DIOCESE OF FALL RIvER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER
10, 2006
Diocese's cemeteries filling up; new areas created to meet needs Advanced purchase of gravesites is recommended By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR FALL RIVER - As the l800s dawned, hundreds of thousands of immigrant workers - most of them Catholics streamed into southeastern Massachusetts' cities to create what history books call the "golden era" ofthe textile and cotton indus-
tries. Most who came seeking a better life worlcing in the mills stayed and the burgeoning community - and Catholic parishes quickly moved to meet their needs. Prior to the founding of the Fall River Diocese in 1904, regional Church leadership in Boston and Providence, R.I., readily approved missions, parishes and cemeteries stretching from Taunton to Fall River and out through New Bedford to Cape Cod and the Islands to fulfill the tenets ofCatholic teaching on life and
death. As today's Catholics visit diocesan and parish cemeteries to remember their beloved kin and to attend regularly scheduled monthly anniversary Masses -especially inNovember, the month ofAll Souls - they overlook a sea of thousands of acres dotted Tum to page 20 - Cemeteries
GLAD TO BE THERE - More than 300 Catholic youths attended the recent annual Youth Convention at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River.
Young Catholics energized at convention I
By MIKE GORDON, ANCHOR STAFF FALL RIVER - The annual Youth Convention, themed "Catholic to the Core" held at Bishop Connolly High School, was attended by more than 300 young people from Catholic high schools and Religious Education programs throughout the diocese. Assistant director ofYouth and Young Adult Ministry, Crystal Medeiros, was pleased with the October 29 turnout and praised the efforts of those who helped to organize the event and to make it so successful. "This is the first year we've had Christian Leadership Institute graduates involved in the planning and they did a wonder-
ful job," said Medeiros. "They were instrumental to its success and it was great to see them take charge of leadership roles and be witnesses to the power of their Catholic faith." The day began at 12:30 p.m. with opening prayer and closed at 6 p.m. with the celebration of Mass. Msgr. Stephen 1. Avila was principal celebrant and homilist. Fathers Jeff Cabral and David Frederlci concelebrated. Deacon Michael Guy assisted. Billed as I an afternoon of faith, food and fulfillment, it was just that for participants as they shared their faith and learned more about it through workshops. "It was truly a very successful day," said Medeiros. "I was Tum to page 19 - Youth
Bishop Stang science teacher presented Catholic Teacher-oJ-the- Year Award
GRANITE REMEMBRANCE - Unique old grave stones like this one in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Fall River, can be found throughout many of the diocesan-run cemeteries. (AnchodGordon photo)
NORTH DARTMOUTH - Kathryn Crosson, chair of the Science Department at Bishop Stang High School, was presented with the Diocese of Fall River Secondary School Catholic Teacher-of-the-Year Award on November 1. Bishop George W. Coleman and Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Milot made the presentation to Crosson before the entire student body, faculty, and staff at the conclusion of the school's All Saints' Day Mass at St. Julie's Church in North Dartmouth. Crosson, who was named the Sigma Xi Society of the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth Teacher-ofthe-Year in 1992, serves as chair of a committee charged with creating a K-12 science curriculum for diocesan schools. Just as important as her academic pursuits, Crosson has been a catalyst in engaging her former students who are currently in the medical and dental professions in contributing their time and talents to a 10-day mission to serve the poor in Honduras. The lO-day project, which began in June 2004 with a handful of Stang alumni, has grown to more than 30 volunteers and now includes construction and art components as well. "Ms. Crosson exemplifies the very essence of what a Catholic school educator should be both in and out of
the classroom," said school President Theresa Dougall. Crosson resides in Fall River, and is in her 30th year as a teacher at Stang.
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WELL DONE - Bishop George W. Coleman presented Kathryn Crosson, chair of the Science Department at Bishop Star:lg High School, with the Diocese of Fall River Secondary School Catholic Teacher-of-the-Year Award, at a recent ceremony at the North Dartmouth school.