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Fall River, Mass., Thursday, Nov. 14, 1974 PRICE 15c Vol. 18, No. 46 © 197,( The Anchor $5.00 per year
Pastoral Concerns Highlight Bishop's Visit to Holy See The Most Reverend Daniel A. Cronin, Bishop of Fall River, has returned to the Diocese from the "ad limina" visit to Rome. The special visitation to the Eternal City which the Bishop made is one which diocesan ordinaries are required by ecclesiastical law and custom' to make at periodic intervals, at which time they' are to visit the tombs of the Apostles, Peter and Paul. A comprehensive report on the status of the Diocese was presented to Vatican authorities by Bishop Cronin on the occasion of this visit. In the course of the visit to Rome, Bishop Cronin enjoyed the privilege of being received in private audience by His Holiness Pope Paul VI. Commenting on the audience, Bishop Cronin noted that the Holy Father manifested a great interest in the apostolate of the Diocese and conveyed, through Bishop Cronin, his Apostolic Benediction to the clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese.
lengthy report, replete with statistics and commentary, to the Sacred Congregation for Bishops in the Vatican. He visited the Church's highest tribunal or court, the Apostolic Signatura, in order to present a comprehensive report on the activities of the Diocesan Tribunal during the past five years. While in Rome, Bishop Cronin also had occasion to visit othe.r ecclesiastical offices, including the Sacred Congregation for Sacraments, where he inquired
regarding certain local matters presently under study by officials of the division of the Holy See. Accompanied by his Secre· tary, Father John J. Oliveira, Bishop Cronin Visited both the ,Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican and the Basilica of Saint Paul, outside the walls of the ancient City of Rome, where he cele brated Mass and signed the formal register which is kept in each Apostolic shrine for ordi· Turn to Page Four
Fall River High Schools To Meet for Discussion
A study to determine the best alignment of Catholic high schools in the city of Fall River was announced today by Reverend Monsignor Patrick J. O'Neill, Diocesan Director of Education. "We have received a number of inquiries and suggestions regarding the possible merger of Bishop Cronin 'reported that our high schools, and we want to the Pope was especially desirous do what seems most suitable for of transmitting to the clergy of our young people," Monsignor the Diocese, "The Presbyterate" O'Neill stated. as the group of priests united With this in mind, the princiwith the Bishop is called, a spe- pal of the Academy of the Sacred cial message' of encouragement Hearts, Bishop Connolly High and paternal concern. His Holi- School and Bishop Gerrard High ness took great delight in learn- Scl-,-ool will be meeting with the ing of the blessing which the' diocesan education staff and surDiocese enjoys of many sem- veying the thinking of parents, inarians now preparing to join students and teachers. the priestly ranks serving the "No final decision has been faithful of the area. made regarding the schools," Bishop Cronin presented a Monsignor O'Neill explained,
"but we feel that we should be continually alert to the needs of our students. We certainly intend to retain our high schools, but we are prepared to adapt to changing times." Among issues to be considered are the possibility of co-education and the merger of some of the schools to provide the best use of facilities. Monsignor O'Neill stressed that the purpose of making this announcement at this time was to allow all who wished to offer suggestions to do so. "We hope that this will not cause unnecessary concern or uncertainty, but we would like to hdvean open discussion of what heretofore has been in the realm of speculation and rumor," he concluded.
Two Great ,Ways to Say Thanks Most Reverend James L. Connolly, D.D., D.Se.Hist.
Bishop James L. Connolly Observes 80th Birthday The Most Rev. James L. Con- been studying the writings and nolly, former Bishop of the Di- rules of Saint Benedict. An hisocese, will observe his eightieth torian by training :and by preferbirthday tomorrow, November ence, Bishop Connolly composed an anecdotal, history of the Di15th. ocese since retiring. Bishop Connolly plans to Two Sisters of the Community spend his birthday rather quietly at the Highland Avenue res- of Saint Joan of Are, Sister idence where he has lived in re- Clara and Sister Neree, provide tirement for some four years for Bishop Connolly and for his now. Likely there will be a pri- pet poodle, "Dandi." On pleavate celebration of the birthday sant afternoons, he enjoys a in the evening. Yesterday, Bishop walk through the neighborhood Connolly was feted at an inti- with an old friend, Mr. John mate party given by his succes- Burke of Fall River. In retirement, Bishop Connolly sor, the Most Reverend Daniel A. Cronin, at the Cathedral has administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to thousands of Rectory in Fall River. Relieved of the pressing bur- •youngsters in Diocesan parishes, dens of administration, Bishop a pastoral activity which he has Connolly has, in retirement, had found most satisfying. A persisvirus prevented him the opportunity to pursue favor- tent ite diversions. An avid reader, from undertaking Confirmation he keeps abreast of current puh- "rounds," as he calls them, last lications, books and periodicals, spring. The Bishop enjoys occasional and has re-read many of his preferred volumes of Christian his- television viewing, preferring tory and literature. Lately he has Turn to Page Three
In order to help relieve the for the needy of the Third World. Last year over 11 million people plight of many of our needy both in 72 countries benefited from at home and abroad, the Fall River Diocese will be conducting this drive, which ran to 1,192 two major appeals during the overseas shipments. The theme of both drives is Thanksgiving season. The first appeal, the Campaign simple yet of profound worth. for Human Development, will be operative in all parishes during the weekend of Nov. 23-24, 1974. This campaign was started in 1970 and to date has raised over $22 million for use in 500 communities throughout the country. The campaign's outreach has encompassed a broad social spectrum on the national level: from health and legiil aid to transportation for the elderly. On the local diocesan scene, 25 per cent of the collection, which to date has amounted to over $,\0,000, has been used for local self-help projects, such as Birthright, Alcoholic Deto~ification, and regional programming for the Deaf. The Thanksgiving Clothing Drive will run from Nov. 24-30, 1974. Area directors are Revs. Normand J. Boulet (Attleboro), Michael Nagle (Taunton), Ralph Tetrault '(Fall River), Thomas O'Dea (New Bedford), John F. Andrews (Cape and Islands). This year's appeal is for sum· mer weight clothing, shoes in good repair, and blankets. For years Catholic Relief Services has operated this drive, so that presently it bo'rders on a technological wonder. On an average of every five hours, a shipment of supplies leaves an American port
The Campagin for Human Devel· opment looks to "monetary" help on the home scene for our local people in need. The Thanksgiving Clothing Drive looks to "in kind" help on the foreign scene for the needy of the Third World.