11.05.04

anc VOL. 48, NO. 42 • Friday, November 5, 2004

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Diocesan priests on retreat reflect on devotion to Mary DUXBURY - More than 30 priests of the Fall River diocese, led by Bishop George W. Coleman, were urged to "get to know the Mother of God better" during the annual retreat week at Miramar during the waning days of September.

Bishop George Lucas of the Diocese of Springfield, 111., was the spiritual guide and presenter for the retreat at the facility main-

tained by the Divine Word Fathers.

While Bishop Lucas directed some of his several talks to timehonored Catholic devotional practices, he also shared reflections on role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Church, in the priestly ministry, and how the call of the priest is so much like that given Mary.

Turn to page 13 - Retreat

MASTER OF ceremonies for the 10lh annual St. Mary's Education Fund Fall Dinner Carl Taber welcomes diocesan school children to the stage. Michael Hamel of St. Francis Xavier School, Acushnet, and Victoria King of Taunton Catholic Middle School were among 450 guests who came out in support of Catholic education. (Anchon'Gordon photo)

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St. Mary's Education Fund events raise a total $633,739 By

MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

ENJOYING A moment at the recent Priests' Retreat for diocesan priests at Miramar Retreat Center in Duxbury, were, from left: Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, and Fathers Jon-Paul Gallant and Jay T. Maddock.

Statement of the Fall River Diocese November 1, 2004 Bishop George W. Coleman asked Msgr. John A. Perry, Vicar General for the Fall River diocese, to attend Masses this past weekend at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in New Bedford to inform parishioners that a credible al-

legation of illegal activity has been made against their pastor, Rev. Stephen A. Fernandes.

According to the policies of the Fall River diocese and state law, the allegation has been reTurn to page 13 - Statement

WESTPORT - The 10th annual St. Mary' Education Fund Fall Dinner ended on a high note October 28 at White's of Westport when Bishop George W. Coleman was presented a check for $633,739.

The monies will help provide need-based financial scholarships to hundreds of students at Catholic elementary and middle schools in the Fall River diocese.

The event was themed "Making Their Dreams Come True," and they are doing just that according to Mike Donly, director of Development.

"We're very pleased with rais-

ing over $600,000," said Donly.

"We're also very grateful for the efforts of so many people who made this possible."

The proceeds from the October event and the Summer Scholarship Dinner on Cape Cod were represented in the grand total presented to the bishop. Since the 1995-96 school year more than $4 million has been awarded to children and this year more than 700 students will benefit from the proceeds.

Master of ceremonies Carl W. Taber was glad to welcome more than 450 people who came out in support of Catholic education. "It gives me a tremendous satisfaction to help our young people. The

Fund is an absolute necessity and we're thankful for your tireless efforts and the efforts of so many people."

The evening included dinner and a video presentation highlighting many Catholic schools in the diocese. Students from SS. Peter and Paul School, Fall River, gave a musical presentation and Kathryn Williams of Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro, was the pianist during the reception.

Guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Mary Jane England, president of Regis College.

For Mercy Sister Patricia Harrington, helping children is something she's done all her life.

Turn to page 13 - Fund

Ministry of Mothers Sharing opens seventh session on Cape MASHPEE - God's gift to a special group of women in the Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS) at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee is, as the group's name suggests, each other.

MOMS is an eight-week peer ministry program which affords women the opportunity to develop self-esteem, relationship skills and a more defined sense of their own spirituality at a time when they are facing the difficult challenge of raising a family.

On October 21, Christ the King Parish's MOMS recorded something of a milestone when it opened its seventh, six-week ses-

sion, with a "Celebration of New Beginnings." To date, it has "graduated" 33 women since its summer start.

The ministry was developed by Benedictine Sister Paula Hagen in 1992 in St. Paul, Minn. Since then, it has reached more than 300,000 women in nearly 3,200 parishes in 100 dioceses.

At the heart of MOMS on the Cape is Mercy Sister Shirley Agnew, director of Spiritual Development at Christ the King.

"I was ending my ministry as a hospital chaplain and I was looking for a new way to minister CELEBRATION of New Beginnings at Corpus Christi Parish last month heralded the sucTum to page 13 - Mothers cess of the MOMS ministry that has "graduated" 33 since the pilot sessions last summer.

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Friday, November 5, 2004

Donald M. Demers of Sacred Hearts Missions awarded Certified Fund Raising Executive designation fication offund-raising executives by setting standards in philanthropy. This single, universal, baseline organization works in cooperation with leading philanthropic organizations. The Board of Directors of CFRE International is made up of currently certified individuals from vari·ous types offund-raising settings and also includes members ofthe public representing the interest of donors.

Sacred Hearts Missions, is an international, apostolic, order founded by Father Pierre Coudrin ofFrance during the French Revolution, and is comprised of more than 2,000 religious serving the needy and abandoned worldwide.

The name Blessed Damien De Veuster "the leper priesf of Molokai" is pre-eminent in the roster of great missionaries of the Congregation along with Father . THE MISSION TEAM from the Diocese of Fall River serving in Guaimaca, Honduras, Mateo Crawley-Boevey, the Includes, from left: Father Craig A. Pregana, Dominican'Sisters Lucia Gomez, Carmen Adela founder of the Enthronement of Rivera, and Marie Ceballos, and Father Paul E. Canuel. the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Home.

Today, the Congregation is represented from Norway in the GUAIMACA, Honduras Ceballos. "The people still can't can:t go to school because most Northern Hemisphere to Chile in Father Craig A. Pregana, Domini- go to Mass each weekend because families with many children can't the south and from Japan in the can Sisters Lucia Gomez, Carmen of the wide area the priests must afford -the registration and unieast to Mozambique and the Adela Rivera, and Marie Cebal- serve, but they do have more op- form fees.

Congo in Africa. The Eastern los, and Father Paul E. Canuel portunities than before."

Just $100 can educate a child Province includes all of the make up our diocesan-sponsored· While Fathers Canuel· and for one year and less than $5 a United States, except California, mission team in Guaimaca and Pregana tend to the many spiritual month can feed a child for a with undertakings in the states of Orica. needs of the Honduran people, Sis- month.

Texas, Massachusetts, and New Fathers Canuel and Pregana . ters Ceballos, Rivera and Gomez The team asks you to help them Mexico, and the countries of constantly travel across the counfight the staggering odds attempthelp others.

Mexico, Japan, Philippines, India, tryside and mountainous regions ing to ease their physical suffering.

If you'd like to send any memand Bahamas. of the two parishes, bringing the "We are in such drastic need for ber of the team an E-mail message, sacraments to the many Catholics asthma medicines, antibiotics, hy- they can be reached at any of these who live there. "The fathers do a pertension medicines and vita- addresses: Father Canuel: SERVICEo .. By caringfamily and service-family professionals wonderful job there," says Sister mins," says Sister Ceballos. pecanuel @ao1.com; Father One objective of the Mission Pregana: Craig6204@ao1.com; ·TRUST. ..In the people you know is to teach the people of Guaim- and Sister Maria Ceballos: Daily Readings aca and Orica to help themselves srmariaceballos@hotmail.com.

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FUNERAL PLANNING 1924, Rev. LOUIS J. Deady, FoundeI;. St. Louis, Fall River 1992, Rev. William H. O'Reilly, Ret~d Pastor, Immaculate Con9r1.a~ it ewrfor tliose you row ception, Taunton \ \ 1111 " I1I11111 " /11111111111111 THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-Q20) Periodical 1998, Rev. Clarence 1. d'Entremont \)

FAIRHAVEN - CFRE International has awarded Donald M. Demers the professional designation ofCertified Fund Raising Executive. Demers, director of Development for Sacred Hearts Missions in Fairhaven, joins just 4,417 professionals around the world who hold the CFRE designation.

'Individuals granted the credentials have met a series ofstandards set by CFRE which include tenure in the profession, education, professional achievements and a commitment to not-for-profit organizations. They have agreed to uphold Accountability Standards and the Donor Bill of Rights. Additionally, candidates must pass a written examination testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fund-raising execu. tive.

"The CFRE process was developed as a way to identify for the public and employers those individuals who posses the knowledge, skills, and commitment to perform fund-raising duties in an effective, conscientious, ethical, and professional manner," states Pearl Veenema, CFRE, Chair of CFRE International. "Achievement ofthe Certified Fund Raising Executive credentials demonstrates the level of commitment on the part of Donald Demers to himselfand the profession as a whole."

CFRE International is an independent organization whose sole mission is dedicated to the certi-

News/rom Guaimaca

I n Your Prayers

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Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass. Published weekly except for the first two weeks in July and the week after Christmas at 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720 by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

Nov. 14 1940, Rev. Francis J. Duffy, Founder, St. Mary, South Dartmouth 1977, Rev. William A. Galvin, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton 2001, Deacon John H. Schondek, St. Paul Parish, Taunton

summarize the focus and importance of the convention: "God ofJustice, remove us from the comfort zones of life so we can visit the places where the poor and vulnerable live. Open our eyes to see the potential for change around us and the courage to take the next step.

Christ ofPoverty, empty us from our dependency on possessions and power so we are left needing and wanting what only you can fill. Gift us with the faith to see you in each person we meet and the courage to take the next step. Spirit of Peace, stop the raging seas of violence and hate that fill our lives so we can witness your love and compassion to a

hurting world. Bless us with the words to proclaim your peace, the strength to live your justice and the courage to take the next step."

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REPRESENTATIVES FROM parishes met with Bishop George W. Coleman at the annual Youth Convention. From left, Daniel Viera of Annunciation of the Lord Parish, Taunton; Greg Wholean, St. Patrick's, Somerset; Evan Lema, Holy Cross, South Easton; Bishop Coleman; Kate Smith-Hammond, Our Lady of Victory, Centerville; Joana Brenckle, St. John the Baptist, Westport; MacKenzie Maynard, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Seekonk; and Michael Jasinski, St. John Neumann Parish, East Freetown.

Youth Convention inspires young people to embrace justice and peace

By FATHER GEORGE E. HARRISON DIOCESAN SECRETARY FOR YOUTH

FALL RIVER - Gathering for the recent 16th annualYouth Convention at Bishop Connolly High School to advance the theme "Living Justice, Proclaiming Peace," young people from parishes across the diocese were urged to meet the challenge of living for Christ and the Church.

Those attending received a welcome from Bishop George W. Coleman, heard a vibrant message from keynote speaker Tony Bellizzi, and met in small discussion groups on a variety of topics.

In his remarks, Bishop Coleman spoke ofthe recent conclusion to the diocese's centennial year, the blessings it had received during the past century, and the hope in the coming years. He stressed how important the young Church of Fall River is to the fruitfulness of the next decades, and he challenged the young people to commit themselves to Christ and the Church by living justice and working for peace.

Bellizzi spoke passionately to the assembly, telling them that the privilege of being a human being is that of being someone through whom God can work. He challenged the youth, asking what disturbs them? What their mission was? He also introduced the mission of "Surf for the Cause," and its slogan, "Changing the World, One Wave at a Time," and its Website www.surfforthecause.com.

Those involved in the program, five of whom attended the convention, raise funds enabling them to travel to the world's poorest beaches, where they surf and volunteer their efforts to help provide basic human services.

Bellizzi also presented two sessions of a prayerful guided meditation.

Other sessions included, "Road to Conversion" by Bernie Choniere, who focused on the conversion he experienced in his own life.

Choniere, a popular contemporary Catholic musician, provided music during the day, including the celebration of Mass.

Another workshop, "Evaluate Your Morals;' by Cathy Carpenter, was, as in other years, a popular session in which the youth discussed what it means to be a moral person as well as ''who and what do you value?"

Joan Cuttle offered those attending her sessions information on HlV, the truths and myths about the disease.

Father David Frederici presented two different workshops. One centered on politics and religion and the other on the .theory of a just war.

A session on the meaning of social justice was presented by Rick Brigham of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville; Richard Rodrigues, diocesan coordinator of Youth Ministry, opened up talks with participants on parish youth ministry, its fruitfulness and how to enhance it; and Jean Kelly, from St. Pius X Parish, South Yarmouth, led talks about learning skills that would help the young people communicate more effectively.

The afternoon hours evaporated quickly as students participated in the various workshops and enjoyed a pizza break.

Those participating at the convention indicated by their enthusiasm, questions and responses that they were aware of the seriousness and importance ofthe impact they would have the future of the Church both in the Diocese of Fall River and beyond.

Written in the day's programs was the following intercessory prayer, which helped to

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Saturday, November 6, 2004 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 7, 2004 , 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

FEATURING Extraordinary Handmade Crafts, Arts, Children's Comer, White Elephant Table, Baked Goods, Various Christmas Delights, Special Polish Booth.

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Seafood, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers From Fall River, Taunton and West: On Interstate 195 get off at Exit 16 (Washburn Street).

At stop sign make an immediate right. At traffic lights take a left on Coggeshall Street. Then take the secand street on your right (North Front Street). The Church and Parish Hall are fifty feet from the corner.

From Fairhaven, Wareham and East: On Interstate 195 get off at E~it 17 (Coggeshall Street).

After traffic lights continue for two blocks. Then take the second street on your right (North Front Street).

The Church and the Parish Hall are fifty feet from the corner.

Friday. November 5, 2004

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the living word

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A difficult subject Recently, the Wall Street Journal featured a report whose subject centered on the serious problem of college suicide. Written by Ernest Sander, the reflection was based on data gleaned from a study by the American College Health Association. The report stated that among the findings from a 2004 survey of more than 47,200 students from 74 colleges and universities, 45.3 percent of the students reported feeling so depressed over the last school year that they had difficulty in functioning. The percentage of students who reported seriously considering sui~ide in the same time reference was 10.1 percent. More than 1.3 percent of students reported attempting suicide during the past school year.

As a result of the fact~ at hand, more and more schools are very much aware of this heightened risk of suicide. To deal with this difficulty, many colleges and universities are increasing mental health staffs. Outreach programs such as informational workshops for students are on the increase. Some schools have been the subject of lawsuits by parents whose children committed suicide and are now evolving programs to help them intheir own search for answers.

In a review monograph on this subject, Dr. Alan Lipschitz reflected that findings indicated that after accidents, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. He stated that college students who commit suicide show different personality traits than non-student suicide. They are largely depressed, quiet, socially isolated young people who draw little attention to themselves. Many are trying to win parental love by efforts of overachieving in academics or sports. The inner life of such students, he reflects, is not a slumbering state of dull unhappiness, but a confused melange of contradictory feelings of self-loathing and hate for the very people from whom he or she seeks love, the parents whom they feel have so hurt and frustrated them.

It is also obvious that many students are entering college with some very real mental health issues. Under the normal stress levels that all students are exposed to in college life, these people simply cannot cope with reality. The increa~ed uSe' of stimulants and alcohol can be factors in the progression to suicide.

Given the climate of the times, social instability, public terror and fear, along with declining family and ethical values, we can expect to face greater problems in this particular area of life and living. First and foremost, there should be a public awareness that this problem does indeed exist. Colleges and universities are not substitute parents. The levels of parental expectations in this regard are fearsome. Every effort should be made to educate parents.

In today's world, colleges and universities are radically different than the comfort zone of their good old days. Families should be aware that college students are yet in the maturation process. Children today can easily collect a series of difficulties that they simply cannot handle. Lines of communication are imperative. One must never ignore the many warning signs that often are red flags for actual intent. A supportive campus setting should be constantly evaluated. In this light, schools should offer positive prevention plans in case a suicide does occur on campus. Plans should fo~us on outreach to survivors, including school friends.

Our young people are our future hope. We should help them in every way to realize that we are stewards, not owners, of the life that God has entrusted to us. Let us always remind ourselves we are made in his image and likeness.

BpSTON RED Sox PrAYERS CELEBRATE AFfER THE~ WORL~ SE~~ ,yI~~ORY O~~ THE r . ST.LoUIS CARDINALS OCTOBER 27 IN ST. LOUIS. (eNS PHOTO FROM REUTERS)

"A JOYFUL HEART MAKES A CHEERFUL FACE" (PROVERBS 15:13).

The amazing ministries of retired priests

By FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

On retreats I give, I have met 70- and 80-year-old priests who care for several parishes, often traveling long distances to reach ,them. Others fill in so that burdened pastors can g~t away, while still others are the backbone of various ministries in their dioceses.

When we reviewed the age The Executive Editor categories of priests in theresearch studies we conducted, we usually focused on active priests. Retired priests generally were envisioned as being in the background due to health problems, lack of energy and immobility. Yet, the more we OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE OIOCESEOFFALLRIVER mingle the more I realize that Published weekly by the Catholic Press of the Oiocese of Fall River retired priests today are definitely 887 Highland Avenue P.O. BOX 7 in the foreground!

Fall River, MA 02720 Fall River, MA 02722-0007 These priests often exude an FAX 508-.675-7048 Telephone 508-675-7151 eneJ:gy and strength that younger E-mail: TheAnchor@Anchornews.org generations don't have. It's not Send address changes to P.O. Box, call or use 'c-mail address that younger people lack energy or are weaker. Rather, it is that EXECUTIVE EDITOR older people have a unique Rev. Msgr. John F. Moore toughness that comes with age, EDITOR NEWS EDITOR OFFICE MANAGER despite physical degeneration.

David B. Jolivet James N. Dunbar Barbara M. Reis They know how to better pace

the

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themselves, hang in there and calmly face seemingly overwhelming problems.

Once these men are gone, many dioceses already hurting路 for priests will be devastated.

The number of U.S. parishes without a resident pastor is growing. Without these retired men, that number would be much l:irger. We especially will feel their loss in hospital ministry and ministry to the elderly.

As I've listened to retired priests tell of their priesthood, I've reali.zed that the wisdom and inspiration they pass on to younger priests are awesome. In fact, when younger priests tell their stories, many point to an older priest as their ideal. The loss of these older priests not only means that the Church will lose an essential priestly support system, but more important, it will lose a wisdom community.

As dire as this may sound, elderly priests would tell us not to fear. Many who in their prime were autonomous pastors now advocate giving more responsibility to lay leaders. Instead of

seeing a crippled Church, many see new models of collaboration with the laity adding a fresh vitality.

Most will admit that they don't particularly like seeing younger priests and the laity changing the way they did things, but in the same breath they will admit that change is needed and is good. Some even will say that a major change (e.g. married priests) would be welcome.

And what about elderly priests serving as wise mentors for younger priests? Many elderly priests would tell us that today's youth are much more independent and also more knowledgeable. As water finds it level, so too will younger priests find the spirituality and wisdom needed to carry on, be it from other priests or the laity.

Our retired priests will one day be missed dearly. But their love for the priesthood and the people it serves will live on in those they have touched. With this spirit of love, the Church and priesthood will not only survive, but also thrive.

Friday, November 5, 2004

It's who we are When 86 consecutive years For the past couple of of heartache melted away on weeks, I've felt more like a 10year-old than I have since, well, October 27, those long-dormant pieces of our psyches, hearts I was 10 years old. It's been a and souls were reawakened. great ride, and I have the They were alive. There were Boston Red Sox to thank, with giddy. They were consoled. the Olde Towne Team finally As painful as the bad times ending an 86-year-old champiwere, the elation was tenfold. onship drought.

In the early morning hours of When, with two outs in the 'October 28, 2004, I went to ninth inning of Game Four of the World Series, reliever Keith Foulke snagged a St. Louis Cardinal ground ball . and underhanded a toss to Doug Mientkiewicz at first base, I was immediBy Dave Jolivet ately transported back to a time and place when my only consleep with a smile on my face. cerns were about the Boston Four hours later when I got up Red Sox. to go to work, the smile was From the tears in my eyes still there. I couldn't wipe the after the final out, to the silly thing off with a Brillo pad. impatient anticipation of It was the smile of a 10-yearwatching hero-Iadened Duck old.

Boats waddle past me on Each Red Sox fan has her or Tremont Street last weekend, I his own story to tell - how was a lO-year-old again. they became hooked; how they Red Sox fans, don't let anyone tell you it's just a game. handled the bad times; and how they're handling the best times It's not. For many of us, the ever.

Boston Red Sox are a part of Unlike many Bosox fans, the who we are. They are a part of Red Sox tradition wasn't our psychology, they are a part of our heart, and they are a part passed down to me from a family member. Nope, the very of our soul. Baseball may be just a game, but the Boston Red Red Sox themselves caught this lO-year-old lad - hook, line Sox are not. and sinker. Just one look at that We are a people whu suffered through many devastating pathetic 1966 team, and I was theirs for life. Yankee fans were disappointments and failures. all around me - rooting for The losses and frustrations Mantle, Maris and Pepitone. didn't make us any less of a But I loved the Boston Red person, but they did affect our Sox. They were a part of me. minds, hearts and souls. To a It was easier being a Sox fan person, the pain was very, very as a lO-year-old. There was real. Each time something bad happened to our beloved Sox, a always hope. There was always small piece of us didn't die, but next year. Would I have stayed a Sox fan if I had known it became dormant. Outwardly, would take nearly 40 more our .hurt may have appeared years to reach the Promised funny to some, but it was far Land? Yes. I would have had no from humorous for us. choice. The Boston Red Sox Every time we mumbled, are a part of me.

"I'll never watch them again," At 11 :39 p.m. on October we knew that was a lie we told 27, 2004 (Denise and my 26 th ourselves to ease the pain. We wedding anniversary, by the knew we'd be back. The Red way) I tore upstairs and woke Sox are a part of us.

My View

From the Stands

'Maddy' Lavoie receives diocesan O'Connor Award

By MIKE

GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

WESTPORT - Madeleine Lavoie received the 2004 John Cardinal O'Connor Award for the Gospel of Life at the annual Pro-Life Awards Banquet, October 26 at White's of Westport, sponsored by the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate.

Lavoie has been dedicated to the Church's Pro-Life cause for many decades and received a standing ovation from the more than 120 people in attendance.

Bishop George W. Coleman presented the award.

Lavoie thanked many people

for the honor and said she was grateful to be selected. "It's astounding," said Lavoie. "Life has always been very important to me.

I always thought everyone deserves to have life."

Bishop Coleman cited Lavoie for her energy regarding the ProLife movement and thanked guest speaker, Atty. Cathy Cleaver Ruse for her talk regarding the context and consequences of the recent judicial decisions on the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Law. "I am slire our commitment to the unborn has been made

.Tum to page six - Award

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my nine~year-old out of a sound sleep, startling her with the words, "Only one more out."

Hitting only half as many steps on the way down as on the way up, I settled in front of the television, followed seconds later by the youngest Red Sox fan in the family.

At 11:40 p.m., it was over, or should I say it was just beginning. My nine-year-old came face-ta-face with her 10-year-old dad, jumping, yelling, crying, and most importantly finally breathing again.

We were the same age (and not just mentally as we usually are). And so were my wife, and oldest daughter and her boyfriend, and most of New England, and folks in Virginia, California; Baghdad and everywhere in between.

Winning or losing the World Series is not the most important thing in the world. But it's also not the least important. Not for Red Sox fans.

The Boston Red Sox are a part of who we are. And for the first time in a long, long time, a contented part.

Dave Jolivet, editor ofThe Anchor, is a former sports

editor/writer, and regularly gives one fan's perspective on the unique world ofsports.

Comments are welcome at dave;olivet@anchornews.org.

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In a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each to be preceded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.· Confessions may be made during 8 days before or after the first Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at either the morning or evening Mass on the first Saturday.

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The shepherd in the mist Publicity Chairmen are asked to submit news items for this column to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, 02722. Name of city or town should be included, as well as full dates of all activities. DEADLINE IS NOON ON FRIDAYS. Events published must be of interest and open to our general readership. We do not carry notices of fund-raising activities, which may be advertised at our regular rates, obtainable from our business office at 508-6757151.

BREWSTER - Our Lady of the Cape Parish will host a workshop entitled "Experiencing New Life," Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the church on Stony Brook Road.

Keynote speaker will be Father Marc Montminy, pastor of Ste. Marie and Sacred Heart parishes in Manchester, N.H. For more information call 508-385-3252.

BREWSTER - Mass will be celebrated by La Salette Father Richard Lavoie Sunday at 7 p.m. . at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road. A healing service will follow.

FALL RIVER - The Fall River Area Men's First Friday Club will meet for 6 p.m. Mass, celebrated by Father Stephen Salvador, tonight at Sacred Heart Church, 160 Seabury Street. A meal and guest speaker will follow. For more information call Normand Valiquette at 508-6728174.

FALL RIVER - A traditional

Award

40-hours devotion will be held November 19-21 at St. Anne's Shrine. For more information call 508-674-5651.

FALL RIVER - A Life in the Spirit Seminar is being held every Monday night from 7-8: 15 p.m. at St. Anne's Church now through December 6. It is sponsored by the Diocesan Service Committee. For more information call Mary Leite at 508-822-2219.

FALMOUTH - Msgr. John Perry will celebrate Mass November 15 at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick's Church for the deceased members of the St. Patrick's Counl;;il of Catholic Women. Refreshments will follow.

NEW BEDFORD - The New Bedford Catholic Woman's Club will have its annual Men's/Guest Night at the Wamsutta Club, November 10 at 7 p.m. The program will be a presentation of "Whaling in Antarctica," by Stuart Frank.

Members are reminded to bring food for the needy. For more information call Ethel Cataldo at 508-994-8542.

NORTH DARTMOUTHGuest speaker Ray Elias will address a Divorced-Separated Support Group November 8 from 79 p.m. at the Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road. He will speak on the topic "My Personal Experience in Surviving After a Divorce." Refreshments will follow. For more information call Bob Menard at 508-6732997.

Continued from page five

stronger because of your talk," the bishop said..

Ruse gave a passionate talk telling attendees that "we must keep fighting," for the Pro-Life cause,

"because we know it is worth fighting for and 4,000 babies today were robbed of the chance to be born and grow up and make a difference in someone's life."

MADELEINE LAVOIE accepts the 2004 John Cardinal O'Connor Award for the Gospel of Life from Bishop George W. Coleman at the annual Pro-Life Awards Banquet. She was honored for her many years of dedicated service to the Pro-Life cause. (AnchotfGordon photo)

tells why he left the priesthood, nor is he This fall I went to a huge book sale and critical of the Church. In fact, his is really a walked first, as I always do, to the section re-conversion story, a love story of why he marked "Religious" where suddenly I stopped, grabbing a book with a title I could never came back to his Church. He said that "grace" accounted for this, given to him because so forget: "Shepherds in the Mist." My guess is that of all the hundreds of people who came and many prayers had been offered for him.

But there was a went to the book sale deeper reason, the that day, I was the hunger in his soul for only one who would the Eucharist. It was have noticed or cared the yearning to be about this thin book nourished again with written by a man the Body of Christ named E. Boyd that brought him back Barrett in 1949.

By Antoinette Bosco to the Church.

The story of why I "The holy Euchawas happy to find this book goes back to rist is the argument that very year, 1949. that triumphs," he My dearest friend at that youthful time of my wrote. In reading. that, I remembered something life was my cherished mentor, Father John spoken by the Catholic writer Flannery Forman, pastor of the Cathedral of the Immacu- O'Connor when another writer, Mary late Conception in Albany, N.Y. We used to McCarthy, who had left the Church, commented have many talks about Catholic faith. Often he that, as for the Eucharist, it was "a pretty good symbol." talked about the priesthood and the sacred O'Connor, brilliantly and tersely commented, responsibility a man had when he was given the "Well, if it's a symbol, to hell with it." gift of serving God through ordination.

Several times he told me about a priest who Her answer, I think, was perfect. For he said had thrown away his vocation. Now, McCarthy's comment as she seems to have through the grace of God, this man, Boyd meant it empties the Eucharist of its very Barrett, had come back to the Church, though meaning, that this bread is the real presence of not as a priest. Father Forman knew this beChrist, the Son of God. cause Barrett had written a book about his Coming back to the Church brought another return to the Church. It was called "Shepherds speCial gift to the shepherd who had been in the in the Mist." mist: peace. He said he had found that "being at I never forgot the name of the author or the peace, having once more a conscience that is book. Years later, when some of the fine priests clean and enlightened with God's grace, gives I knew left their vocation, I briefly would think one the courage to face the hardships of life. No of them as "shepherds in the mist," but with no threatening mishap is terrible anymore, no criticism or judgment. disappointment too bitter to bear. So many fears Now I had the book in hand and could read and anxieties and doubts are gone. The air is the story I had wondered about for so many good now. Life has a true meaning.... You carry decades. Surprisingly, Boyd Barrett never music in your heart!"

The Bottom Line

Put- parish picnics on the agenda .

As you probably have read chise; developing a theology of already, the U.S. Catholic parish garage sales bishops are holding their fall ("theocrapology"); endorsing national meeting in midan official food to give up November. To our chagrin here during Lent; or a national cellat the Roadkill Theological phone policy for religious Roundtable, they have not celebrations. included an agenda item we For the reader in Springfield advocated: a pastoral letter on who is going to write a testy parish picnics.

I know you are as disappointed as we.

"Maybe they just didn't think parish picnics constituted a serious topic," ventured my friend Bud last Sunday over

By Dan Morris RTR coffee and donuts.

"Then they've never experienced tainted note: We were only kidding potato salad," snapped his about asking the bishops to wife, Marlene. develop a secret Catholic "Or ripped a tendon in a handshake. Clearly, the' three-legged race," I added.

National Council of Catholic "Or been called out at home Men can handle (get it? handon what was clearly a wrong. le?) that. call," noted Msgr. O'Kneel as We have thought of a public he passed our table. protest - maybe standing We at RTR are resilient, outside the meeting wearing though. We have faced similar sandwich boards and neon disappointments in the past orange road pylons as hats. Or _from the U.S. Conference of we could dress as a favorite Cathol~c Bishops. To date they picnic item, my personal have not addressed other . favorite being Mrs. Castagna's , proposed agenda items: a . guacamole. national mascot; abstaining However: a) Washington, from television on Fridays; D.C., is really chilly in Nobuying a major sports franvember; b) we'd probably be

The offbeat world of Uncle Dan

overwhelmed by the same-sex marriage and/or optional celibacy people; and c) the NFL season is in full swing.

The bishops are, however, going to vote on the text" for an adult national catechism for U.S. Catholics, and we can hope a future edition might include a footnote on parish picnics.

They are electing new officers. Maybe one of the candidates will include parish picnics in his platform.

Not to dream too much, but they might also commission a pastoral letter on marriage, and what kind of pastoral would that be if it did not mention the. role of the parish in strengthening marriage and the role of picnics in fostering strong parishes.

Right?

The bishops might even talk about joining Christian Churches Together, an offspring of the National Council of Churches. There would be nothing like a picnic to nurture ecumenical relations, as long as it was clear who was in charge of cleanup.

Comments are welcome. Email Uncle Dan at cnsuncleOl @yahoo.com.

7

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Friday. November 5, 2004

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Circumcision Q. What is the morality of circumcision? The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" teaches that amputations and mutilations performed on innocent people without strictly therapeutic reasons are against the moral law.

Pope Pius XII taught that

circumcision for becoming a believer in Christ.

The idea didn't entirely die, however. The theory that ~ircumcision still held some spiritual benefits, even for Christians, prompted at least some of the condemnations you speak of. The Council of Vienne (1311), for

Dietzen, Box 325, Peoria, IL 61651.

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Modern Catholic Church documents do not deal explicitly with the morality of elective circumcision. The above basic principles, however, clearly render it immoral. It violates the bodily integrity of infant male children and unnecessarily

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circumcision is morally permissible if it prevents a disease that cannot be countered any other way.

In spite ofthese and other Church statements against circumciBy Father John J. Dietzen sion through the centuries, I'm told there is no strict Catholic rule against the example, decreed that Christians practice today. Why not? No should not be lured 'into Judaism medical association in the world or be circumcised for any reason. today any longer says circumciThe following century, the sion is therapeutic. (Ohio) Council of Florence (1438-1435) A. I'm not sure why not, but ordered "all who glory in the name of Christian not to practice the fact is male circumcision generally just doesn't appear very circumcision either before or after baptism, since whether or not they much on the "radar screen" of Catholic moral teaching. Many place their hope in it, it cannot major moral theology texts don't possibly be observed without loss mention it. A notable exception is of eternal salvation."

"Medical Ethics," by Father Today, while nontherapeutic Edwin Healy, SJ (Loyola Univermale circumcision remains sity Press), who holds that since common in some places, as a routine circumcisions are not general practice it is forbidden in medically defensible they are Catholic teaching for more basic morally objectionable. reasons of respect for bodily A few observations may help integrity. The "Catechism of the explain. The practice of circumciCatholic Church" states, "Except when performed for strictly sion arose thousands of years ago and is prevalent in many cultures therapeutic medical reasons, around the world. Nearly always directly intended amputations, mutilations and sterilizations it has religious or social significance, signifying full membership performed on innocent persons in the group and establishing are against moral law" (No. one's social position in the 2297). society.

Elective circumcision clearly The first divine command to violates that standard. It is an the Jews, for example, was that amputation and mutilation; and to every male child be circumcised, my knowledge, and as you note, symbolizing the covenant no significant medical group in between God and Abraham (Gn the world defends it as having any 17). therapeutic value. In 1999 the After the famous confrontation Council on Scientific Affairs of between Paul and other leaders of the American Medical Associa-' the early Church (Acts 15 and tion stated that neonatal circumciGalatians 2), Christians pretty sion is nontherapeutic because no disease is present and no theramuch rejected the necessity of

Questions and Answers

the glans of the penis during infancy and serve at least a sexual function for adults.

My understanding from physicians is that circumcision rarely if ever arises as an ethical consideration. Usually it is requested by the parents for more social reasons such as, it's always been done in our family. In that case, the procedure might be carried out, in some places rather routinely, even if it is not what the child needs and no curative or remedial reason renders it ethical.

A free brochure answering questions Catholics ask about Mary, the Mother ofJesus, is available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Father John

the conviction that giving of oneself is the secret to making your existence beautiful and fruitful."

The pope asked the den and troop leaders to help the young people learn the values and social skills that will enable them "to contribute to building a world of friendship and solidarity."

"Be men and women who, basing their lives on the Gospel of Jesus, know how to educate others to live in freedom and with responsibility, to swim against the current in order to defeat the temptations of individualism, laziness and apathy," he told them.

The pope told the Italian Scouting organization, "Do not be afraid to advance with imagination, wisdom and courage on the path of educating young generations."

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He told the smallest members - the Cubs and Ladybugs - "to do your best every day to grow joyfully" and to discover "the marvels of creation."

The pope asked the Guides and Scouts to be always ready to do good, to leam to be responsible and to become active members of their parishes and communities.

He asked the older members, the Sentries and Rovers, "to commit yourselves to making the word 'service' the motto of your lives in

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More than 900 priests close meeting with trip to Malta's .Gozo island _

By MARY KNIGHT CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

with clapping and dancing.

During the closing Mass, CarXEWKIJA, Malta - More dinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican than 900 priests and bishops secretary of state, made special from around the world traveled note of the island's name, Gozo, to the Maltese island of Gozo to Spanish for "joy."

"The island which is hosting close a recent five-day meeting us has a name that will serve as on holiness.

Xewkija residents cheered a reminder of our pilgrimage," the arrival of busloads of priests he said.

A highlight of the conference who prayed morning lauds with Berlin Cardinal Georg was a live address by Pope John Sterzinsky in St. John the Bap- Paul II, via satellite. The pope tist Church, known locally as the told the priests they must use courage and personal holiness to Rotunda Church.

Afterward, the priests wan- proclaim that peace, hope and . . . t ,. '-:Pl:< dered through a maze of narrow salvation come from Jesus streets to the Cathedral of the Christ.

Assumption and St. George Ba"May everyone welcome HERMAN EDWARDS center head coach of the New York Jets, oversees practice at the silica. The elaborate Ro- him, love him and b~ faithful to team's training facility in 'Hemp;tead, N.V. Edwards, a parishioner ~t St. Jos~ph Church in manesque structures offered him until the end of their existGarden City, N.V., has guided his team to one of the best marks In the Natronal Football shelter from the Mediterranean ence," the pope said.

Carmeli te Father Herbert League. The 50-year-old coach believes his Catholic faith is the most important element of sun as well as a place to pray.

The day in Gozo concluded a Jones of Massachusetts said he his life and that he should be judged by his behavior as a "man of God." (CNS photo by five-day meeting packed with was "disappointed at the small Gregory A. Shemitz, Long Island Catholic) lectures, meditations, Masses U.S. turnout" and noted that and penitential rites in and American priests might have around Valetta, Malta. Personal been encouraged by the atmoand priestly sanctity were em- sphere of support at the conferphasized, with St. Paul often of- ence.

"Many priests approached fered as the model of evangelization. Priests could choose Archbishop (Sean P.) O'Malley from talks on eucharistic, Mar- and assured him of their contin~

BY GREGORY A. SHEMIlZ head coaching job in 2001.

Now, he said, his faith helps him ian, Christocentric or ued prayers for the Archdiocese CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE Edwards and his wife, Lia, are on and off the playing field bepneumatological-Pauline mod- of Boston," he said.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. involved in numerous charitable cause, as he puts it, "it's been The archdiocese has been the els of holiness. .- Herman Edwards, head coach activities. In 2002, he was named something I can hold onto, someBefore the closing Mass, scene of a clergy sexual abuse of the New York Jets, has guided Catholic Big Brother of the Year thing that's there through the good Gozo residents arranged for a scandal that resulted in lawsuits his team this season to one of the by the New York chapter of the times and the bad times. When you small orchestra to play while the against many priests and has left best marks in the National Foot- Catholic Big Brothers for Boys and have faith, you have stability. You clergy enjoyed a box lunch in a some feeling demoralized. Archball League. .

Girls. feel strong in your convictions. shaded hall. The music and mi- bishop O'Malley was appointed However, the 50-year-old coach For the past four years, he and You don't have to try to please crophone proved too much to head the diocese after the didoes not believe his personal suc- his wife have attended St. Joseph people with your decisions." temptation for the priests, who visions and pressures arising cess should be measured in terms Church, where most parishioners On the night before a game, competed with each other by from the abuse led Cardinal Berof wins and losses. Instead, he said recognize him, but none of them Edwards and other Jets attend singing their national anthems, nard F. Law to resign. his Catholic faith is the most im- so far has tried to help him with Mass at the team hotel. portant element in his life "For me," he said, "Mass and he should be judged on is like getting read Yr. to go his behavior as a '''man of . He also incorporates prayer in pre- playa game. It's going to God." game meetings with staff members energize me. When I leave "My priorities are real Mass, I always feel that I've simple," said Edwards, a pa- and players. The team always prays learned something. I've rishioner at St. Joseph路 together before heading out onto the taken something from it to Church in Garden City. field and when the players come make me a better person."

"There's God, my family back after the game. But even with He also incorporates and my occupation. If you prayer in pre-game meetings all that praying, he said he will never can line them up that way, with staff members and playpray to win a game. you're going to be OK." ers. The team always prays He made the comments in together before heading out an interview with The Long onto the field and when the Island Catholic, newspaper of the his game plan. players come back after the game.

Rockville Centre diocese, at the His mother, who was born in But even with all that praying, Jets' training facility at Hofstra Germany, is Catholic, and his fa- he said he will never pray to win a University. ther, born in Mississippi, was Bap- game.

Born in Monmouth, N.J., and tist. Edwards said his family "There's a bigger scoreboard," raised in Seaside, Calif., Edwards "dido't go to church a whole lot," he added. But he also laughed that was a high school and college foot- but he used to go with neighbors he could be wrong and might get ball star before he embarked on a to the church right down the street to heaven and find out God is a 1O-year professional playing career on ,Sundays for Baptist services.

Jets fan. in 1977. He spent nine seasons as Edwards was baptized a CathoHe said that during the singing a defensive back with the Philadel- lic when he was young, and noted of the national anthem before a phia Eagles. that when he was a teen-ager he game he frequently looks upward After three years as an assistant "wasn't into the Church a whole and thanks God "for allowing me POLISH PRIESTS gather around their boat, the "Straznik coach at San Jose State University, lot but had a Bible and was con- to have this opportunity." he joined the Kansas City Chiefs stantly reading it."

"I've been in this league for 25 Poranka," October 21 in Malta, after enduring a storm at sea as a scout in 1990. His journey When he became a pro football years and it's a blessing," he that broke the mast. The priests, who are chaplains at through the NFL coaching ranks player, he went to Bible studies at noted. "I say it every time I say Poland's Christian School of Sailors, sailed from Croatia to later led him to Tampa Bay, Fla., the house of a teammate. He even- 'Thank you. Thank you for letting Malta to attend the International Meeting of Priests. (CNS and eventually brought him to New tually reconnected with his Catho- me enjoy this moment in my photo by Mary Knight) York, where he accepted his first lic faith through his wife. life. '"

'Catholic faith helps New York lets coach on and offthe field o

Friday, November 5, 2004

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OpenJfouse: Sunday, November 14,2004 at 1:00 pm AUGUSTINIAN BROTHER Frederic sits with a Saint Bernard dog on the Grand St. Bernard Pass between Switzerland and Italy recently. The monks plan to sell their St. Bernards, who have rescued thousands of travelers in the snowy mountain pass over the centuries. (eNS photo from Reuters)

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Every dog has its day, but monks say time's up for Saint Bernards

By JONATHAN LUXMOORE CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE OXFORD, England - Swiss officials have urged Augustinian monks at the world's highest church to reconsider plans to sell their Saint Bernard mountain dogs.

"We just can't understand it," said Barbara Ziegler, director of the tourist office in nearby Martigny. "These dogs are the monastery's major source of revenue. We can't see any reason for selling them."

The Canons of the Great St. Bernard plan to auction the dogs, who became famous for saving stranded travelers in the stormy Great St. Bernard Pass, near the monks' mountaintop hostel.

A monastery spokeswoman defended the decision and said the congregation's current 34 dogs had served their purpose.

The spokeswoman, Beatrice Troillet, a member of the Swiss Saint Bernard Association, told Catholic News Service in recent telephone interview that male Saint Bernards, weighing up to 220 pounds, consumed 4.4 pounds of meat daily and were a major expense in time and money to the monastery.

She added that the congregation of Canons could barely cope with other tasks, which include running a boys' boarding school and welcoming more than 50,000 visitors annually.

"Since people aren't interested in becoming monks anymore, they're overstretched,"

the spokeswoman said. "They shouldn't be expected to look after dogs when they have important pastoral duties to fulfill."

"The last time these dogs rescued anyone was more than 30 years ago," she added.

For centuries the hostel, 8,100 feet above sea level, has offered food and accommodation to travelers crossing the Alps from nearby Italy.

In the late 17th century, the Augustinian monks began training mountain dogs, who became legendary for rescue feats in the pass, which has wind and snow for 245 days of the year.

One of five monks still living at the hostel, Brother Frederic, told The Associated Press the dogs had ceased to be useful after the arrival of mountain-rescue helicopters in 1955 and had been replaced by quicker, lighter-footed German shepherds and golden retrievers.

However, the decision to sell the Saint Bernards was criticized as callous by inhabitants of the St. Bernard Valley, who said it would muzzle a 300-year tradition and damage local commerce.

"We know they haven't been used in winter for a long time," Ziegler said in a phone interview. "But to say they're too expensive is laughable, when almost all the monastery's income comes from the dogs.

There's a very good museum there, which is included in the entrance ticket. But they don't

seem to realize that people come to see the dogs, not the monks."

Ziegler said local officials could agree to maintain the dogs, if they were taken over by a public association and housed at kennels.

The high-stamina, diseaseresistant Saint Bernard, with its thick fur and adaptability, became noted for its keen senses and could find tracks and smell buried avalanche victims.

The dogs are credited with saving up to 2,500 people in the pass, where the Romans built a temple to Jupiter while marching north to conquer Europe, and where armies under Hannibal, Charlemagne and Napoleon all struggled through the seven-foot snow.

The most renowned canine, Barry, is said to have rescued more than 40 travelers in the early l800s. At least one Saint Bernard is always named Barry in honor of the four-pawed hero.

Experts said .the Saint Bernards usually worked in pairs on rescue operations, with one dog going to raise the alarm, while the other remained atop stranded hikers, licking them to keep them warm.

However, they added that hypothermia victims would have been ill-advised to accept the offer of brandy strapped according to legend - in a barrel around the dogs' necks, since alcohol consumption accelerates loss of body heat.

....

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CClViLJlei 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.

"Ray" (Universal)

PAUL GIAMATTI and Thomas Haden Church star in a scene from the movie "Sideways." For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules on this page. (CNS photo from Fox Searchlight)

Our Lady's Haven Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitative Cam

Jamie Foxx gives a bravura performance as Ray Charles, in this superior biographical film which traces the legendarY singer's life, from childhood and early blindness in rural Florida to his rise from obscure pianist to chart-topping superstar, as he battles heroin addiction and navigates his solid home life with romantic liaisons on the road. Foxx's impersonation is amazingly accurate, but the entire cast is first-rate, and Taylor Hackford's direction seamlessly melds the satisfying, often e~cit-

ing, musical numbers with the solid dramatic aspects of the story, which ends on'an inspirational note in 1966 with Charles conquering his drug dependence. A handful of crude and profane words, sexual innuendo, racial epithets, drug use and discreet sexual situations. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III ~ adults. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is ]>G-13 ~ parents are strongly cautioned.

Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

"Saw" (Lions Gate) Gory thriller about two strangers (Cary Elwes and Leigh Whannell) who awake to fmd themselves chained in a subterranean chamber and learn that their imprisonment is part of a serial killer's macabre mind game. Directed by James Wan, the fIlm starts off well, but after an intriguing first 20 minutes, any hopes of suspense are dashed by a stomach-churning barrage of stylized sadism parading as entertainment, which nosedives from lurid to laughable in the final reel. Much graphic violence and recurring rough and crude language.

The USCCB Office for Film &

Broadcasting classification is 0 ~ morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R ~ restricted.

"Sideways" (Fox Searchlight) Bittersweet comedy about a depressed novelist and wine aficionado (Paul Giamatti), who, in lieu of a bachelor party, treats his womanizing, though soon-to-be-married, best friend (Thomas Haden Church) to a last-hurrah tour of Northern California wineries that becomes a midlife journey of selfdiscovery. Based on a novel by Rex Pickett, director Alexander Payne's odd-couple road movie serves as a poignant meditation on love, loneliness, fellowship and failed ambition, but is unfortunately stained by some graphic scenes.

Several explicit sexual encounters, a few implied sexual encounters, brief drug content, and much rough and crude language and humor.

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L ~ limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is Rrestricted.

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JAMIE FOXX and Aunjanue Ellis star in a scene from "Ray," the biographical movie about legendary singer Ray Charles. For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules above. (CNS photo from Universal)

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eNS v,ideo reviews NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are reviews of video and DVD releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Chicken Run" (2000)

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Delightful clay animation feature about a plucky chicken (voice of Julia Sawalha) and her hen pals cooped up in a British egg farm who, with the help of a flying Yankee rooster (voice of Mel Gibson), must escape the cruel . clutches of the egg farmer (voice of Miranda Richardson) before she turns them into chicken pies, Though the story lags in parts and some jokes may go over

children's heads, fantastic anthropomorphized features and the narrative's witty details make directors Peter Lord and Nick Park's first full-length feature both visually pleasing and cleverly amusing despite a few intense moments, The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I - general patronage.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G - general audiences. (Universal)

"The Prince of Egypt" (1998) The biblical story of Moses (voice of Val Kilmer) is retold in a beautifully crafted animated feature that focuses on the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt and

God's selection of Moses to lead them to the Promised Land, though younger children may find it an overwhelming experience with some harrowing scenes. Directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner and Simon Wells, the result is an impressive animated spectacle re-creating its biblicalera story in compelling fashion, marred only by the artificiality of Stephen Schwartz's songs. Some emotionally intense scenes. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II ~ adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG ~ parental guidance suggested. (Universal)

Catholic pharmacist refuses to help dispense contraceptives

By JUSTIN DZlOWGO NEWS SERVICE

CATHOUC

MADISON, Wis. Neil Noesen, a Wisconsin Catholic pharmacist, could be fined and possibly lose his pharmacist's license for refusing to cooperate in seeing that a college student's prescription for artificial contraceptives was filled.

The 30-year-old pharmacist said he has been clear with his employer that he will not participate in the filling of prescriptions for artificial contraceptives when those drugs are to be used for inhibiting conception. But he faces disciplinary action because he would not transfer the student's prescription to a pharmacist who would fill it.

In July 2002, according to the complaint against him, Amanda (Renz) Phiede, then a student at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, went to the pharmacy

at the local Kmart, where Noesen was filling in as an independent pharmacist.

According to testimony given during a recent disciplinary hearing, Noesen, the only pharmacist on duty at the store at the time, asked the student if the prescription would be used for contraception, then refused to refill it when she said it would be used for that. He also refused a Wal-Mart pharmacist's request to transfer the prescription.

In her testimony, Phiede said she returned to Kmart the next day with police and the store manager called the pharmacy director, who was out of town but who filled her prescription when he returned the followingday.

Wisconsin's Department of Regulation and Licensing accused Noesen of unprofessional conduct for failing to transfer Phiede's pre-

scription to someone else to have it refilled.

A ruling in the case is expected at the end of November.

At the hearing, the pharmacist defended his conscientious objection to dispensing the drugs.

Prosecuting attorney John Zwieg said that by refusing to transfer the student's prescription order Noesen "engaged in a pharmacy practice which constitutes a danger to the health, welfare or safety of a patient in a manner which substantially departs from the standard of care ordinarily exercised by a pharmacist and which could have harmed a patient."

Zwieg said that Noesen's letter on file with his employer stating his objection to dispensing contraceptives does not make it clear he also would not transfer such a prescription.

Connecticut retreat center to be used for Pro-Life Apostolate

By JOSEPH PRONECHEN NEWS SERVICE

love for all those working in the ProLife aposto\ate.

She found it fitting that the cenSTAMFORD, Conn. - The Sister was being dedicated during the ters of Life in the New York ArchChurch's Year of the Eucharist. "It diocese, the Knights of Columbus is the eucharistic Lord who is, and and the Diocese of Bridgeport have will be, the heart and center of teamed up to open the first retreat center committed to all . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , this home," she added.

Plans call for Villa Maria aspects of the Pro-Life Apostolate.

• Nt Guadalupe to become an international center for all those Representatives of the Sisseeking to be inspired by the ters, the Knights and the dioculture oflife and love, accordcese dedicated the new Villa ing to Anderson.

Maria Guadalupe Life Center The center, he said, will be in Stamford recently. for "women facing crisis pregThe partnership is breathing nancies and whose pregnancies new life into a 40-room manhave ended in tragedy; couples sion that was a retreat house contemplating marriage; young which had closed in 2002. The adults seeking an authentic unBernardine Franciscan Sisters derstanding of sexuality, chasran it for more than 50 years tity and love; married couples; as Villa Maria Retreat Center priests and religious; and all until they were no longer able those seeking to deepen their to maintain it. commitment to the service of "In days to come, Villa life and of its defense."

Maria Guadalupe will be a The Knights of Columbus place of refuge and solace and purchased the property for $2.8 consolation, and a place for million last July and is spendspiritual understanding, growth ing more on renovations of the and strength," said Supreme building.

Knight Carl A. Anderson durThe elegant stucco mansion ing the dedication ceremonies. with classic architecture was He heads the Knights of Cobuilt in 1916. In the early 1940s lumbus, a 1.6 million-member international fraternal organiMOTHER AGNES Mary Donovan, it was. the home of Clare zation based in New Haven. superior general of the Sisters of Life, Boothe Luce, a playwright and Anderson said he envisions speaks at an opening celebration for prolific author, Connecticut congresswoman, ambassador Villa Maria Guadalupe as a Villa Maria Guadalupe Retreat Center to Italy and wife of Time-Life place where the culture of life in Stamford, Conn., recently, during Re- magazine magnate Henry R. will be lived. spect Life Month. (CNS photo by Patrick Luce.

"In this great effort," he Korten, Knights of Columbus) Five Sisters of Life are cursaid, "we could think of no rently living at Villa Maria greater colleagues than the Sisters of Life who are exclusively'de- order. She called the dedication "a Guadalupe to prepare for the retreats voted to the protection and enhance- momentous day" because it fulfills expected to begin in spring 2005 afment of the sanctity of human life." "the earliest vision" of Cardinal ter renovations are completed.

Bishop William E. Lori of Founded in 1991 by the late New O'Connor for her order.

Mother Mary Agnes noted that Bridgeport presided over the blessYork Cardinal John 1. O'Connor, the Sisters of Life are known na- his vision includedjust such a large ing ofthe property and was the printionally for their Pro-Life work and retreat "center as a place of peace, cipal celebrant of a Mass of dedifor giving Pro-Life retreats in their tranquility, light, refreshment and cation.

CATHOLIC

Noesen said his letter says he would not "aid in any way" in the dispensing of contraceptives and argued that his wording covers "transfer" of such a prescription. He said his conscientious objection to participating in contraception is a First Amendment right, and that he believes the state cannot coerce him to abandon his conscience.

The prosecution argued that contraception is a matter of health care between doctor and patient.

During the hearing, Father Kevin Gordon, vicar of clergy for the Diocese of Superior, testified about Church teaching regarding contraception and conscience.

Representing Noesen is Krystal Williams-Oby, from Kingdom legal Services. She is being assisted

by Steve Aden, a lawyer from the Christian Legal Society's Center for

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Law and Religious Freedom in Annandale, Va. During a hearing recess, Aden told The Catholic Times, newspaper of the La Crosse diocese, that the case was about "the right of any pharmacist to follow his conscience in participating in certain forms of medical care."

The Reproductive Rights Task Force of the Wisconsin Women's Network - which includes such organizations as Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, now called NARAL ProChoice America - stated in a press release that "giving pharmacists the right to deny a patient's access to their doctor-prescribed birth control is not just wrong, it's dangerous for the women of Wisconsin."

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the anchof:S)

Friday, November 5, 2004

Adult catechism for U.S. Catholics tops bishops' November agenda

A BOY lights a candle in the Melkite Catholic cathedral in Aleppo, Syria. Syrian Christians are keenly aware of the deep roots of Christianity in their country. St. Paul preached in Syria, and it was at Antioch in ancient Syria that the disciples of Christ first took the name "Christians." (CNS photo by John Thavis)

Damascus neighborhood a refuge for thousands of Iraqi Christians

By JOHN THAVIS CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

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DAMASCUS, Syria - The dusty streets of the Kashkol neighborhood in Damascus are filled with running children, hand-strung electrical wires and sad stories of flight from Iraq.

The rows ofillegally constructed cinder-block apartment buildings are home to thousands ofIraqis who have poured into Damascus over the last 18 months, often carrying only what they could fit in the family car.

The number of Christians in Kashkol is increasing, as new arrivals from traditionally Christian areas ofnorthern Iraq tell ofthreats, kidnappings, beatings, bombings and killings by extremist Muslim groups. ''Those who come now say it's getting worse day by day. Christians cannot go out to work, to shop or to pray without risking their lives," said one Iraqi man.

On a recent October evening, families sat on plastic chairs in the darkened street and spoke quietly of their experiences. There are no street lights, because the Syrian government has not approved utilities for the unauthorized residential zone.

Iraqi Christians feel somewhat at home here: Across from a shop selling statues of Mary and the saints stands the Catholic parish of St. Abraham. It serves as a place of worship, dormitory, sports center, day clinic and soup kitchen.

"We built it seven years ago, knowing this would become a center of services in an area that had nothing - not even a place to play.

Now all the children, Muslims and Christians, use our soccer field," said Father Malik Abdalnoor, the .

Melkite Catholic priest in charge of the parish.

"Kashkof' means "from all places," and when the Churc~ complex was built, the neighborhood was filled with new arrivals from Syrian villages, Palestinian territories and Sudan. Then, with the start of the Iraq War, Iraqi refugees started to come.

''This whole area is now filled with Iraqis," FatherAbdalnoor said, pointing to the tightly packed apartment blocks across from the church.

Down a dirt alley and up two flights of steps lives the family of Chaldean Catholic Deacon Joseph Toma, who fled Iraq a month before the bombing began in 2003. On the wall hangs the couple's wedding picture, one of the few personal belongings they were able to bring when they packed their seven children in a car and drove to Syria.

"We were running from the war.

But we were also told by some Muslims that if we didn't leave they would destroy our home," the 64year-old Toma said over Turkish coffee in his living room.

While other Iraqi Christians have said Islamic extremism has been unleashed in the aftermath of the war, Toma said anti-Christian pressure from Muslims began long before the fall offormer Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

"Christian problems began in 1961, when the fighting started in the North. When the government went after Kurds, they also destroyed many Christian villages," he said. .

"I prayed to God to end the government of Saddarn Hussein."

Meanwhile, although he is pleased that the Syrian government allows his family to stay, Toma is unable to legally find work in his host country. He said he thought the U.S. connection might help him and his family to emigrate to the United States. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus thought otherwise, he said, and his efforts to get visas have led nowhere.

Two of his sons have managed to emigrate, one to Germany and one to Australia.

As for returning to Iraq, Toma shook his head sadly.

"There is no hope of going back. Where would we go? They have burned our house. And if I take my daughters there, they would force them to become Muslims," he said.

"I am waiting for the world leaders to take an interest in us," he said.

WASHINGTON - One of the major items on the U.S. bishops' agenda when they meet this November will be the country's first national Catholic catechism intended specifically for adults.

A project begun in June 2000, the proposed ."United States Catholic Catechism for Adults" was written in response to a Vatican request that bishops or bishops' conferences develop such catechisms to complement the universal "Catechism of the Catholic Church" issued in 1992 by Pope John Paul II. . The Vatican's 1997 General Directory for Catechesis said that "local catechisms, prepared or approved by diocesan bishops or by episcopal conferences, are invaluable instruments for catechesis" because they bring the Gospel into the local culture.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will convene its fall general assembly in Washington November 15-18. The proposed adult catechism must be approveq by at least two-thirds of all active bishops and then receive "recognitio," or confirmation, from the Holy See before it becomes official.

The 456-page proposed text was sent out to the bishops in advance of the meeting.

It follows the four-part general structure of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church," starting with the creed and then treating the sacraments, moral life and finally prayer.

The proposed U.S. text is adapted in many ways, however, to address specific issues, concerns and questions arising from the social and cultural context in which U.S. Catholics are working to understand and practice their faith.

In the proposed "United States Catholic Catechism for Adults," each of the 36 chapters opens with a story or lesson of faith. These often draw on examples from U.S. Catholic events or the lives of American Catholics whose names and contributions

should be part of the common cultural awareness in the U.S. Church.

The introduction explains that the new catechism "relates the Church's teaching to the culture of the United States, both to affirm positive elements and to challenge the negative. One way of doing this is found in the stories that begin each chapter."

The biographical sketches ofAmerican saints and other outstanding Catholics "give us glimpses of how Catholics participated in the unfolding ofAmerican culture from Colonial days to the present," it adds . ''These are examples of Catholics chosen because their lives or actions illustrate a particular Church teaching."

The first chapter, "My Soul Longs for You, 0 God," has a sketch of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, a convert to Catholicism and the country's first native-born saint. The chapter on the Fifth Commandment is titled "Promote the Culture of Life." It starts with a sketch of Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker movement, who had an abortion as a young woman but repented and spent her life caring for the poor and fighting all forms of violence.

Following the story each chapter has a narrative exposition and application of the teaching of that chapter, sidebars, questions for discussion and a series of brief doctrinal statements on the topic.

Each chapter ends with a meditation and a prayer.

At the end of the book there is a glossary of terms, from abortion to vocation.

The final section has the texts of 27 traditional Catholic prayers, from the sign of the cross, Our Father and Hail Mary to the Angelus, grace before and after meals and the prayer to a guardian angel.

That section concludes with instructions on how to pray the rosary and a list of the 20 mysteries of the rosary.

Two cardinals in the running .to head bishops' conference . WASHINGTON - For the first time in 12 years, the list of 10 nominees for the next president and vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops includes cardinals.

The bishops will elect their two top national officers at their general meeting in Washington November 15-18, when the current president, Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, Ill., and vice president, Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., end their terms.

The bishops will also elect a treasurer-elect, chairmen-elect for 14 USCCB committees, and USCCB delegates and alternates to next year's world Synod of Bishops in Rome. The treasurerelect and chairmen-elect will take up their posts in November 2005.

The two top-ranking prelates on this year's list of nominees for president and vice president are Cardinals Francis E. George, archbishop of Chicago, and Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia.

The list includes four other archbishops and four bishops. They are Archbishops Daniel M. Buechlein of Indianapolis; Charles J. Chaput of Denver; Timothy M. Dolan of Milwaukee; and William J. Levada of San Francisco; and Bishops Skylstad; Blase J. Cupich of Rapid City, S.D.; Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz.; and Donald W. Wuerl of Pittsburgh.

Under USCCB rules, after electing a president the bishops will elect a vice president from among the remaining nine nominees - eight if Bishop Skylstad is not elected president, since he cannot succeed himself as vice president.

In the past 12 presidential elections, beginning in 1966 when the bishops' conference was reorganized after the Second Vatican Council, the only cardinal ever to be elected president was Cardinal John 1. Krol of Philadelphia, who held that office in 1971-74.

The only cardinal ever elected vice president was Cardinal John J. Carberry of St. Louis, who held that post in 1974-77.

Several archbishops who were later named cardinals have been elected conference vice president or president.

To select the nominees, bishops nationwide are asked to submit names. The ones who get the most nominations are then contacted and must accept before their names are placed on the list.

The last time any cardinal was a nominee for the presidency or vice presidency was in. 1992, when Cardinals Anthony J. Bevilacqua of Philadelphia and Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles were on the list. Neither was elected.

There were no cardinals nominated in 1989, but in 1986 Cardinals John J. O'Connor of New York and Bernard F. Law of Boston were both on the list. Cardinal O'Connor withdrew before the voting started, however. Cardinal Law was not elected.

In 1983 there were no cardinals on the list.

In his 1992 book on the bishops' conference, "A Flock of Shepherds," Jesuit Father Thomas J. Reese reported that other cardinals who were nominated but not elected were Cardinal Terence J. Cooke of New York, 1971, 1974, 1977 and 1980; Cardinal Timothy Manning of Los Angeles, 1974; and Cardinal William W. Baum of Washington, 1977.

The pattern of electing the outgoing vice president as president has been broken only twice since the conference was路 reorganized in 1966.

In 1974 St. Paul-Minneapolis Coadjutor Archbishop Leo C. Byrne, vice president since 1971, died less than a month before his term ended.

Three years later, according to Father Reese, Cardinal Carberry declined to run because he was 73 years old and due to retire before he could complete a thre~-year term as president.

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attending Catholic schools was that she "can practice religion in a school atmosphere."

Several awards were made during the evening and were presented

by Superintendent of Schools George Milot and Assistant Superintendent Donna Boyle. "The Distinguished Alumnus Award" was presented to Susan Oliveira who helped out Espirito Santo School, Fall River, for many years and who "lives a life of service with Gospel values," according to Boyle.

"The Timothy J. Cotter Friend of Catholic Education Award" was presented to Joseph Quinn for his commitment to helping Catho-

lie Education. He has served as the hockey coach at Coyle and Cassidy High School, Taunton, for the past 32 years and continues to support the team financially.

Bob L'Homme, a 20-year teaching veteran of Bishop Feehan High School received the Distinguished Teacher Award for contributions to Catholic education.

Bishop Coleman thanked all the supporters of Catholic education in his closing remarks and said ''Catholic education does indeed make a difference in the lives of these students." He said he was grateful for the generosity ofso many that "helps to shape the future of our country and our Church."

Continued from page one

within our faith community," Sister Agnew recalled. She sent away for the kit and showed it to pastor Msgr. Ronald A. Tosti.

"I thought it was a great idea and told her to run with it," Msgr.

Tosti said.

With the assistance of a fourmember core group of facilitators that included Mary Fanous, Dotti Hiltz, Christine Perrault and Jean Roma, the MOMS group established firm roots in the parish.

"Truly, we have been blessed," Sister Agnew said. "In one year's time, we have laid a foundation with the heroic efforts and generosity of our leaders."

While the efforts of the MOMS group is to realize their relationship with God can be an important part of their every day life in the 21 51 century, the concept has old, traditional and scriptural be·ginnings. ''The theology and spirituality of MOMS is based on the Visitation of Mary with Elizabeth," Sister Agnew pointed out.

"Mary and Elizabeth are the first models of true valiant women. Just as they met to share the events of their lives and the marvels God has done for them, so too, 33 women in our parish have come to share the events of their lives. They have learned to value themselves as God's good

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Continued from page one

She taught for 35 years at Bishop Feehan High School and said "an evening like this is so important because it gives an opportunity to children who might not be able to otherwise attend a Catholic school. It's a terrific gift."

Students from several schools helped out during the evening including Katherine Sousa, a junior at Coyle and Cassidy High School, Taunton, who said the teachers "are like family," and she feels safe attending a Catholic school.

Joanna Brenckle of Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth, said one of the best things about

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• WITNESS TO the rewarding experience of MOMS is Helena Bisio, who found needed support in her life of faith from others just like herself.

Catholic Citizenship provided an incorrect statement to The Anchor. An error was made in the original Voter Guides published.

Under the U.S. House of Representatives candidates issues, "Does the candidate support or oppose," Question 4 should have read, "Human Cloning," rather than, "Ban on Human Cloning." The Voter Guides available online at www.catholicvote.org have been corrected.

Statentent ferred to the District Attorney's Office and brought to the attention of the Massachusetts Department of Social Services. As a result, Father Fernandes has been placed on administrative leave.

At the request of Bishop Coleman, Msgr. Perry also conveyed to parishioners the prayers of the bishop at this difficult time.

Because the investigation by

Retreat

AT THE HEART of the Ministry of Mothers Sharing at Corpus Christ Parish are Christine Perrault and Dottie Hiltz, two of the four core members who helped get the program off the ground and running. creation. In looking at where they give and receive support, they came to believe in the value of friendships," said Sister Agnew.

One of the greatest testimonies to the MOMS program comes from Helena Bisio, a longtime member of Christ the King Parish. A wife of 53 years and a mother of six with "one little angel in heaven," she was a participant in the pilot program last summer and was the guest speaker at the conclusion of the recent class.

"Ministry of Mothers Sharing has been a special gift to me in my twilight.years," Bisio told the gathering. "MOMS is just the spark I needed to satisfy a longtime wish to get to know the people I see at Mass and I was more thah rewarded. It has brought a sharing that I have been missing; it has brought the ease of friendship and trust; and getting to know you - all a part of the Body of Christ."

Probably one of the best descriptions of MOMS came from Bisio, who said: "Just think about it, an army of women with a purpose. Take courage, be faithful, trust and remember that love and

hope bring peace and joy."

In the winter months ahead, Sister Agnew will encourage women to continue to meet in groups for further spiritual guidance. Inquiry sessions will be held following Sunday Masses to provide an opportunity for women to view the MOMS video.

"As we speak of what comes next, let's remember that the Eucharist still remains the single, most important center of our faith," Sister Agnew said.

"When we sing, 'I am The Bread of Life,' let's be mindful of what we are proclaiming. We are saying that we are bread for one another. As Catholics, we have a unity that only can be realized by our commitment to each other."

The next session of MOMS will begin on March 30 and continue Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., until May 18 in the Parish Center at Corpus Christi.

For more information, and for those interested in beginning a MOMS ministry in their parish, call Sister Agnew at 508-4777700.

Contributing to this story was Jennifer Perrault.

Continued from page one

authorities is ongoing, no other . information can be released on the matter at this time. The diocese will continue to cooperate with the authorities throughout their investigation.

At the same time, the Diocese of Fall River is encouraging anyone who may ha:ve information which may be of help in the investigation to contact the District Attorney's Office.

Continued from page one

"God had made it possible for Mary to do what was ahead of her," Bishop Lucas told the gathering. "But it was not a set-up to short-circuit her free will. She had choices like Adam and Eve. But he also gave her what she would need to live this unusual life, if she said yes. God's favor rested on her."

He added, "What can this tell you about your call? Well, without benefit of an angel, you each have come to know that you are called to the priesthood. And since God wants you to live this particular vocation, then God will have prepared and equipped you for it.

God will have given you the tools you need to be a priest."

Bishop Lucas asked the priests - no matter how long or short a time they have been ordained to consider "God, in Jesus Christ, working wonderfully, powerfully here and now in our lives. Mary's openness to the action of the Spirit

can lead us to be open, too, to experience the ongoing history of salvation and to take our place in building up the kingdom of God." Bishops Coleman and Lucas concelebrated Mass daily with the priests.

Madeleine Grace, director of music at .St. Mary's Cathedral iil Fall River, traveled to Duxbury each day of the retreat to provide musical accompaniment for the liturgies.

Father Henry Arruda, pastor of St. Anthony's Parish in Taunton, provided piano accompaniment for the choral recitation of morning and evening prayer of the Hours of the Liturgy.

Members of the Divine Word Fathers assisted at a penance service offering the sacrament of reconciliation.

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Friday, November 5, 2004

CHILDREN FROM grades 1-4 from S1. Anthony's Schoo', New Bedford, work on a project for All Saints Day. It is one of many programs that bring students from different grade levels together to practice teamwork.

STUDENTS TESSA Harkenrider, Leo Glennon and Joe Brown from S1. Margaret Regional School, Buzzards Bay, enjoy a tour a display entitled "From the Crib to the Cross: A Diorama of the Life of Christ." It was put together by Father Tim Goldrick of the Cape Cod Creche Society and is available for display at other Catholic schools in the diocese.

PASTOR FATHER Philip Hamel blesses the new playground at S1. Joseph-S1. Therese School in New Bedford as students explore the colorful apparatus. Parents, students and staff worked for three years to raise money for its construction.

THE FOURSOME of, from left to right, Richard Canastra, Sacred Hearts Father Robert Canastra, Raymond Canastra and Tom Canastra, was among many who recently participated in the sixth annual S1. Joseph School Golf Tournament.

Held at the Whaling City Golf Course in New Bedford, the event raises money to offset educational and operational expenses at the Fairhaven school.

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FIRST-GRADE religious education teacher Elizabeth Costa, left photo, sings with her first-graders S1. Mary's Church, New Bedford. Costa has volunteered helping the children of S1. Mary's for more than 30 years. At right, fifth-graders Victoria Menesses, Tye Arabasz and Tyrell Lincoln conduct a science experiment about the solar system.

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I Catholics largest religious group at Southern Methodist University DALLAS (CNS) - Is it "Southern Methodist" or "Southern Catholic-Methodist" University that is the pride of Dallas?

The number of Catholics at Southern Methodist University has been increasing rapidly in recent years. Catholics now comprise more than one-fifth of the institution's total population, making them the largest faith group at the university, according to SMU surveys.

This is the first year that Catholics have taken the clear lead as the largest faith group, although the number worshipping at campus Masses indicated the trend.

In the fall of 2004, according to the university's Office for Institutional Research, SMU's enrollment was 10,161 for undergraduate and graduate students and those in the university's law and theology schools. That would mean more than 2,000 Catholic students.

"We certainly can say with some definitiveness that the Catholic population is the largest selfidentified group on campus and is the largest worshipping student community on campus," said Judy Henneberger, assistant university chaplain.

In the fall of 2004, 21.2 percent of undergraduate students responding to an institutional survey identified themselves as Catholic.

Those who chose "Methodist" were second with 16.4 percent.

Baptists were the third-largest religious group with 11.4 percent.

About II percent of students listed their religious preference as "Christian" and another II percent expressed no religious preference.

Other faith groups named by the undergraduate students included Presbyterian (eight percent), Epis-

copal (7.7 percent), Lutheran (3.5 thought and faith." percent), Jewish (2.5 percent), The late Kenneth A. Pye, a United Church of Christ (1.6 per- Catholic, was SMU president from cent) and Muslim (1.5 percent).

1987 to 1994.

"I was given the number of 23 The priests who celebrate Mass percent as the total Catholic popu- for the SMU Catholic community lation at SMU by Institutional Re- on a regular basis include Father search," said Henneberger of the Michael Duca, the rector of Holy office's figure for undergraduate, Trinity Seminary, who was the graduate and professional students. Catholic chaplain from 1985 to The Catholic Campus Ministry 1994; Msgr. Milam Joseph, episat SMU has identified by name copal vicar of the Dallas diocese about 1,600 students and 100 fac- and retired president of the Uniulty or staff members who are versity of Dallas; and Father Catholic, although there apparently Charles Curran, who is a professor of ethics at SMU. are more on campus.

Each Sunday several hundred The Catholic campus ministry worship at Perkins Chapel at program at SMU also includes two Perkins School of Divinity in the full-time staff members - campus heart of the campus near down- minister Frank Santoni, recently hired from the University of Notre town Dallas.

There is a 9 a.m. Mass gener- Dame ministry staff, and Maria ally attended by faculty or nonstu- Farrell, director of administration dents and their families and a 5 and development for the Catholic p.m. Mass for SMU students. center.

"The Catholic program operates The Chapel of the Annunciation, located in the Neuhoff Catho- on a shoestring budget at SMU, lic Center, holds only 50 people barely able to offer a minimal supand is used for small worship ser- port to the growing Catholic student population," Deacon Havard said. vices.

"We have quite a challenge to "I don't mind asking for help."

SMU has an endowment of serve the community at SMU," said Deacon Bronson Havard, the more than $800 million and is in a Catholic chaplain who is also edi- building boom from its last, suctor in chief of the Texas Catholic, cessful capital campaign that Dallas diocesan newspaper. sought $400 million, but raised "There is a strong spirituality $542 million.

SMU was founded in 1911 by among the students and a great relationship with Methodists, Bap- the denomination now known as tists, Episcopalians and others at the United Methodist Church.

SMU describes itself as nonsectarthe university."

"Another exciting thing about ian in its teaching program.

A similar trend of a higher SMU is that it is striving to be a world-elass university and is attract- Catholic enrollment is being felt at ing a greater diversity of students, other denominational l\niversities particularly from abroad," Deacon in Texas, including Bayl~rUniver足 Havard added. "We Catholics em- sity in Waco, where Catho~cs combrace a world view and have much prise the second-largest g!'<?up afto contribute in culture, intellectual ter Baptists.

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CATHOLICS ATTEND Sunday evening Mass in the Perkins Chapel at Southern Methodist University in Dallas recently.

Catholics are now the largest faith group at SMU. (CNS photo

by Robert Bunch)

Teen-age pregnancy

By KASE JOHNSTUN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE A bucket of buttered popcorn sits on his lap in the third row of the theater. Next to him a friend sits with an even larger bucket of popcorn. In the lobby, moviegoers line up to fill their broughtfrom-home containers with free popcorn, provided as a promotion every Tuesday by a local theater.

Whatever you can bring, they can fill with loads of free popcorn.

Quite a deal I'd say.

In line we ask, "What's the deal with all the popcorn?"

"If you bring in a bowl on Tuesday, we will fill it with popcorn for free," the theater employee answered.

"How big can it be?" I asked.

"As long as you can see over it

to see the movie," she laughed.

College students crowded the theater with containers ranging from small candy buckets to small garbage bags. College students love free things. If it's free, it tastes better. If it's free, it fits better. If it's free, it is worth having.

Yeah, we spent our late teen years searching for free anything.

There is a giant furniture warehouse in the town where we went to school that offered (still offers) free hot dogs and sodas on Saturdays to customers browsing the inventory. At one point in time my friends and I could have told anyone the price of the plush, four-piece couch in the corner of the showroom without hesitation or the load capacity of the newest washing ma-

chine in the appliance center.

Needless to say, we never bought anything at the store. But the hot dogs were free, and that made them true finds.

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Coming of flge

Still, as many of us learned quickly, "free" didn't always equal "good."

In hindsight, free offers regularly left teens with problems.

During my sophomore year in high school, others in my classes

often disappeared as they took advantage of free offers from other students. Many of them became parents.

Sex is free. But all of sudden free became very spendy, as caring for a child for the rest of one's life takes not only a lot of money but also every ounce of energy a teen-ager can summon up to make sure that child grows up healthy.

I saw too many smart students, promising students, watch their dreams of college and career disappear because of one evening when they set aside the Church's views on abstinence.

This is not an occurrence delegated solely to my school. Look around. Friends are departing from your classrooms too, departing as parents at the ages of 13,

14, 15 or 16. It's free?!

The Church teaches abstinence because it believes that waiting until marriage is the only option.

But sometimes the Church's reasons for avoiding sex during the teenage years seem abstract or distant. I just wanted to make things very concrete with my "free offers" discussion.

I apologize for using free hot dogs and sodas at a furniture store to make a point about a teen-age pregnancy rate that continues to grow. I apologize for comparing free popcorn to sex. There is no comparison.

For taking advantage of the ability to have sex just because it presents itself can lead to a problem that dwarfs a belly full of popcorn.

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Friday, November 5, 2004

Cathedral tours give insiders view of early Church in Fall River BY

MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

FALL RNER - Father Edward 1. Healey, rector of St. Mary's Cathedral, is a busy man lately. People have been coming to Fall River in large numbers to partake in free tours he has been offering of the Gothic-styled church on Mondays and Saturdays.

"It's fantastic," said Joe Gargan, parishioner from Our Lady of Victory, Centerville, who was on a recent tour. "It's really well put together and informative."

The tour begins at the parish hall next to the Cathedral with coffee and pastries. Father Healey gives an extensive history ofthe early Catholic worshipers iIi Fall River and how the Cathedral dune into existence ~ well as the mo/,ty renovations and Improvements 路It has undergone

named pastor of Fall River and would remain the only pastor in Fall River until 1872. He was pastor of the Cathedral until 1887, a period of 47 years according to Father Healey.

Construction on the Cathedral began in the early 1850s by men who would work a full day at the mills and then into the night constructing the church. The cornerstone was laid on Aug. 8, 1852 and it was officially dedicated three years later on December 16. Interestingly, the chapel that stood in its place remained during early construction as workers dug around the permanent fixture. It would later be split in half and moved to the corner of what is now the parking lot.

'One year later the chapel was burned down by anti-Catholics.

Father Healey said that the cost

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FATHER EDWARD J. Healey, rector of St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River, points out facts about the grounds surrounding the church, as part of a recent tour. He gives an informative talk about the background of the church prior to a walking tour. (AnchotiGordon photos)

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information they get," said Father Healey. "I've even encouraged my , own parishioners to come because . they will learn some things they don't know. It helps people feel more connected to the Fall River diocese and their faith."

Women from the Ladies Guild at St. Julie Billiart Church, North Dartmouth comprised the tour the day The Anchor made the trek and the guild was one of many organizations from throughout the diocese to partake in the tour which ends with the celebration of noon Mass in Our Lady's Chapel.

On the tour attendees learned that the bishop's chair represents his authority within the diocese and only a bishop or someone designated by him may be seated in it.

The Cathedral is designed In a basilica styIe in that it is a rectangular_ building with one end - the altar - circular. Many German-style stained glass windows depicting MEMBERS OF the Ladies Guild at St. Julie Billiart Church, saints are found within including a

rose window near the upstairs balcony. The interior decorations ofthe Cathedral and seats are done in a dark oak.

"The design reflects the Church's teaching that all must have a noble simplicity," said Father Healey.

The original Hook pipe organ was put in during the 1860s but was eventually sold because the cold weather in winter and humidity of summer would cause the instrument to be out of tune very often according to Father Healey. A drive to purchase a new pipe organ is currently underway and the Cathedral hopes to use remaining pieces ofthe original organ and another pipe organ put in later.

The tour concluded in the basement ofthe Cathedral where attendees viewed the crypts of the former Fall River bishops and Father Edward Murphy and his nephew. The bodies of Father Murphy and his nephew were discovered buried

under the floor of Our Lady's Chapel in 1951 and were relocated to the crypt. Bishops William Stang and Daniel F. Feehan who were originally buried outside on grounds of the chapel were placed' in the crypt upon its completion in 1935.

"It's a wonderful tour," said Donna Massoud from St. Anthony of the Desert Parish, Fall River. "I was looking forward to this. I always wanted to see the crypt and hope others will come and take the tour."

"We hope people will leave with an appreciation of the rich history and beauty of our Cathedral," said Father Healey, "and most importantly, with a deeper sense of connection to the diocese."

Souvenirs ofthe Cathedral in the form of pens, Christmas tree ornaments, books and coffee mugs were available for sale at the start of the tour.

For more information about scheduling a tourcaJJFatherHea-

ley at508-673-2833.

North Dartmouth, partake of pastries and coffee prior to their recent Cathedral tour. The guild was one of many diocesan groups to take advantage of the free tours. over its century-and-a-half. ofthe construction was $50,000 and "Many of the faithful have never initially because they did not have had an opportunity to visit the Ca- enough funds, it was not decorated thedral church and even those who inside. There were no marble floors, have may have not had the oppor- no statues and no stained glass wintunity to better appreciate the im- dows until years later. portan~e of a Cathedral church to The building stands 126-feet our understanding of ourselves as ' high on the outside and 90 feet on a Catholic Church," said Father the inside. It measures I26-feet long Healey. and 76 feet wide. The steeple of the On the tour one will learn that Cathedral was not completed until the first Catholic Mass in Fall River' 1858. That has a height of 190 feet was celebrated on May 18, 1828 and is adorned by a seven-foot high and that a wooden chapel, built on cross. the site that would later house the Healey said that over the years Cathedral, was constructed in 1835. he has done the tours from time to The original chapel was vandalized time and as rector that is part of his by a mob in the city and repaired duties, but recently they have been under the watchful eye of the city's doing more tours because of the first pastor Father Richard Hardley. recent diocesan Centennial.

In April of 1840, Father Edward "I enjoy giving the tours and I Murphy, a native of Ireland, was think people are surprised at all the ~.--

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FATHER HEALEY leads a tour of the church offered each Monday and Saturday, to give people a better understanding of the early Catholic Church in Fall River and the building of the Cathedral.