from Project Bread, the state’s leading antihunger organization.

“We’re delighted with the award,” said Father Marc R. Bergeron, pastor. “The money will be used to supplement foodstuffs and it comes in a season when more is usually sought by needy families,” he added.

The recent award to the parish is part of a total $309,550 distributed to 71 emergency food services across Massachusetts. The various fundings throughout the year to 400 such programs in 128 cities and towns is raised through Project Bread’s annual Walk for Hunger.

Other local organizations

receiving awards included $10,000 to the Greater Fall River Community Food Pantry; $1,000 to People Inc.; $5,000 to Citizens for Citizens, Inc.; and $2,500 to the Ferry Street Industries.

St. Anne’s Food Pantry, which is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon, currently assists approximately 1,500 quarterly, reported director Philippe Gregoire.

“We have grown substantially since we opened two years ago,” said Gregoire, “and this grant will help us obtain the variety of canned goods, bread, meat, and fresh vegetables needed.”

In September, St. Anne’s Food Pantry handed out 356 boxes of food serving approximately 566 individuals representing 264 families, Gregoire reported.

October 31, 2008

Our readers respond

Thoughts on ordination and respect life In response to Mr. Donlon’s letter of September 26, I remind him that to complement and fulfill human creation, Christ, the second Adam, came among us incarnate in the person of the male sex. Like the first Adam, Christ comes as a bridegroom. “That is why we can never ignore the fact that Christ is a man. And therefore, in actions which demand the character of ordination and in which Christ himself … is represented, exercising his ministry of salvation — which is in the highest degree the case of the Eucharist — his role … must be taken by a man” (C.D.F Declaration Intersignores).

Like Mr. Donlon, I hold the Apostles’ Creed inviolate but it doesn’t mention any of the Church’s avenues of grace, that is, the seven sacraments, which would seem to be rather “essential truths” in the Roman Catholic scheme of things. I suggest we read sacred Scripture and take credence in the “Translation of Apostolic Times” to discover how they were instituted in matter and form by the God-Man. As to the September 26 letter of Ms. Iacovelli, Salve Regina ’08, just one quick question: How do you claim to “fully understand” the Church’s opposition to the termination of innocent life in the womb and yet digress from her teaching? Something is very much amiss here.

Father Paul T. Lamb, Hyannis Won’t vote for more grief Let’s hear it from those of us who are Pro-Life for the living as well as the unborn. Our economy is in a mess. Homes are in foreclosure. Many of us aren’t sure we’ll be able to afford to heat our homes adequately this winter. Health care costs are beyond the reach of many, soup kitchens aren’t able to serve all who need them.

Why do we even need soup kitchens in a country where business executives receive bonuses in the millions? Are these the conditions that we want for our newborns? I refuse to be coerced into voting for a candidate who represents the party that has brought us all this grief for the past eight years. One wonders about all this pressure at a time when the candidate who represents that party is not doing too well in the polls.

Doris Mello, Westport Father Landry Responds: These are obviously not the conditions we want for our newborns, but citizens do those we hope to be future newborns no favor by supporting candidates who will promote abortion laws like the Freedom of Choice Act that put their very lives at risk.

Debating America’s greatness Ghandi once said, “The measure of a country’s greatness should be based on how well it cares for its most vulnerable populations.” These words take on heightened significance as the U.S. nears an election in which the economy, healthcare, jobs, and education have taken center stage. As your recent editorials have stated, with the nearly 50 billion innocent lives lost since the passage of Roe v. Wade, life remains the most important issue of our day. As Catholic voters we must stay the course in the long and drawn out battle against a pro-abortion culture.

We must not overlook that abortion is the greatest injustice our country has participated in since slavery.

They were rooted in the failure to recognize the dignity and worth of a particular “class” of people. In 1857, the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision ruled that slaves, even freed slaves, had no rights under the constitution.

The seven-to-two decision was based on the false premise that blacks were not human beings but property, to be traded, sold or killed at will. This landmark decision protected the practice of slavery by law and furthermore stated that abolitionists should not impose their morality on the slave owner.

Similarly the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision of 1973 stripped all rights from another class of people — the unborn. This decision, which legalized abortion, was based on the false premise that the unborn are not persons, but are the “property” of their mother, who could choose to keep or abort the baby at will.

The day will come when this country will look back in horror at the evil that was done with the passage of Roe v. Wade just as we look back with shame to the era of slavery.

It took 150 years of political wrangling, culminating in the Civil War, to reverse bad decisions made by our

country during slavery, and this country still bears the wounds of those times. We can only hope that it won’t take that long to dismantle the legislation that has cost and continues to cost so many billions of innocent lives.

Only then will America return to the greatness that was intended by its founders.

Joanne Bangs, Sandwich Put life before politics For over a decade the Cape Cod Family Life Alliance, along with other Pro-Life groups across the country, has been warning that our children are in deadly danger in our public schools. Brainwashed daily by a liberal agenda contradicting what kids should be taught at home, they are suffused with nihilistic, politically correct jargon demeaning God and parental rights. Exposed to a sex-saturated society already, schools impose graphic sex education, birth control, secretive abortion referrals — all in the name of “diversity.”

Those few parents who have stood up to this agenda — promoted by a corrupt political system, a coalition of powerful homosexual organizations, Planned Parenthood and the NEA/MTA Teachers Associations — have paid the price in persecution, vilification and near financial ruin at the hands of leftist courts.

Parents, and others who should have been leading, were repeatedly warned but there were no ears to hear, no eyes to see, no mouths to speak.

The statistics in the October 24 edition The Anchor show starkly that we are now reaping the effects of this unbridled educational mayhem on our children. Have we surrendered them totally to this degenerate and godless society or will this be the year we call a halt to the decimation of our beliefs and moral values? Will we have the courage to put life before politics?

Patricia Stebbins, East Sandwich You have done what is right Your articles on abortion have been absolutely superb.

One of your readers is of the opinion that your articles will have no impact and that your time could have been better spent on other issues. In response to that reader, I submit the following quote: “It is not your purpose to succeed, but to do right; when you have done so, the rest lies with God” C.S. Lewis.

You have done what is right.

William Reardon, North Easton God is in charge Thank you so much for your editorial in the October 24 issue of The Anchor entitled “Judgment Day.” I find it so very sad that so many of my Catholic friends keep saying to me “this is not a one issue campaign.”

My answer to all is “If you don’t have life, there are no other issues.”

How fortunate we are that, no matter what, God is in charge. Again, thank you.

Betty Kelley, Mashpee Thanks for guiding us The members of St. Nicholas of Myra Church Prayer Group of Dighton would like to thank Father Timothy Goldrick, Father Richard Furlong, Father Robert Araujo, Greg Bettencourt and The Founding Task Force for doing such a splendid job guiding the parishioners of St. Peter’s and St. Joseph’s Churches to a prayerful and joyful opening of a new parish in our town. It was not without sadness and loss along the way, but Our Lord walked with us on this journey of faith. May all of us be blessed and become a solid Church community in the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Lois Achtelik, Dighton Good job on directory Today I received the new Diocese of Fall River Catholic Directory, published by The Anchor. Wow! Awesome directory. I have gotten a new diocesan directory each year for many years, as I find them to be enormous treasuries of information. This new directory features index tabs for easier access to the major portions of the directory, and for the first time each church in the diocese is pictured, and the photos are great! Looking at the pictures of the churches one has visited over the years is like a trip down memory lane. Great work’ Capt. Daryl Gonyon USAF — Ret., Fall River

The Anchor

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The Anchor

October 31, 2008

news briefs

Role of canon law is ‘to create order’ in Church, Nevada bishop says KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CNS) — “Canon law does not drive the Church,” Bishop Randolph R. Calvo of Reno, Nev., told some 400 fellow canon lawyers meeting in Kansas City. “Its role is to create order in the Church. It is to get us to where we ought to be,” he said on the final day of the Canon Law Society of America’s annual convention. “It is the Church’s mission that drives canon law.” The bishop delivered the closing address at the convention, which this year focused on the 25th anniversary of the presentation of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, an update which the late Pope John Paul II sought to reflect the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. In the new code, the rights and responsibilities of all segments of the Church are spelled out, as well as structures that foster collaboration and collegiality in service to the unity and communion that is necessary to the Church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel.

New Virginia pharmacy opens its doors as Pro-Life alternative CHANTILLY, Va. (CNS) — More than 50 people crowded into the DMC Pharmacy in Chantilly October 21 to celebrate and shop as Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde blessed the new business. The pharmacy, a part of the nonprofit Catholic health care organization Divine Mercy Care, will allow customers to fill their prescriptions in a Pro-Life environment.

The business will not carry any artificial contraceptive products, including birth control, morning-after pills and condoms.

Instead, the pharmacy will encourage natural family planning.

“Divine Mercy Care is providing an option and service where professionals and public alike do not have to compromise their consciences when distributing or purchasing or providing medical services or pharmaceutical products,” said Dr. John Bruchalski, president of Divine Mercy Care and founder of Tepeyac Family Center. Bishop Loverde said the pharmacy will provide a great service to the Catholic community by supporting life in all its stages — from conception to old age — and by working to convert people to the Pro-Life cause.

Pope to visit Africa in March to help prepare for October synod VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI announced that he plans to make his first trip to Africa next March, visiting Cameroon and Angola.

The pope will make the trip to help prepare for the Synod of Bishops on Africa, scheduled for October 2009, and to mark the 500th anniversary of the evangelization of Angola.

Sub-Saharan Africa has not hosted a pope since 1998, when Pope John Paul II visited Nigeria.

Pope Benedict said his intention was to meet with representatives from African bishops’ conferences in Cameroon and hand-deliver the African synod’s “instrumentum laboris,” or working document.

The Synod of Bishops will be the second for Africa and is scheduled to take place in Rome. The theme is “The Church in Africa at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.”

The first African synod took place at the Vatican in 1994.

Ten years later, Pope John Paul said another synod would be held to allow church leaders to address the continent’s changing religious, demographic, social and political scenes.

Pope Benedict said he would go from Cameroon to Angola, where he will celebrate the 500th anniversary of that country’s evangelization. The Angolan church has been marking different stages of the 500th anniversary for many years, beginning with Pope John Paul’s visit there in 1992.

Priest says people ignore moral issues of in-vitro procedure

By Pete Sheehan Catholic News Service

BABYLON, N.Y. — When Louise Brown, the first “test tube baby,” was born 30 years ago, “there was a flurry of ethical discussion” on in-vitro fertilization, Father Tad Pacholczyk told a bioethics conference at St. Joseph’s Church in Babylon.

“After she was born, the discussion stopped,” even among Catholics, said the priest, a neuroscientist and director of education at the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, and a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Most people see in-vitro fertilization as benign, he said, as a way of helping infertile couples conceive, to which the Church is sympathetic, but he said there is a widespread ignorance of the moral implications of the procedure.

As it has become more common, “a constellation of ethical issues” has emerged, reflecting a cheapening of respect for human life and human sexuality, Father Pacholczyk said.

The priest spoke at a study day on “Moral Challenges: The Influence of Reproductive Technology on Sexual Ethics” sponsored last month by the Rockville Centre diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

Father Pacholczyk quoted an article published some years ago by syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman, who argued that fears the procedure would result in the injection of multiple embryos into women and the massive freezing of embry-

os for storage were baseless.

Today, an estimated half-million “spare” human embryos have been sitting in cold storage for years, Father Pacholczyk said. The intentional destruction of human embryos after implantation — if they are seen as unneeded or imperfect — is commonplace.

“This is no longer a matter of ‘a slippery slope,’” Father Pacholczyk continued. “This is downhill skiing.”

He warned of the growth of a eugenic mentality toward developing human life, higher rates of birth defects among children conceived through in-vitro fertilization, and a diminishment of the marital relationship.

Both Catholics and the larger society “need to think about the issue and the meaning of human sexuality,” he said.

This is a time “when technology is outrunning our ethics,” Father Pacholczyk said, adding that society must ask if, “just because something can be done, should it be done?”

A guiding principle for considering the issue, Father Pacholczyk said, was articulated in “Donum Vitae” (“The Gift of Life”), a 1987 instruction on the transmission of human life published by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The congregation was headed at that time by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. In “Donum Vitae,” the child is seen as a gift rather than a right, Father Pacholczyk said. “The parents

do not own the child,” who is the fruit of love between a husband and wife and the love of God. When a child is conceived through in-vitro fertilization, the very process of the sexual relationship between husband and wife and human procreation “is undermined,” Father Pacholczyk explained. “It violates the exclusivity of marriage,” he said, so that the medical technician, fertilizing ova and sperm in a petri dish, can be seen as the one who is actually making the woman pregnant.

Conceived by such means, the child is more likely to be regarded as “a product,” especially in cases where a surrogate is employed to donate sperm or eggs or to have the embryo implanted in her to carry the child to term for someone else, Father Pacholczyk said.

Since in-vitro fertilization can often result in multiple births, doctors promote “selective reduction” abortion to ease the strain on the pregnant woman, Father Pacholczyk said.

“This is not simply life-giving technology. This is a double-edged sword,” he added.

Father Pacholczyk also discussed a growing area of medical practice to help couples conceive through natural means. Such methods in some cases have a higher success rate than in-vitro procedures, he said.

“The Church must be compassionate to people in that situation and work to offer them solutions,” he added.

‘Every other human right depends on the right to life’ continued from page 20

with God’s truth” because she seeks our eternal salvation.

“Our vote should be attached to our moral principles, not to a party,” he said. Catholics have a “roadmap” to navigate in the public arena — some “non-negotiable issues” as Pope Benedict XVI called them.

“We must stand for the protection of life in all its stages, for the recognition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and for the right of parents to educate their children,” Msgr.

O’Connor said.

“Our faith must go with us everywhere, and that includes the voting booth. We need to acknowledge Jesus Christ before men, and he promised us in Matthew 10 that if we do so, he will acknowledge us before his Father in heaven.”

The bishops’ statement calls on Catholics to form their consciences by learning Church teachings, understanding where candidates stand on issues, and praying.

“A well-formed conscience will never support intrinsically evil

actions,” they said. Other issues, such as “the war in Iraq, housing, health care and immigration,” while important, do not carry the same moral weight.

Also taking part in the show’s panel discussion were Father Andrew Johnson of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, Father Roger Landry, Anchor executive editor and pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford, and Marian Desrosiers, director of the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate.

“I’m shocked when Catholics ask me, ‘How can I force my opinion on others?’” Father Johnson said. “The bedrock of all law is the protection of life.”

Father Landry added, “We’d never say — I’m personally opposed to rape, or murder, but … if something is wrong, we have an obligation to stand up against it.”

Desrosiers warned that unless Catholics heed this truth, our country is “headed for a major crisis.” The next president will nominate hundreds of federal court judges and could replace at

least two Supreme Court justices.

Among the judicial stakes is the infamous Roe v. Wade decision, which precipitated 49 million legal abortions since 1973. Sen. John McCain has said it’s a flawed decision that should be overturned. He would appoint judges that “do not legislate from the bench.”

Sen. Barack Obama has pledged to appoint only judges who support Roe. His judges would take a “creative” view of the Constitution. He’s vowed to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, which would nullify all state abortion restrictions.

Among the American bishops who’ve taken a strong public stand on the issue are Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph and Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput.

“The real freedom that is ours in Jesus Christ compels us, not to take life, but to defend it,” Bishop Finn wrote in The Catholic Key. Archbishop Chaput said, “Every other human right depends on the right to life.”

16

Youth Pages

FRUIT FRENZY — Fifth-grade students at Holy Name School in Fall River, were recently involved in apple activities. They described the apples, ate them, and wrote acrostic and descriptive poems about them. Here the students display reports describing the properties of apples.

THE LIONS’ DEN — Students at John Paul II High School in Hyannis attend their very first pep rally cheering on the Lions in several fall and winter sports.

HAVING FUN RAISING FUNDS — St. Mary-Sacred Heart School in North Attleboro recently held its annual 10k walk-a-thon at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro. More than 100 families from grades K-8 participated to complete their 24 laps. The school’s track team, led by coach Tracey Magill, ran their laps in support of the school’s fund-raiser. Shown are fourth-graders Spencer Marcotte, Ian Morris, and Gavin Lancaster running their laps

October 31, 2008

LONG MAY IT RING — Juniors at Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton recently received their school rings in the annual rite of passage at a Mass at St. Mary’s Church. Daniel Bettencourt, right, opted not to purchase a new ring, but receive his grandfather Joseph Bettencourt’s Class of 1954 ring. The elder Bettencourt serves on the school’s President’s Council and has spearheaded two major building campaigns at Coyle.

GOOD TO KNOW — As part of their health class, eighth-grade students at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro learn the importance of CPR. The students were given their own CPR kit and were taught the basic breathing and chest compressions necessary to assist someone in a critical situation. Shown is Bernadette Benoit applying chest compressions on the manikin, which came as part of the kit.

EPEE CENTER OF TALENT — Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro learned that a record six 2008 graduates are now competing on Division I college fencing teams. From left: Bobby Gobin on the Men’s Sabre team at St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y.; Griffin Sweet on the SJU Men’s Foil team; Kaylee Pike on the SJU Women’s Sabre team; Justin Dion of the Men’s Epee team at Sacred Heart University; and Bryan Ahearn on the SJU Men’s Foil team. Missing from photo is Heather Morrill on the Women’s Sabre team at Fairleigh Dickenson University in New Jersey.

Youth Pages

October 31, 2008

L

ast weekend the Diocesan Youth Convention was held at Bishop Stang High School. It was an uplifting day with hundreds of young people from across the diocese joining together to learn, laugh, sing, pray and worship our God, the Great I AM. The convention was planned by the 2008 graduates of CLI. Once again they did a wonderful job planning all of the details of the event along with all of the important segments: liturgy, prayer and the 10 seminars that were offered to the young participants.

The day opened with a prayer service. After listening to the reading from Exodus about Moses and the burning bush, the prayer service continued with a skit in which the CLI grads reenacted an updated version of that Bible passage. In this 2008 version

Masks are for Halloween

responds,” I want to talk to a teen-ager comes upon a about the plan I have for you burning bush and hears God in the future. I see you bringcall out to her. ing my love and compassion She answers, “Here I am. to a sinful world.” “Yeah, but Who are you?” God answers, I can’t do that,” she blurts out.

“I am the God of Abraham, “Yes, you can,” God replies.

Isaac and Jacob … and I’m the God of you ... whether you “Yes, you can … and you will.

I will be with you. I love you. realize it or not.” “Oh,” she responds not quite sure of what to make of this whole scene.

Then God ask her, what she is wearing.

She doesn’t get it at first and goes into a

By Frank Lucca defense of her wardrobe. But God asks again, “What are you wearing on your face?”

I not only made the universe, “A mask,” she replies. “Take the mask off, God requests. “I I made you. I know you better can’t,” she replies, “it’s a part than you know yourself. I’ve seen the fear in your eyes and of me, my identify, it’s who I the insecurity in your heart. I am.” “My child, take off the know your lack of confidence, mask,” God encourages. She your weaknesses and your turns away. mistakes. I know your sin.

“What do you want from None of that will hinder you me?” the teen continues. God when you’re with me.”

“Yeah, but,” she replies.

“But what?” God replies. “are you still clinging to your mask? It’s not the real the “St. John-Feinstein Com- you, you know. It’s merely munity Fund” and reports as the way you hide when the to how the monies are used are real you I created gets lost. in the semi-annual newsletter You are my child. I made you the school produces each year. in my image. Take off the It is hoped that this fund will mask. You are truly free only also receive donations to continue when you are free of masks. the work of assisting those in need. Nonetheless, I won’t take off

Attleboro school receives $5,000 Feinstein grant

ATTLEBORO — St. John the Evangelist School, a Feinstein Leadership School, has received a one-time grant of $5,000 from the Feinstein Foundation to be used to establish a fund that will assist the community in time of need.

This fund will be named

17

Be Not Afraid

your mask. You must do that yourself.”

“Some people may not recognize me without my mask,” she states. “How am I going to explain why I no longer wear my mask any more?”

God replies, “Tell them God has sent me to share his love with you. When they ask where your masks went, just tell them, ‘God nailed them to a cross.’”

The skit struck a chord with the teens.

The message became even clearer when Tom Booth, the noted musician and the keynote speaker of this event, shared that “only the God that created you sees you as you really are. When you stand before God, you are what he created. The others see us in our various masks.”

Isn’t it time to take off the masks? I have met so many young people and adults that live behind different masks.

They have their “church” mask: the person they are at youth group. And yet, they may also change the mask

they wear in their friends group or their family group.

The result of this is that many of us have lost the sense of who we are and who we are meant to be.

Who are you really? Do you know your identity? That mask is limiting your vision. Wearing that mask, you can’t see what eternal differences you can make in the lives of those you touch. It is important to remember that your life isn’t the only one affected by what you do. You are connected in someway to all of God’s people. So take a chance and take off the mask. Peel it off. Cut it off if you need to. To share God’s love you don’t need to be perfect. You only need to be authentic and real. And when you are, God can do wondrous things through you.

Let’s leave the masks for Halloween costumes.

Frank Lucca is a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea. He is chair and a director of the YES! Retreat and director of the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI). He is a husband and a father of two daughters.

18

The Anchor

Faithful continue to pray for Father Peyton’s canonization continued from page one

away on June 3, 1992 in San Pedro, Calif. His body was interred at the cemetery of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Easton, within the Fall River Diocese.

Shortly after receiving approval from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, then Fall River Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., announced the opening of the diocesan phase of the canonization process on June 1, 2001.

Since that time Father Peyton is

Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC

referred to as Servant of God. On Oct. 1, 2003, Fall River Bishop George W. Coleman presided over the opening of the trial which reviews the heroic practice of virtue and reputation for holiness of Father Peyton.

In a recent interview with The Anchor, provincial superior of the Eastern Province, Father Arthur Colgan said the process is moving along in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. “Right now, individuals who knew Father Peyton and had personal contact with him are being interviewed to determine the heroic practice of virtue and reputation for holiness.

“Many of Father Peyton’s writings and documents are also being studied for the same purpose.”

Should the cause move further along, Father Peyton would be declared Venerable. After a miracle attributed to the intercession of a Venerable candidate is investigated and accepted, the Holy Father can decide upon beatification, with the person being declared “Blessed.”

If a second miracle is attributed to a person in the Blessed stage, the pope many then declare that person a Saint.

Father Colgan said that devotion to Father Peyton is still very active today. “Many, many people still come to Father Peyton’s grave site in Easton to pray for his sainthood and for his intercession. In fact there is a common practice of taking a set of rosaries that usually adorns the tomb stone and replacing it with another set for others to do the same.”

He also mentioned that the office of the Vice Postulator of the Cause Father Mario Lachapelle in Easton, receives many request for favors from Father Peyton, or to report favors granted through his intercession. In fact there is a form on the Holy Cross Family Ministries Website (hcfm.org) where folks can request or report such favors, as well as by calling 1-800-299-7729 or writing to Office of the Vice Postulator, Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street, North Easton , MA 02356-1200.

The Website includes examples of favors granted such as finding employment; lost wedding rings; physical and spiritual healings; and conversions. There have also been testimonies that through Father Peyton’s intercession, a man who refused to pray the rosary now prays it everyday with his wife and by himself; and inspirations to answer the call to the priesthood.

A check with the Easton office revealed many requests come in via U.S. Mail, Email, phone calls and word of mouth. People trying to deal with life situations ask for Father Peyton’s intercession — family members with drug problems, lost employment, children with heart problems or cancer. People who realize they need God’s help come to Father Peyton for his intercession, knowing he was a man who emanated holiness.

It was noted that many of the requests come from the generation that knew Father Peyton, who are praying for children and grandchildren who have strayed from the Church.

Some of the correspondence that comes in are just stories of people who had a brief encounter with the Rosary Priest, and whose lives were changed forever.

“It’s not just in the U.S. that Father Peyton is so revered,” said Father Colgan. “Wherever the Congregation serves, people know of Father Peyton and pray for his canonization and for his intercession.

“Devotion is particularly strong in the Philippines, where faithful are inspired watching old TV shows of Father Peyton’s and shows produced by Holy Cross Family Ministries. Great memories of Father Peyton are still alive there, particularly the amazingly successful rosary rallies attended by thousands.”

Just last year a Holy Cross Fam-

ily Ministry-sponsored rosary rally was held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., attended by 65,000 individuals.

“The vibrancy of Father Peyton’s ministry still alive today is a sign of his holiness and insights and discerning the will of God,” added Father Colgan.

When he was alive, Father Peyton could reach all types of people — the rich and famous of Hollywood, and poor immigrants.

“Father Peyton was an immigrant himself to the U.S., coming from Ireland, so he knew what it felt like. He also endured significant physical suffering, which was healed through the intercession of the Blessed Mother.”

Father Colgan said the Congregation of Holy Cross is very supportive of the canonization cause.

“The cause is popular with many and we want to keep it meaningful,” he said. “Father Peyton’s canonization would be a great gift to the Church of the U.S. He’s a figure that still speaks to many.”

Asked what the faithful can do to help the cause, Father Colgan said, “I encourage people to pray for him to be beatified, and to ask for his intercession in their needs.”

Father Peyton is not the only member of the Congregation of Holy Cross in the canonization process. Several of his peers are at some stage of the process including Servant of God Archbishop Theotonius Amal Ganguly, the first bishop in Bangladesh; Father William Evans who was killed in 1971 during the war of liberation in Bangladesh; and Servant of God Bishop Vincent McCauley who opened a Congregation of Holy Cross Mission in Uganda in East Africa.

“The recognition of these men reflects the international character of the Congregation of Holy Cross in the U.S., Asia, Africa and across the world,” said Father Colgan.

Prayer for the Beatification of Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC Dear Jesus, Father Peyton devoted his priestly life to strengthening the families of the world by calling them to pray together every day, especially the Rosary. His message is as important for us now as it was during his life on earth.

We beg you, therefore, to hasten the day of his beatification so that your faithful people everywhere will remember his message that the family that prays together stays together, will imitate him in his devotion to your Mother and ours, and will be inspired by his holy life to draw ever closer to you with childlike confidence and love. Amen.

October 31, 2008

Parish to hold adoration on Election Day continued from page one

tion of the Blessed Sacrament, capping a day of prayer on how to reflect our Pro-Life and other faith beliefs with our vote,” said Father Michael Racine, pastor.

“I think Catholics are more confused about who in good conscience they should vote for as president than any time I can remember,” Father Racine said.

“This all-day eucharistic adoration came about as our parishioners seek to follow God’s will in their role as faithful citizens, and look for the best possible candidate who reflects their faith tenets,” he added.

“We invite all to come and ask God’s help. I don’t think we are “way out in the woods” but rather our church at 32 South Main Street is near enough other area faith communities in the diocese so their parishioners might come in to pray for assistance,” he said.

Jane Wilcox, a parishioner of St. Bernard’s, and a member of its Respect Life Committee, also extended an invitation “to area Catholics to come and say a prayer and spend time before the Blessed Sacrament before they make a decision and head to the polls.”

She said the idea arose after a Monday morning Mass when the Pro-Lifers suggested holding a nine-day rosary novena to Our Lady of Victory, October 27 to November 4, in which people could pray a rosary a day on their own, in their homes or traveling, “as they examined their conscience on who would be the best presidential candidate.

“That is planned, but Father Racine wanted to do more,” reported Wilcox, “and we hit on eucharistic adoration, a special time to look to God for his help.”

She said it follows up on Father Racine’s October 19 homily when he addressed the Gospel that centered on Christ’s words, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.”

The quote, one of the most bestknown in the New Testament, is a timely one for Catholics about to elect a national leader who hopefully would foster a presidency with a God-fearing respect for life and other moralities in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church, truly allowing Catholics as well as Americans of all creeds “to give to Caesar what is Caesar, and to God what is God’s.”

While he never told the congregation who to vote for, Father Racine said he planned to offer “a sequel homily” prior to the election, “to again get people thinking.”

Wilcox said, “More than party politics is at stake and we have to look to a higher order. So nothing could be better for Catholics than to ask God’s help before making such a crucial decision that will affect all our lives.”

As she and other committed Pro-Lifers participate in the annual March for Life in January in the nation’s capital, “to find a pro-choice president assuming office might seem to some as if he is thumbing his nose at Catholic teaching,” she mused.

“Whatever, we must live our faith.”

Carol Levesque, another member of St. Bernard’s Respect Life Committee, said “there are more issues than abortion under the respect life umbrella that extends to end of life issues and even to marriage and what a candidate’s stand on those are, for us Catholic voters to consider. So to take time and pray about that is of vital importance, not just for us, but for our future and that of our children, and that is why we think our day of adoration is important.”

She said that as political parties and news media offer conflicting stories and views of the candidates “taking it to prayer asks the Lord to let us know what is right and what he wants, and he will let us know,” she added trustingly.

The importance of continual promulgation and revisiting Catholic Church teachings so vital to one’s faith is also significant at election time, “and we will be including a voters guide for Catholics in our upcoming parish bulletin to renew what’s important in people’s minds,” she added.

“A group from Kenya involved in a road race came to our recent parish fair and after looking at a photo display of fetuses in the womb — which they apparently had never seen — were astounded how human they looked even in their early formation,” Levesque related.

“It shows how important knowledge can be before we can decide on an issue. Then we take to prayer to ask God what the best choices are,” she stated.

DIOCESAN TRIBUNAL FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS Decree of Citation Sinceherpresentdomicileisunknown, inaccordwiththeprovisionofCanon 1509.1,weherebyciteSusanM.Monaghantoappearinpersonbeforethe TribunaloftheDioceseofFallRiver(887 Highland Avenue in Fall River, Bristol County,Massachusetts)onNovember17, 2008at2:30PMtogivehertestimony regarding the question: ISTHEMUEHLBERGER-MONAGHAN MARRIAGE NULL ACCORDING TO CHURCH LAW? Anyonewhohasknowledgeofthe domicileofSusanM.Monaghanishereby requiredtoinformherofthiscitation.

GivenattheofficesoftheDiocesan TribunalinFallRiver,BristolCounty,Massachusetts on October 27, 2008.

(Rev.)PaulF.Robinson,O.Carm., J.C.D. Judicial Vicar (Mrs.) Denise D. Berube Ecclesiastical Notary

October 31, 2008

Around the Diocese Eucharistic Adoration:

Eucharistic Adoration

ACUSHNET — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Church, 125 Main Street, Mondays from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., ending with Evening Prayer and Benediction.

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place every First Friday at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place at St. Joseph-St. Therese Church, 51 Duncan Street, Mondays following the 8:30 a.m., Mass until 1:30 p.m. For more information call 508-995-2354.

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.

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.

TAUNTON — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street, immediately following the 8 a.m., Mass and continues throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., concluding with recitation of the rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

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.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street, holds perpetual eucharistic adoration. For open hours or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous ACUSHNET — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church November 4, following the 8 a.m., Mass and concluding at 7 p.m. with recitation of the rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and Benediction. The parish’s Harvest Fair will take place November 2, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the church at 4256 Acushnet Avenue.

It will feature crafts, children’s items, homemade food and desserts.

ATTLEBORO — The Center for Christian Living at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, 947 Park Street, will continue its series for women in midlife, presented by holistic counselor Terri Cesarz, November 4,11,18, and 25, and December 9 and 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For information and to register call 508-222-8530.

BREWSTER — A Mass with healing service will be celebrated by Missionary of La Salette Father Richard Lavoie, November 5, 7 p.m., in Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road. A charismatic prayer meeting will be held in the parish center, November 13 and 20 at 7 p.m.

CHATHAM — A Tridentine Mass is celebrated 11:30 a.m. every Sunday at Our Lady of Grace Chapel on Route 137.

EAST SANDWICH — The Women’s Guild of Corpus Christi Parish, will hold its annual Christmas Fair, November 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Parish Center, 324 Quaker Meetinghouse Road. It will feature handmade crafts and knit and crochet items, gift baskets, white elephant treasures and a luncheon.

FALL RIVER — A holy hour takes place at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, Tuesdays at 7 p.m. It consists of the rosary, Immaculate Medal novena, a homily, Benediction, and the opportunity for confession. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is recited each Wednesday at 3 p.m.

FALL RIVER — The Portuguese TV Program, “Good News for Life,” (“Boa Nova da Vida”) sponsored by the Communications Department of the Fall River Diocese, will present “How To Read the Bible” on November 5 and 9 at 9:30 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Bishop Connolly High School, 373 Elsbree Street, will hold a placement exam for prospective students November 22, 8 a.m. For more information call Director of Admissions Anthony Ciampanelli at 508-676-1071, ext. 333.

FALL RIVER — St. Mary’s Cathedral, 327 Second Street, will host First Saturday Devotions tomorrow, beginning with Mass at 9 a.m., followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction at 10:30 a.m.

FALL RIVER — The Fall River Area Men’s First Friday Club will meet November 7 at Good Shepherd Parish, 1598 South Main Street. Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m. by Father Thomas Kocik, who will speak on Islam following the Mass. A meal will follow. To reserve a seat call Norman Valiquette at 508-672-8174.

HYANNIS — A Solemn Day of Prayer for Life, Justice and Peace, will take place at St. Francis Xavier Parish, 347 South Street, November 3, beginning at noon, with a Mass at 12:10 p.m.; novena prayers throughout the day; and ending at 8:20 p.m., with Night Prayer and a homily. For more information call the parish at 508-775-0818.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady of Purgatory Parish will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar November 15, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and November 16, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in St. Mary’s School gym, 115 Illinois Street. It will include door prizes, an auction, children’s table and games and traditional Lebanese foods and pastries.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish will host “A Day With Mary” led

by Friar of the Immaculate Father Dominic, tomorrow, in the church at 235 North Front Street, beginning with at video at 8:45 a.m, the rosary, Mass at 11 a.m., meditations, and concluding at 3:35 p.m. For more information call 508-992-9378.

Diocesan students know the true meaning of Halloween continued from page one

dedicatio Sanctae Mariae ad Martyres has been celebrated at Rome ever since.

The chosen day, May 13, was a pagan observation of great antiquity, the culmination of three days of the feast of the Lemures, in which the spirits of the dead were propitiated. Medieval liturgists based the idea that this Lemuria festival was the origin of that of All Saints on their identical dates and on the similar theme of all the dead.

The feast of All Saints on its current date is traced to the foundation by Pope Gregory III (731-741) of an oratory in St. Peter’s for the relics “of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors, of all the just made perfect who are at rest throughout the world,” with the day moved to November 1.

A November festival of all the saints was widely celebrated on November 1 in the days of Charlemagne. It was made a day of obligation throughout the Frankish empire in 835, by a decree of Louis the Pious, issued “at the instance of Pope Gregory IV and with the assent of all the bishops,” which confirmed its celebration on November 1. The octave was added

by Pope Sixtus IV (1471-1484).

These historic details have not been lost upon the children in diocesan schools, but perhaps more important, students are learning lessons of identity and the importance of remaining spiritually connected to those who have passed on before us.

At St. Stanislaus School on Rockland Street in Fall River, Principal Jean Willis said that many of the lessons presented to students this week have centered on the significance of icons. Students completed projects on icons, in addition

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks

Nov. 3 Rev. Jose M. Bettencourt e Avila, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, New Bedford, 1988 Nov. 4 Permanent Deacon James M. O’Gara, 1990 Nov. 5 Rev. Daniel A. Gamache, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, New Bedford, 1998

NEW BEDFORD — The annual Holiday Craft Fair will be held November 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in St. Joseph-St. Therese Church, 51 Duncan Street.

Nov. 6 Rev. Patrick S. McGee, Founder, St. Mary, Hebronville, 1933 Rev. Joseph Oliveira, Retired Pastor Our Lady of Lourdes, Taunton, 1999

NORTH EASTON — The Joseph W. Martin Institute will welcome John F. Stack November 6 at 4 p.m., for a discussion on “Globalization: A Critical Re-Examination of Proponents and Critics,” as part of his two-year series on globalization. It will take place on the campus of Stonehill College, 320 Washington. Free parking in Lot 11.

For more information visit stonehill.edu/x10444.xm.

Nov. 7 Rev. J. Edmond Tremblay, Retired Chaplain, Sacred Heart Home, New Bedford, 1985

Pro-Life ATTLEBORO — Concerned faithful are needed to pray the rosary outside Four Women, Inc., an abortion clinic at 150 Emory Street, Thursdays from 3-4 p.m., or 4-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30-8:30 a.m. For information call 508-238-5743.

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The Anchor

Nov. 8 Rev. Pacifique L. Emond, OFM, retreat master, writer, Montreal, Canada, 1984

to researching individual saints.

“They know that the secular version of Halloween has nothing to do with our faith,” said Willis.

“They get it. They ask questions.

And they understand the explanations.”

Willis said there is an emphasis on those “forever friends” provided by the Church in the form of saints.

“They learn that an icon is more than an image, it is a window to God,” she said. “And they know that the saints help us on our own journey of life.”

At Our Lady of Lourdes School on First Street in Taunton, Lincoln DeMoura, the school’s principal, sees Halloween as an opportunity to connect students with the historical teachings of the Church.

“It’s important for a Catholic school to reintroduce the teachings of Jesus Christ and what his message is … we do that through prayer every day,” he said. “We demonstrate our faith.”

At Holy Family-Holy Name School on Summer Street in New Bedford, Cecelia Felix, principal, talked to faculty members about the importance of teaching the true meaning and Catholic history behind Halloween.

“I met with the staff and we talked about it,” she said. “It’s all in how you approach it. The most important piece of who we are here is our Catholic identity. It is so im-

portant.”

Felix recognizes that the historical teachings are counter-culture and that the force of what has become the secular Halloween holiday is a strong one.

Holy Family-Holy Name School, in fact, has established what has become an annual — and beautiful tradition.

On October 30, many students were expected to take part in a prayer service at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish on Mt. Pleasant Street in New Bedford.

Father Robert A. Oliveira, pastor at the parish, called the event a “wonderful tradition” and said the children are encouraged to come dressed as saints. After the service, the kids head into the parking lot where they take part in “Trunk or Treating!”

“People decorate the trunks of their cars and pass out candy to the kids,” said Father Oliveira. “It’s a wonderful tradition. And it’s a safe place to be.”

Father Oliveira likes the idea of combining elements of the secular holiday with the Church’s teachings. It’s a realistic approach.

“The school emphasizes its Catholic identity, the spiritual aspect of the holiday, and remembering all of the people we love,” he said. “The combination of both is healthy. We recognize the civil holiday and the sense of joy it entails.”

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20

The Anchor

October 31, 2008

‘Every other human right depends on the right to life’

By Gail Besse Anchor Correspondent

FALL RIVER — As the hours wind down to a presidential election in which the stakes for America’s future are huge, Christian voters are being urged to recall God’s message to the Hebrews.

“I set before you this day, life or death, blessing or curse.

Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live …”

Deut. 30:19.

Although this issue’s pivotal importance is twisted or even silenced as it filters through media hype, it’s being echoed clearly by Catholic bishops, priests and lay leaders. Millions of lives and our nation’s soul hang in the balance, they warn.

“We must always avoid supporting abortion,” said Msgr. Gerard P. O’Connor in a television show being aired through November 4 on local cable across the Fall River Diocese. Msgr. O’Connor, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet, moderates this show exploring the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.”

Bishop George W. Coleman has asked every diocesan pastor to include a one-page summary of this guideline in parish bulletins.

The summary — “Citizenship and the Well Informed Conscience” — was distributed by the Massachusetts Catholic Conference and printed October 17 in The Anchor.

Duo inspired to promote Pro-Life campaign continued from page 10

it’s frustrating. I just trust that God continues to be above all this.”

“In many parishes a Pro-Life committee either doesn’t exist or doesn’t get support from anyone in terms of bringing attention to the needs of women who find themselves pregnant and may be forced into an abortion as their only alternative,” Larose added. “We feel it’s our responsibility to make it known, to bring it to the forefront, and to keep faithful Catholics aware of the issue and even bring it into the public forum in these election times.”

The duo expressed their joy at having mounted such a successful first-time campaign, and also wished to thank Marian Desrosiers, director of the Pro-Life Apostolate for the Fall River Diocese, and Bishop George W. Coleman for their continued support in this endeavor.

“Without their efforts this campaign could not be as successful as it was,” Marcotte said.

“I think what differentiates us from the other campaigns in the area is the support of the diocese and Marian’s office and all the mailings and publicity they’ve done on our behalf to reach out to the various parishes,” Larose agreed. “It really has made a very big difference.”

With plans already in place to mount another campaign beginning on Ash Wednesday next year to once again coincide with Lent, Larose and Marcotte are gearing up to spread the word about the next phase of their mission. It would seem the success of their fledgling effort has only inspired them to do more.

“Seeing the response in an area that you would have first perceived as apathetic, I think the sacrifice of the individuals and even our own sacrifice brings us closer to the reality of what it means in our daily lives,” Larose said. “So we

constantly find ourselves reminded several times each day about what God has done for us … and focusing on those things that are most important to us.”

“One of the byproducts of this campaign is my faith has grown dramatically and my trust, knowing that God will provide,” Marcotte said. “People have come from all over and they’ve been so generous with their time, money, effort and prayers, that if this campaign ended tomorrow, this would already be far more than I ever expected.”

To nominate a Person of the Week, send an email message to FatherRogerLandry@AnchorNews.org.

Meanwhile, lay Catholics have compiled resources such as one recommended by Msgr.

O’Connor: “Voters Guide for Serious Catholics,” available in video and print from Catholic Answers at Catholic.com. Also, he said, the Fidelis Center for Law and Policy has a good three-minute video at Catholicvote.com.

On the state level, the lay group Catholic Citizenship has posted a guide for contested legislative races at Catholic-citizenship.org.

The guide shows responses given by candidates in three races within the diocese: Fifth Barnstable (Republican incumbent Jeff Perry vs. Democrat Glenn Pare); Second Bristol (Democrat William Bowles vs. Republican George Ross); and Seventh Bristol (Democratic incumbent Kevin Aguiar vs. Republican C.J. Ferry.)

Voters in those three districts should receive the guide in parish bulletins November 2, according to Bea Martins, Catholic Citizenship’s diocesan director. Only those races in which both candidates responded to the survey were posted.

Locally, volunteers will end a 40 Days for Life vigil November

Please visit us at: www.CarmelTerrace.org or 508 788 8000 933 Central St. Framingham, MA 01701 On the campus of St. Patrick's Manor

2 outside the Four Women abortion clinic in Attleboro. The vigil is one of 174 across the United States and Canada leading up to election day.

The campaign seeks God’s power to end abortion. It consists of 40 days of prayer and fasting, community outreach and peaceful public witness outside abortion facilities.

On November 1, members of the Cape Cod Family Life Alli-

ance will hold “Vote Pro-Life” signs along Route 132 in Hyannis.

The CCFLA, with parishioners from throughout the Cape, also produced the Faithful Citizenship cable show.

The bishops’ document is really a universal guide, Msgr.

O’Connor explained on the cable show. “Jesus’ message is for all mankind,” he said, and the Church guides us to vote “in line Turn to page 15