11.11.11

Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , November 11, 2011

Speaker implores Faith Formation leaders, ‘Go out and tell the Good News’

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

home sweet home — Open for just over a year, the Sean Brooke House, a former abandoned mill in New Bedford, now provides a clean, safe, and comfortable permanent home to several veterans. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)

New Bedford house provides peaceful haven for veterans

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

NEW BEDFORD — Some of the residents of the Sean Brooke House have experienced the horrors of warfare. Others face the lifelong battle against the demon of addiction. Still others sought a clean, safe place to live out their civilian lives. But all have one thing in common — a bond that nothing can break — the bond of having served in the U.S. Armed Forces, protecting the freedoms many Americans take for granted.

The Sean Brooke House opened in June of 2010, following a 10-year effort from fellow veterans seeking to provide secure, permanent housing for those who served so honorably.

Kathleen M. Splinter, a parishioner of Notre Dame Parish in Fall River, was one of the main proponents of the project. Splin-

ter was a Vietnam War veteran, having served as a lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. She witnessed first-hand the traumas of battle. Just as she had in Vietnam, Splinter, who received the Bronze Star in 1969 for outstanding service to her patients, has spent countless hours seeking to help fellow veterans live the lives they deserve.

Facing the fact that many of the homeless in the Whaling City were veterans, Welcome Home Veterans Housing, Inc. worked tirelessly to help turn the former sweater mill at 280 North Street into a permanent haven for 19 of their peers.

Splinter, the former Welcome Home president, and Joe Remedis, also an Army Vietnam War vet, agreed that many of those returning from their tour of duty Turn to page 18

TAUNTON — The hallways of the Holiday Inn in Taunton filled as attendees of this year’s Faith Formation Ministry Convention began a day filled with workshops focused on this year’s theme, “Go Out and Tell the Good News.” Father Richard Degagne, the celebrant for the morning Mass, said, “You are in the trenches. You are the front line of evangelization.”

It is rarely the clergy who make the permanent mark on individuals, but those who walk out of the parish doors to spread the word among the people, he said.

“It doesn’t matter what ministry you are in Church,” said Father Degagne. “You are giving witness to your faith. You are the examples and the witnesses.”

Evangelizing wasn’t something just invented, said Father Degagne, it is something that with the prophets pre-dates Christ. He said that their personal story of their relationship with Jesus could likewise inspire conversion in people.

“Go in peace,” said Father Degagne. “You are sent today.

Preaching can happen in many ways, and they will believe because you have been called.”

walking by Faith — Keynote speaker for this year’s Faith Formation Convention Dr. Carole Eipers drew many laughs as she focused on the convention’s theme, “Go Out and Tell the Good News” by challenging those in the audience to “walk by faith, not by sight.” (Photo by Becky Aubut)

The workshops ranged in ideas, from strengthening marriages to strengthening the bond within the families themselves.

The workshop given by Lisa Rose Bucci focused on engaging lessons for teen-agers and offered ideas and techniques to get students interested in learning. Bucci drew on her years of teaching at Hope High School in Providence and Faith Formation classes at St. Paul’s Parish in Foster, R.I. “Comedy helps you remember,” said Bucci. “Teen-agers are awkward. Our job is to mold them into good people and good Catholics.”

Acknowledging that teen-agers are insecure, it helps to build them up while “tricking them into an activity,” she said.

“Simple tasks get them talking to each other,” she added.

Bucci used interactive examples within her workshop to bring home the lesson. You can tie in any lesson, either one offered by her or one thought of all on your own, into Scripture and help kids realize the importance Turn to page 18

Vigil for the deceased: The first step in healing

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

MANSFIELD — The “vigil for the deceased” or “wake” is the time when family gathers around their deceased loved one to pray and to console one another. The wake can last for a few hours or be held over a couple of days. Contrary to the thoughts of some individuals who today overlook the importance of the wake, it serves a very specific purpose.

“Sometimes there can be a lack of understanding on that healing process. We have become practical in everything now,” said Msgr. Stephen Avila, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Mansfield and director of the diocesan Office of Worship. “I think, sometimes, it’s not dealing with the reality.

I think that the importance of a wake service is for us to begin that process of acceptance that the person has indeed died.”

He added, “I believe the Church gives us these three moments in the funeral Liturgy — the vigil, the funeral Mass itself and the rite of committal — as important in the whole process of healing and a deeper understanding of our beliefs in our faith.”

During the vigil, the casket is usually open with candles lit at either end, reminiscent of the

candle lit at Baptism. Flowers as symbols of the Resurrection but also of the ephemeral nature of life are almost always present. Often a crucifix is nearby with Rosary beads placed in the Turn to page 14

St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)

News From the Vatican

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Pope: Modern-day nihilism stems from despair over death

Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — Pope Benedict XVI told pilgrims to Rome on Sunday that a loss of faith in Jesus Christ has led many people to despair in the face of death.

“If we remove God, if we take away Christ, the world will fall back into the void and darkness,” he said in his November 6 Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square.

“And this is also reflected in the expressions of contemporary nihilism, an often subconscious nihilism that unfortunately plagues many young people.”

The pope charted the impact that the Christian message had upon the ancient world where “the religion of the Greeks, the cults and pagan myths were not able to shed light on the mystery of death.” He noted that ancient inscriptions read “In nihil ab nihilo quam cito recidimus,” meaning “How quickly we fall back from nothing to nothing.”

Thus, St. Paul reminded the Christians of Ephesus that they were “without hope and without God in the world” before their conversion to Christianity, whereas afterwards they no longer grieved “like the rest, who have no hope.”

“Faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,” said the pope, is “a decisive watershed.” It is the “definite” difference between “believers and non-believers,” or “those who hope and who do not hope.”

The attainment of this eternal life with Christ, the pope said, is depicted in today’s Gospel reading where Christ recounts the parable of the 10 maidens invited to a wedding: five wise ones who were readied with oil in their lamps upon the groom’s arrival and

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five foolish ones who were not.

He explained how St. Augustine, the great theologian of the fourth and fifth centuries, along with many other ancient authors, saw the maiden’s oil as “a symbol of love, which you cannot buy, but is received as a gift, conserved within ourselves, and practiced in our deeds.”

Our Last Judgment, therefore, will be “based on the love we practiced in our earthly life.” That is why it is “true wisdom” to take advantage of mortal life to carry out works of mercy, because “after our death, it will no longer be possible.”

Our model and guide along the way, he concluded, is the Virgin Mary, the Seat of Wisdom. For this reason, he said, the Church speaks to the Mother of God with the words: “vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra — life, sweetness, and our hope.”

“May we learn from her how to live and die in the hope that never disappoints.”

After the Angelus, Pope Benedict appealed for an end to violence in Nigeria, following a series of attacks by an Islamist terror group that have left over 100 dead in the northeastern part of the country.

“I follow with apprehension the tragic events reported in recent days in Nigeria,” said the pope.

An Islamist sect known as Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the attacks that have included suicide bombings and shootings in the cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu.

“While I pray for the victims, I ask for an end to all violence, which does not resolve problems but increases them, sowing hatred and divisions, even among the faithful.”

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a father’s touch — Pope Benedict XVI blesses a young woman during a recent general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Mission to the Vatican: Diplomats find unique challenges at Holy See

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Ambassadors to the Holy See resident in Rome are a relatively small group of women and men with backgrounds ranging from professional diplomacy and politics to medicine and even theology — Catholic, Orthodox or Islamic.

They understand the periodic public puzzlement over why a nation — particularly a nation embracing separation of church and state — would send a diplomat to the Holy See or the Vatican.

Vatican City is an independent state, but it’s the Holy See — the headquarters of the Catholic Church — that has full, formal diplomatic relations with 179 nations.

Anne Leahy, Canada’s ambassador to the Holy See, is a career diplomat who served as ambassador to Russia in 1996-99. She said she asked to be appointed to the Vatican, because she “wanted to understand more about the Holy See as an international entity, a sovereign entity,” that also functions as the government of the worldwide Catholic Church.

In the field of international relations, the Holy See has “weight and influence,” but an ambassador can gain full appreciation of that “only by being on the spot,” said Leahy, one of only 20 female ambassadors to the Holy See. Of the 179 countries that exchange ambassadors and nuncios with the Vatican, only 80 nations have their ambassadors living in Rome. Most of the others are served by ambassadors who live in the country of their principal diplomatic assignment — whether it be Switzerland, France, Germany or others — and travel to the Vatican only occasionally.

Ireland announced that it will close its Embassy to the Holy See in what has been described by officials as a cost-saving measure.

Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore said the move is not a result of a recent dispute between Ireland

and the Vatican, which led Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, papal nuncio to Ireland, to be temporarily called back to the Vatican in late July and later reassigned to the Czech Republic.

The Vatican had recalled Archbishop Leanza citing “certain extreme reactions” from politicians after the Vatican was criticized in a report into the mishandling of clerical abuse in the Irish Diocese of Cloyne.

In a statement issued late November 3, the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, downplayed the Irish government’s decision.

“The Holy See takes note of the decision of Ireland to close its embassy in Rome,” Father Lombardi said. “Naturally, every state that has diplomatic relations with the Holy See is free to decide ... whether to have an ambassador to the Holy See who is resident in Rome or resident in another country. What is important is diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the states, and this is not in question with Ireland.”

Gilmore said it was with “the greatest regret and reluctance” that he had decided to close the Vatican embassy as well as Ireland’s diplomatic missions in Iran and East Timor.

Tim Fischer, a former deputy prime minister and politician, is Australia’s first resident ambassador to the Vatican.

“For all that Twitter and mobile video” can keep people informed and bring them together instantly, “you still cannot risk doing away with old-fashioned networking ... wearing out shoe leather,” Fischer said.

For him, he said, “this is about building up contacts and an information database, gaining a local knowledge and understanding local tricks of the trade, all in the cause of ‘Team Australia’ and its policies and priorities.”

The Vatican is a sovereign na-

tion, but it does not hide the fact that it engages with other governments as an entity motivated by ethical principles drawn from religion.

As Pope Benedict XVI said October 21, welcoming the Netherland’s new ambassador to the Vatican: “Bilateral relations between a nation-state and the Holy See are clearly of a different character from those between nation-states.

“The Holy See is not an economic or military power. Yet, as you yourself have indicated, its moral voice exerts considerable influence around the world.

Among the reasons for this is precisely the fact that the Holy See’s moral stance is unaffected by the political or economic interests of a nation-state or the electoral concerns of a political party. Its contribution to international diplomacy consists largely in articulating the ethical principles that ought to underpin the social and political order, and in drawing attention to the need for action to remedy violations of such principles,” he told the new ambassador.

Several said the pope’s recent day of pilgrimage, reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace October 27 in Assisi demonstrates clearly the Vatican’s attempt to bring its voice to bear on issues of public concern, whether or not the religious element is clear.

The pope’s day of pilgrimage, reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace October 27 in Assisi was the first. The ambassadors did not go on the train with the pope and religious leaders but were driven to Assisi by bus and attended the public sessions where the pope and religious leaders reflected on the role of religion in building peace and renewed their commitments to promoting peace and justice in the world.

Promoting peace is the first task of diplomacy everywhere and encouraging interreligious dialogue is an official policy of many nations, including Australia.

The International Church Mass unites Mexicans, Americans separated by border fence

November 11, 2011

ANAPRA, Mexico (CNS) — The Mexican bishop often exchanged glances with his American counterpart as they celebrated the All Souls’ Day Mass. But instead of embracing at the kiss of peace, they touched palms — though the chain-link fence.

Hundreds of Mexicans and Americans joined their bishops for the Mass, enduring dusty wind that created a brown haze. On the Mexican side of the border, on a lot surrounded by trash, wandering dogs, and food vendors, a handful of the 200 attendees paid little attention to the Mass but clung to the fence and stared longingly at the congregation on the U.S. side.

Bishop Armando X. Ochoa of El Paso, Texas, Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of Las Cruces, N.M., and Bishop Renato Ascencio Leon of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, concelebrated the annual border Mass on either side of the fence. The theme for this year’s Mass was “Remembering Our Dead; Celebrating Life; Working for Justice.”

Betty Hernandez, 30, a mother of three and a youth minister at Corpus Christi Church in Anapra, said the Mass helps unify El Paso and Ciudad Juarez in a common cause of remembering those who have died in the drug violence as well as those who died in the nearby deserts, hoping to immigrate to the United States. Making this Mass even more poignant for Hernandez was the death of her neighbor, who was gunned down at a nearby burrito stand the previous week.

“Where there is an abundance of pain and death is God’s glory for us to hope,” she said.

As a youth minister in Anapra, which has seen more than its share

of the violence, Hernandez tries to keep the teens involved in Church activities, from the band and singers for Masses to ushers wearing their red smocks as a deterrent to the temptation of the easy money

to the U.S. in terms of work, culture, and money.”

During the Mass, Bishop Ascencio accepted symbols of the migrants’ journey to the United States: flags from Latin American

breaking barriers — Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of Las Cruces, N.M., and Bishop Armando X. Ochoa of El Paso, Texas, foreground, share the sign of peace with Bishop Renato Ascencio Leon of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, through the fence separating Anapra, Mexico, and Sunland Park, N.M., during the recent annual border Mass. (CNS photo/Christ Chavez, Rio Grande Catholic)

and violence associated with drug cartels. Many of these teens sat on the outskirts of the celebration amid the trash and wood-pallet fences that surrounded some of the nearby homes.

Behind Bishop Ascencio on the altar were seminarians from Seminario Conciliar in Ciudad Juarez.

Father Hector Villa, rector, said their presence underscores much of what they are learning for their future ministries.

“This Mass is a sign of solidar-

Baghdad Mass commemorates 2010 massacre at Syriac Catholic church

BAGHDAD (CNS) — In a somber Mass commemorating the 2010 massacre at the Church of Our Lady of Deliverance, Catholic leaders urged their faithful to have hope for the resurrection of Iraq.

Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan and Maronite Catholic Patriarch Bechara Rai traveled from Beirut for the October 31 Mass. A year earlier, the church came under siege, and after a military raid to free the hostages, 48 people — including two priests — had been killed and more than 100 wounded.

A large poster was displayed on the altar, depicting the image of Jesus crucified, surrounded by headshots of each of the victims — the youngest just three years old. On each side of the crucifix was a full-length photo of the dead priests.

Many in the crowded pews,

ity, especially for immigrants who try to cross the border and encounter so many troubles to reach their goal,” Father Villa said. “We’re asking the authorities in the U.S. to be more just with the people who want

dressed in black, clutched pictures of relatives killed in the incident. Blood-stained walls, pock-marked with bullet holes, remain a reminder of the attack on the church, which is still under renovation.

Syriac Archbishop Ephrem Abba Mansoor of Baghdad told those at the memorial Mass that targeting Iraqi Christians “comes from an evil plan to destroy the unity of Iraq and its social and religious diversity.”

He urged the Iraqi government to work to halt the exodus of Christians from their homeland. Before the U.S.-led invasion, Christians in Iraq numbered 800,000 to one million.

Now just 400,000 to a half million remain.

In his homily, Patriarch Younan emphasized the importance of living a true democracy and working together in unity for the progress of all Iraqi citizens.

a dignified life through work, and this is also a subtle sign for Mexico that they are responsible for providing work for these people.”

Father Villa said he would like his 94 seminarians to be more exposed to real-life issues — such as violence and immigration — sooner rather than later.

“The Church can definitely help more by being more organized and active in this moment where immigrants are seen as enemies,” he said. “These people give so much

countries of origin, a portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a gallon jug of water, a backpack and tennis shoes.

When the Mass was initiated in 1999, it was at the height of the infamous murders of Daughters of Juarez, female factory workers who disappeared and were later found to be sexually assaulted and murdered. Some were buried in shallow graves not far from where the Mass was celebrated. The number of these victims has been projected as high as 400.

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Since 2006, Ciudad Juarez has seen about 8,500 murders as a result of a brutal drug war. And amid the death and sorrow are issues with immigration and human rights that include a redefinition of immigration from those not only seeking gainful employment in the United States, but those fleeing the violence of Ciudad Juarez. It is estimated that more than 200,000 people have fled the once vibrant city since 2006.

Before the Mass, Mexican children ran along the border fence some 50 yards behind the makeshift altar. The group quickly grew in size as a U.S. Border Patrol agent went back and forth between his unit and the fence.

Upon closer examination he was found distributing Halloween candy through the fence to the children. Asked about his covert act of generosity, he just smiled and said, “It’s no big deal.”

Marco Raposo estimated that on the U.S. side, 300 people attended the Mass, celebrated in Sunland Park, N.M., in the Las Cruces Diocese. Raposo is director of the El Paso diocesan Peace and Justice Ministry, which helped arrange the Liturgy.

In his homily, Bishop Ramirez said the Massgoers had come together “once again to ask forgiveness” for crimes, sins, violence and injustice that the border fence represents. He cited examples of violence and death on the part of both Mexico and the United States.

He said the physical barrier of the fence shouldn’t stop those on both sides of the border from loving each other “as the brothers and sisters they are in the eyes of God.”

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The Church in the U.S.

November 11, 2011

New U.S. nuncio calls American Church ‘beacon of hope’

Rome, Italy (CNA/EWTN News) — The pope’s new representative to the United States says the youth of the country’s Catholic Church is a beacon of hope to the rest of the Catholic world, especially in Europe.

“It is very exciting,” Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò told CNA. “I know the United States is the greatest country in many ways, but also from the Church’s point of view, because there are many young religious institutions and many young people. Europe has become an ‘old continent,’ but the United States has a youth that is brilliant and enthusiastic. I hope to be able to work with them in my new position,” he said.

Archbishop Viganò will take up his new post as the papal nuncio to the United States on Saturday, November 12. Two days later, he will meet with the country’s bishops at their fall assembly in Baltimore.

Although he has visited the U.S. on several occasions previously, he says he is very eager to learn more about his new homeland, where “there are many communities forming one nation.” On a practical level, Archbishop Viganò realizes this will mean a lot of travel, but he sees it as “a great occasion to know the country.”

Until recently, the 70-year-old Italian was the second person in charge at the Governatorate of the Vatican City. That body is in charge of many of the City State’s departments such as its police service, observatory, museums, post office and tourist information service.

In his new post, Archbishop Viganò succeeds Archbishop Pietro Sambi, who died this past July.

One of his key tasks will be to report back to the Vatican’s Secretariat of State on the latest developments in the U.S. presidential race, and in particular, on matters “regarding protecting moral values and the values of life, the protection of life.”

Archbishop Viganò says he is heartened by recent moves in certain U.S. states to further protect unborn children. He calls those initiatives “an important sign for the

entire world” and a “real hope for Europe.” It’s la moda (the fashion), he says as he explains his hope for Europe, adding, it “usually follows in the steps of the United States.”

Last week, the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Religious Freedom, Bishop William E. Lori, warned in testimony before Congress that religious freedom in America is being threatened by several actions taken by the Obama administration. As an example, he cited the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ requirement that nearly all private health insurance plans cover sterilization and contraception, including some that cause early abortion.

Archbishop Viganò says he is still getting up to speed on the issue but has been “deeply surprised” to learn of these developments.

“I know that all the ideals of the American dream are really founded in freedom and the first value is the freedom of conscience — you never have to go against what your conscience is dictating to you.”

He gives the example of a doctor being obliged to perform medical procedures against his or her conscience, describing such a suggestion as “nonsense” that is “not solely against Christianity — it is against humanity.”

Interestingly, one thing that excites him about his new position is the reputation of the U.S. as a leader in science and technology. “Science has a great appeal to me, a great interest,” he explains.

He is particularly interested in the dialogue between faith and science and believes that science can lead people to God. Ahead of his departure for the States, the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See hosted a reception on November 3 to wish Archbishop Viganò well in his new appointment.

“We are here tonight to congratulate and celebrate our new nuncio to the United States and so we wish him well,” said Ambassador Miguel Díaz to CNA. “We know Archbishop Viganò will represent the Holy Father and the Holy See well in the United States,” he said.

new nuncio — Pope Benedict XVI meets Italian Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the new apostolic nuncio to the United States, at the Vatican recently. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano)

inaugural class — Cardinal Donald Wuerl poses with the first seminarians and faculty members of the Archdiocese of Washington’s new Blessed John Paul II Seminary. The seminary for men in pre-theology studies was dedicated on the first feast day marked for the late Polish pontiff. (CNS photo/Paul Fetters, courtesy of the Catholic Standard)

Cardinal Wuerl calls religion teachers critical to new evangelization

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The cardinal recently selected by Pope Benedict XVI to play a key role in the October 2012 world Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization told high school religion teachers October 28 that solid catechesis, confidence in the faith and sharing the faith are critical elements to carrying out the work of the new evangelization.

“You are on the front line of the new evangelization — an effort that mirrors so clearly the work of the early Church and the first disciples,” said Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington to a conference of Catholic high school religion teachers as part of High School Principals Association professional development day at a local Catholic high school.

“The new evangelization is not a program. It is a mode of thinking, seeing and acting,” Cardinal Wuerl said. “It is a lens through which we see the opportunities to proclaim the Gospel anew. It is also a recognition that the Holy Spirit is actively working in the Church.”

Pope Benedict named Cardinal Wuerl as the relator, or recording secretary, of the 2012

synod. As recording secretary, he will be primarily responsible for preparing a thematic report for discussion at the opening of the October 7-28 synod and another report summarizing speeches given in the first phase of the synod’s general assemblies.

In his address, the cardinal told the religion teachers how important it is that they communicate a confident message of the “offer of an encounter with Christ, an invitation to faith, and another way to live.”

He acknowledged the barriers to such an encounter as identified

by Pope Benedict XVI — secularism, materialism and individualism — but noted, “Increasingly, I find young people who are open to the Gospel message. These are people who find that the world does not have all of the answers, or even significant answers.

“The missionaries in the first evangelization covered immense geographic distances to spread the Good News,” he said. “We, the missionaries of the new evangelization, must surmount ideological distances just as immense, oftentimes before we ever journey beyond our own neighborhood or family.”

The next day at a Mass he

celebrated as part of the archdiocese’s Multilingual Catechetical Day, the cardinal told nearly 900 catechists and religious education leaders that “part of the challenge of our ministry is to help those entrusted to our care understand that it is in the Church that they encounter Christ in His word and in the Sacraments.

“Too many people have little familiarity with the wisdom of God,” he said. “Many have simply drifted away. Yet there are also positive signs of our young people searching for more. We are experiencing that even in the face of a diminished appreciation or understanding of the content of the faith there is a longing of the human spirit for God.” He called the new evangelization “a new moment for catechesis in our country.”

“We live in an age of hope,” he said. “This is not a groundless euphoria but, rather, a confidence that God continues to grace the Church with opportunities to reach deep within our own lived experience of Jesus to find the practical means to introduce a whole new generation into the knowledge — into the encounter with the living Lord.”

The Church in the U.S. Archbishop Dolan if the CathCatholics, Jews urged to work olic Church could foster sensitivity among young Hispanics. together to promote religious freedom Archbishop Dolan said chil-

November 11, 2011

NEW YORK (CNS) — Catholics and Jews can most effectively capitalize on five decades of progress in their relations by joining forces to promote religious freedom, defend immigrants, face a common threat from fanatics and advocate for civility in politics and society, said New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan.

He addressed more than 250 Jewish leaders assembled in New York November 3 for the annual meeting of the Anti-Defamation League, an organization that fights anti-Semitism.

Reflecting on the current state and future of CatholicJewish relations, Archbishop Dolan said both groups must “continue to rejoice in how far we’ve come,” but not take the progress for granted. He dated the beginning of positive change to “Nostra Aetate,” the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on relations with nonChristian religions.

He said “Nostra Aetate” was “one of the most enlightened documents” of the council and it “set the bar high.”

It also opened the door to unprecedented visits to synagogues and Israel by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. “To have the man we call the vicar of Christ go to a synagogue is of earthquake proportions,” Archbishop Dolan said.

Archbishop Dolan said Pope Benedict’s October 27 meeting in Assisi, Italy, with leaders of other faiths could not have happened 50 years ago.

Among “areas that call for

rejoicing,” Archbishop Dolan said, is that both groups have grown in sensitivity to one another since Vatican II. One of the characteristics of progress is the willingness to speak candidly about issues that cause “tension and neuralgia,” including Pope Pius XII; Holocaust denier British Bishop Richard Williamson, a member of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X; and the wording of prayers offered on Good Friday for the wellbeing of the Jews.

Archbishop Dolan said progress and friendship that began at the local level have now been institutionalized in both faiths. He cited the Catholic-Jewish dialogues that take place through the Holy See and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which the archbishop heads as president.

Going forward, Archbishop Dolan said Catholics and Jews should work together for religious freedom. He warned of “possible movement by the government that would dangerously tread on issues of conscience and religion that our two families hold very dear.”

“Internationally, all believers are in the crosshairs of fanatics around the world. Somewhere, someplace, somebody’s being persecuted to the point of blood because of their faith and we need to stand together in defense of those people,” he said, to applause.

He said it is time for both faith groups to “face realistically the common threat we have from fanatics, especially

in the Islamist community.”

Stressing that fanatics do not represent “pure, noble Islam,” Archbishop Dolan said, “It would take an ostrich not to see that religious fanatics have in their cross hairs Jews and Catholics. Perhaps you and I are going to be drawn closer together as we defend each other, as we try very creatively and energetically to reach out to moderate Islamic leaders to build mutual defense of religious rights.”

Archbishop Dolan said Catholics and Jews must be united in defense of immigrants.

Both Jews and Catholics are the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of immigrants, many of whom came to the United States to escape religious persecution. When they arrived, they carried little more than “the pearl of great price: their religion,” he said.

Archbishop Dolan said both groups have been on the receiving end of religious bigotry and could stand together as advocates for the return of civility to politics and religion.

Catholics and Jews share pastoral concerns that reflect the daily lives of their people, Archbishop Dolan said.

They include raising children in the faith, seeing children and grandchildren marry outside the faith, and the “severe hemorrhage of young people” away from the faith.

Asked about Vatican relations with Israel, Archbishop Dolan said, “The Holy See has a strong tradition of defense of sacred sites and certain Palestinian prerogatives.”

“The Holy See is a good friend of Israel and has taken a judicious, centrist approach, with credibility on both sides.”

Archbishop Dolan answered questions from Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, senior rabbi at the Park Avenue Synagogue in New York.

They agreed that contact between people of the two faiths reduces tension and increases understanding. They said there has been a growth in sensitivity between those Archbishop Dolan called “meat and potatoes Catholics” and those referred to as “Jews in the pews”

by Rabbi Cosgrove.

Rabbi Cosgrove cited a survey by the Anti-Defamation League that showed Hispanic Americans born outside the U.S. are twice as likely as those born in the U.S. to hold anti-Semitic views. He asked

dren in Catholic schools and religious education programs receive “accurate, truthful instruction (about the Jewish community) with tender sensitivity.” With respect to Hispanic immigrants, “it’s not so much that we’re not training and forming them in JewishCatholic dialogue, we’re stumbling on catechizing them at all,” he said.

Only four percent of Hispanics Catholics attend Cath-

5 olic schools, according to Archbishop Dolan. He added, “As we get more aggressive in educating our children for our own reasons,” the results will be good for the Jews, as well.

Deposit due by Dec. 2

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The Anchor The path to peace

At the end of October, Pope Benedict convened religious leaders from most of the world’s religions in Assisi for a day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in the world.

It was held to mark the 25th anniversary of the memorable 1986 World Day of Prayer for Peace convoked in Assisi by Blessed John Paul II and to continue its commitment. Assisi was, then and now, a fitting place for such prayer and commitment because not only is St. Francis, as some have said, the “one saint whom all religions recognize” but because his life provides a model for every religious peacemaker.

At the beginning of his address to the interreligious leaders, Pope Benedict spoke dramatically about the power of prayers for peace. Back in 1986, he recalled, the world was still caught up in the Cold War and few saw any end in sight. Three years later, however, the Berlin Wall had fallen. While there were certainly political and economic factors in the collapse of communism, he said that the “deepest reason” was spiritual, because communist states lacked the “spiritual convictions” to sustain their materialist philosophy against the human quest for freedom and peace. To some extent, he declared in a way that captured international headlines, “We may in some way link all of this to our prayer for peace.” The 1986 gathering, in other words, wasn’t an international kumbaya festival of utopian peaceniks, but an event that, like Joshua in Jericho, brought down seemingly indestructible walls through prayer.

After that introduction on the power of praying for peace, Pope Benedict then sought to identify the two “new faces” of violence and discord in the world since 1986, so that religious leaders might, in their own ways, pray and work for these walls to be dismantled as well.

The first, he said, is terrorism. With comments that would certainly apply to Islamist terrorism, the anti-Christian pogroms of Hindu fanatics in India’s BJP, as well as abortion clinic bombers in the U.S., Pope Benedict forthrightly added, “Terrorism is often religiously motivated and the specifically religious character of the attacks is proposed as a justification for the reckless cruelty that considers itself entitled to discard the rules of morality for the sake of the intended ‘good.’

In this case, religion does not serve peace, but is used as justification for violence.” Religiously motivated violence “should be profoundly disturbing to us as religious persons,” he declared, because violence is “not the true nature of religion” and is in fact “the very antithesis of religion and contributes to its destruction.” On this point, he candidly admitted “with great shame” the historical fact that the Church has also used force and violence in her history, “It is utterly clear,” he stressed, “that this was an abuse of the Christian faith, one that evidently contradicts its true nature” and something of which the Christian faith must be fully purified. That “nostra culpa” was an opening, it seems, for similarly candid confessions on the part of leaders of other religions; it also provided an obvious area for prayer and for joint action. The only way that religious leaders can argue “realistically and credibly” against religiously motivated violence, he said, is when they together — through individual prayer and commitment, interreligious dialogue, and the purification of their lived religions from those who abuse it to justify violence — can show the world that true religion brings peace.

The second new type of violence today, the pope said, is motivated “precisely in the opposite way,” through the absence or denial of God and the loss of humanity that accompanies it. While post-Enlightenment critics of religion like to argue that religion is one of the principle sources of violence, Pope Benedict stated, “The denial of God has led to much cruelty and to a degree of violence that knows no bounds.” This is a consequence of atheism’s recognizing no judge or criterion above ourselves and our desires. He referenced the horrors of the concentration camps, but he likewise could have listed the unspeakable atrocities in Russia, the Ukraine, Cambodia and so many other atheist hell-holes. Rather than focus on these easy targets of the inhumanity of state-imposed atheism, however, he wanted to speak about the consequences that flow through the practical atheism of the worship of mammon, which he believes are even “more dangerous” because they’re often imperceptible. The worship of possessions and power that characterizes secularism today, he said, seduces people into acting as if it is “no longer man who counts but only personal advantage.” Rather than respecting others’ human dignity and rights, we begin to use them for our own ends. He specifically brought up the scourge of drug dependency, which is one expression of the degeneration of the desire for happiness into an “unbridled, human craving” that others readily manipulate for profit. Drug use not only damages individuals but destroys peace, peace in families and peace in communities and countries, as those in Ciudad Juarez or in Colombia can readily attest, where the violence done to individuals spawns into widespread corruption and violence done to protect the drug trade. “Force comes to be taken for granted,” Pope Benedict said, “peace is destroyed and man destroys himself in this peace vacuum.” This lack of peace that comes from a militant or practical atheism likewise needs to be opposed by the prayer and work of the world’s religions.

How are Christians specifically to respond to the lack of peace that still plagues our world?

Pope Benedict didn’t raise that question in the interreligious setting of Assisi, but he did the night before in Rome at a Vespers service with Christian participants.

The first thing that Christians are always called to do is to pray. “The most precious contribution we can make to the cause of peace is that of prayer,” the pope preached. “The Lord can enlighten our minds and hearts and guide us to be builders of justice and reconciliation in our every day lives and in the world.” Pope Benedict focused particularly on the way Jesus brought peace to the world as the path each of us must take. With characteristic eloquence, the pope stressed that Jesus came into the world not as a “king who presents Himself in human power with the strength of armies” or “dominates through political and military force.” Rather, He is born in a stable and rides, not on war chariots, but humbly on a donkey. He is a king who brings peace paradoxically by the Cross, which is a “sign of the love that is stronger than all violence and oppression,” a sign stronger even than death. Pope Benedict stated that the Cross is the greatest witness of how “evil is conquered with good, with love.”

When Jesus sends us out to announce His kingdom as “lambs in the midst of wolves” (Lk 10:3), He is calling us to follow Him in the path of peace He trod, the pope continued. Christians “must never yield to the temptation to become wolves in the midst of wolves; it is not with power, with force or with violence that Christ’s kingdom of peace is extended, but with the gift of self, with love taken to the extreme, even toward our enemies.” This is because “Jesus does not conquer the world with the strength of armies, but with the strength of the Cross, which is victory’s true guarantee.” That leads to a clear but challenging conclusion: “For the one who desires to be the Lord’s disciple — ­ His messenger — this means being ready for suffering and martyrdom, being ready to lose one’s life for Him, so that good, love and peace may triumph in the world. It is not the sword of the conqueror that builds peace, but the sword of the sufferer, of the one who knows how to give his very life.”

To ask God to make us “instruments of His peace,” in union with St. Francis and with all those who in Assisi have made His prayer their own, is to ask Him to make us soldiers capable of giving our lives to battle and overcome evil not with violence but with self-sacrificial love. As Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:9), our becoming peacemakers in this way is the path not only to becoming true “children of God” but also of experiencing the beatitude that such a Christ-like life brings.

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November 11, 2011

A new name

n this concluding article on the Sac- finds its roots in the biblical tradition rament of Confirmation, I would as well, when our Lord gave Simon the like to address the issue of choosing a “keys to the Kingdom of Heaven” and “Confirmation name” that I mentioned at the same time changed his name to last week. This important component in “Peter” which means “rock,” indicating the celebration of the Sacrament of Con- that Peter is the rock upon whom Christ firmation give us great insight into what would build His Church. the Church is asking of someone who Another post-biblical example of this has been confirmed: namely, because would be in religious orders of men and they have undergone a real change in women. When one enters a religious their lives in receiving this Sacrament, community they leave their former way they are now called to become active of life and begin a new life in Christ, one witnesses of the Gospel. that is symbolized by the habit they wear First, in looking at the reason we but also in the new name they are given choose a “Confirmation name,” we are in most communities. immediately brought to the Holy ScripThis is the long tradition from tures where we read of multiple cases which we receive the idea of choosing of God changing the names of people to a “Confirmation name.” It symbolizes indicate that He has a particular mission not only our Catholic identity, but also, for them. more importantly, the mission that we In the Old Testament, for example, are given by Christ and His Church to we see that our Lord changes Abram’s be living witnesses of our Catholic faith. name to Abraham when He makes him Like Abraham, John the Baptist and St. the “father of Peter, our many nations” Lord is calling in the book us to build up of Genesis. In Putting Into His kingdom establishing here on earth. the Deep His covenant We each do with Abraham, that according our Lord gives to our own

By Father Abraham a particular Jay Mello particular vocation. mission, to Priests and be the visible sign of His covenant with religious Sisters build up the Kingdom His people Israel. Our Lord also changes of God here on earth in a different way his wife’s name from Sarai to Sarah to than the laity. It is the role of the laity, indicate that she also has a mission, to the majority of the members of Church, provide an heir (Isaac) to Abraham. to bring the Gospel into the secular We find another example of God’s realm of society. They are called, by virgiving a name at the beginning of the tue of their Baptism, to bring the Gospel Gospel of St. Luke. We hear of God’s and our Catholic faith into every sector intervention in the life of Zechariah of human life — into their homes, their and Elizabeth who were unable to have workplaces, their schools, their neigha child. At an old age, Elizabeth gives borhoods and, yes, even into the public birth to a son, whom the angel Gabriel square and politics. said should be named John, for he has When we choose a Confirmation been chosen to be the one to go before name, it should be done with a few the Lord to prepare the way for Mesthings in mind. One thing to think about siah. When he was born, their relatives may be how the young understand their protested the name “John” because it own place in the Church and what God was not a family name. But Zechariah might be calling them to do. For exis faithful to what the Lord asked and ample, if they feel a desire to work with names his son John, “God is gracious.” the poor and the less fortunate, they may John, we know, will play a great role in think about choosing a saint to whom salvation history. this was also important, such as Blessed As recorded in the same Gospel, Mother Teresa of Calcutta or St. Vincent the angel Gabriel also appeared to the de Paul.

Blessed Virgin Mary and announced the They might consider the lives of the birth of our Lord. Gabriel told her that saints and which one may speak to them she was to name her Son, “Jesus,” which in a special way. The extraordinary lives mean’s “God saves” because He would of St. Therese of Liseux, St. John Bosco, be the one to bring God’s salvation to St. Padre Pio or Blessed Pope John Paul the world. Mary and Joseph adhered to II have certainly impacted a number of what was asked of them in the naming of young people in recent years. In fact, a their child. close friend of mine who is a religious We clearly see in these biblical Sister was very nervous about the name examples that there is something very that she would receive when entering important about a name and its connecthe convent. She was given the name of tion to our identity and our role in God’s Sister Mary Karolyn. She was overjoyed plan. We see this in both the name we to recognize that her new name was a choose for a child who is to be baptized derivative of John Paul II’s baptismal (as Father Landry explained in his edito- name, Karol (Charles), to whom she has rial earlier this year) as well as a name a great devotion. that we choose for Confirmation.

Regardless of the name that they The choosing or the changing of one’s select, the candidates for Confirmation name, however, is not something that should be encouraged to learn more was limited to biblical times alone. The about the life and holiness of the saint most widely known modern example whose name that they have chosen as of the changing of a name would be at they themselves strive for holiness in the election of a new pope. When the their own lives.

College of Cardinals elects a man pope Father Mello is a parochial vicar at he chooses a new name. This obviously St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

November 11, 2011

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The Anchor

The Consecration and the people’s participation

n this article, we will look specifically at the words by which the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the consecration as well as the people’s participation in the Eucharistic Prayer.

The Words of Institution These words of consecration are often called “the words of institution,” as it was by these very words that Jesus Christ gave us the gift of the Eucharistic sacrifice.

Before treating these words directly, it is important to place them within the whole of the Eucharistic Prayer. In the Roman Missal, there are multiple options for the Eucharistic Prayer. Most missalettes will print some of the prayers according to their familiar names, calling them “Eucharistic Prayer I,” “II,” “III,” and “IV.” Beyond these four, there are additional options that are not frequently printed in these booklets. Within all of the options are particular consistencies in wording and what is asked for in prayer. For example, all of the Eucharistic Prayers contain words that “remember” the saving works of Christ, along with prayers for the unity of the Church, for Church leaders (particularly the pope and the local bishop), for those who have died, and of course, the narration of Jesus’ act of giving us the Eucharist at the Last Supper. While the words used in expressing these prayers and narratives vary between the Eucharistic Prayers, all of them use the same formula for the words of institution — mainly because these are the words of Jesus Christ Himself, handed down in the Church through the centuries, by which this great sacrifice is to be properly offered — even if all of the scriptural sources for these words are not an exact match.

The words of institution are drawn from the Last Supper accounts found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and as related by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11. Within the renditions of the words, what is absolutely key is the connection of the Last Supper with His crucifixion: that He will offer His Body and shed His Blood as the Blood of the covenant for the forgiveness of sins. His words establish that the Eucharist is the way to “perpetuate” His sacrifice — that all may share in His offering, and in the forgiveness of sins that His sacrifice accomplishes. That is to say, Jesus’ words at the Last Supper instituting the Eucharist intend to make His sacrificial death present in all times and

some are unwilling to accept places, that all generations may Christ. be able to partake of His savThe words of institution, as ing act of love. Looking at the words themselves will help us to the words of Christ pronounced by the ordained priest during understand this truth. the proper time at Mass, are For the consecration of the hosts, the priest will pray, “Take effective in consecrating the Eucharist. Through these words, this, all of you, and eat of it, for the Body and Blood of Jesus this is My Body, which will be Christ are made present, that given up to you.” For the consecration of the Precious Blood, we may partake of the same sacrifice that Jesus offered once the priest will pray, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for for all, in giving His Body and Blood on the cross. Hence, these this is the chalice of My Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal words have extreme importance.

All are invited to reflect on the covenant, which will be poured changes and the reasons for the out for you, and for many for changes, as given above — that the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me.” There are several notable changes.

— “eat of it” — as members of the Body of Christ, we partake “of” the sacrifice.

By Father — “for (this is My Joel Hastings Body/this is the chalice …)” — connects the realities of that which all might be able to enter into is sacrificed (His Body and Blood) with the act of partaking the consecration at Mass with greater understanding of Christ’s in the sacrifice.

— “chalice” — is more literal saving love. Such understanding, it is hoped, will promote (the Latin text uses the word a greater desire to share in the “calix,” which literally means offering, by making an offering “chalice.”) This word also deof self notes elevated use of language, The people’s participation and therefore inviting greater When thinking about the attention to the sacred. participation of the people in — “poured out” — is more the Eucharistic Prayer, of first descriptive of the Eucharist importance is the invitation to as a sacrifice. For, in ratifying listen and to meditate on the the covenant, the Blood of the spoken words of the priest. In sacrifice is literally “poured the plainest of terms, the Genout” upon the altar (see Exodus 24:6). In addition, the sacrificial eral Instruction of the Roman Missal says that the people are offerings included the “pourto “lift up their hearts to the ing out” of the libation (usually wine) upon the sacrifice (see Ex Lord” (which is invited during the Preface, as was considered 29:38-40). earlier), to “join itself with — “for many” — the Latin Christ in confessing the great text says “pro multis,” which deeds of God and in the offerliterally is “for many” (not ing of Sacrifice,” and that the “for all,” which would be “pro omnibus” in Latin). These words prayer “demands that all listen to it with reverence and silence” have been in longstanding use (GIRM, 78). As we consider in the Church and thus were to the purpose of the Eucharistic be retained in any translations.

Prayer, we are mindful that the The Latin version of Bible (called “the Vulgate”) uses these offering of the bread and wine is a sacrifice of thanksgiving, ofwords in Last Supper accounts fered to God the Father, through of Matthew and Mark. In addithe Son, in the unity of the Holy tion, Isaiah 53:11 is a key text: Spirit. The priest standing in that the suffering servant will the place of Christ and offering “justify many.” This does not Christ’s one saving sacrifice, mean that Christ died only for makes the offering on behalf some; rather it implies that His of the people. The people, for sacrifice continues to be effectheir part are not spectators in tive as the “many” continues this sacrifice. Rather, they enter to increase; whereas to say into the sacrifice by their own “all” might render the action as offering of themselves, giving though its effectiveness were already exhausted. Another way God their own lives as a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise, to interpret this change is that salvation becomes effective only particularly through listening well to the prayer and unitin those who cooperate with ing themselves with it through Christ. Thus, to say “for all” meditating upon its words. Such is inaccurate, as unfortunately

Praying the Mass Anew

participation obviously requires that the priest prays the words of the prayer in a manner that invites meditation. Equally as important is that the people recognize that this prayer is offered to the Father, and not primarily for their viewing or witnessing.

Thus, they are to unite themselves to the prayer, through listening and meditating upon it, not simply watching it happen.

Such meditation, while it may be difficult at first, truly increases with practice. As we use the new translation, it is essential that all understand that these Eucharistic Prayers will sound significantly different than what we have grown accustomed to hearing, as the words are more literally translated, and the sentence structure is also more reflective of the original Latin versions. Priests will need to be very deliberate in proclaiming this prayer, simply because of the new wording and structure, if not for other reasons. Accordingly, the faithful should begin to practice meditative listening now, so as to be prepared to listen when we begin using the new versions.

There are two key moments when the people verbally respond (usually in singing). The first moment comes immediately after the consecration, and is called the “Memorial Acclamation.” In the previous version, this acclamation was intoned by the priest singing or saying “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” The words of the priest in the new translation are simply to sing or say “The mystery of faith.” Once more, this is a literal translation of the Latin, “Mysterium fidei.”

The following are the newly translated options of this Memorial Acclamation: “We proclaim Your death, O Lord, and profess Your Resurrection until You come again.” “When we eat this

Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again.” And “Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.”

As with other parts of the Mass, these options are more literally translated from the Latin.

The three options for the Memorial Acclamation all are directed toward Christ, proclaiming His saving works and looking forward to His glorious return.

Some will ask what happened to the memorial acclamation that many were used to, “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again?” In the new translation, no provision was made for this acclamation (or any similar version of it) for two reasons.

First of all, the acclamation is not in the original Latin missal, but was inserted into the first English version. Second, it is structurally different from the other, approved options: the approved options are all formulated at words of prayer offered to Christ, where this version is a statement about Christ. The purpose of the acclamation is to address Jesus Christ in proclaiming the mystery of faith, not merely to restate His works.

The other moment of response comes at the conclusion of the prayer. The priest says or sings words of glory to God (called the “doxology”): “Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours, for ever and ever.”

The people respond with their “Amen,” (called the “Great Amen”) as an assent to the offering of all glory to God, which has been made in the whole of the Eucharistic Prayer. As such, the offering is brought to its fitting conclusion.

Father Hastings is Director of the Office of Liturgy and Worship of the Diocese of Duluth and pastor of St. Rose Parish in Proctor, Minn.

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November 11, 2011

The Anchor

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oday’s Liturgy of the Word reminds us of the importance of using God’s gifts. God gives us so much simply because He loves us.

He gives us many gifts so that we might recognize them and then properly use them.

Our first reading from the Book of Proverbs depicts a very talented wife. The author gives us many attributes of a good wife, among them he stresses not charm and beauty but the fear of the Lord. I think this reading is well connected with the passage from the Gospel of St. Matthew about talents.

I am sure it was a great privilege for the three men to be chosen by the master to be his personal wealth managers.

He gave them such a special task to make sure he may travel peacefully while his wealth is being properly managed. A

Multiplying our talents

talent in the time of Jesus was and beauty fleeting; the woman a very valuable sum of money. who fears the Lord is to be Investing as we know from our praised.” In another instance own experience is a very diffound in the Old Testament’s ficult art and not many people Book of Wisdom we find: “The are capable of taking the beginning of wisdom is fear of risks of their financial choices. Investing is a game in which greed Homily of the Week and fear are the major Thirty-third Sunday players. in Ordinary Time While we tend to be greedy we do not

By Father handle fear well. It Marek Chmurski is a significant force in our lives. When we make decisions in fear they usually bring bad the Lord” (Sir 1:12). results. Today’s reading from So how does this helps us the Book of Proverbs gives us to understand the meaning of another, more interesting look fear in our lives? The woman at fear that might very often in the first reading was fearful turn out as something indeed of God, which brought her to positive. The author speaks feel respect towards God. This of the “fear of the Lord.” At is how we feel about God who the end of today’s reading we is our Father; when we feel heard: “Charm is deceptive respect and awe toward Him

we make decisions that are courageous and we are better risk takers. On the other hand the fear that the third servant from today’s Gospel felt had paralyzed him completely, making him unable to share and multiply his master’s talents.

St. Paul in the First Letter to the Thessalonians (1 Thes 5:1-6) assures us that we have nothing to worry about. If we are always ready for His coming then when He comes He will see us being busy doing simple domestic chores or working hard and investing our talents to benefit others and letting God work through us.

Jesus gives us many talents and He encourages us to multiply them and share them with others. We may wonder if

or how our talents may benefit people that we know or love.

Let us remember that God gives each and everyone of us specific abilities and talents that make us unique. Think of yourself now!

Maybe you have something that God wants you to share with someone. Maybe you have a gift of being a good listener or maybe you have a very unique skill that you can share with someone who is in need.

Let us then follow the examples of the two faithful servants who took their task very seriously. We can only feel sorry for the third man. He buried the money and he got scolded for that.

He buried his talents and took such a loss!

May we all have “prosperous” lives!

Father Chmurski is pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish in New Bedford.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Nov. 12, Wis 18:14-16;19:6-9; Ps 105:2-3,36-37,42-43; Lk 18:1-8. Sun. Nov. 13, Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Prv 31:10-13,19-20,30-31; Ps 128:1-5; 1 Thes 5:1-6; Mt 25:14-30 or 25:14-15,19-21. Mon. Nov. 14, 1 Mc 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-63; Ps 119:53,61,134,150,155,158; Lk 18:35-43. Tues. Nov. 15, 2 Mc 6:18-31; Ps 3:2-8; Lk 19:1-10. Wed. Nov. 16, 2 Mc 7:1,20-31; Ps 17:1,5-6,8,15; Lk 19:11-28.

Thu. Nov. 17, 1 Mc 2:15-29; Ps 50:1-2,5-6,14-15; Lk 19:41-44. Fri. Nov. 18, 1 Mc 4:36-37,52-59; (Ps) 1 Chr 29:10-12; Lk 19:45-48.

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lthough he’s not very well known in the U.S., save among members of the Sant’Egidio community (of which he’s the founding father), Andrea Riccardi is a major figure in the Catholic Church in Italy: a historian of the papacy, a commentator on all things Catholic, and a player in various ecclesiastical dramas.

Most recently, according to Vatican reporter Sandro Magister, Riccardi has taken to defending the Italian character of the Roman Curia, which,

Must the Roman Curia be Italian?

the diocese of Rome through after a period of internationala cardinal vicar. It is entirely ization, has become more proappropriate that the cardinal nounced over the past decade. vicar be Italian and that the Magister quotes Riccardi as personnel of the Vicariate of arguing that “the Curia cannot become a kind of U.N., because it is part of the Roman Church and must maintain a particular ecclesial, human and cultural connection with it.”

By George Weigel Permit me to disagree.

The pope is the Rome be predominantly ItalBishop of Rome; Rome is an ian; they are, after all, at the Italian see; the pope governs service of the local Roman Church.

Because he is the Bishop of Rome, the pope is also “the universal pastor of the Church” The Post Office charges The Anchor 70 cents for notifica(a title used by the Vatican’s tion of a subscriber’s change of address. Please help us official yearbook in noting reduce these expenses by notifying us immediately when the beginning of the pope’s you plan to move. solemn initiation of his Petrine Please Print Your New Address Below ministry). The more traditional title, “supreme pontiff of the NAME: universal Church,” denotes the same reality. In this Petrine STREET ADDRESS: service as supreme pastor of the Church throughout the CITY, STATE, ZIP: world, the pope employs the Roman Curia. Curial history is NEW PARISH: complex and need not detain us here; the crucial point is MOVING DATE: that the Curia today exists to inform and give effect to Please attach your Anchor address label so we can update the pope’s ministry as pastor your record immediately. of the universal Church. The Vicariate of Rome attends to Clip and mail form to: The Anchor, the pope’s mission as a local P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722

IT’S EXPENSIVE!!

The Catholic Difference

bishop; the Curia attends to the pope’s ministry as supreme pontiff of the universal Church.

Andrea Riccardi is quite right that “the Curia cannot become a kind of U.N.,” but probably not for the reason he intends.

The Curia ought not be “a kind of “U.N.” because the U.N. is a self-serving, bloated and often corrupt bureaucracy. But it makes no sense, today, to argue that the Curia is “part of the Roman Church,” save in the obvious sense that it is located in Rome and therefore takes part in the life of the local Roman Church. The Curia’s purpose, however, is not local but universal: and that is why it is counterintuitive to suggest that any one national culture has a particular aptitude for staffing the Roman Curia, or that the Roman Curia as a 21st century institution has a unique connection to the local Roman Church.

It is true that the Curia’s modus operandi remains largely Italianate and that Italian language competence is a sine qua non of effective service in the Curia today. But the former is not without its difficulties, as the Banco Ambrosiano scandal of the early 1980s, the

oft-remarked languid Curial pace, and persisting patterns of Curial cronyism and nepotism ought to demonstrate. And while the Roman Curia may well be the last holdout against English as the primary working language of international centers across the globe, it will almost certainly succumb at some point.

In his service as universal pastor of the Church, the pope must be able to draw on talent from all over the world Church; Italy will surely contribute some of that talent, but it has no monopoly on it. Curialists often speak of “the way we do things here.” Yet those ways, some impressive, some not, were formed in a distinctive epoch of Catholic history — Counter-Reformation Catholicism — that is coming to an end. The universal ministry of the pope in the Evangelical Catholicism to which Vatican II and the pontificates of John Paul II and Benedict XVI are giving birth is going to require a different kind of central administration, a different kind of Roman Curia.

It certainly shouldn’t be “a kind of U.N.” But there is no reason for it to be dominantly Italian, either.

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

November 11, 2011

I’m leaving on a jet plane

Saturday 5 November 2011 the Commonwealth of Massa— at home on the Taunton chusetts.

River — Commemoration of the It happened this way. I first Central American battle was delivering a homily at a for independence (El Salvador, weekend Mass and I referenced 1811) the fine work the Dominican es, dear readers, I’ll Sisters do in our Honduran soon be leaving on a jet plane for our diocesan mission in Honduras.

Reflections of a The whole thing Parish Priest started about a year ago. Several DoBy Father Tim minican Sisters of the Goldrick Presentation are part of the Mission Team in Honduras. They operate a farm, a clinic, and a girls’ mission. Parishioners generboarding school in the parish of ally realize that the Provincial St. Rose of Lima, in the Town House of the Dominicans is of Guaimaca, the Archdiocese here on Elm Street. Many, of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in however, are not quite sure Central America. The Dominiwhat the Sisters do. (People can Sisters are headquartered are not quite sure what I do, right here in the Town of Digh- either, but that’s another story.) ton, the parish of St. Nicholas, While I was waxing eloquently

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The Anchor

The Ship’s Log

on the subject, something got into me and I departed ever so briefly from my prepared text. I added, “My dear people, if you can get together a group willing to spend a week of ministry in Guaimaca, I will go with you.”

The aside seemed to come out of nowhere. I never expected parishioners would take me up on the challenge.

This is just another example of how preachers should always stick to their prepared texts.

At any rate, the next thing I knew, the topic of a mission trip to Honduras was on the agenda of the parish Knights of Columbus Council.

The motion was made, seconded, discussed, and approved.

The men of the council voted to organize and oversee a mission week in Honduras. It would be open to parishioners and

Taking our Thanksgiving further

phers and other academics cast found myself traveling their eyes dispassionately on with nothing to read, so the situation and considered I wandered over to the airport the long-term consequences kiosk to find something to ocof finite resources and cultures cupy me for a few hours. Havin flux. Statistics were offered ing a small mountain of unread about how many babies were books at home, I couldn’t born to displaced persons — and justify another, so it had to be even how many were born to a magazine, and who can resist perfectly happy families who “National Geographic”? The didn’t seem to notice that they cover was tantalizing — a newwere crowding the elephants and ly discovered cache of AngloSaxon gold discovered in an English field, but inside was the reminder that we have much to be thankful for, here in the bountiful west.

I scoured my

By Genevieve Kineke treasure from cover to cover, which meant I came face-to-face with mountain gorillas. In the backthe humanitarian crisis in eastdrop was the reminder that there ern Congo, centered in Goma, are now seven billion people on “its population exploding with the planet — many of whom are displaced villagers, soldiers, illiterate and starving. Surely, profiteers, and aid workers. “someone” must intervene, but The lava-rumpled city sprawls what are we to do? between Lake Kivu, full of Well, as always, we are to dangerous gases, and the restlove, even from this yawning less Nyiragongo volcano.” distance and without all the How are your plans for details. God’s children — those Thanksgiving dinner shaping created in His image and likeup? Perhaps that puts quesness — are suffering, which tions of seating arrangements demands a response. This and recipes in perspective? begins with prayer, and that This is more than the childprayer may lead us to action. hood admonishment: “Eat your Perhaps not in Africa but in our peas, there are starving people own neighborhood, where there in Africa”; this is the Christian are problems enough. There is reality that the Mystical Body hunger here, though thankfully is suffering deeply and we not from civil wars — more neglect so much. I neglect so often it springs from broken much. families. We have our own As with any secular pubprofiteers, who may not openly lication, there was the ubersport rifles from dusty jeeps, intellectual hand-wringing over but who seek to benefit by too many Africans. Demogra-

The Feminine Genius

selling anything from drugs to children. Their market sprawls from coast to coast, affecting every income bracket, multiplying the victims in its wake.

The problems of the world are overwhelming. Sin has its consequences, and then there are the natural disasters inherent to the planet. God knows the magnitude of vice and destruction, just as He knows how very little and inconsequential we are.

That is, how inconsequential our actions are when detached from His omnipotence and grace.

The paradox is that they don’t need to remain that way. We can despair of our microscopic efforts, knowing full well that in a world of seven billion, they count for little. Or we can do them anyway in good faith, linking our paltry initiatives to the saving power of God. And then those same infinitesimal works will be magnified by the generosity with which they are offered, rippling outward in a salvific wave of solace — the real help that can only be supplied by God Himself.

Love begins in the home, but it needn’t be confined to our families. Love those who gather for this upcoming feast of gratitude, but prayerfully open your heart to the wider world, and see what more God would have you do.

Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman” (Servant Books) and blogs at feminine-genius.com.

friends. The minimum number of people needed was 10; the maximum number was 15, due to the accommodations at St. Rose of Lima. How could I not be counted among them? Be careful what you ask for.

There were anxious moments in the recruitment process. Could we achieve the minimal number of 10? We did. Then we had the opposite problem. A few people from the neighboring parish, Holy Family in East Taunton, wanted to join us. We ended up with 16 people signed up; that was one too many. Now what? The group worked out a compromise. Basically, I wouldn’t count. Let me explain.

Fifteen people in our group would stay in the dormitory, with the extra one in the rectory — that would be me. If I stayed in the rectory with Father Craig Pregana, that would provide another bed in the dormitory.

Next we had to make reservations with the mission. Initially, our group was scheduled to travel to Honduras in mid-October, but that had to be changed. Of course, we all needed current U.S. government passports. Mine had expired 15 years ago, so I had to apply for a new one. The Post Office here is too small to handle passport processing but I learned that the Dighton Town Hall provided the service. The folks at Town Hall were very helpful. They even have the capacity to take passport photos.

Sure enough, within a week or so, I had my new passport.

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

What a difference there is between the new ID photo and the one taken 25 years ago. I

showed the old photo to several parishioners to see if they could guess the person in the photograph. None of them could. In fact, they didn’t believe it was me even when I told them so.

“You’re such a kidder, Father,” they said.

Pam Potenza, who locally coordinates trips to the Honduran Mission, met with our group on several occasions and filled us in on essential details.

We would need to register with the American Embassy in Tegucigalpa. We would need to check with a travel clinic to assure that we had taken the proper medical safety precautions.

I arranged for a medical consultation in Providence.

They told me a traveler to Honduras would need inoculations against tetanus, typhoid, flu, and hepatitis. I also needed pills to prevent malaria and high-octane insect repellent to keep the mosquitoes away.

When the nurse who administered the shots noticed I was traveling to Honduras, she began to speak to me in Spanish. She was a Latina.

I stared blankly. “You don’t speak Spanish, do you?” she observed correctly. “What is it you plan to do when you get to Honduras?” “I’m a preacher,” I answered sheepishly. “But people wouldn’t understand whatever it is you’re preaching about,” she suggested. Well, not to worry. I’m used to that. I’ll just rely on the advice attributed to St. Francis, “Go out to the world and preach the Gospel. If necessary, use words.”

And I’m leaving on a jet plane.

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton.

Specializing in: Brand Name/ Foreign Auto Parts 1420 Fall River Avenue (Route 6) Seekonk, MA 02771

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The Anchor

November 11, 2011

Vatican’s top ecumenist assesses ecumenical progress, future prospects

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Vatican’s top ecumenist offered a frank assessment of recent ecumenical progress and future prospects in a Washington talk November 3.

Cardinal Kurt Koch, the Swissborn president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said different types of divisions affect Catholic relations with the Orthodox churches and with those that were born from the Protestant Reformation, but both can be resolved with dialogue.

He also criticized the “anti-Catholic attitude” displayed by some Pentecostals and said Catholics must resist a temptation to adopt the “sometimes problematic evangelical methods” of those churches.

The cardinal spoke at The Catholic University of America before an audience of about 100 people, including Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, who serves as university chancellor.

The title of his talk was “Fundamental Aspects of Ecumenism and Future Perspectives.”

Cardinal Koch said progress toward Catholic-Orthodox unity became nearly “shipwrecked by the problem” of differences over papal primacy.

Churches that arose from the Protestant Reformation, on the other hand, sometimes diverge from the Catholic Church on the handling of ethical questions, he said, mentioning homosexuality as a “fundamental problem” in particular between the Catholic and Anglican communities.

Some Anglican churches, including the Episcopal Church in the U.S., have ordained openly gay priests and bishops.

Cardinal Koch said Protestant churches have in the past generally agreed with the Catholic Church on ethical issues while disagreeing on matters of faith.

“Today that has been turned on its head, and we can say that ethics divide but faith unites,” he said.

Christian unity would be advanced if all churches could “speak with one voice on the great ethical questions of our time,” the cardinal added.

He said Pentecostals make up the second largest Christian grouping in the world after Catholics and present a “serious challenge.”

Cardinal Koch also expressed regret that some Christian churches, which he did not name, insisted on conferring Baptism again on new members, even if they have been baptized in another Christian church.

“Ecumenism stands or fall on mutual recognition of Baptism,” he said.

In a separate interview with Catholic News Service during a visit to the headquarters of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops before the talk, Cardinal Koch said American Catholics — like other Catholics around the world — need to demonstrate greater solidarity with their fellow Christians who face persecution, especially in the Middle East and China.

papal visit — Pope Benedict XVI meets November 4 with U.S. bishops from northeastern states on their “ad limina” visits to the Vatican. From left are: Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester, Mass.; Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell of Springfield, Mass.; Bishop John B. McCormack of Manchester, N.H.; Bishop Salvatore R. Matano of Burlington, Vt.; Pope Benedict XVI; Bishop George W. Coleman of Fall River; Auxiliary Bishop Francis J. Christian of Manchester, N.H.; and Bishop Richard J. Malone of Portland, Maine. (CNS photo/ L’Osservatore Romano)

Bishops from northeastern U.S. begin ‘ad limina’ visits with prayer

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Praying together at the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul and meeting Pope Benedict XVI should be a moment for bishops to reconfirm and strengthen their faith, said Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston.

The cardinal was the principal celebrant and homilist at a Mass November 4 in the grotto

of St. Peter’s Basilica in a chapel before the saint’s tomb.

Concelebrating were the bishops of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut — the first group of U.S. bishops making their “ad limina” visits to the Vatican to report on the status of their dioceses.

In his homily, the cardinal told his fellow bishops that after Jesus’ arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, “Peter flees. He’s trying to follow the Lord at a safe distance, something we all try to do at one time or another.

But Peter discovers it’s impossible; you can only follow the Lord up close.”

After the Resurrection, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, because love is the measure of faith, the cardinal said.

“Jesus doesn’t ask Peter if he’s excelled in his intellectual prowess or his organization skills or his fund-raising capacity or his Myers-Briggs score.

Jesus only asks, ‘Do you love

Me?’” he said.

Cardinal O’Malley said love of the Lord was a prerequisite for Peter’s ministry and is a prerequisite for the ministry of bishops today.

Peter’s love for the Lord brought him to Rome, the cardinal said, but — according to legend — as persecution grew Peter decided to flee again.

Leaving the city, he saw the risen Lord and asked Him, “Quo vadis?” (“Where are you going?”), and Jesus replied He was going to Rome to be crucified again. Peter renewed his faith and returned to the city where he met a martyr’s death.

“Each of us has gone through a ‘quo vadis’ moment or two in our vocation as bishops,” the cardinal said. “Hopefully, our being together at the tomb of Peter and close to Benedict will renew us in our generosity, courage and faith in following Jesus up close so that we can say with all our hearts what Peter said, ‘Lord you know all things. You know that I love you.’”

To advertise in The Anchor, contact

Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@anchornews.org

November 11, 2011

Holy Union Sisters mark special anniversary

FALL RIVER — More than 400 friends, colleagues and family members joined the Holy Union Sisters and associates on October 16 at a Eucharistic celebration at Sacred Heart Church, Fall River. The Mass at Sacred Heart and reception at White’s of Westport that followed were the final events of a year of celebration marking the arrival of the first 10 Holy Union Sisters in the United States in October 1886.

Several priests, former students of Holy Union Sisters and others who minister with the Sisters joined Bishop George W. Coleman, who celebrated the Mass.

Sisters and associates wore symbolic lavender ribbons as a gesture of solidarity with sisters and brothers throughout the world who are victims of human trafficking. The money, allocated for corsages, will be given to assist those healing from the evil of human trafficking and to promote efforts to eliminate it.

International visitors at the celebration included congregational leader, Sister Carol Regan from Rome, a Fall River native who graduated from the former Sacred Heart School and Sacred Hearts Academy. Sister Margaret O’Reilly, who will assume congregational leadership in January, came from England for the celebration.

Homilist, Father David A. Costa, pastor of Sacred Heart and St. Mary parishes in North Attleboro, recalled the first 10 Sisters who arrived in Fall River in 1886.

He noted that the day was a celebration of the Sisters and associates “who continue to remain in God’s love, joyfully giving of themselves, serving the needs of others, reminders of the faithful presence of God among us.”

The Prayer of the Faithful was proclaimed in French, Spanish, Kiswahili, Haitian Creole, Portuguese and English to represent the diversity of cultures where Holy Union Sisters minister. Each petition was read by a Sister or associate who has ministered among people who speak the particular language. All present renewed their baptismal promises. Then, the Holy Union Sisters renewed their vows and the associates renewed their membership commitment.

The two oldest Holy Union Sisters present at the Mass, Sisters Marie Lurz and Ruth Kindelan participated in the offertory procession. Archivist, Sister Rita Beaudoin, carried the chalice of Father John Baptist Debrabant, founder of the Holy Union Sisters.

Sister Carol Regan, in a reflec-

tion at the closing of the Liturgy, asked: “How shall we keep the blessings of the year of celebration alive?” Linking with the Gospel of the Mass, she encouraged the Sisters, “disciples of Jesus and direct descendents of the first Holy Union women who arrived in Fall River, to stay close to Jesus, love one another and love widely.”

At the reception, Sister Mary Catherine Burns, a member of the province leadership team introduced and thanked Rachel Voiland, chairman of the 125th Events Committee. Sister Patricia Butler, SNDdeN, director of Mission Advancement invited Sister Theresa Horvath, a member of the incoming congregation leadership team to pray before dinner.

Voiland introduced individuals who read a resolution from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, citations and congratulatory wishes from Senator John Kerry, Governor Deval Patrick and Fall River Mayor William Flanagan. Sister Patricia Mulryan presented a booklet, “Shared Memories,” which contains short reflections from several Sisters. Sister Eileen Davey, an American ministering in Haiti presented a metal sculpture she brought from Haiti. Sister Carol Regan, on behalf of the General Council, presented a Papal Blessing to the Sisters of the U.S. Province.

The Anchor

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surrounded by friends — Hundreds of friends, family and colleagues filled Sacred Heart Church in Fall River to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the first Holy Union Sisters in the U.S. To view more photos of the celebration, visit www.holyunionsisters.org.

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The Anchor

CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed

by Catholic News Service.

“In Time” (Fox) Though stylish, this sci-fi thriller fails to follow through on its chilling premise of a dystopian society in which everyone is genetically engineered to die at age 26 unless they can add more time to their biological clock. So time becomes the only currency. After receiving a chronological windfall, a previously impoverished factory worker (Justin Timberlake) flees the ghetto and, together with a mogul’s daughter (Amanda Seyfried), attempts to redistribute wealth to the have-nots. Writer-director Andrew Niccol tries to distract the audience from analyzing the details of his intriguing scenario, but his film plays like a glossy fashion spread with a social conscience. Nongraphic action violence, including gunplay, a suicide, a glimpse of rear female nudity, several nonmarital sexual situations, at least one instance each of

profanity and rough language, several crude terms, some innuendo. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Tower Heist” (Universal) Crude action-comedy in which, abetted by a petty thief (Eddie Murphy), the manager of a luxury Manhattan apartment building (Ben Stiller) and several of his colleagues plan a revenge caper against the Wall Street financier (Alan Alda) who looted their employee pension fund. Rather than mine the topical premise in a genuinely crowd-pleasing fashion, director Brett Ratner and company underestimate their audience by relying on crass stereotypical humor and a steady stream of expletives.

Amusing moments courtesy of a talented ensemble — also including Casey Affleck and Matthew Broderick — are thus squandered. Some profanity, frequent crude and crass language, much sexual banter and innuendo, a suicide attempt, a scene glamorizing alcohol abuse. The Catholic News Service classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, November 13, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Freddie Babiczuk, Pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Fall River

November 11, 2011

Our readers respond

True love for those with SSA “We hate you!” These three words are life-changing. How many parents have heard their children tell them this? They shrink back and re-think their actions and what caused such a reaction in their kids. The current movement to normalize homosexual relationships is attempting to convince the general public that this is exactly what Catholics and other Christians are saying to them — “I hate you!” Thus, they are looking legally to deem all speech against their homosexual lifestyle as hate speech. Look at the current case of PayPal restricting access by Christian organizations like the pro-family Coral Ridge Ministries. Their strategy is working.

However, this is not the message Christians are trying to convey. Christians seek to love others as Christ has loved us first, and we see that Christ’s love is merciful, meaning that it involves calling those He loves to turn away from sin and live according to the Gospel. True love for those with same-sex attractions means to help them to understand that homosexual activity is against God’s plan of love for them. It involves reminding them, with love, that we wish to spend eternity with them in Heaven but that homosexual behavior is sinful and can keep one from Heaven. If Christians hated homosexuals, we would want them to miss out on the joys of Heaven. We would say nothing to them, overlook their behavior and let them spend an eternity in hell. But we love them and want them as true members of the Church. If those in our culture want to call it “hate speech,” then let them at least in honesty recognize that it involves hate for sinful behavior, not for those engaging in it.

To the latter, when we cry out to stop the behavior and to stop promoting the behavior, it’s because we love them. We really love them.

Thomas McMahon Rehoboth Majority rule and the Nazis In the October 21 Anchor editorial, there was a mention of “majority rule” and then in the next sentence “democratic assent of the Nazis.” By grouping such phrases together such usage reinforces the misconception that the German people elected Adolph Hitler and the Nazi party into power and that is simply not true. In the presidential election of April 1932, Hitler received only 37 percent of the vote and thus lost the

election to Paul von Hindenburg who received a clear majority with 53 percent of the vote cast. In the last free parliamentary election in November of the same year, support for the Nazis decreased by two million votes.

As Catholics we may be proud of the fact that Hitler and the Nazis received the fewest votes in the Catholic areas of Germany. In fact, it was Hitler’s inability to garner Catholic votes that was a major obstacle in his attempt to obtain power by the democratic process.

Father Edward J. Byington Taunton

Funeral costs I’m very much in agreement with the thoughts of Father John Perry and Father John Sullivan in the first of your series on Catholic funeral practices (November 4). However, as much as I agree with what they said, I also disagree with the cost of the funeral Mass (for priest and music). I deal with the funeral home and once a person steps foot in the funeral home, the cost starts at $3,000, then up.

I realize that some people can well afford that cost, but there are many who cannot afford the cost of the funeral home, limo, hearse, in addition to the cost of the priest and music I would think after many years a person has belonged and contributed to a parish for decades, the cost would be free to the parishioner.

Patrick J. Breault Fairhaven Father Landry replies: Most Catholic parishes readily waive the funeral Mass costs for families who cannot afford it and many likewise assume the costs for long-time dedicated parishioners. No parish is trying to make money off of funerals.

The reason why every funeral isn’t free, however, is because there are unfortunately real costs involved, for the organist and cantor, for the lights, heat and air-conditioning, occasionally for the people needed to set up for the funeral and, when needed to accommodate a family’s convenience, for a visiting priest. If these costs aren’t picked up by the family, then they are basically paid for out of the Sunday collection. For that reason, most dedicated parishioners would deem it more appropriate that they, rather than the parish they love and support, assume these costs, which, nevertheless, amount generally only two to five percent of the overall costs for a funeral.

Respect for our buried loved ones I thank you for the first part of your series on Catholic funeral practices (November 4), but I want to write about something that has me very disturbed. On All Souls Day, I went to pray at the tombs of my deceased relatives at Sacred Heart Cemetery in New Bedford. While there, I was saddened to see that, since my last visit, dozens of tombstones had been overturned, presumably by vandals.

I notified the officials of the cemetery, but instead of sharing my outrage, the response I received only saddened me further. I was told that the families of the deceased, not the cemetery, have the responsibility to fix damaged or vandalized tombstones because apparently the families own them. They said that homeowners policies normally pay for this to be done. I asked what would happen if the deceased didn’t have any living relatives, or if those relatives didn’t have home insurance, but the answer I got made it seem that Sacred Heart Cemetery didn’t have a legal responsibility to repair them and didn’t feel any moral responsibility to do so either. I contrast this with what the city of New Bedford has done recently to repair graves and tombstones at the public cemeteries. Have we gotten to the point that the deceased can expect greater respect for their graves at a public cemetery than at a Catholic one? Why would a Catholic want to get buried at a Catholic cemetery if it meant that if their tombstone were overturned and they had no family, it might remain on the ground until the end of time?

Maria Amaral New Bedford

The Anchor asked Father John Perry, diocesan director of Catholic Cemeteries, if he wanted to respond to this letter. Here’s what he wrote: “I share in Ms. Amaral’s frustration. The cemetery does not own or erect monuments; they always belong to the families who do so. Sadly we live in a very litigious society and so the cemetery proceeds cautiously with something it does not own. In spite of this, the cemetery does make every effort to erect monuments that have not been damaged but have been knocked down. The real issue here is the constant vandalism that takes place at Sacred Heart Cemetery and the lack of respect for the sacredness of the cemetery.”

November 11, 2011

L

Vaccinating our children for sexually-transmitted diseases?

ast month, an advisory committee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta recommended that nine- to 12-year-old boys be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, a virus transmitted through sexual contact. The goal of the recommendations was to prevent cancers caused by HPV, such as certain cancers of the digestive tract.

The same committee had already recommended, back in March of 2007, that girls and young women between the ages of nine and 26 be vaccinated against HPV, to help prevent various cancers of the reproductive tract, such as cervical cancer.

While the motivation to prevent cancer and diseases is clearly good, a universal recommendation of this type raises ethical concerns. Because the recommendations of the committee relate to important aspects of human behavior and sexuality at formative ages for children and adolescents, parents need to look at the psychological and social messages they might be conveying by choosing to vaccinate their children against HPV. Beyond all the medical considerations, parents also have a duty to inoculate their children against harmful and immoral behaviors. Thus, decisions about

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f the cryptic will in the rafters of the Shakespeare family house on Henley Street is intriguing, the background of Mary Shakespeare, née Arden, is even more scintillating. Will Shakespeare’s mother was born into a prominent Catholic family who owned a 60 acre estate named Asbies, upon which there was a tenant farmer named Richard Shakespeare. Richard’s son John succeeded in wooing his landlord’s daughter and they were married.

As with husband John and son William, what was truly in the heart of Mary Arden, no one will ever know. In an age of secret religious allegiances, political defiance, and public executions, survival, disposition, and actual conviction aren’t easily distinguished. The “Catholic” character and reputation of the Arden family, however, is incontrovertible. Whether or not John Shakespeare was a loyal Catholic is uncertain, but he chose to marry a daughter of a prominent and notoriously Catholic family, in an age where kinship, even if only through marriage, meant more than it does today. Late medieval kinship was interwoven with politics and provided a foil to royal

vaccinations ultimately need to a girl, if my mom had taken me be made on a case-by-case basis to get vaccinated for a sexually within a particular family. transmitted disease, I would Parents are often rightly have been horrified,” she said. “I concerned that getting their would have wondered to myself, kids vaccinated for a sexually‘What does she suppose I am, a transmitted virus could be tramp or something?’” taken to signal tacit approval of Parents do need to be carepremarital sex. Young people might surmise that their parents and physicians do not believe they can remain chaste, but instead begrudgingly expect them to become sexuBy Father Tad ally active prior to Pacholczyk marriage.

The widespread phenomenon of condom distribution among youth ful about conveying a sense of certainly conveys the same mes- fatalism when it comes to quessage, and young people today are tions of the sexual behavior of not fools; they perceive how the their kids. Against the backdrop culture around them has caved in of a highly permissive culture, on this question, no longer insist- parents, who are the first educaing, or even believing, that they tors of their children in sexual have the wherewithal to refrain matters, are right to be confrom pre-marital sex. Girls and cerned about sending conflicting boys are no longer treated as free messages. individuals who can make higher Pursuing universal vaccinaand better choices when encourtion for sexually transmitted disaged and supported, but instead eases like HPV could have the are treated as mere creatures of unintended effect of setting up a sexual necessity. false sense of security, a kind of I recall one time speaking mental “safety net,” for boys and with a middle-aged woman girls who are potentially sexuabout the CDC vaccination ally active. In the hormonallyrecommendations. “When I was charged environment of adoles-

cence, young people might come to believe that the risks of premarital sex would be reduced by the vaccination, to the point that they would be “protected” and could risk promiscuous behaviors, when in fact, they would be increasing their odds of contracting sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) of any kind.

To consider an example where using the HPV vaccine might be sensible, we could consider a young woman who had been chaste all her life but who was preparing to marry a man whom she suspected had been sexually active (and might therefore expose her to HPV in their marriage). She could decide, prior to marriage, that receiving the HPV vaccination would be reasonable, and even without any suspicions about her future spouse’s past behavior, she might still prefer to leave nothing to chance.

Evaluating the potential risks and benefits of vaccinating boys or young men would similarly indicate various situations where the HPV vaccination would be reasonable. Also, at younger ages, children may not need to know the exact purposes behind a vaccination. They could simply

be told by their parents (if they even asked) that the vaccine would protect them against possible cancers in the future.

Parents themselves, however, might still have doubts about the safety of the HPV vaccine, given that its side effects and complications are still being actively debated and studied.

They might still have questions about its long-term benefits since it affords only a five-year window of protection, and has only been surmised, but never scientifically demonstrated, to prevent cancer at a timepoint far in the future.

In sum, many factors need to be considered. Rather than a universal mandate, a careful, case-by-case risk/benefit analysis ought to be made by each family to determine whether the HPV vaccine is a reasonable choice, not only medically, but also in terms of where a young person may be in his or her life as a “moral agent.”

Father Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, and serves as the director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www. ncbcenter.org

power. Ties through blood and posited that both Persons and marriage created large networks Campion used Arden’s estate as and powerful families who both a staging point for the tactics of collaborated with and opposed the Counter-Reformation. the state, when necessary.

Arden’s son-in-law, John The head of Mary Arden’s Somerville, publicly threatened family was Catholic martyr violence against the queen and Edward Arden, a well-to-do conspired with William Parry, land-holder who kept a priest, a double agent, spying on Hugh Hall, on his property, disguised as a gardener. Their power and influence as unapologetic Catholics made the Ardens suspects of

By Jennifer Pierce the Elizabethan state, and that scrutiny would eventually come to bad ends for Edward.

Catholics for the crown while For, though it may not apalso working in secret with the pear so outwardly, Catholics Counter-Reformation. Whether did not go gentle into that good or not his plot to assassinate the night known as the Reformaqueen was a serious one is diftion. There was a strong and ficult to discern; in any event, measurably active Counter-Ref- Edward Arden was arrested ormation, in which St. Ignatius and eventually executed for Loyola’s Jesuits had a promihis alleged connection to the nent role. The famous mission “Somerville plot,” when priest of St. Edward Campion (which Hugh Hall was discovered livwill be the subject of a later ing at Arbies, though no direct column) was closely associated connection to an actual plot for with another Jesuit Robert Peropen, violent sedition was ever sons, who was also the closest uncovered, and Father Hugh friend of Mary Shakespeare’s Hall was eventually released. family patriarch, and it has been Likely looking for any conve-

nient excuse to rid themselves of a Catholic lightning rod in a “hot-bed of recusancy,” on Dec. 20, 1573, the head of Shakespeare’s mother’s clan was hung, drawn, and quartered on a public scaffolding as his literal head was placed upon a pike.

Arden denied his connection to his son-in-law’s plot.

To the last, he claimed what so many Catholics pleaded with the crown to hear: he was both loyal to the crown and to his Catholic faith, and the two loyalties were not mutually exclusive.

What were William’s thoughts about his kinsman’s death? It is likely he wasn’t indifferent to it, though perhaps he was not fully aware of it at the time, being all of nine years old. Some 25 years later, however, he set one of his most well-known comedies, “As You Like it” in “Arden” and his fictional Arden was also a place of disguises, hidden passions, usurpations, and unjust persecutions that call out to be set aright. The story itself was taken from a pastoral novel by a writer known as Thomas Lodge, a recusant Catholic writer who lived in exile.

If Shakespeare was a convicted Protestant, one might suspect that the Shakespeares’ connection to the Arden line would be something he’d want buried. Yet, as he and his father pursued a coat of arms for the family, the Arden connection became a veritable obsession.

It could be that John Shakespeare needed to demonstrate that he married “up,” as it were, in marrying a daughter of the Arden line, despite the fact that one of its most prominent members’ head once hung off the London Bridge. Or perhaps a more passionate impetus made them seek to incorporate the line of Arden, in which and for which so many had spilled their shared blood. It seems that it meant something to Shakespeare’s daughter Susannah who used the proposed heraldry, even though it seems that the goal of obtaining it officially was never achieved. The same daughter who is on public record as having suffered fines and persecutions for being a “recusant.”

Jennifer Pierce is a parishioner of Corpus Christi in East Sandwich, where she lives with her husband Jim and three children.

Making Sense Out of Bioethics

Who was Mary Arden?

Hidden Shakespeare

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The Anchor

Without thinking

awoke this morning, tapped a couple of numbers on the remote and within minutes was up to snuff on all the sports news — all without thinking.

Next, I made my way to the shower and completed the waking-up process, and shook off the morning chill with a nice, steady stream of hot water — without

My View From the Stands

By Dave Jolivet even thinking.

Then I made my way downstairs, gave my faithful pooch Igor a rub on the belly, made sure Emilie had all she needed for another school day (because she, too, does things without thinking) and wolfed down a frosty glass of V8 juice — without thinking.

The next agenda item was to bag up a lunch, head outside and warm up the car, again, without giving it a second thought.

The first stop this morning would be a visit by Denise and me to the polls to cast our votes in this year’s local elections. We checked in, received our ballots, made our selections and checked out, all without thinking about what an awesome privilege and right it was.

Denise dropped me off at The Anchor office and later made her

way to her job, like nearly every other weekday during the year — without a second thought.

I poured a cup of Joe, nestled in behind my keyboard and started pounding out another masterpiece column ... well, another column anyway — without thinking (in a manner of speaking).

To recap, it was just another usual day with usual tasks and activities. So, what’s the big deal?

There are so many on this big blue marble who can’t do such things. The freedoms we so often take for granted are just a dream to them. They constantly live under someone else’s heavy, cruel, dominating thumb.

What makes us so fortunate? Is it because we were blessed to be born in a country that just happens to be free?

The freedoms we enjoy everyday, often without thinking, came and still come at a cost. That price has been paid, and is still being paid by countless men and women who choose to protect and defend our freedoms, sometimes with their lives.

So now that I do think about it, I send out a big, hearty thank you to all who have served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces of the greatest place to live in the world. May God bless all of you.

Happy Veterans Day.

November 11, 2011

Vigil for the deceased: The first step in healing continued from page one

hands of the deceased. Visitors will sign a guest book and then kneel in prayer before the casket. Greeting family members and friends, and sharing stories about the deceased is only the beginning of the long journey towards healing after the loss.

“The vigil so often helps us come to the realization that the person has really died. It gives us the opportunity to reflect on how they lived out their life as a Christian,” said Father John Sullivan, pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham.

Father Sullivan draws on firsthand experience, recalling his mother who was of Irish decent but a convert to Catholicism. As she grew ill, she told her son that she had no desire for a public wake and wanted a closed casket.

“She said she didn’t want people crying over her,” said Father Sullivan. “She said, ‘If they want to cry over me, cry over me in life.’”

When he was asked by the funeral director if he wanted to see his mother before the casket was closed, Father Sullivan said yes.

“I went in and it was a great experience,” said Father Sullivan, who remembers seeing her peaceful expression. “It reminded me of when I was a child. She was without the pain of the suffering of illness, as she experienced. It really made

me reflect upon when she was young and vigorous. It helped me make that transition in my own life.”

The vigil also helps brings support from the Church at a time of deep grief and sorrow.

The priest is there, helping families through that adjustment by bringing Christ into the service.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the Church to minister to the mourners, particularly to the members of the family,” said Msgr. Avila.

“We’re very conscious from the beginning of that wake service that the Lord is walking with us during that grieving time. It brings that peace and focus that this is, indeed, not an end but a transition to the eternal life that Christ has won for us by His death and resurrection.”

Msgr. Avila recalls his own personal experience of burying his father, who passed away last year. Married more than 63 years, his mother was quiet during the wake but as more people came to share their stories with her, she became more vibrant.

“It was very healing to hear stories of people as they spoke to us of the impact that my father had had in their lives,” said Msgr. Avila. “I noticed a transforming time for us as a family. We went from mourning to a real sense of peace and of knowing the impact that he had in the lives of others.”

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The vigil is an important first step in saying goodbye to the deceased. The comfort brought to family members is often treasured long after the person has been buried.

“People come with the best of intentions, to offer their heartfelt condolences to the people,” said Father John Perry, pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Taunton and director of cemeteries for the Fall River Diocese. “I sometimes say with a little bit of humor, the nicest thing about a wake is you don’t have to bring anything. What I mean by that is, strictly your presence alone is enough. It’s not expected for you to bring a gift; just the fact that you go says it all.”

The Church’s view towards what constitutes a proper wake isn’t set in stone. Years ago wakes would often be held for two or three days, but the current change in the overall modification to the more common vigil schedule — often done in one day with an extended block of time regarding the viewing hours — has more to do with pragmatism than a push to quickly move on to the funeral Mass.

“The Church really doesn’t guide us through the ritual of how many nights we should have a wake or the hours the wake should be; nothing in the ritual speaks of that. It just provides us with the wake service,” explained Msgr. Avila. “The whole thing of when to have the wake and how long you have the wake does not compromise our understanding what the Church offers us. The only thing is when people eliminate the wake totally, that opportunity for the Church to gather in prayer during that grieving time is eliminated.”

In a culture that doesn’t want to talk about death, Msgr. Avila said the wake isn’t the first step towards an end — it is the first step towards a new beginning.

“I think part of us, as Catholics, is to focus on an eternal life and not just remembering the [earthly] life of the deceased,” said Msgr. Avila. “The funeral rites offered through the Catholic Church are more than just a memorial service. It’s looking forward in hope and faith.”

This article is the second in a four-part series that will offer as a guide for Catholics to help explain the symbolism found in, and the importance of, the rite of a proper Catholic burial. Next week’s article will feature the second of the three stations — the funeral Mass.

November 11, 2011

By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent

15

The Anchor

Panel recommends HPV vaccine for boys

BOSTON — The Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended October 25 that all 11- and 12-year-old boys be vaccinated against the sexually-transmitted disease HPV. The CDC is expected to approve the recommendation within a couple of months.

Critics are concerned about the high cost of implementing such a recommendation.

They also say the benefit for young men is minimal and the vaccines’ efficacy for males has not been widely studied.

The human papillomavirus is spread through sexual contact. Some types of the virus can cause genital warts for both males and females. Others can cause cervical cancer in women and, less frequently, cancer of other parts of the body in men and women.

The CDC estimates that more than half of all sexually active people will contract HPV, a virus for which there is no cure. Most never develop any symptoms, and in 90 percent of cases, it clears up on its own.

Cervical cancer usually has no symptoms until the disease has advanced, and by then it is difficult to treat. Routine screening has been very effective in catching the disease at an earlier stage when it is not life threatening.

The HPV vaccination Gardasil, given in three doses over six months, attempts to block two HPV strains responsible for 75 percent of cervical cancer cases as well as two strains that cause 90 percent of genital warts in men and women. The CDC has recommended the vaccination for girls since 2006.

In a press briefing on October 25, Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC’s National Center for the Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said that the move to recommend the vaccination for boys comes as a result of new data that showed its potential to decrease the incidence of anal and throat cancers resulting from homosexual activity.

The added benefit would be a reduction of the spread of HPV to women.

This week in

50 years ago — Catholic Youth Week in New Bedford culminated with the first annual Holy Hour for all the Greater New Bedford parishes which was held in St. James Church in New Bedford with Father Edward C. Duffy celebrating.

25 years ago — Three members of The Anchor staff attended the Catholic Press Association’s eastern regional conference held in Providence, R.I. Representing The Anchor were Father John F. Moore, editor; Rosemary Dussault, business, circulation and advertising manager; and staff writer Joseph Motta.

The CDC recommends that young people get vaccinated at 11 or 12, before exposure to HPV. The group says the vaccine can be administered to males and females, ages 9-26.

Schuchat called the number of teen-age girls taking the vaccine “disappointing,” adding that the CDC would track how the universal recommendation for both boys and girls affects the number of young women being vaccinated.

Some politicians have tried to take the matter into their own hands by mandating HPV vaccines for young girls. In 2007, Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed an executive order requiring that all girls receive the injections before entering sixth grade. The legislature overturned the decision soon after. That same year, the South Carolina legislature voted down a similar measure.

In 2008, Virginia began requiring 1112 year old girls to get the HPV vaccine.

A bill to lift that requirement was killed by the Senate early this year. Washington D.C. mandated the HPV vaccine for girls in 2009.

The laws in both Virginia and the District have opt-out policies that many parents have taken advantage of.

On Oct. 9, 2011, California approved a new law that allows children as young as 12 to receive vaccinations and other medications to prevent STDs without parental notification.

The Catholic Medical Association supports widespread use by females of the HPV vaccine.

“It is effective, safe and ethical to use, provided certain conditions are met. Patients and their parents should be given information sufficient to make an informed decision about the vaccine,” the group said in a 2009 statement.

John Brehany, executive director of the CMA, said in the statement that the fact that HPV is spread primarily by sexual contact does not render vaccination against it unethical.

“Healing and preventing diseases, no matter what their source, are acts of mercy

Diocesan history

10 years ago — Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new $6 million St. Pius X Catholic elementary school in Yarmouth were held. According to Msgr. John J. Smith, pastor of St. Pius X Parish, $4.5 million of the total cost was raised by parishioners.

One year ago — More than 190 priests and deacons from across the Fall River Diocese attended an introductory workshop led by Msgr.

James P. Moroney at White’s of Westport on the Vatican-approved third edition of the Roman Missal that will become effective with the 2011 Advent season.

and a moral good,” he said.

Brehany added that the decision to vaccinate must come from parents who may object to the vaccine.

“At a time when the importance of parental influence and values for teens is increasingly recognized, it would be counterproductive to undermine parents’ sense of responsibility for their children in this sensitive area,” he said.

Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, director of education at the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, Pa., explained that his organization encourages a case-by-case risk/benefit analysis for administering the HPV vaccine.

“There appear to be some risks associated with the vaccine, and some concerns about its benefits since it has only been surmised, not scientifically demonstrated, to be able to prevent cancer at a time point far in the future. If benefits outweigh the risks and burdens, the vaccine could be administered,” he said.

A 2006 NCBC statement said that the most effective way to avoid contracting HPV is to abstain from sexual relations before marriage and to remain faithful within marriage. The group also recognized that someone remaining chaste could face exposure to the disease.

“The prevalence of HPV in the reproductive age population makes exposure to the virus possible, even in a monogamous marriage, due to the possibility of a

spouse’s exposure prior to marriage. Furthermore, we live in a society where nonconsensual sex remains a threat to young women who deserve to be protected from the effects of exposure to HPV,” the statement said.

The possibility that her daughter could be the victim of sexual violence is precisely why one Catholic mother who lives on Cape Cod chose to have her daughter vaccinated.

Mary, who asked to withhold her last name for her family’s privacy, said that rape is “just too prevalent” and she saw no reason for her daughter to possibly face cervical cancer on top of dealing with the aftermath of sexual abuse.

Other parents in the Diocese of Fall River raised concerns that by vaccinating their children, they could be undermining Catholic teaching on chastity and the fact that the healthiest method is always abstinence.

Angie O’Grady said she was worried that giving her children the vaccine would be like saying, “Well, don’t do it, but in case you do, here you go.”

“Knowledge is the best thing we can give our kids. I think if they know the dangers, they will be less likely to engage in premarital sex,” she said. “I know that sometimes they are uncomfortable talking about it, but they listen.”

John Dellamorte said that he and his wife scrutinize all vaccines and when it comes to the one against HPV, “I think our faith protects us better by living a chaste life.”

16

Youth Pages

putting their best foot forward — Youngsters and adults from St. Mary’s Parish in Norton recently participated in the Crop Walk for Hunger.

November 11, 2011

race ready — Holy Trinity School in West Harwich recently held its first annual 5K Road Race. Among those taking part were, from left: Sadie Rendon, Anna Colby, Nancy Spalt, and Madison Greiner. (Birtwell Family Photography)

nothing but treats — Students and staff from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford gathered for a group photo as they celebrated Halloween together.

brightly shining — Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro recently announced the names of 18 students who have achieved semifinalist or commended status in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program, making this the largest percentage of honorees from any high school in Massachusetts. Seated from left: Julia Neto (commended), Connor Clang (commended), Richard Moschella (commended), John Garbuzinski (semifinalist), Chad Benoit (semifinalist), David Stewart (semifinalist), Patrick Beagan (commended), and Kristen Drummey (commended).

Standing from left: Principal Bill Runey, Laura Clerx (commended), Emily Tormey (commended), Victoria Cleveland (commended), Olivia Rabbitt (commended), Brooke Bedard (semifinalist), Maeve Arbuckle (commended), Colleen Werkheiser (commended), Lauren Claus (commended), Lindsey Clause (semifinalist), and Olivia Cortellini (commended).

science sleuths — The sixth-grade science class at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro recently participated in a “geocache” which is an outdoor treasure hunting game. The students had to locate a container, called a geocache, using GPS-enabled devices or compasses. Then, they share their experiences online.

Kelly Schremp, science teacher, hid a microcache, a smaller cache, on the edge of Willett Field. She registered the cache at www.geocaching.com. It has only a log book and a pencil inside. She encourages all to find it and record their name in the log. Here are the sixth-graders with their teacher after they located the microcache.

Youth Pages

November 11, 2011

W

e’re approaching the time of year when a greater need is most keenly felt among the least of our brothers and sisters. We take special care and make an extra effort to go out of our way to make sacrifices so as to give our brothers and sisters those basic things that we sometimes take for granted. This is charity — love in action. This is the love of Christ, real and alive, in our world.

If someone were to ask me to describe charity, I would quote Father James Farfaglia: “Charity, like all other virtues, is something very practical for our daily lives. There are two major obstacles to living out this virtue: our ego and our moods. We need to be selfless and we need to get our moods under control.

Charity is the most essential virtue of Christianity. Without this virtue, we cannot call ourselves authentic Christians.”

I would only add to this quote that we must have the love of

17

The love of Christ

Christ in order to serve others in place, in your communities, in your world? It’s quite evident, His name. as plain as the nose on your But, what does the love of face. I take great joy in the fact Christ really mean? We find that it is, especially during these part of the answer in the Book hard economic times. This is of Joshua, 22:5: “Love the Lord your God … and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Charity is our love for the Lord shown through our acts of service,

By Ozzie Pacheco patience, compassion, and understanding for one another. Charity is also the Lord’s love for no time for great egos (not that us, shown through His acts of there ever should be) and no service, patience, compassion, time to allow our temper, frame and understanding. The love of mind, tone, disposition, or of Christ refers not only to our anything else to get in the way love for Jesus but to His love of truly showing our love for for each of us. “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of God — by showing our love for these least brothers of Mine, you others. This is the greatest commandment. did for Me” (Mt 25:40).

Over the summer, the youth Do you see this love in acministry of my parish worked tion around you? Do you see it extra hard to raise some funds in your homes, in your schools, in your churches, in your work- for the coming new year of

Be Not Afraid

ministry. They did an extraordinary job! They are now beginning to reap the fruits of their labors. Their visits to the sick and elderly is a mission of outreach and evangelization — sharing and keeping alive the Word of God with all they meet and spend time with. To the sick and elderly, they give prayer cards and Rosaries, and empathize with their hurts and feelings and pray with them. That’s the love of Christ in action. And they have many more visits planned over the coming months.

Earlier this month, our youth donated all the food and helped in serving and cleaning up at the Sacred Heart Food Pantry. I had to turn away some of them — everyone wanted to go. They’ll have their turn next time. It’s always a joy to greet Christ in every face that walks into the Sacred Heart Church hall for

a good meal. Our youth and I thank God for the wonderful work Father Ray and his team does at Sacred Heart and the opportunity to come as servant. It’s a very humbling experience.

What fascinates me as much as our youth’s love for charity is also the sacrifice of their time. I know they are knee deep in school work and some even have jobs. But they’re not afraid to give their time and talent.

It’s so rewarding, as a youth leader, to see Christ alive and active in our youth. As Blessed Pope John Paul said, “Christ is forever young.”

Make charity a top priority on your list this coming holiday season … and beyond. Keep the love of Christ alive in your heart and in everything you do for the good of all God’s people.

Greeting a stranger on the street with a simple “Hello” is the beginning of a charitable work.

Ozzie Pacheco is Faith Formation director at Santo Christo Parish, Fall River.

St. Vincent’s Home seeks holiday gift donations

they’re marching in — St. Mary’s School in Mansfield celebrated All Saints Day with Mass and the Litany of the Saints prayer.

maintaining tradition — The Class of 2013 at Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton recently gathered at St. Mary’s Church, with family and friends to commemorate the receipt of their school rings and their ascension to upperclassmen. They proceeded from the school, led by their class officers and class moderator Nicole St. Laurent. A long standing tradition at Coyle and Cassidy, many students purchased school rings while others, such as Marissa Eddlem of Taunton, had special pieces of jewelry blessed by Chaplain Father David Stopyra. Marissa chose to commemorate this special day by receiving her grandmother’s St. Mary’s High School class ring. Carol Gregg Dion, Class of 1952, left, was proud that her granddaughter chose to honor their family tradition in this manner. Father Stopyra encouraged students to “wear their rings with pride.” A reception for the junior class and their families was held immediately following the Mass.

FALL RIVER — St. Vincent’s Home is asking the public to help give a child a gift this holiday season by donating Christmas presents and financial contributions for the Holiday Wishes Initiative. More than 75 children and youth between the ages of 10 and 18 at St. Vincent’s — and another 125 children and their families who receive services from St. Vincent’s in their own homes — will wake up on Christmas morning with expectations of seeing brightly wrapped packages and gifts about which they have dreamed for some time.

People can make certain that every youngster in the care of St. Vincent’s has a gift to open on Christmas morning. Those who donate can choose specific items from the children’s “Wish Lists” during the Holiday Wishes Initiative throughout November and December.

The Holiday Wishes Initiative offers crucial support for the children and youth in St. Vincent’s residential and community-based programs by fulfilling their ‘holiday wishes’ and giving them hope for a brighter future. The home strongly relies on the kindness and deep commitment of individual donors, local businesses, and companies to meet the children’s needs … needs that are so often outside of state funding and budget constraints.

A donation can make the holidays — and the year ahead — brighter for the children and youth for whom St. Vincent’s provides a range of services by participating in the Holiday Wishes Initiative. A donation will ensure that the children and youth in the care of St. Vincent’s this Christmas will have their wishes fulfilled and will have hope for a brighter tomorrow.

St. Vincent’s Home invites everyone to partner with them to make this holiday season festive, joyous, and healing for the children.

Contact Melissa Dick at 508-235-3228 to inquire how to donate holiday gifts and contributions to support youth-related activities, so that the children and youth will wake up on December 25th to a joyous occasion.

18

The Anchor

November 11, 2011

A safe haven for U.S. veterans continued from page one

in Vietnam did not find a hero’s welcome like the soldiers in World War I and II did. “We want to make sure that never happens again,” Remedis, the current Welcome Home president, told The Anchor.

One year after the house opened, 17 men and one woman occupy the spacious, comfortable one-bedroom apartments.

“More than a year after the house opened, the place is as immaculate as the day it opened,” commented Splinter. “That’s a testament to the those who live there.”

One of the residents, Bob Sowersby, is also the building manager. Sowersby, who spent six years in the Air Force, is one of those who battles alcohol addiction. He has been sober for the past six years, after seeking help from a veteran’s outreach program. “It was from there that I was given a recommendation for the manager position at the Sean Brooke House,” he told The Anchor. “Living here has helped me a great deal. It’s safe and it’s nice. But this is not a halfway house or a sober house. Everyone here lives independently.

There are some, like myself, who battle demons, but this house is for anyone who was a veteran.

“There are certain guidelines and the candidates go through an application process. It’s totally independent living, but the guidelines must be followed. We have

had to dismiss a couple of residents, but those who are here are good people. All of the veterans groups that have assisted me have been wonderful to me. I want to help others. If I can help, I do my best.” Sowersby also has a fulltime job in addition to managing the upkeep of the house.

While the house doesn’t provide counseling or assistance, Sowersby said that should a resident struggle, he or she can be directed to the proper agencies.

“I’m more than happy to refer someone to the right place,” he said. “But only if they ask.”

The residents range in age from their 20s to mid-60s. Some are veterans of the Vietnam War and the wars in Irag and Afghanistan, while others have served at bases in the U.S. and across the world.

“Veterans are proud to be veterans,” said Sowersby. “We all have that one thing in common.

In the Vietnam days there was a lot of negativity for men and women coming home. That’s changing. There is a change of attitude from most Americans regarding veterans.” The Sean Brooke House is a prime example of that. “I wish there were more places like this,” he added.

Sowersby also mentioned that the neighborhood in which the house is located has been most receptive. “Our neighbors have been very good, and we’re just

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wise words — The etching on a bench in a garden at the Sean Brooke House for veterans in New Bedford sums up the sacrifices made by those who have served and still serve in America’s Armed Forces. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)

across the street from the Boys Club, and they have been great to us.”

The house is filled with donations of artwork and furniture from a grateful public.

Despite having been a great success for more than a year, the Sean Brooke House is still near and dear to Welcome Home Veterans, Inc. As they did last year, the Welcome Home members are coordinating the delivery of Thanksgiving Day meals for the residents. “Veterans care about other veterans,” said Sowersby.

“I know that all the residents here, including myself, are very

grateful to all those involved with this house,” he added.

The housing unit is named after an Army combat medic who was killed by a drunk driver in Hawaii in 2005 while returning to his base following a charity function. Brooke had recently completed a 14-month tour of duty in Iraq where he treated U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians.

Splinter knew Brooke and had a special bond with him. “I got to know Sean and felt a camaraderie with him and his work,” she said. “Those who knew him prayed for his safe return from Iraq, and cheered when he made

it back in one piece.” The Welcome Home members corresponded with Brooke while he was in Iraq, periodically sending him care packages.

“He was a field medic, and they are a gift to the units they serve,” said Splinter. “Not only do they tend the soldiers’ physical injuries, but they follow up and make sure they are cared for emotionally after their battle experiences. And it’s not only the soldiers. They cared for the civilians and POWs as well.”

An apropos namesake for a house providing a safe haven for veterans.

Local leaders told: “Go out and spread the Good News’ continued from page one

of making Christ a part of their lives outside of the class.

“Get them thinking about what is right and what is wrong, and how to look at how their Catholic faith can help shape their choices,” said Bucci. “We all have something to give to the kids. Relate on their level and you can relate anything back to the teachings of the Church.”

Keynote speaker Dr. Carole Eipers brought a new dynamic to the theme of this year’s convention with her keynote address, “Tell the Good News: Is there an app for that?” Having served in parish ministries for more than 20 years as a teacher, director of Religious Education, youth minister and pastoral associate, Eipers was director of the Office for the Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Chicago for nine years and is currently the vicepresident and executive director of catechetics for William H.

Sadler, Inc. Having looked online to see what goes into designing an app, Eipers spoke of the questions offered through the site to see if designing an app to “spread the Good News” would find an audience. Does the app solve a unique problem? Is a specific need served?

Many of the questions were easily answered with a yes, said Eipers; “You and I have been called to spread the Good Word.

Who are you in your ministry?

The answer is critical in our discipleship.”

To teach Jesus Christ is to know Him, said Eipers, adding, “As Catholics, we don’t take just the Scriptures; we embrace tradition. Through tradition, we are active today.”

The Good News is a gift that calls us to continue His message and “if we don’t witness faithfully,” others will guide us to who He is, often with a false message.

“Society won’t answer the truth,” said Eipers, “unless we share the true message, not our interpretation of the Scripture.

Instead of allowing Jesus to transform you, you risk proclaiming an opinion that allows accommodations made for your lives.”

Generations of Catholics preserved the history of the Church so that we all can spread the news; “They kept that heritage safe and whole,” said Eipers.

“You and I are responsible. What shall we pass on?”

Four years ago, the convention began to recognize those who have served 30 years or more in a ministerial capacity. This year 10 people received certificates of recognition at the closing of the Mass. For 30 years of service: Ed Salvador, Elaine Salvador and Beni Costa-Reedy of St. Mary’s Parish in South Dartmouth; Regina Thibault of St. Ann’s Parish, Raynham; Janice Bastoni of St. John Neumann’s Parish, East Freetown. For more than 30 years of service: Laura VerGow of St. Mary’s Parish, Norton; Joy Viveiros and Joe Viveiros of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Taunton. For 50 years of service: John Bastoni of St. John Neumann Parish, East Freetown.

For 54 years of service: Dr. Doris Thibault of St. John Neumann’s Parish, East Freetown.

November 11, 2011

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese

Acushnet — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday and Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds eucharistic adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. until November 18, 2011, and from January 7 to November 17, 2012.

ATTLEBORO — St. Joseph Church holds eucharistic adoration in the Adoration Chapel located at the (south) side entrance at 208 South Main Street, Sunday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Brewster — Eucharistic adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays following the 11 a.m. Mass until 7:45 a.m. on the First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and Mass. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m. Mass.

East Freetown — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

East Sandwich — Eucharistic adoration takes place at the Corpus Christi Parish Adoration Chapel, 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Also, 24-hour eucharistic adoration takes place on the First Friday of every month.

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, eucharistic adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, following the 8 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has eucharistic adoration every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at noon. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration. Refreshments follow.

Fall River — Espirito Santo Parish, 311 Alden Street, Fall River. Eucharistic adoration on Mondays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Notre Dame Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has eucharistic adoration on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the chapel.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has eucharistic adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has eucharistic adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has eucharistic adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass until 6 p.m. in the Daily Mass Chapel. There is a bilingual Holy Hour in English and Portuguese from 5-6 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has eucharistic adoration each First Friday, following the 9 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 4:30 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

HYANNIS — A Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration will take place each First Friday at St. Francis Xavier Church, 347 South Street, beginning immediately after the 12:10 p.m. Mass and ending with adoration at 4 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m.

Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of eucharistic adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m., and Confessions offered during the evening.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m., ending with Benediction.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and every Friday from noon to 5 p.m., with Benediction at 5 p.m.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has eucharistic adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508336-5549.

Taunton — Eucharistic adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

WAREHAM — Adoration with opportunities for private and formal prayer is offered on the First Friday of each month from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, High Street. The Prayer Schedule is as follows: 7:30 a.m. the Rosary; 8 a.m. Mass; 8:30 a.m. exposition and Morning Prayer; 12 p.m. the Angelus; 3 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet; 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer; 7 p.m. Sacrament of Confession; 8 p.m. Benediction.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual eucharistic adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes. All from other parishes are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

WOODS HOLE — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Joseph’s Church, 33 Millfield Street, year-round on weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No adoration on Sundays, Wednesdays, and holidays. For information call 508-274-5435.

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The Anchor Sister Mary Noel Blute, RSM

CUMBERLAND, R.I. — Sister Mary Noel Blute, RSM, 88, a former teacher and administrator, died October 20 at Mount St. Rita Health Centre in Cumberland, R.I., after a long illness.

Born in Fall River, she was baptized Eleanor Marie Blute. She was the daughter of the late James and Mary E. (Cox) Blute.

Sister Blute earned a BS in Education from the former Catholic Teachers College in Providence, a BA in English and Latin from Salve Regina College (now University), and an MA in English from the University of Notre Dame.

She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1941 and professed her vows on Aug. 16, 1947.

Among Sister Blute’s teaching ministries were Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro and Salve Regina University. In 1973, she was elected to the Provincial Council of the Sisters of Mercy and then returned to Bishop Feehan in 1976. Sister was elected provincial administrator in 1979 and served six years in that capacity. In 1987, she was appointed Vicar for Religious for the Diocese of Fall River and remained in that position until 1999. She then was appointed pastoral minister at SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Fall River. She retired in 2000.

Sister Blute leaves a brother, Edward Blute of Harwich and several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late James Blute, MD, and Joseph Blute.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on October 24 at Mount St. Rita Chapel in Cumberland.

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Nov. 12 Rev. James H. Looby, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1924 Rev. Bernard Boylan, Pastor, St. Joseph, Fall River, 1925 Nov. 13 Rev. Louis J. Deady, Founder, St. Louis, Fall River, 1924 Rev. William H. O’Reilly, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1992 Rev. Clarence J. d’Entremont, Retired Chaplain, Our Lady’s Haven, Fairhaven, 1998 Nov. 14 Rev. Francis J. Duffy, Founder, St. Mary, South Dartmouth, 1940 Rev. William A. Galvin, JCD, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1977 Deacon John H. Schondek, 2001 Nov. 15 Rev. Thomas F. LaRoche, Assistant, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1939 Rev. Daniel E. Doran, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, North Easton, 1943 Nov. 16 Rev. John Brady, Former Pastor, Sandwich, New Bedford, Wareham, 1856 Nov. 17 Rev. Henry R. Canuel, Former Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1980

Around the Diocese 11/11

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish, Coyle Drive off Route 152 in Seekonk, will hold its Holiday Bazaar today from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The event will include raffles, gift baskets, food, instant win, toys, hand-knits, crafts, baked goods, and much more.

11/12

The Women’s Guild of Corpus Christi Parish, 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich, will present Gifts Galore and More, a holiday shopping event, Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish hall. The event will include baked goods, crafts, gift baskets, and other homemade items. The Guild Café will be open in the morning for coffee and will also serve lunch.

11/12

The Respect Life Ministry will sponsor a roundtable discussion titled “Adoption ... The Loving Choice” on Sunday beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the church hall of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee. The event will cover such topics as “Adoption: Then and Now,” “The New Language of Adoption,” “Adoption: Why Not?” and “Chosen.” A light lunch will precede the program.

11/13

The Women’s Guild of Holy Trinity Parish, Fall River, will host a Fall Penny Sale on November 13 at 1 p.m. in the church hall, located on Stafford Road and Tucker Street.

Lunch will be available. For more information call 508-678-6941.

11/13 508-995-5235.

St. Joseph-St. Therese Parish, 51 Duncan Street, New Bedford will be hosting its sixth annual Craft Fair on November 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call

11/15

The Daughters of Isabella will be gathering together as a sisterhood on November 15 beginning at 6 p.m. to honor deceased members in a Mass at the Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Mount Pleasant Street in New Bedford. A meeting will follow the Mass and light refreshments will be served afterwards with fellowship and fun. All past, present, and returning members are welcome.

11/17

A Naturalization Workshop to become a U.S. citizen will be held on November 17 at St. James-St. John School, 180 Orchard Street in New Bedford. The workshop is only open to legal, permanent residents who must bring their Green Card in order to be admitted to the workshop. If you are unable to make the workshop but would like to setup an individual appointment, contact Catholic Social Services at 508-674-4681.

11/19

St. Jude the Apostle Parish, 249 Whittenton Street in Taunton, will have its annual Penny Sale in the church hall on November 19 at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. In addition to three regular series, there will be specials, roll-ups, refreshments, a raffle for 15 turkey dinner baskets, and a money raffle with $1,000 as the first prize. For more information call 508-824-9650.

11/19

A meeting of the Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will be held November 19 at St. Mary’s Parish, Tarkiln Hill Road, New Bedford. Registration and coffee will begin at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will start at 10 a.m. Diane Bolton, head of the Baby Project of New Bedford, will be the speaker. For information call 508-672-6900.

11/19

A Holiday Craft and Book Sale will be held at Our Lady’s Haven, 71 Center Street in Fairhaven, on November 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds will directly benefit the residents of Our Lady’s Haven. For more information, call 508-999-4561.

11/19

Our Lady’s Haven, 71 Center Street in Fairhaven, will host its Holiday Craft Fair on November 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The fair is held in the historic Tabitha Inn, now home to Our Lady’s Haven, and will feature a variety of artists and crafters. Lunch will be served from the kitchen and a book sale and special crafters raffle will be held.

For more information call 508-999-4561.

11/21

St. Mary’s Parish, 41 Harding Road in Fairhaven, will host a special Parish Community Mass for Thanksgiving on November 21 at 7 p.m., followed by refreshments in the church hall. All are welcome to gather around the Lord’s table and give thanks for our bountiful blessings.

11/26

St. Mary’s 31st Annual Christmas Fair will be held November 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parish center located at 14 Park Street, North Attleboro. The fair will feature the popular “Festival of Trees,” which will open for a preview on November 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. There will also be crafts and handmade items to buy along with food including the traditional favorite French meat pies. For information call the church office at 508-695-6161.

11/28

St. Louis de France Parish, 56 Buffington Street in Swansea, will host weekly Centering Prayer gatherings using a Lectio Divina format on every Monday in Advent beginning November 28 through December 19 at 6:15 p.m. in the family room of the church.

Prayer begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 508-264-5823 or email forums4ami@gmail.com.

12/3

A “Festival of Lights Walk” will take place in Attleboro December 3. The walk begins at the La Salette Shrine which features the largest outdoor display of lights on the East Coast. The walk route traverses through conservation land, passes the Capron Zoo, visits the Attleboro Industrial Museum and returns the shrine. There is a choice of a 10- or 5-kilometer (6.8- or 3.1-mile) route. Both trails are rated easy walks. The start point is the La Salette Shrine Cafeteria between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The walk is sponsored by the Walk ’n Mass Volkssport Club. Volkssporting events promote fun, fitness and fellowship by providing walking and other non-competitive sporting events free to the public. For information contact 508-222-1152 or magoo249@aol.com.

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The Anchor celebrating the mission — Catholic Memorial Home Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fall River recently celebrated its annual Mission Mass.

This Mass is attended by staff who reflect on the mission of the home and renew their dedication to the services they provide for the residents in their care. Pictured are Msgr. Edmund J. Fitzgerald, executive director of the Diocesan Health Facilities, center; Deacon Peter Cote, director of Pastoral Care; and Father John Raposo, chaplain.

happy day — Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River recently celebrated the 106th birthday of resident Alice Cote at a special birthday party shared with family, friends and staff. She has been a resident of the skilled nursing and rehabilitative care center since 2005. With her are Connie Viveiros, Therapeutic Activities assistant, and Donna Petit, clinical nurse coordinator.

prayerful knights — The Knights of Columbus, Father Hogan’s Council recently participated in a Living Rosary at St. Julie Billiart’s Church in North Dartmouth. (Photo by Russell Pinto)

November 11, 2011