Vol. 19, No. 46-Fall River, Mass., Thursday, Nov. 13, 1975
An Anchor
of the Soul, Sure and Firm-St.
Paul
Arthritis (an't Stop Vocation By REV. EDWARD J. BYINGTON Anchor Staff
Three years ago, Raul Lagoa walked around with the help of a cane and a leg brace. His possibility of becoming a priest seemed at that time to be quite slim. However many people had not considered this New Bedford resident's deep determination. After three years Df hard physical therapy, Raul discarded the cane and leg brace which he had worn since 1969 and today he is a student at Pope John XXIII Seminary for De~ayed Vocations in Weston. Born in the Azores, Raul grew up in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in New Bedford. He graduated from New Bedford High in 1966 and after a brief time in college he enlisted in the US Navy. It was while he was serving in the Navy that Raul came down with rheumatic fever, the effects of which left him with a case of rheumatoid arthritis. He spent a year and a half in the Navy Hospital in Newport. The Navy doctors did all they could for him but realizing that he would be crippled for life he was given a medical discharge and became a disabled veteran. Raul returned to college and in 1971 he received an Associate of Arts degree from Johnson and Wales. He then went to work for
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EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS SITES - The three major sports stadiums in Philadelphia are key sites for the 41st International Eucharistic Congress, Aug. 1-8, 1976. There will be altar stages at John F. Kennedy Stadium (left) and Veterans Stadium (right). The Spectrum (center) will 1;}lso be adapted for liturgical worship. At preparatory meetings for the congress around the country, coordinators have been stressing that spiritual' renewal for Catholics is the chief aim of the congress. Tum to centerfold (page 8 and 9) to learn more about this fantastic event. Arlan's department store as the credit manager. In his spare time he became the bookkeeper for his home parish. Through his association with his parish priests, Raul soon began taking an active interest in his parish. He found himself teaching CCD, helping out with the drama club, fund raising, and working with the teenagers. Impressed with the work the priests of Mt. Carmel were doing, he expressed a desire t() become a priest. Obviously the cane and leg brace would be a great hindrance to priestly work but Father John Smith, the Diocesan Vocation Director, was impressed with Raul's desire. Father Smith sent him to Dr. Hickey in New Bedford and soon thereafter Raul began a strict regimen of exercises. The Navy veteran spent many hours in the gymnasium where much of his time was devoted to working' on the parallel bars. In addition, he had to put in many hours walking, bicycle riding, and swimming. But the hard work was worth. it as his leg gradually improved. Today he ?1u~t dCfntinue to dfO Ihight .exel~cise bhut. !here IS
John XXIII Seminary and he loves it. There are 59 men at the seminary and they come from all over the United States and Canada. They also come from all walks of life. There are architects, engineers, a retired Air Force Colonel, an ex-opera singer, a sounct-'man for the leading rock groups, and on and on it goes. The youngest student is 25 and the oldest is 57. Three of the students in the first year class are widowers. Pope John XXIII Seminary is indeed a truly amazing place with many men of interesting backgrounds. Yet we believe that for . pure determination and tenacity, our own Raul Lagoa stands in the forefront of his class.
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In This I s s u e - - - - - - - - Archbishop Jadot Sees Some Good In Transcendental Meditation Page 2
20 Questions
on the Eucharistic Congress Pages 8 & 9
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Are Textile Workers Being Exploited? Msgr. Higgins Thinks So Page 10
Read About The Doherty Brothers of Taunton
A South American Student Looks At Life in America
Page 14
Page 15