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VOL. 47, NO.42 • Friday, November 7, 2003

FALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

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SCHOLARSHIPS - Bishop George W. Coleman accepts whopping check for $619,247 from Suzanne W. Downing, chairman of the Cape Cod Summer Event that helped boost the St. Mary's Education Fund for needy students, and Carl W. Taber, chairman of the Fund's successful fund-raising Fall Dinner that also contributed to the total.:At right, Bishop Coleman stands with, at left, Holy Union Sister Catherine Burns, recipient of the Distinguished Teacher/Administrator Award; Suzanne W. DolAlning; who received the Timothy J. Cotter, Friend of Catholic Education Award; and Gloriette Vivian Poulin, who was given the Distinguished Alumnus Awa.rd. !he honors were presented by the bishop ~t the Fund's Fall Dinner held recently at White's of Westport. (Photos by John Kearns Jr.)

i/'/./>;,: . . .Taunton BIrthrightfounder .):"::', >·:·:·.).:··::/:.·.·.~~ . ':iI ·~··to receive Pro-Life Award ~

"Our door is open to anyone that needs help," Kay Poirier. By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

TAUNTON - For Kay Poirier, the decision to get involved with the Pro-Life movement was an easy one. She had seen the miracle of life as a mother of three children and when the Roe v. Wade decision made abortion legal in this country something just felt wrong to her. "I felt like I was living in a foreign country," said Poirier. "I had the need to respond and do something for women. Friends thought it would be impossible to do, but I prayed about it."

Now, looking back 30 years later, one can see that the founding director of Birthright Taunton did indeed do something about it. She's been helping young women choose life since 1974. She will be honored next month by the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate for her dedication to the Pro-Life cause with the Cardinal John O'Connor Pro-Life Award. "I was very surprised upon hearing I was to be honored," said Poirier, a member of St. Ann's Parish, Raynham. "When Father Stephen A. Fernandes called me I thought they had a client they wanted me to see. I was shocked I was getting an award." Poirier is pleased she will be the recipient of the second annual Cardinal John

O'Connor Pro-Life Award, but said that the honor belongs to many people. "It doesn't belong to me alone. I think this award belongs to everyone involved with Birthright and those whom make Birthright possible. Those who donate, those who volunteer and those who pray for us," said Poirier. "I'll be happy to accept it on their behalf," she added with a smile. It will be awarded at this year's Pro-Life Awards Banquet on November 20 at 6 p.m. at the Whaler Restaurant in New Bedford. It will feature guest speaker Professor Hadley P. Arkes ofAmherst College. Arkes is the architect for the Born-Alive Infants Protection Law. "Poirier's name came up because of her

long established record of inaugurating and sustaining the Taunton chapter of Birthright for the last 30 years and her dedication to the unborn child and mother," said Father Fernandes, director of the Pro-Life Apostolate. "I'm confident that in those 30 years through her ministry at Birthright she's saved hundreds of lives and it's a thrill to have someone like that to present this award to," Father Fernandes said. "She is a shining example to all of us." Poirier said that 30 years ago when legalization of abortion went into affect, she prayed about it. She also told her pastor, Father Gerald T. Sullivan about it. He in Tum to page three - Pro-Life

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE - Bishop George W. Coleman presents the St. Thomas More Award to Superior Court Chief Probation Officer Joseph Hassett of Cummaquid, left photo, at the recent annual Red Mass in St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River, which honors members of the Justice System. At right, the four who received the medals included Attorney Frank M. O'Boy of Taunton, Retired District Court Justice John A. Markey of Barnstable, Hassett, and Bristol County Juvenile Court Justice James M. Cronin of Westport. (Photos courtesy of John D. Hassett)


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