t eanc 0 VOL. 43, NO. 44 • Friday, November 12, 1999
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
FALL RIVER, MASS.
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
THE PROVINCIAL house at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro was purchased by the La Salette Fathers in 1941. At right, firefighters hose down the charred remains of the magnificent edifice after an early morning fire Nov. 5 destroyed the building and claimed the life of a visiting priest. (Anchor/Jolivet file photo at left and Anchor/Gordon photo at right)
Priest killed in La Salette fire ~
Historic provincial house swept by inferno; dozens forced to flee. By MIKE GORDON ANcHOR STAFF AND STAFF REPORTS
ATILEBORO - The bright sunlight early this week brought a strong message of faith and hope as construction continued on the new $2.4 million chapel at the La Salette Shrine due to be completed next spring. It was in marked contrast to the somber,
blackened ruins of the century-old provincial headquarters on the hill beyond, what's left after a fierce, three-alarm fire on the night of Nov. 5 swept the massive, imposing stone structure, kill. ing a visiting priest and forcing 25 or more occupants into the cold. Carmelite Father Paul O'Brien, 43, ofWales, was beyond help when six Attleboro firefighters, braving heat and thick smoke, reached his charred, third-floor bedroom shortly after arriving on the scene about 4:30 a.m. But they were unable to remove his remains. Father O'Brien was a member of Formation Consultation Services Inc. of Whitinsville, a company which provides spiri-
tual renewal programs for clergy and laity throughout the world. He was on a sabbatical that began Oct. 10. Fire officials said the fire was caused by "smoking in bed", according to La Salette Business Manager Richard Eyman on Monday. This came after an investigation of the fire, which at times reached 1,600degrees in intensity, by State Fire Marshall Stephen Coan and Attleboro Fire Chief Ronald Churchhill. Fire officials believe the fire began in Father O'Brien's room, Eyman reported. The former seminary was equipped with smoke detectors, but no sprinklers, according to
November: A month for adoptions Catholic Social Services contracts with the Massachusetts Department of Social Services to ANCHOR STAFF develop family resources with whom children can FALL RIVER - November is national Adop- have a permanent home and there are some 3,500 Tum to page 13 - Adoption tion month and Mary-Lou Mancini, a coordinator of several programs at Catholic Social Services, said the need to place older and special needs children into permanent and safe homes has never been greater. ''There is a tremendous need for adoption of these children," said Mancini, adding that when people think of adoption they usually think of newborns or international adoptions. But that there are many older and special needs children who need a loving family. "Every kid needs a home," she declared. "Adoption can be a means to start a family or enlarge a family," said Mancini. She comMICHAEL AND JEFFREYTripp and Stephen White volunteered mented that adoption is a win- to help raise awareness about the need to find loving families for win situation imd that "every older and special needs children to live with. (AnchodGordon photo) kid is adoptable."
By MIKE GORDON
Churchhill. Eyman said Monday that the decision whether "the castle" as it was called, will be tom down or rebuilt, has not been made. He said engineers will make that determination along with the community at La Salette. Engineers' and insurance assessors' reports will also be deciding factors. '1t was thought the tall chimneys remaining would be a hazard to the investigation and we tried to demolish them on the weekend, but they were too strong, they wouldn't come down," Eyman explained. "We'll wait and Tum to page five - Fire
Bishop O'Malley issues statementonfatalfire ROME - The following is a statement by Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., on the Nov. 5 fire that destroyed the well-known provincial headquarters of the La Salette Missionaries in Attleboro, killing a priest. It reads: ''While leading a group of pilgrims from the diocese in Rome, I learned last Friday of the tragic fire at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, which took the life of a visiting priest on retreat and destroyed the order's Provincial House. I offer my prayers for Father Paul O'Brien, who perished in the fire, and extend to his family and friends, my heartfelt sympathy. To lose a loved one is always difficult enough; but the heart is made heavier when that person is in the prime of life. To Father Dennis Loomis, MS, the provincial, and the entire La Salette community, I likewise offer my prayers. Since their arrival in Attleboro over 50 years ago, the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette have drawn thousands from all over the Fall River Diocese and beyond for prayer, worship, reconciliation and healing. Whether one is there for a festival, a liturgy, orjust a walk on a cold winter night to gaze at the Christmas lights, the La Salette Shrine is a respite of peace and renewal. I have asked Rev. Msgr. George W. Coleman, the diocesan vicar general, to extend to the La Salette community the help of the Fall River Diocese as they begin to move on after their loss. I want them to know we stand ready to assist them in any way that we are able. Though the landmark Provincial House is gone, let us remember that the true beauty of the La Salette Shrine is not in the buildings, but rather in the I'rellenee of God one finds there and the hope He rekindles. In this difficult time, I pray that Our Lady of La Salette will be a source of comfort and strength for all who suffer in the wake of the fire. Please know that they will be in my prayers throughout"the remainder of my pilgrimage."