11.16.07

MARITAL BLISS - Bishop George W. Coleman blesses some of the 96 couples who celebrated significant wedding anniversaries at a recent Mass with the bishop at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River. (Photo by Brian Kennedy)

Bishop praises s:pouses' love, commitment to holy marriage Ninety-six couples ma~k an qccumulated 4,000 years in matrimonial bond

By BRIAN KENNEDY ANCHOR STAFF

FALL RIVER - Ninety-six couples from within the Fall River Diocese whose accumulated time as married partners totaled an amazing four millennia, renewed their vows November 4 at an afternoon Mass at 8t. Mary's Cathedral.

"What a wonderful occasion. we experience today in calling attention to the sacrament of matrimony, to that relationship between a man and a woman that reminds us that the Son of God has united to himself all whom he has saved," Bishop George W. Coleman, who celebrated the Mass, told the gather-

ing in his homily.

The· annual Mass for married couples was heralded as a celebration of the lay men and women who work and struggle together through thick and thin, and are the life-giv- . ing foundation of membership in the universal Church.

Tum to page 20 - Marriage

Diocesan youth look forward to monthly faith 'Extreme'.·makeover

By BRIAN KENNEDY . ANCHOR STAFF .

ATTLEBORO - It was a night of many "greats" for more than 30P Catholic students gathered Nqvember 2 for the monthly Extreme East' event at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette.

The "greats" included music and fellowship and hearing about Christ's teachings, eucharistic adoration and the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation.

In October, the National Shrine kicked off its Extreme East program, a monthly event that offers a night of fun and worship and features notable CatholicYouth Ministry speakers, including Bob Rice, an author, musician, and full-time faculty member at Franciscan University in -Steubenville, Ohio; Martin Doman, recording artist, musician, and speaker; and Matt Smith, Life Teen Core Leader and webmaster for the LifeTeen.com Website.

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Ki~ Lisbon, director for Ex~ treme East, put the big question to the audience at the beginning of the event: "Are you an extremist?"

GOING TO EXTREMES - Musician and author Bob Rice speaks to youth at a recent Extreme East session at La Salette Shrine recently. (Photo by Brian Kennedy) ~".J

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East's' unconventional n3;II1e.. 'Tm. ex.tremely in love with. Jesu~ as .

Jesus is extremely in love with me," she said.

Rice was the keynote speaker at the recent event. He began with a jam session, then performed the 2008 Steubenville East theme song, "Witness."

The theme of this month's Extreme East was "The end of the world as we know it. I get the chance to talk about cool things like death, hell, and purgatory," Rice half-joked.

"God loves you so much, so much he died on a cross. It is God's love we celebrate at Mass," Rice began his address. Rice said there were three categories of the Church: Church militant, those fighting for the Church and its message on earth; Church triumphant, the saints in heaven; and Church suffering, Tum to page 15 - Extreme

:tNEWS"FROM THE VATICAN

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16, 2007

Vatican official criticizes narrow reading of Tridentine Mass ruling VATICAN cItY (CNS) - The secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments criticized bishops and priests who have given a narrow interpretation to Pope Benedict XVI's pennission for the wider celebration of the Tridentine Mass.

Archbishop Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don told an Italian Internet news site that he found it difficult to understand the action "and even rebellion" of churchmen who have tried to limit access to the older Mass.

"On the part of some dioceses, there have been interpretive docu- ' ments that inexplicably aim to limit the 'motu proprio' ofthe pope," he told the Website Petrus November 5.

Pope Benedict's apostolic letter, published in early July, eased restrictions on the use of the 1962 Roman Missal, which governed the liturgy before the new Order ofthe Mass was introduced in 1970.

The papal document said the Latinlanguage Tridentine Mass should be available when a group of the faithful requests it and should be celebrated by qualified priests. However, differences exist over what the precise characteristics of the group should be and over what specific knowledge and training a priest must have before he can celebrate the Mass according.to the 1962 missal.

Behind the attempts to define the - terms in a way that limits the availability of the Tridentine Mass, "there hide, on the one hand, ideological prejudices and, on the other hand, pride, which is one of the most seri_ous sins," the archbishop said.

"I repeat: I invite everyone to obey the pope. If the Holy Father thought it was his obligation to issue the 'motu proprio: ~e had his reasons and I share them fully," he said.

"The bishops, in particular, have sworn fidelity to the pontiff; may they be coherent and faithful to their com- , mitment," he said.

Archbishop Patabendige Don often is rurnored to be in line to succeed Cardinal Francis Arinze as prefect of the co!lgregation; on November I the cardinal turned 75, the normal retirement age for bishops and Vatican officials. ''The Tridentine rite," the archbishop said, "belongs to the tradition of the Church. The pope has duly explained the reasons for his provision, which is an act of freedom and justice toward the traditionalists.'"

The archbishop's comments to Petrus were published about a month after he strongly criticized Church members, including bishops, who publicly disagree with papal decisions.

Speaking to a Latin liturgy association in the Netherlands, he said, the Church needs members who are obedient to God's will, ''which is manifested in a special way through the Church and its visible head, the Roman pontiff."

While discussion and debate can be approptiate, he said, "if it does not in the end lead to a spirit ofobedience in the service of unity then it divides and can only be interpreted lIIi a manifestation of the intent of the evil one to distuIb and retard the noble mission ofChrist. Even those wearing ecclesiastical purple or red are not exempt from the tempter's enchantments."

MIDDLE EAST MEETING - Pope Benedict XVI speaks with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Aziz dur,ing their meeting at the Vatican recently. (CNS photo/Chris Helgren, Reuters)

Pope discusses Christians, Middle East peace with Saudi Arabia's king

By CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY - Interreligious dialogue, peace in the Middle East and the life of Christians living in Saudi Arabia were on the agenda when Pope Benedict XVI met King Abdullah Aziz of Saudi Arabia.

After his audience with the pope November 6, the king also had a separate meeting with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state.

In the context of expressing hope for "the prosperity of all the country's inhabitants," the Vatican peacefu~ said it also raised the issue of the "positive and hardworking presence of Christians" in Saudi Arabia, which prohibits the public expresVATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope past years," he said.

Benedict XVI called for a peaceful The pope said in order to do what sion of any faith other than Islam.

As,king, the Saudi Arabian ruler solution to mounting tensions between is best for these refugees, many of Thrkey and northern Iraq. whom are Christians, ''I strongly wish also is the guardian of Islam's saRecent events unfolding along the that all sideS work to foster peaceful cred mosque in Mecca, where the border between Thrkey and Iraq "are answers" to the crisis. . founder of Islam, Mohammed, was a cause of concern for me and for evIn the same address, Pope Benedict born, and of Medina, where eryone," he said earlier this week af- also called on Italian officials to pro--. Moh~mmed's tomb is located.

Pope Benedict greeted the king ter praying the AngeLus in St. Peter's teet the rights of immigrants.

Square.

He asked that relations between by extending, both hands for a Thrkey has threatened to launch a migrants and Italians be marked by double handshake and then led the major incursion into northern Iraq if "the spirit ofhigh moral civility which king into his library. The pope and more is not done to combat Kurdish is the fruit ofthe spiritual and cultural the king spent about 30 minutes behind closed doors, speaking with rebels who have been striking targets values of every people and country:' His appeal came after conservative the help of two translators. in Thrkey from northern Iraq. and right-wing Italian politicians In keeping with normal protocol, Some 100,000 ThrlOsh troops backed by tanks and military aircraft stepped up calls to close Italy to Ro- , Pope Benedict and King Abdullah - have been deployed along the Iraqi manian workers, expel European exchanged gifts. The pope gave the Union citizens with criminal records king a large etching of the Vatican border.

"I wish, therefore, to encourage or those deemed dangerous to public made in 1550 and a gold medal. The every effort to bring about a peaceful safetY and ~molish squatter camps king gave the pope a small silver and gold sculpture of a camel rider solution to the problems that' have , housing foreigners.

Pope Benedict urged those in under a palm tree and a long gold emerged recently between Thrlrey and Iraqi Kurdistan," the pope said charge of security and welcoming 'sword with a, gem-encrusted Large numbers of Iraqi civilians immigrants to exercise "appropriate handle. have fled to the relatively stable, au- means to guarantee the rights and duThe Vatican said the meetings .;', tonomous region ofIraqi Kurdistan ''to ties that are the foundation" of coex- with the pope and with Cardinal : escape the insecurity and terrorism that istence and a true "meeting of Bertone "were held in a cordial cli" have made life in Iraq difficult these peoples." mate and allowed for the discussion

Pope calls for solution to tensions between Turkey, Iraq

of heartfelt themes."

"In particular," the Vatican said, "they reaffirmed their commitment on behalf of intercultural and interreligious dialogue aimed at the peaceful and fruitful coexistence of peoples, and of the value ofcollaboration among Christians, Muslims _ and Jews for the promotion of peace, justice and spiritual and moral values, especially in support of the family."

Even before becoming Saudi Arabia's ruler, King Abdullah began working on a process to convince Arab leaders to recognize Israel's right to exist in exchange for an Israeli promise to withdraw' from the Palestinian territories seized in the 1967 war.

The Vatican said that in the king's meetings with the pope and Cardinal Bertone there was "an exchange of ideas about the Middle East and the need to find a just solution to the conflicts that trouble the region, particularly the IsraeliPalestinian conflict."

In a front-page article the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, place" the king's visit in the context of new efforts to promote

T····h e An hor le

interreligious 'dialogue in general and Christian-Muslim dialogue in particular.

Calling the visit one of "great importance" in its November 5-6 edition, the newspaper noted that it came less than a month after 138 Muslim,scholars, including several Saudis, wrote a letter to Pope Benedict and other Christian lead~rs "reaffinning the importance of dialogue between Christians and Muslims."

The newspaper said, "In a world where borders are becoming more open each day, dialogue seems to be more of a necessity than a choice."

It also said that in Saudi Arabia the number of Catholics, mainly workers coming from the Philippines, has grown beyond 1.5 million.

Quoting Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, the newspaper said the key to Christian-Muslim dialogue is "to know each other, know each other, know each other. Each of us always has something to learn from the other."

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OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OFFALL RIVER Vol. 51, No. 44

Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service

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weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after ' ChristlTlas by theCalholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, I F~I River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 - FAX 508-675-7048, email: I theanchor@anchomews.org. SubscrIption price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

I, Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address " PUBUSHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman 0'EXeCUTlVE EI)JTOR Father Roger J. Landry t'alhen'ogeriandry@anchomews.org EQlTOR . , David B. Jollvet davejollvet@anchornews.org 'I NEWS EDITO" Deacon James N. Dunbar jlmdunbar@anchomews.org ,Ri;PORTER Matt McDonald mattmcdonald@anchomewa.org REPORTER BrIan Kennedy brlankennedy@anchomewa.org I OFFICE MANAGER MaryChase marychase@anchom_s.org

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16, 2007

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Byzantine Church is witness to presence of Siberia's Catholics

By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE NOVOKUZNETSK, Russia - The fIrst Byzantine Catholic church in Russia built nearly a century serves as a witness to the long presence of Catholics in Siberia, said a Jesuit working in the Russian region.

The recently dedicated Church of St. John Chrysostom in Novokuziletsk also will serve as a tool for evangelizing and "an invitation to Catholics who are still unaware of the presence of a Catholic community in the area," said U.S. Jesuit Father Tony Corcoran, vicar general of the Novosibirsk-based TransfIguration Diocese in Siberia.

For example, he said a woman appeared at the church a day after its dedication after she saw the building from afar. She said she was Catholic and "expressed her own joy at' finding her community," said Father Corcoran.

The Office of Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe of the U.S. Confer-

ence of Catholic Bishops helped fund the construction.of the church.

Before the 1917 Russian Revolution, Byzantine Catholic churches were built in areas of the Russian Empire where Ukrainian and other non-Russian nationals lived, Father Corcoran said. When the communists took over Russia, the Catholic Church - especially Eastern Catholic churches - were suppressed. Churches were confIscated, and in many places Catholics were persecuted for practicing the faith.

Today, the majority of Latin Catholics in Siberia are of Polish, German and Lithuanian ' heritage, the priest said. Most Eastern-rite Catholics are from Western Ukraine, he said, IT'S BEEN A WHILE - Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Stepan Meniok of Donets'k-Kharkiv, adding that they were exiled to Siberia dur- Ukraine, begins the rite of the construction of the sacrificial altar during the dedicaing the Stalinist era of the 1930s and 1940s. tion of the Church of St. John Chrysostom in Novokuznetsk, Russia, recently. The Father Corcoran said the primary task of church is the first Byzantine Catholic church built in Russia in nearly a century. (CNS the Catholic Church in Siberia is to locate, photo/Janez A. Sever, SJ) catechize and serve the pastoral and spiritual NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF LA SALETTE needs of these people and their families.

Venezuelan archbishop says Chavez persecuting Church CARACAS, Venezuela (CNS) - A Venezuelan archbishop said President Hugo Chavez's government is persecuting Catholic Church le~ders in an effort to quiet their criticism of his policies.

Retired Archbishop Ramon Perez Morales ofLos Teques said November 5 there is a "systematic campaign of persecution by government-controlled media to quiet the Church."

However, he said, it was impossible for the Church to keep quiet while Venezuela is being declared "a socialist, Marxist, Leninist state. Venezuela can't be turned into Cuba from the point of view of political organization."

Chavez "is trying to become the pope of this country, that is, determine what the bishops should say, what they can't say, when they must speak and when keep quiet," said the archbishop.

During his weekly talk show November

4, Chavez accused Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino of Caracas and Venezuela's bishops of leading a destabilization campaign to carry out a coup d~etat.

Chavez has called his critics in the Church "ignorant," "perverse" and "liars."

The Venezuelan president has said he is leading his nation toward "socialism of the 21st century." His administration is promot~ ing constitutional reforms that would declare Venezuela a socialist state, 'extend the presidential term from six to seven years, remove presidential term limits and make other changes that opponents call authoritarian.

Meanwhile, former Gen. Raul Isaias Baduel November 5 called on Venezuelans to oppose the constitutional reforms, which he said threaten human rights. Baduel, also a former defense minister, had played a key role in Chavez's return to power following a 2002 coup.

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Drought, collapsed economy put Zimbabwe on brink" says Caritas

By CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY - Continued drought and a collapsed economy have ,put Zimbabwe on the brink of a major humanitarian crisis, said the second-largest aid network in the world.

Caritas Int~rnationalis, an umbrella group of Catholic humanitarian aid and development agencies, made the warning November 5 as it launched a $7 million appeal to help stave off disaster.

"Unless the international community fIlls the shortfall of food, Zimbabwe faces a humanitarian crisis," said the organization's ~ecretary-general, Lesley Anne Knight.

"The national health, education and agricultural services have collapsed. Zimbabweans who can are fleeing the tragedy that the country has become," she said.

More than four million people are at risk of not having enough basic food supplies if they do not receive immediate aid, the Vatican-based organization said in a November . 5 press release.

Failed harvests due to insufficient rainfall and poorly planned land reform are just some of the elements generating increased suffering for the people of Zimbabwe, it said.

The country produced 40 percent less food this year than last year while "child malnutrition rates have doubled to 12 percent since November 2006. Urban areas are also under threat, with 80 percent unemployment and 8,000 percent inflation making basic food too expensive to buy for many," the written statement said.

Caritas Internationalis will be increasing its aid to Zimbabwe and providing food for more than 100,000 people for the next six months. It also will supply farming support to more than 16,000 families, it said.

• The HIV/AIDS pandemic has "severely weakened people's capacity to cope in times of need," it said. In Zimbabwe, more than 20 percent of young adults are HIV-positive, it said, and life expectancy is now less than 40 years for men and women.

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16, 2007

u.s. bishops" Mass marks Mount' St. Mary's 200th anniversary

By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE BALTIMORE - On the eve of the opening of their annual fall meeting in Baltimore, the U.S. bishops gathered for a Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary that marked the 200th anniversary of Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg.

Cardinal William H. Keeler, retired archbishop of Baltimore, was the principal celebrant and homilist.

The Mass was one of several bicentennial events in a yearlong celebration for the university and seminary that began this fall and will culminate next October.

"Two hundred years is a long time, and it is worth marking the centuries' passage in many ways and ... in many places," the cardinal said.

"Today we salute those who have gone before us through two centuries" at Mount St. MarY's, he added. .

Addressing students curtently enrolled there, Cardinal K;eeler said he hoped they already knew or were beginning to more .fully understand something St. :Paul teaches in his Second Letter to the • Thessalonians, the second reading at the Mass.

The lesson is "that God does keep his word and does not: fail us, no matter what the circumstances," the cardinal said. "God's grace is there to help us ... not to take the trouble away but to give us the strength to bear it."

Referring to the first reading for the Mass, a passage from. the Second Book of Maccabees depicting the death of martyrs, the

cardinal questioned how many times graduates of Mount St. Mary's had to "face genuine persecution and bigotry," parti~ularly since "anti-Catholicism is still very much around, even though occasionally it may be in dis~ guise."

Last year, the bishops also began their anriual meeting with an opening Mass at the newly restored basilica in Baltimore. Last year's Mass, also celebrated by Cardinal Keeler, marked the first time all of the country's bishops had gathered in the basilica since 1989 when the archdiocese marked its bicentennial.

In recent years, the U.S. bishops have held their annual fall meeting in Washington, but they moved the location of the annual gathering to Baltimore last year.

The American prelates had often met in Baltimore, the nation's first diocese, during the 19th century at seven provincial and three plenary councils of the U.S. Catholic Church.

Mount St. Mary's was founded by a French priest, Father John DuBois. Father DuBois was sent to bring the liturgy and Catholic education to the "wilderness" of Maryland by Bishop John Carroll, the first bishop of the United States.

The priest planted a cross on what he called "Mary's Mountain" in Emmitsburg in 1808, envisioning a spot for a future. university and seminary. Mount St. Mary's is the second oldest Catholic university in the United States.

Jesuit-run Georgetown University in Washington was founded in 1789.

BICENTENNIAL BLESSING- Cardinal William H. Keeler retired archbishop of Baltimore, gives the final blessing during th~ bicentennial celebration Mass for Mount St. Mary's University at the Basilica ?f the t:Jiitional Shrine of the Assumptionof the Blessed Virgin .Mary In Baltimore Novemb!3r; 11 .The Mass marked the200th year since the founding of the u'niversity and seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec) .... .

PEACE-SEEKERS - Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, speaks at a press conference of Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious leaders in Washington November 7.

Leaders of the three major religions of the Holy Land established a council to address issues before they spark conflict. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Holy Land religious leaders visit U.S., announce peace initiatives

By REGINA LINSKEY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON - Leaders of the three major religions of the Holy Land traveled to Washington to announce initiatives to institutionalize their commitment to decreasing violence.

Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem said the religious leaders will help expedite ''rapid communication" among Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders to address hot issues before they become sources of conflict.

Holy sites help spark conflict, but the religious leaders will work together so that the sites "remain only places for prayer," Patriarch Sabbah said at a November 7 press conference. He said the religious leaders also have agreed to "reflect on the status of Jerusalem," a city regarded

by Muslims, Jews and Christians as holy.

Interfaith leaders announced the initiatives ofthe Council ofReligious Institutions of the Holy Land, an organization of Jewish, Muslim and Christians religious leaders. Council members' visits to the United States were funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

In addition to the communication hot line and Jerusalem's status, council mem~rs said they would: - monitor and respond to the media for "derogatory representation of any religion"; - ''Promote education for mutual respect and acceptance in schools and the media" and sponsor a conference for Palestinian and Israeli educators; - demonstrate to the religious leaders' constituents peaceful conflict . resolutionthrough their dialogue and relationships; - provide consultation with 1sraeli and Palestinian leaders.

Rabbi David Rosen, international director ofinterreligious affairs ofthe American Jewish cotnIlrinee, called

the council's creation ''both amazing and pathetic" because "it has never happened before." The recently established council grew out of religious leaders' 2002 pledge to end violence in the Holy Land. ''We are not here to be politicians.

We are here to say no political situations will worlc without a religious dimension," Rabbi Rosen said, adding that religious leaders provide a ''psycho-spiritual glue."

Salah Zuheikeh, Palestinian

deputy minister of religious affairs, said the council and its initiatives send a strong statement to extremists who do not want to see Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders sit at the same table.

RabbiYona Metzger, Israel's chief Ashkenazi rabbi, said the initiatives ''will open up a wind and a gate for peace" by teaching young Palestinians and Israelis about each other by speaking of each side to the other without hate.

Judge grants San Diego Diocese's .motion to dismiss bankruptcy SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The San Diego Diocese said November 1 it was grateful Judge Louise DeCarl Adler granted its motion to dismiss its bankruptcy case. ''This gets us one step closer to implementing the terms of the global settlement agreement," it said in a statement released the same day as the ruling.

On September 7 the San Diego Diocese and the San Bernardino¡ Diocese, which was split off from its southern neighbor in 1978, announced an agreementtopay $198.1 million to settle lawsuits with 144 people for abuse suffered between 1938 and 1993.

"Nevertheless, it is extremely disappointing that the presumption continues, as if it were a conclusion, that the assets of nondiocesan Catholic institutions and parishes are available to the diocese for the financial resolution of the sexual abuse cases," the'diocese said.. ''This issue was not resolved in the bankruptcy proceeding," it added. .. A.ccording to the San Diego Union-Tribune daily newspaper, Adler "scolded" the diOCese as she handed down her ruling, saying it had been "disingenuous" about its .finances and claimed the diocese had

plenty of property to sell to pay its abuse settlement.

In September the San Diego Diocese said the settlement ''takes us beyond available resources and wiII resuit in some damaging consequences for the mission of the Church in this diocese for a number of years."

San Diego Bishop Robert H. Brom asked his priests to give up a month's salary to help pay the diocese's multimillion-dollar abuse settlement. In an October 2 memo to priests, Bishop Brom also asked parish priests to request donations from their parishioners.

According to the qnion-Tribune, the request for parishioners to donate money prompted Adler to rebuke the diocese in her courtroom.

She was reported saying that originally she was going to make her ruling without comment but then she received a plea from her former parish for donations to help pay the abuse settlement and changed her mind. The letter included information on the diocese's finances.

Diocesan chancellor Rodrigo Valdivia told the Union-Tribune the diocese was disappointed with the judge's comments and said the diocese "is not disingenuous" about its finances.

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Bishops' ~lect new leaders; set moral draft for changes in Iraq

BALTIMO~(CNS)-.JCardinal "Our country needs a new direcFrancis E. (}eorge of Chicago was tion to reduce the war's deadly toll and o . elected November 13 as the new presi- to bring our people together to deal dent ofthe U.S. ConferencelofCatho- with the conflict's moral and human lic Bishops, and Bishop Gerald F. dimensions," said the draft.

Kicanis of Thcson, Ariz., asI its vice On the opening day of their meet' president at its fall general meeting in ing in Baltimore, the bishops agreed Baltimore. , t o take up the statement, which would Cardinal George received 188 be issued in the name of Bishop Willvotes, or 85 percent of the votes. 'iam S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., Citing an alarming political and the conference's outgoing president. partisan stalemate in Washington, a The statement focuses on minirnizdraft statement discussed by the U.S. ing the loss of human life, immunity bishopsNovember12laidoutamoral for noncombatants, the need to conframework for a transition in Iraq. sider what elements of responsible Notingthatthebishopshavecalled transition are attainable, the consefor bipartisan action for almost two quences ofrapid withdrawal from Iraq years, the draft said the cutrent situa- and the financial and global consetion in Iraq "remains unacceptable and quences of continued war and occuunsustainable." pation. ~

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BROTHER BISHOPS - Bishop George W. Coleman, second from right, joined other U.S. bishops for Mass at the close of the first day of their fall meeting in Baltimore November 12. The bishops' conference president, Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., was the main celebrant. In remarks to the bishops earlier in the day, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, confirmed the dates of Pope Benedict XVI's trip to the U.S. and announced the pope's itinerary will include stops in Washington and New York. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)

Pope to visit New York, Washington in April, papal nuncio confirms No visit to the Boston Archdiocese on agenda WASHINGTON (CNS) -Pope Benedict XVI will visit Washington and'New York April-lS-20.

Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, confirmed the dates of the papal trip and announced the pope's itinerary in remarks November 12 at the beginning of the annual fall meeting of the U.S. bishops in Baltimore.

"Peter, the rock on which Jesus founded this Church, will be among us in the person of his successor, Benedict the XVI," Archbishop Sambi told the bishops.

The official title of the upcoming papal trip is ''Apostolic Visit to the United States of America and to the Seat of the United Nations."

According to the archbishop, the pope will arrive inWashington April 15 and will receive an official welcome at the White House April 16.

That afternoon, coincidentally his 81st birthday, he will address the U.S. bishops.

The following day he will celebrate Mass at the new Washington Nationals baseball stadium in Washington. Later that day he will meet with directors of Catholic universities and colleges and diocesaneducationalleaders at The Catholic University ofAmerica in Washington and then he is to attend an interreligious meeting at the Pope John Paul IT Cultural Center.

On April 18, the pope will be in New York to address the United Nations in the morning and attend an ecumenical meeting in the afternoon.

The following day, the third anniversary of his election as pope, he will conc~lebrate Mass at St. Patrick's

Cathedral in the morning and meet with youths and seminarians in the afternoon,' '.

While in New York the pope will visit ground zero on the morning of April 20. Ground zero is the site where the twin towers of the World Trade Center stood before they were brought down by terrorist attacks Sept. 11,2001.' , Archbishop Sambi said the pope's visit to ground zero will be in "solidarity with those who have died and their families and all who wish for an end of violence and the implementation of peace."

In the afternoon, he will celebrate Mass at Yankee Stadium, which will be the final event of his U.S. trip.

Pope JohnPaul IT, who visited the United States seven times during his pontificate, traveled·to Washington and New York in 1979 and revisited New York in 1995. Dupng both visits to New York, he addressed the General Assembly of the Uf1i.ted Nations. Pope Paul VI likewise addressed the United Nations in 1965.

Archbishop Sambi likened Pope Benedict's visit to the United States next year to "a sign that the spirit of the Lord is with its Church"; he also said he hoped the visit would provide a "new spring" and "new Pentecost" for the Catholic Church in this coun'try.

He praised the U.S. bishops for "upholding the faith" and said the Church in the United States showed "an impressive unity" among the faithful and Church leaders.

The archbishop also noted the visit would mark a celebration of the beginning of the U.S. Church and

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should demonstrate how the Church in this 'country will continue to grow by "making all thill'gs new in Christ."

The bishops gave Archbishop Sambi a standing ovation.

"This is a blessed moment for our nation," said Bishop William S. Skylstad ofSpokane, president ofthe U.S. Conference ofCatholic Bishops.

"Pope Benedict is not just the leader of Catholics, he is also a man of inspiration for all those who work for peace."

Cardinal Edward M. Egan ofNew York said New York Catholics were looking forward to the papal visit.

When they initially heard news of a possible visit, he said, there was ''both rejoicing and thanksgiving." he said.

The cardinal also noted. that the pope would receive a "warm and prayerful welcome."

Likewise, Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl spoke of "faith-filled joy and enormous enthusiasm" of Catholics in the Washington Archdiocese for the pope's visit.

"Personally, and in the name of all of the clergy, religious and faithful of the archdiocese, I express our warmest welcome while renewing our sentiments of love and loyalty to our holy father;' he said.

During a November 12 press conference at the bishops' meeting, Archbishop Wuerl ~aid he thought the pope's decision to visit Washington and New York represented a pastoral visit to the entire country.

He also acknowledged that after inviting the pope to Washington he "prayed very hard" that the pope would accept.

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The Anchor ~

Trampling or upholding the conscience of pharmacists

NOVEMBER

16, 2007

the living word

On November 2, Gov. Jon Corzine of New Jersey signed a bill forcing pharmacists in his state to fill prescriptions even ifdoing so violates their moral beliefs and contravenes their conscience. The real purpose of the bill was to ensure that pharmacists in New Jersey, like those in 11 other states, would be A man holds a rosary as he required to give the abortifacient Plan B morning-after pill to women who attends Pope Benedict XVI's request it. That New Jersey legislators wrote the bill in an even more general weekly general audience in St. way only underscores that in the Garden State, pharmacists are not only not Peter's Square at the Vatican. permitted to follow their conscience but to have one.

Pubiic opinion gets old fast, but It should not come as a big surprise that supporters of abortion, like, Goverthe word of God stays true nor Corzine and the majorities of m~mbers in both houses of the New Jersey forever, the pope told the Legislature, do not give much weight to freedom of conscience. They believe, crowd. (eNS photo/Dario after all, that a woman should have the right to kill her child ifthe child does not Pignatelli, Reuters) fit into her plans; it is rather easy to see by that logic why they think the same woman should be able to trample on the consciences of others if the moral "Indeed, the word of God Is decisions that flow from such consciences do not fit into her immoral plans. living and effective, sharper Once one no longer respects the dignity of the other human being even to live, than any two-edged sword, then there's no reason to think that that person will value the other's dignity to penetrating even between live morally. soul and spirit, joints and So Pro-Life pharmacists in New Jersey and in 11 other states have now marrow, and able to discern been forced to choose between following their conscience and keeping their reflections and thoughts of job. Those who support the so-called ''right to choose" have taken away their the heart" (Heb 5:12). ability to choose to be a phannacist without having to cooperate in what they think is evil: they must either be willing to cooperate in chemical abortions by dispensing Plan B or get out of the phannaceutical profession altogether.

Because Pope Benedict has recognized that Pro-Life phannacists are now among the chief targets of the pro-abortion movement, he is speaking out vigorously in their defense. In an October 29 address at theVatican to the members On Thesday, we celebrated t le Ten of the 12 priests working among and that allowed her community's of the International Congress of Catholic Phannacists, he called them to become ever more aware of the ethical implications of their profession and the feast of the first American canonized them had been kicked out oftheir Ital- apostolate to spread far and wide. ian dioceses for problems.

She soon opened up a hospital in use of certain drugs. Medicines, he said, are supposed to have a ''therapeutic saint.

Archbishop Corrigan ofNewYork in 1850 near tl).e Italian city New York and several institutions in Born role;' not a lethal one; to help heal others rather than kill them. 'The phannacist," he declared, ''must invite each person to advance humanity, so that every of Lodi, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini wrote her a formal letter asking her New Orleans, where the integration being may be protected from the moment of conception until natural death." had a hunger for holiness from her . assistance, but at first she wouldn't of Italians was going particularly Dispensing drugs that either cause abortion or euthanasia are contrary to the em::liest days and a deep desire to be hear of it. She had set her heart on poorly.

Requests for her help were compurpose ofpharmaceuticals and to the moral law. ''It is not possible to anaesthe- a missionary. The youngest of 13 chil- evangelizing China. But one night she tize consciences;' Benedict added, concerning the effects of a drug ''whose dren, her family would read each had a powerful dream that induced ing from allover the world, and she purpose is to prevent an embryo's implantation;' like the abortifacient Plan B, night from the Annals of the Propa- her to consult Pope Leo xm himself. traveled with Sisters to open up gation of the Faith and her young The holy and wise pontiff, after hear- homes, schools, hospitals and or"or to shorten a person's life;' like euthanasia cocktails..

In the face of state or corporate policies that seek to trample on the con- heart became inflamed. She路 volun- ing ofthe dream and her discernment, phanages in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, sciences of phannacists, the pope reminded them'about the right to conscien- tarily'decided tcl'give up sweets, be- told her, in words that would change Panama, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, tious objection. This is a right that the ph~utical profession ''must recog- cause she discovered that in China the history ofCatholicism inAmerica, France and England.

She also founded institutions in nize, permitting you not to collaborate either directly or indirectly by supplying there would be no Italian delicacies. ''Not to the East, but to the West."

With six ofher Sisters, she set off for mostAmerican cities where there was to dress her dolls as nuns.

She used products for the purpose ofdecisions that are clearly immoral, such as abortion a heavy concentration of Italian imor euthanasia." He called on pharmacists as a body to stick up for their legiti- She used to make paper boats, fill New York in 1889.

When they arrived, a poor and migrants. mate right not to be compelled to dispense deadly and immoral toxins; there is them with flowers symbolizing the .

By 1907, when the con. strength and numbers and all pharmacists are under assault when laws totally flourishing life of missionof her community stitutions aries, and float them down ~,----------take away their capacity to do what they think is right. the river. ..",(',---'::\ were finally approved, there When groups of pharmacists have recently stood up in defense of their were more than 1,000 SisAfter the death of her rights, many good things have happened. In the state of Washington, for exters working in more than 50 ' ample, several pharmacists filed a federal lawsuit over a new law obliging them, parents when she was 18, ~ institutions in eight counlike their colleagues in New Jersey, to dispense abortifacient emergency conr;\\\'; tries. traception. On November 9, U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton signed an She died 10 years later at .tI-".~F~( injunction suspending Washington's law while the lawsuit is pending. The was refused because her the age of 67 while visiting ::-Roger J. Landry路 Washington pharmacists said in their lawsuit that the policy violates their civil health was poor. Eventually her community in Chicago rights by forcing them to choose betWeen ''their livelib,oods and their deeply .her parish priest, who appreand in 1946, she became the held religious and moral beliefs." Judge Leighton found their arguments per- ciated her piety, zeal and orsuasive, determining that "on the issue of free exercise of religion alone, the ganizational ability, asked her to help humbling reception awaited them. ,first American citizen to be canonevidence before the court convinces it that the plaintiffs ... have demonstrated save a mismanaged orphanage. She They had been asked initially to or- ized a saint. Her future canonization both a likelihood of success on the merits and the possibility of irreparable assented and did all she could, form- ganize an Italian orphanage and el- had been foretold by Pope Leo xm ing around her a community of ementary school, but during their 50 years before when, asked about injury."

Groups of phannacists are finding success in other areas of the country as women to assist in the work, but af- voyage, the benefactress underwrit- her, he replied, "Mother Cabrini is a well. Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas and South Dakota have all recently passed ter three years ofhard work the chari- ing the institutions had reneged on her woman of fine understanding and legislation that explicitly permit phannacists to refuse to dispense contracep- table institution was not able to be re- commitments. There was no place for great holiness. She is a saint." them or the 路orphans to live and no Mother Cabrini's sanctity was tives and Florida, Tennessee and Maine now have laws protecting the rights of suscitated.

But it was through that grain of building for them to hold Classes. seen in her willingness to put out into phannacists and other medical personnel from having to act against their consciences. Even in Illinois, which two years ago became the first state to require wheat falling to the ground that Archbishop Corrigan told Mother the deep waters and lower her nets pharmacists to fill all prescriptions regardless ofethical objections, pharmacists Frances' life-long aspiration was able Cabrini it was probably best for, her for a catch for Christ allover the globe. As a little girl, she had fallen challenging the rule were recently able to achieve a legal settlement allowing to be fulfilled. Her bishop summoned and her Sisters to return to Italy. into a river and almost drowned. Deher and said, "I know you want to be Despite her disappointment at the those who object to dispensing emergency birth control to step aside while spite her fear of water from that point chaos she found in New York, this Now is the time.

I don't a missionary. others with no objections fill the prescriptions.

By raising the subject of conscientious objection, however, Pope Benedict know any institute of missionary sis- tiny, strongly-accented Lombardian forward, she spent much of her adult is doing more than suggesting what pharmaceutical groups may be able to ters, so found one yourself." And with replied with a determination that ever life aboard ship sailing across rough achieve as professional bodies. He is also intimating what individual Catholic the group of seven women who had after impressed the prelate, "No. The seas or over rivers to open schools pharmacists may be forced to do on an individual basis to avoid breaking the collaborated with her at the orphan- pope sent me here, and here I must for the fish she and her community would catch in those nets. age, she did: the Missionary Sisters stay." moral law. ' She models for us the courage and From that point forward, Mother 1\\'0 weeks ago, the editorial focused on Pope Benedict's reminder - after of the Sacred Heart, erected to seek creativity needed in the new evangetook some matters into her own ,the Christian education of girls. the beatification of 498 Spaniards executed during the Spanish Civil War It was suggested to her by many hands. She went to see the benefac- lization. She teaches us that the new that all Catholics are called by their baptism to be ''unbloody martyrs" in their ordinary life, precisely by ''living the Gt)spel without compromise." When given that her new community should head tress to persuade her to change her evangelization needs to happen a choice between fidelity to God's law or to an unjust civil law, the faithful to the United States to work among mind, brought about her reconcilia- through institutions for young people.

Catholic is called to uphold God's law, even if it may bring about personal the Italian immigrants. In the 1880s, tion with the archbishop, founded a She demonstrates for her fellow there were 50,000 Italians'in New house for the Sisters and successfully American citizens how to be true citisuffering. zens of heaven (phil 3:20).

In the midst ofa culture ofdeath, one ofthe most obvious ways that a Catholic York City alone, but fewer the 1,200 began the orphanage.

Father Landry is pastor of St. to receive vocations to She began to a Mass or learned had ever been pharmacist is called to be an unbloody martyr is to keep his or her hands free from the elements of Christian doctririe. her community almost immediately Anthony's Parish in New Bedford. ofthe blood of innocent unborn children, or frail seniors, or the sick.

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The Anchor ,

the simple blessings wellare given, Back home in the dioce~e, it is only a short distance thJt folks village and joined in the celebra" travel to attend Mass. They sit in tion. The students from the village church surrounded by ilie beauty walked in procession from their ,of stained glass windo~l~ and sing one-room schoolhouse to come to ' to organ,:I . I songs 0 f pratse mUSIC. n the Mass and they sang with contrast, the experiencellof our enthusiasm. All were filled with brothers and sisters at our joy aDd pride at the new " Diocesan Mission is so llifferent I ' chapel. , in those aspects. Most villages do Although Sacred Heart not have electricity and !~he Parish in Fall River and the chapels have no stainedllglaSs, community in La Cabana' Stations of the Cross, OF statues of are quite far apart in , the saints so the appearJnce is distance, they are quite quite different than the thurches . , similar in charity and faith. in the diocese. Howeve~ when the They share the same patron and the same spirit of compassion. ,The community in La Cabana is quite poor and their resources are limited but they received us with open arms and offered a simple lunch to us following the dedication Mass. They were grateful for the blessings they had received and wanted others to share in their joy.

So often we take for gr~ted

Not the same, yet so very similar For a number of years while serving in Vocation ministry, I lived at Sacred Heart Parish in Fall River, which has also been home to many hospital chaplains, while serving in hospital ministry.

The parish is known for its hospitality. This spirit of compassion has now found'expression in the soup kitchen that the parish hosts, serving supper to those who are needy. The parish is a small community but grand in charity and faith.

Sacred Heart came to mind recently during a visit toone of the villages called, "La Cabana."

The community is small and is iocated in an isolated area, yet the community is strong in faith. We traveled there for the dedication of their new chapel which was to be dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Over the past months, members of the community have. been saving their money to build a small chapel where they could gather for their weeklycelebration of the Word of God and for

Mass when the roads permit us to travel there. After much work on ,behalfJ>f the community, they built their chapel and invited us to the first Mass. The chilpel was decorated and looked beautiful, due in part to the pews from the former St. Michael Parish in Swansea. The mayor of Guaimaca made the trip to this mountain

Answering the call "Go therefore, and make disciples ofall the nations, baptizing them in the name ofthe Father, and ofthe Son, and ofthe Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded ;路yoy, And behold I am with you all days until the end ofthe age" (Matt 28: 19-20).

With this parting command Jesus, just before his Ascension, gives his disciples their great commissioning. Thus was bom the first Office of Faith Formation. ,''Faith Formation". is neither program, nor place, nor textbook, nor event. Neither is faith formation limited to any particular age group. Faith Formation is answering the call of the great commission. It is gaining disciples, baptizing them, teaching them what Jesus taught, and doing all of this with the surety that we are not alone in the task, for Jesus is always with us.

In every parish in the Diocese of Fall River there are people who have interpreted and 'adapted the. directive of this great commission according to the needs and culture of their communities. Men and women, young and seasoned, lay, religious, ordained have all worked collaboratively to bring the Good News of our salvation to others.

Since I have had the honor of visiting many of the parishes in the diocese, I would like to share with you how some of your brothers and sisters are carrying out this commission.

The people of Sacred Heart . Parish in Fall River responded to the great commission by opening a

food pantries in parishes throughout the diocese. Wherever there is a ministry of outreach, there is Jesus, receiving our care. As one of our urban pastors explained to me, "Jesus told us fuat the poor will be with us always. Wp, need theD;l for our salvation." .

There is a great oppOrtunlty to build into parish outreach programs some theological reflection on the source and destination of our acts of service. As John the Evangelist tells us, "No one has ever seen God. Yet if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us" (11ohn 4). Growth in faith occurs if we acknowledge that g09d works emanate from the source of love that is God. , We live in a culture that is not catechizes through the stained accustomed to theological reflecglass.

The windows depict the life I of Jesus, stories that are so familiar , tion on the everyday occurrences in life. The more we consciously to us 路from the Gospels. In every gUide each other in theological scene, Jesus is depicted as the only reflection on our actions, the greater one in the crowd who is barefoot a symbol of poverty. As the story will be our formation in faith. unfolds within the colored glass, This is the essence and foundation of any intentional program of Jesus remains the only person without sandals. In the last windoW ,faith fonnation. Whether we are handing on the treasury of Christian scene, a depiction of the d~nt of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the doctrine through a Religious disciples finally "get it" - now Education curriculum, reaching out none of them are wearing sandals. in loving service to our neighbors, Each time a meal is served to the or celebrating together in the rich needy of the commurnty, the people tradition of our liturgy - there is are formed as barefoot tlisciples God. through their encounter with Each month I would like to reflect "Christ on the streets." The soup on how we can respond to our great commission, and to share what I have kitchen is a powerful tool of learned from you as I travel throughformation for the people of Sacred out the diocese.

Heart Parish.

Claire McManus is the director . Sacred Heart is not alone in its outreach to the poor in our commu- ' ofthe Diocesan Office ofFaith Fornity. There are soup kitchens and mation. soup kitchen for the people in their community. Every Monday evening the parish hosts a meal for those who need their physical hunger satisfied.

How does this communal act of service fit into a model of Faith Formation? The answer can be found embedded iiI the beautiful stained glass windows of Sacred Heart Church. When I visited the parish last year, its pastor, Father Ray Cambra, showed me how he

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community gathers for prayer or Mass, their expression of faith, their way of celebrating Mass, their joy at receiving the Eucharist is at least equal to the celebrations back home.

This weekend as we sit in church before Mass, or spend a quiet moment during the Mass in prayer, let us remember the ' common gift of faith that we share. Although the surroundings may appear different, it is the faith of Christ that unites us and moves us to reach out in compassion.

www.HonduranMission.org

CAUSE FOR CELEB~ATION - Father Craig A. Pregana, above, blesses the faithful at t~e dedication of the new Sacred Heart Chapel in La Cabana, Guaim~ca. Below, children march up the mountain road for the Mass from their school house with their teacher.

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The Anchor ,

NOVEMBER

16, 2007

How will you greet him?

Imagine, if you will, two brothers having two very different days. It is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the plan is for them to travel with the rest of the family to' an aunt and uncle's house for a large extended family get-together the next day. The ride is somewhat long and they will be leaving after dinner. Everyone has arrived home from school for the Thanksgiving break and the house is electric with anticipation. As soon as dad gets home from work they will eat.

The older brother, an eighthgrader and a little bookish, just got a 100 percent on a test and is still basking in the afterglow of an exceptional quarterly report card and the subsequently increased video game privileges.

Having completed all of his chores he is excitedly waiting by, not quite nagging, making sure his other siblings are ready to go as well, while visions of grandma's apple pie dance in his

head, a shameless plug - since someone else's test. The teacher the author is himself an older gave him an automatic "0." brother.

Suddenly, as a car turns onto The younger brother is a the street, ringing through the sixth-grader and already house come the words that send becoming a fonnidable athlete. the older brother to the door in a Although quite smart, his puppy-like excitement, and the attentions have been drawn in younger brother hiding in his other directions. "He just failed a math test. You see, he never really was mily of the" very interested in Thirty-third Sunday multiplication and ------inOrdlnary Time division - he doesn't -·;4;;;~i*:;;Hi!;;lJf S'i*"-'.¥:{*~~ see its usefulness. He is .. " . . . .~\,'::,' :,,~,:~,:.,.;ki{"', pretty good at addition Michael Fitzpatrick"' and subtraction because obviously you need to know how long a play was and closet in dread: ''Dad's home!" where to spot the ball on 'IWo very different reactions penalties, etc., but multiplication coming from two very different - not so much. As a result he days. This is precisely the never really studied his multiplipicture that is painted by the cation tables. He got by because prophet Malachi in today's first reading (Mal 3: 19-20a), the a friend of his on the team used psalmist in the responsorial to let him copy his tests. His friend, though, was absent from psalm (ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9), and Our Lord in the Gospel (Lk school today, and this brother 21:5-19). got caught trying to cheat off of

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" The Church year runs from the first Sunday in Advent to the last Sunday in Ordinary Time, "ordinary" as in numbered, not "we don't know what else to call it." This last Sunday in Ordinary Time is always celebrated as the feast of Christ the King, for King he is, and he is coming - we just don't know exactly when. When he does come in glory how we meet him and anticipate his coming will have to do with how we are " living now - just like the two brothers and their dad. Will we perceive his coming in joy and run to be with him, or will we be filled with dread and fear? He is the same Lord, we are the ones who have the different reac" tions.

The Scriptures today are meant to begin to prepare us by bringing us to this focus. Next week is the feast of Christ the

King, and the following week begins the new Church year and the season of Advent - which interestingly enough literally means "to come." In Advent we look both forwards and backwards: forwards to his coming in glory as king at the end of time, and backwards to his first coming in Bethlehem of Judea 2,000 years ago. We remember what he has already done, and the freedom and grace that we have received as a result. We know and trust that like St. Paul exhorts us in today's second reading (2 Thes 3:7-12) if we work and stay the course, although it may be difficult, we can indeed live the life to which we are called - to imitate St. Paul as be imitates Christ - and so, run to meet him with joy. .

Father Fitzpatrick is a parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish in Mansfield, and chaplain at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Nov.!7, WlS 18:14-16;19:6-9; Ps 105:2-3.36-37,42-43; Lk 18:1-8. Sun. Nov. 18, Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mal 3:19-20a; Ps 98:5-9; 2 Thes 3:7-12; Lk 21:5-19. Mon. Nov. 19, 1 ~c 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-63; Ps 119:53,61,134,150,155,158; Lk 18:35-43. The. Nov. 20, 2 Mc 6:18-31; Ps 3:2-8; Lk 19:1-10.

Wed. Nov. 21, 2 Mc 7:1,20-31; Ps 17:1,5-6,8b,15; Lk 19:11-28. Thu. Nov. 22, Mc 2:15-29; Ps 50: 1-2,5-6,14-15; Lk 19:11-28. Fri. Nov. 23,1 Mc 4:36-37,52-59; 1 Chr 29:10-12; Lk 19:45-48.

The Doomsday-mongering is a staple feature of the fauxintellectual life, occasionally influential and sometimes quite lucrative. The club of Rome's dire certainties about the "limits to growth" shaped Carter Administration thinking and policy. Paul Ehrlich's tediously repetitious predictions that "over-population" would cause mass starvation and other global catastrophes were rewarded by a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant, irrespective of the fact that none of Ehrlich's alarums ever panned 'out. The nuclear freeze movement was whipped up by eminentlyforgettable potboilers like the ,1983 TV movie, ''The Day After;" the Great Satan of that moment was Ronald Reagan, whom many of his erstwhile critics now praise in preference to the archfiend

Bush. Green doomsday-mongering is currently the fashion and just won Al Gore, with whom I once worked on alternatives to the nuclear freeze, the Nobel Peace Prize - the Norwegian Nobel Committee thus reducing that once-distinguished award to the equivalent of an Oscar.

Catholic social thought has not always been immune to certain kinds of doomsdaymongering. The 1968 encyclical, Populorum Progressio [The Development of Peoples], was influenced by some of the convictions that led the Club of Rome to criticize what we now call "globalization." Rumors of a new social encyclical to mark the fortieth anniversary of Populorum

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Progressio have been circulating generations. The boy or girl born in the past few months. Should such an encyclical be in the works, its drafters would do well to cast a critical eye on the . economic, anti-natalist, and environmental doomsday-

mongering of recent decades.

For, according to a recent U.N. "State of the Future" Report, the happy news is that the human condition is improving, rapidly and exponentially: "People around the world are becoming healthier, wealthier, better educated, more peaceful, more connected, and ... are living long~r." Global illiteracy is now down to 18 percent, having been cut in half over the past two

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today will likely live 50 percent longer than a child born in the mid-1950s. More people are living in political freedom than ever before.

And poverty has been dramatically reduced. In 1981, 40 percent of the world's population scraped out a life of! less than $l/day; today, that percentage is down to 25 percent. That is completely unacceptable; it is also a major improvement, most of which can be attributed to free trade about which Populorum Progressio was skeptical. As John Paul II taught in the 1991 encyclical Centesimus Annus, poverty today is caused by exclusion, and the cure is inclusion: exclusion from the networks of productivity and exchange that generate wealth must be remedied by empowerment strategies that give ev~r more people the skills to get into the game.

The real problem in the 21st century, according to Oxford economist Paul Collier, is the "bottom billion." There are six billion people in the world, of whom one billion are rich and four billion are on track to get rich, if at different rates. The top five billion are linked to, and work within, those networks of productivity and exchange

discussed by John Paul II; the "bottom billion" aren't. Rather, according to Collier, they're caught in various "traps," including the trap of corrupt government, the trap of ethnic/tribaU religious conflict, the resources trap, and the trap of bad neighbors. Thus a rebel leader in Zaire boasted that you could do a successful coup d'etat with a cell phone and $10,000: the money to raise an army from impoverished tribesmen, and the cell phone to make deals to sell natural resources to the likes of China. For more on Collier and his call for international action to police those aforementioned networks of productivity and exchange, see Father Richard Neuhaus's essay on The Bottom Billion in the October issue of First Things.

For the first time in human history, no one has to be poor.

No one has to go to bed hungry or, worse, starve. The social teaching of the Church, which rightly gives priority to the poor, best serves the global dispossessed when it accurately identifies how billions of people have gotten un-poor.

If the U.N. can figure that out,' the Catholic Church certainly can.

George Weigel is a senior fellow ofthe Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

9

You don't have to be a fish to give swimming lessons Bulletin announcements are fine, Thursday 15 November 2007 dear readers, 'as far as they go, but - at home on Three Mile River, the Dightons - "] LOve to Write I've found that the direct approach is more effective in Day" www.ilovetowriteday.org volunteer recruitment. "So, Stan, A priest is likely to be challenged concerning his ability to how would you like to coordinate give marriage preparation sessions. "Father, how can you possibly prepare couples for marriage?

Reflections of a You're not married!" . .· . P Being three-quarters .,,~.

Irish, I answer the question with a question: "Do you have to be a fish to give swimming our worship ministries? By that I lessons?" '''/ . mean' greeters, ushers, lectors, I met this week with parishioeucharistic ministers, and altar ner Stan Koss. He's a retired servers. I have something else in public school principal. I had something in mind for him. mind for the Music Ministry."

rhe Ship's Log

"Father, I've never been a lector or a eucharistic minister!" was Stan's first reaction. "What does that have to do with it? Do you have to be a fish to give swimming lessons?" I ask.

Worship ministries, it seems to me, should be coordinated by one person. Whether or not that person can swim is irrelevant. Coordination means, firstly, recruitment. The personal approach is best. An annual parish Ministry Fair is also helpful in identifying prospects. A paragraph succinctly stating qualifications, mission, and responsibilities would prove invaluable. Also, an interested

The lesson of the lenient librarian when our children are very little, The other day some new The librarian on duty that. just too cute, and all we parents parents asked me what one thing morning said that she'was sorry, really want is to be nice, for our I would advise them to do in but the passes had been wrongkids to like us, and to avoid order to raise respectful, loving, fully given out the day before by tantrums when we are out in and trustworthy children, Of one of the more lenient librarians, public. As I assured the new course, I first had to say that and that, the deed being done, parents who desired to raise parenting does not come with . there was no~g she could do children of good character, it is any guarantees. I then shared that about it. My first response was possible to say "no" kindly. It is in my 18 years of experience one of disbelief, then anger, with our own five children and possible to adwinister co~e­ disgust, and finally cOtpple~e laclc quences for bad behavior in a fair their friends, children of such of respect for the ruleS of the and merciful way. It is possible to character have parents who are library system. If we were still. lovingly hold fast to preconsistent; consistently present, going to be able to go'to Plimoth established rules, but it all begins consistently loving, consistently Plantation, this inconsistency was with the willingness to be toeing the line.

It was around "'!!!l"'!!!"'!""""""!'l,=,!"'i"r~:;;;;::--'t'Iconsistent; to "simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and Thanksgiving time a your 'NQ,' 'No'," as the couple of years ago that.

Bible instructs (Mt 5:37).

I was convjcted of the When we are consistent . importance of such wi~ our children - and' parental consistency it is never too late to start through an encounter "-- we sow seeds of with a lenient librarian. respect, love, and trust.

The occasion was a . Ironically, we will also . visit from my parents going to cost us close to 100 extra find that when we are consistent, who live in Minnesota. As part of dollars. our children throw fewer a quintessential, New England "Oh, okay, I see h?w it is," tantrums and push our buttons Thanksgiving experience, it was was as polite a respol'lse as I less frequently because they their request to visit Plimouth could manage that mpming, as know it will get them nowhere.

Plantation. Knowing how many more impolite phrases and It must be said that this one expensive admission tickets accusations rocketed around in encounter is not the sum of my would be for all nine of us, I my head. SeedS of anger and relationship with all libraries. called a local public library two distrust of the library authorities The librarians at our parish have months in advance to reserve were sown in me that day. patiently waited for our family to special, discount passes which With oUr children, the sowing return late books and leniently let many libraries provide for of such seedS is no different. us re-supply lost ones. This regional museums, zoos, and Inconsistent application Of family singular encounter was imporother educational organizations. rules, inconsistent keeping of tant, however, because it reUnfortunately, the librarian said I promises, incqnsistent conse~ minded me of what it feels like to could not reserve the passes until quences for disobedience, or be at the mercy of an inconsistent one week before the desired date inconsistent foUow-through on authority figure. For this reason, I of use. No problem; a few consequences are the types of am thankful for the lesson minutes before the library was parental behavior that plant, and learned from a lenient librarian at due to open one week before we will eventually propagate anger, wanted to go to the Plantation, I Thanksgiving. distrust, lack of respect, and Heidi is 4n author, photograsimultaneously called the library finally rebellion agai1lst our pher, andfuU-time mother. She to leave a voice mail requesting parental authority. and her husband raise theirfive the passes and asked my husband The problem with consistency children in Falmouth. to drive to the library to pick is that it is hard work. Unless we Mmegrownf4ith@gmail.com. them up. Much to my dismay, he actively work against it, apatterri returned without the passes. of inconsistency easily develops

It would be well if the proceperson inquiring about, say, dures of ushers were standardserving as a lector, should ized. This will soon happen. understand from the get-go that There is a final draft of collection they can one day retire with procedures that will eventually be dignity and move on to another promulgated in parishes throughministry. In other words, volunout the diocese. This is all about teering for lector does not mean good stewardship. you're "Lector for Life."

On to the matter of altar In most ministries, I think servers, these may be male or about five years should be the female. But who ever said that cap. After that, it's time to give altar servers have to be under the someone else a tum at bat. There age of 16 years? Nobody. At any are, of course, exceptions. Some ministries require special gifts rate, young boys and girls, by nature, must know exactly what is liturgical music, for example. expected of them. It is unfair to Good vocalists and musicians can be difficult to find. presume they'll think on their Some ministries - Extraordifeet. That's not where most of them are at. This means training.. nary Minister of the Eucharist .

In days past, training was the comes to mind ~ hav~ set time responsibility of "junior curates." . limits. The commission is for one . Hello? We no longer have junior year, renewable. A candidate for curates. So, now whose job is it, eucharistic minister must attend a anyway? training session provi4ed by the Lectors need to be able to read diocese. If a eucharistic minister is invited by the pastor to serve well in public. This is not as easy another year, the individual needs as it seems. They must prepare in advance, be familiar with the to be commissioned for that year.

In our diocese, the commissioning readings, know the correct pronunciation of difficult names, of eucharistic ministers takes place on the Solemnity of the and more than that - the Body and Blood of Christ and is intention and purpose of the biblical author. Then they have to conducted by the pastor or his convey that intention to the delegate. In a special situation where the number of communiassembly. cants is unexpectedly overwhelm"So, Stan," I confidently state, ing, a pastor may appoint a "your job will be to recruit parishioners for these various parishioner on the spot. It's onetime assistance. The ordinary ministries, arrange for their Minister of Communion is a training, schedule them for service, bishop, priest, or deacon. provide for their spiritual and Ushers are another matter. social enrichment, and graciously encourage them to try another Who ever said that ushers have to be male? Nobody. The collection ministry when the time comes. should be presented to the presider This is organization. I know you at Mass, along with the bread and are able to organize. The question wine. These are gifts. (Water is not now: are you willing to do so?"

'Thanks for the clarification, a gift, unless you happen to be .

Father," Stan respondS. "Give me a suffering from severe dehydracouple days to think about it and I'll tion). The collection basket does get back." "Stan, you are a proven not contain "filthy lucre." The administrator. Remember, you don't contents represent the work of the donQrs and are their tithe to God have to be a fish to give swimming lessons." The jury is still out. and to the Church. The collection Father Goldrick is pastor ofSt. is holy, and should be treated as Joseph's Parish in North Dighton. such.

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NOVEMBER

Fran Long: The 'Prayer Warrior' of Easton

16, 2007

Thanks for Hideki Okajima and his no-nonsense demeanor.

Thanks for Tito Francona's

By MAn McDoNALD concentration, while navigating ANCHOR STAFF them is Long, a regular ever since the beginning.

Red Sox Nation.

The Wednesday night mef;tingsat the parish cenThanks for Tom Brady in 'the . EASTON -'-You could almost say that Fran Long ter begin with a prayer ·of p,raise and thanksgiving. pocket, and his passes fast as . has'had devotion to St. Therese of the Child Jesus Hymns are followed by a period of silence, then readrockets. . " , . since before she was born. ings from Scripture and ,a discussion:that includes Long's mother had a difficult pregnancy when she prayer intentions, including those i.n the box.

Thanks for Randy Moss' bne- . hand catches, and TDs that com.e was carrying her, so her mother's sister, a member of "We let the Holy Spirit lead us," she said. in batches. .the Sisters of St. Joseph, organized an effort to pray A Bible study grewout of theearly,prayer group' Thanks for Mike V r a b e l ' to,St. Therese (1873-1897) for the mother and child. meetings. Over the years various Bible study groups answering the call, on either side ., ., 'The birth went all right, and Long's parents were in the parish have begun and ende~, About 10 years of the ball. . grateful. ago, the parish's permanent deacon askedLong to ~.:.··.Tbe s~nt ~own as the Little Flower was born lead an otherwise all-men',s Bible study: "We called Thanks for . ,':~arie~Fr~~oise-Therese Martin; the new baby was her 'Frank,'" Deacon George Zarell~ said, laughing.

Rosy Colvin's :'n~e~ Frances Therese Marie Kenney.

That Bible study, which haS since expanded to . crunching " . _ A statue ,?f St. Therese has a prominent place by a include women, meets Thesday nights. sacks, and sitting room at Long's home in Easton.

Long said she knew as little about the Bible as ~. swatting down "I pray to her every day. And I experience many most Catholics when she started going to Bible study ! . running backs. blessings in my life because of her," Long said. "I more than 30 years ago. Now it's an integral part of Thanks for think of her as my spiriher spiritual life. what Kevin tual mother."

"Spiritual growth is Garnett can do, The Church encourlike human growth. We every game it's ages intercessory prayer, don't want to remain basomething new. would like to thank the good a form of asking God for bies spiritually. We want Thanks for Ray Allen's Lord for the gravy fixin's. help indirectly by asking to grow into mature ChrisThanks for a second World shooting touch the Celtics someone else to make a tians ... who have come Series title in four years in the needed very much. petition for a particular into a deep personal relafold, it never gets old.

Thank§ for Paul Pierce having intention. The most obvitionship with Jesus," she fun, after such 'a dreadful run. .

Thanks for the image of ous targets are souls alsaid. ''That's what we all Dustin Pedroia hustling in the Thank~ for a rocking GaMen. ready in heaven, beginneed." field, and swinging from his after years of simply ploddin': ning with Mary the This year the Bible heels..

Thank~ for a Tim Thomas" mother of Jesus, known study is focusing on St. flashing glove save, that's why Thanks for Jonathan as the Queen of All ~.~' Paul's letters in captivity.

Papelbon's menacing glare and he's a BrOins' fan fave.

Saints.

Over the last three dehis river dancing flair.

Thank~ that Piltrice Bergeron St. Therese, who was /. cades the various groups Thanks for Big Papi's smile canw~lkii!ndspeak, when things canonized in 1925; i s " she has participated in and how he hits the 'ball a mile.. once~app~aied;so;bleak. , __: , . have delved into all parts among the most popular Thanks fOf the' Revolutio.n in Thanks for Manny being of intercessors widely of the Bible, with notice_ Manny, and well, Manny being the l\;ILS 'Cup, may this be the known for her "Little able effects, she said. year we raise it up.' .

Manny.

Way" of doing ordinary ''The Bible is a living Thanks for melodic chants of Thanks for a wonderful year HOR PERSON OF THE WEEK _ word, and it has the power . things with extraordin for the teams we hold so dear.

Yoooouuuuukkk, and a gold After all this thanking and glove that's no fluke. love. '. Long. (Photo by Matt McDonald) to transform us, to change Intercessory prayer I S . us, to teach us how to be reminiscing, I have only one Thanks for Jacoby's speedy a large part of Fran Long's life. She keeps a prayer Christians, really," Long said. thing left to say. wheels, and the bases that he box in her house filled with scraps of paper bearing While Bible study is popular with Protestants, steals.

Pass the gravy please. various intentions that she brings to weekly meetings Long emphasizes that the meetings she leads take a of the prayer group at Holy Cross Parish in Easton. Catholic perspective, incorporating the "Catechism Long, who grew up in Brockton, lived there until of the Catholic Church" and Catholic interpretations Treat your souR to the, finm 1972, when she moved to Easton. of Scripture.

Catholic Boot~tore on tft~ Cape She taught in Brockton, mostly English from 1958 1\vo years ago Long added a second weekly sesto 1970, then becoming a guidance counselor at sion, on Friday mornings for people who can't or Brockton High School. She retired in 1996 after 38 don't want to come out at night. While each session years in the school system. uses the same texts, Long' said she doesn't find the Few of her pupils realized they were getting more meetings repetitive. from her than just instruction or advice.

"You can never plumb the depths of Scripture.

"I always worked in public schools, but I always Scripture is alive,'and it has so much to give that it's prayed for the. kids that I felt the Lord was giving me never boring," Long said. each year," she said. "Even though they don't know Deacon Zarella leads the parish's Rite of Christhat you did that, God knows. You plant the seed of tian Initiation for Adults program, which presents prayer, and God makes it grow'some day."..

Catholic teachings to non-Catholics in hopes of preAt Holy Cross Parish she has filled several roles, paring them to enter the Church. including extraordinary minis~er of holy CommuriEvery February, when he goes on vacation, Deaion and coordinator of those ministers, with the help con· Zarella asks Long to lead the two-hour class. of two other women. She also recently completed a' Long speaks about prayer.. history of the parish, which celebrat~ its 40th anni- . Deacon Zarella, who called her presentations versary earlier this fall. . . "very powerful," said class participants always say "I love to serve the Lord, and I consider it serving Long's talk has an impact on them.

CloG <> M:mI$ <l ~ llI:m:>a:: <>.Cotrr.<:>= Ft::sT CC>e:uI<I\lll v~"'~"'s COOl3 the Lord, serving Jesus, in whatever way he would "Her credibility flows from her own prayer life, CJiS t> DVD'S ¢> J~ ¢ llaW::ls '" rtJ:r;:s like to have me serve in the parish,"~ong said. and I think that rings true to people," Deacon Zarella N.mvnv !itts <> Sn>n:E () C!:smxl:; C<=m llUz=us~~ s-r~ In 1973, not long after she joined, she responded said. "She's what I consider the prayer warrior of the . to an item in the parish bulletin announcing the for- parish." mation of a prayer group. That first m~ting included The Anchor encourages readers to nominate three women - the founder, the fdlmder's mother, ' others for the· Person of the Week - who and no M.'CJ Sn;m; 0.""",", • 508.J49.oooo 0_ Tmsu.w-Soru....AY and Long. why?

Submit nominations to: 1JotnJ... W:d "'" <f""""'" I> <lJ.0J4S<J,w1 The group peaked at about 45, before falling off theanchor@anchornews.org, or write to The Ane<4lbffldz"... c.r.GIlIl in the 1980s, and is down to single digits now. One of chor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

In the grand scheme of Thanksgiving, it's my family, including Igor, that is the main course - the turkey. No reflec:. tion on them, of course. Then it's friends, my home, my job, and' all of God's many assorted blessings that are the potatoes, the squash, the com, the biscuits, and the stuffing of life.

But it's the little things, the small blessings that are the ingredients that blend to make the gravy. And it's now that I

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--_._",--,--THAT'S ONE BIG CHECK - E. Dennis Kelly, chairman of the St. Mary's Education Fund Fall Dinner presents a check for $665,535 to Bishop George W. Coleman at White's of Westport. (Photo by John E. Kearns Jr.)

11 Green Monster in Fenway Parle Next on Ryan's hit list was the New England Patriots. 'They may be sitting on the mother lode," said Ryan.

He also attributed the Patriots' success to organization, and how everyone thought Robert Kraft had losthis mind when he hired Bill Belichick, but Kraft knew Belichick had the potential to be a great coach.

Then it was onto to the NBA, Ryan's oldest stomping ground. 'The Celtics have been turned around. They have the young talent. They are now fun and viable. Boston is now a threesport town, not a two-sport town."

Ryan characterized the two-sport Boston as having a twoiweek handoff from football to bas~ball, 'with the Celtics and Bruins s*ply filling the I ' two-week gap between the Super

I

Bowl and the start ofbaseball season.

'There has never been a better time to be a Boston sports fan," he commented ''I'm glad I listened to Sister Mary Sebastian so I could write this down in proper English," Ryan concluded.

George Milot, diocesan -superintendent of Catholic schools, told the gathering, ''Without you, there would be six to seven empty spaces in the choir, and two in the video."

He expressed gratitude for all the work put into the dinner and presented the TImothy J. Cotter Friend ofCatholic Education Award to Carl W. Taber.

Taber was commended for his "great" charitable work inside and outside Catholic education, and for directing the Cursillo and Faith Formation movements.

St. Mary's Education Fund Fall Dinner: A good time for a good cause

By BRIAN KENNEDY

school, and when they hear about the scholarships it lights up their eyes," WESTPORT - Prolific Boston Joanne Riley, principal of St. Mary's Globe sportswriter and arde~t Boston School in Mansfield, told The Anchor, sports world fan Bob Ryan not only explaining how the Fund provides regaled the more than 440 attendees need-based scholarships to students at the 13th annual St. Mary's Educa- who otherwise could not afford to get tion fall dinner November 8, but made a solid education grounded in Cathoit clear his journalistic,success flowed lic values. from a Catholic school education.

"It has a major impact on our That, a gounnet, three course din- schools:' she added ner and a performance by the Holy Kathleen Burt, principal of SS. and Paul School in Fall River Name School, Fall River, choir comprised of elementary and middle '" said, 'The fund serves families who school students' was all tha~was want the school for the faith;~ noting needed to inspire the gathering that :' some in minority communities who included clergy, school principals, cat- cannot afford a Catholic school but echists and laity at White's of West- want their children to grow in the faith. port to dig into their pockets contrib- "It is absolutely necessary to have a uting to what amounted to a total choice in education:' she said. $665,533 from all the Fund's fundFollowingdinner,abriefvideowas shown. It emphasized the power ofSt. raisers this year.

"Is there a large ATM in which I Mary's Education Fund in the Fall could deposit this?" Bishop Cole- River Diocese. Diocesan Catholic man quipped after receiving the schools have approximately 8,300 stucheck. "If not for your generosity, dents, 730 of which were helped by 730 students could not have a Catho- the Fund last year. The video emphalic education. The fund also assists sized all ofthe things Catholic schools families that suffer an unforeseen have to offer, including a learning entragedy," th~ bishop said. vironment, student clubs, faith forma''We have families that assurne it's tion, and the willingness to work with impossible to get into a Catholic students in order to attain their hopes ANCHOR STAFF

peter

and dreams.

Ryan was substituting for keynote speaker and colleague sportswriter Dan Shaughnessy, who was unable to appear because of a death in his family. _ "It's not the first time a Boston College ,guy bailed out a Holy Cross guy," Ryan joked, to both cheers and boos from the audience.

Ryan talked about his Catholic school upbritiging in Trenton, N.J., and of the impact of Sister Mary Sebastian and her love for proper English.

Despite his Catholic formation, he quipped, "I found a new way of stealing money; covering sports in Boston in 2007," said Ryan. He went on to talk about the Red Sox franchise. ''The Red Sox have become a great visionary business entity, never mind a sports entity:' he said, noting Theo Epstein's lineage, and how Fenway Park remains that lyric little bandbox over ballparlc even after the improvements to the stadiurn were made. ''They kept the ladder even though it now serves no functional purpose.

Every one or two years a ball ends up hitting the ladder:' Ryan pointed out, referring to the ladder on the

A GOOD SPORT - Boston Globe sports columnist Bob Ryan was the guest speaker at the St. Mary's Education Fund Fall Dinner.

Seated at left is Channel 10 meteorologist John Ghiorse, emcee for the event. (Photo by Brian Kennedy)

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THE ENTERTAINERS - Students from Holy Name School in Fall River provided some of the entertainment at the recent St. Mary's Education Fund Fall Dinner at White's in Westport. (Photo by Brian Kennedy)

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$ 16,2007 Catholic comedy legend Tim Conway keeps 'em laughing

The Anchor

By MARK PATTISON

Conway and his "Carol Burnett" cohort, Harvey Korman, re-creating some of the most popular skits feaWASHINGTON -People know tured on the Burnett show as they Tim Conway best from his 11 seatoured the country, doing 125 sons on TV's "The Carol Burnett shows a year.

Show," where he delighted viewers "All those crazy things we did on with outlandish sketch comedy and Burnett, there was no jeopardy, no physical humor. Others remember fear that we were going to do anyhim from his four-year stint on the thing offensive. You could be funny sitcom "McHale's Navy." for funny's sake," Conway told CNS. But it wasn't always plums, plau"Everybody - in the Midwest and dits and success for the comedian. especially in the Christian belt In 1967, a year after "McHale's they don't watch television anyNavy" went off the air, Conway lasted less than a half-season more" because of violence, as TV's "Rango," playing an language and nudity. inept lawman.

"I'm not a prude and I'm "I'm not a prude and I'm not out to '''Rango' was probably the burn DVDs or scripts. It's not the not out to burn DVDs or only unsuccessful show that place, " Conway said. 'We're trying to scripts. It's not the place," Aaron Spelling (producer of get back the kind ofhumor that came Conway said. "We're trying to get back the kind of humor such hits as 'Charlie'sAngels' from 'The Carol Burnett Show' and that came from 'The Carol and 'Beverly Hills 90210') Carson and Sid Caesar, Steve Allen, Burnett Show' and Carson and ever had," Conway said. "We were supposed to have 13 Don Knotts, Louis Nye, Tom Poston Sid Caesar, Steve Allen, Don what's more enjoyable than Knotts, Louis Nye, Tom shows, but after 12 a guy from watching that kind of thing at night?" Poston - what's more enjoyABC came down and said, able than watching that kind •Stop doing this.' So we of thing at night?" stopped."

A member of Our Lady of Grace Then came 1969's "Turn-On;" a at life too seriously.

"My life compared to the big Parish in Encino, Conway said he rapid-fire gag comedy show in the style of "Rowan & Martin's Laugh- bang is quite minute. I've always had isn't made to feel uncomfortable by faith, and somebody to communi- fellow parishioners because of his In." "That is in the Guinness Book of cate with, too, when things are fall- celebrity status. "They see me for Records," Conway said. "It was the ing apart around you," he said. "I'v~ what I am," he added, quipping, "I always had a very, very strong be- like to go into a confessional and stay shortest show ever pn television."

While not a member of the cast, lief. That's something to hold onto. for an hour and a half, and just let Conway, as the show's special guest ... You have to have somebody or people wonder."

Con~ay recalled a "Father star, was a bigger name than anyone something to turn to. Faith just kinda Oliver, a very good friend" at Bowlelse on the show the one night it relaxes things a little bit."

While TV may have bypassed ing Green State University in Ohio, aired.

"We had a premiere party the Conway's brand ofcomedy, he's still his alma mater. "He would sit in the night it was on. As it was coming available on the small screen, thanks confessional and on Saturdays you would hear the Notre Dame (footon, it was being canceled - includ- to two new DVDs. ing (in) Cleveland, my hometown, I "Thou Shalt Laugh 2: The ball) game on the radio."

A penitent, Conway added, could might add. It was very, very eco- Deuce" features Conway as the emnomical, because we had an open- cee for five Christian comics, confess the most heinous sins during-night party and a cancellation among them Victoria Jackson, a ing the games and receive a light party the same night." . former cast member of "Saturday penance by following up the confesConway added, "I could have Night Live." "Together Again" stars sion with "What's the score?"

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WINTER WONDERLAND - Miranda Richardson and Paul Giamatti star in a scene from the movie "Fred Claus.:Eora brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photolWarner Bros.)

and some crass humor and expressions. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is AIl - adult~ and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG - parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

((]~, ~'t()viite

ll)JII()~Ulllle~ NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of movies.recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting ofthe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Fred Claus" (Warner Bros.)

Generally funny yet bittersweet tale of a sad-sack Chicago repo man (Vince Vaughn) who travels to the North Pole to help his younger, more popular brother, St. Nicholas (Paul Giamatti), at Christmas, while a devious efficiency expert (Kevin Spacey) threatens to shut down the elves' toy factory. Underneath the laughs, Dan Fogelman's script is a surprisingly resonant take on sibling rivalry, with lots of heart-tugging sentiment, and solid messages about family, self-esteem, forgiveness and ultimately redemption.

Under David Dobkin's deft direction, there's sharp work by the leads and the classy' supporting cast (Miranda Richardson, Rachel Weisz, Kathy Bates and John Michael Higgins). Mild innuendo, an implied premarital living arrangement, a suggestive costume,

"Lions for Lambs" (VA) Well-intentioned but static plea for noncomplacency as a slick senator. (Tom Cruise) plants an exclusive story al?out a new U.S. initiative in Afghanistan with a critical TV reporter (Meryl Streep); the idealistic students (Derek Luke and Michael Pena:) of a university political science professor (Robert Redford) decide to join the struggle in that country; and the professor tries to convince a disillusioned student (Andre~ Garfield) to abandon his cynicism and try to make a difference in the world. Redford's usually solid directorial gifts fail to give life to an exceedingly talky, heavyhanded and artificial script, while even the action scenes in Afghanistan are murky and bland. Pervasive conversational expletives, crude expressions, some profanity and wartime battle violence. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L - limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find q-oubling. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is R - restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

NOVEMBER

actually made a living doing pilots. ... I had five shows at CBS. Some were· canceled, and I would start another one the next week."

That kind of career treadmill could be hard on anyone, but Conway, a Catholic, was able to Persevere thanks to his faith.

"If I didn't have that, 'I would be crying constantly," Conway, 74, told Catholic News Service in an October 29 telephone interview from Encino, Calif. "I've always had a good sense of humor and not looked

tv

Diocese of Fall River Mass on WLNE Chanrtel 6 Sunday, November 18 at 11:00 a.m.

Scheduled celebrant is Father Marc P. Tremblay, pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Norton

COMIC GENIUS - Harvey Korman and Tim Conway are pictured doing sketch comedy in an undated photo. Conway, who is Catholic, is known best for his 11 seasons on TV's ''The Carol Burnett Show," where he delighted viewers with outlandish sk.etch comedy and physical humor. Others remember him from his four-year stint on the sitcom "McHale's Navy." But it wasn't always plums, plaudits and success for the comedian. (CNS photo/handout)

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NOVEMBER

16, 2007

, The Anchor news briefs Seven Washington Catholic schools to become charter schools The Archdiocese of Washington has finahzed Its declslOn to reconfigure its current 12-school centercity consortium. Four schools will make up a new smaller consortium. Seven schools will be converted into charter schools and ~ne will be~ome a parish-run school. The Center City Consorttum began l~ 1997 to help schools facing decreasing enrollment, budget defiCIts, deteriorating buildings and the threat of closure.

Through the consortium, schools pooled their resources and have been a~sisted.by cons0l1:ium. staff with development, fund raising and purchas1Og. The f10ahzed plans for Washington's urban schools, ~nnoun~ed November 5, was developed in response to several cnses facmg the consortium, including a $7 million shortfall this school year, a projected $56 million deficit over the next five years, a 19 percent decline in enrollment and an increase in the number of the city's tuition-free public charter schools. An archdiocesan statement noted that "a conversion (to charter schools) will allow faculty and students to be 'grandfathered' in and to continue at the school they already attend, although the school would no longer be Catholic."

WA~HIN?TON. ~CNS) -

Blogs aim to bring pope to Quebec, but Vatican says it's not in plans OTTAWA (CNS) - A former Quebec justice minister has launched an online petition aimed at bringing Pope Benedict XVI to Quebec for the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress in June. Marc Bellemare has set up a Website - www.pape2008.com - so people can sign an electronic version. Several thousand people already had done so in early November. Bellemare told the Journal de Quebec that he believes the pope can be convinced to come if there is widespread support for his visit. More' than a dozen blogs raised awareness of the petition November 7 in coordinated "blogburst," featuring links to the petition Website and pictures of the pope. However, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi director of the Vatican press office, told Catholic News Service November 7: "As I have already said several times, the plans for (papal travel) next year are to the United States for a visit to the United Nations in April; ~,o Sydney: Australia, for World Youth Day in July; and to ~ourdes, .~rance, 10 the fall for the 150th anniversary of the MarIan appanttons there. "I have not seen any plans for a visit to Quebec," he said.

Britain's military bishop criticizes housing conditions for personnel LONDON (CNS) - A military bishop criticized the British government over "appalling" conditions ofhousing used by the armed forces and their families. Bishop Tom Burns of the Forces, Britain's military diocese, demanded an immediate injection of cash to raise the quality of dilapidated military accommodations. The English bishop also called on the Ministry of Defense to provide instant access to postoperative care for soldiers sent home wounded from war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. "The condition of many service quarters has been described as 'appalling' - here and now," the bishop said in a past~~al letter to be sent to all Catholic military personnel and their famIlIes for th~ November 11 celebration of ReD].embrance Sunday, ~~ day o~ which Britain honors its war dead. "Only a lump sum lDJected WIthout delay will bring positive effects to the quality of life and support that a family gives to one of its own in the Forces now, at a time of conflict, rather than waiting until later" Bishop Bums said. ' .

New French cardinal elected head of bishops' conference PARIS (CNS) - Cardinal-designate Andre Vingt-Trois of Paris was elected president of the French bishops' conference, less than three weeks befo~e being made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI. "After a gene~ation that was not interested in religion, we now have a generatIon ignorant about it - a largely areligious society wh~re many no longer have any Christian memory," the cardinaldeSIgnate told France's Catholic Jour de Seigneur TV channel No~em~er. 5 after his election at the bishops' meeting in Lourdes.

Chnshans must take their full place in society and involve thems~lves in the organizations of social life," he said. "The persuaSIve force of our voice depends on the strength Christians muster in society." The cardinal-designate replaced Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard of Bo~deaux as conference president. The bishops also el.ected ArchbIshops Laurent Ulrich of Chambery and Hippolyte SImon of Clermont as vice presidents at the November 3-8 assembly, which was preceded by a congress on catechesis at the Marian shrine in Lourdes.

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The Anchor

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USCCB's top la~yer brings love for religious lib~rty to new post age to the Church."'· ''The Church has lot to be proud ofin that respect," Picarello said. But the media coverage "leaves people with the impression that the Church is not adequately addressing these issues.... It's as if the scandal is intensifying, and it's riot at all." ' No matter what issue his office

and a private middle and high school and said he has "never been to a Catholic school in my life." But , WASHINGTON - Anthony R. he found "outstanding resources for Picarello Jr. is passionate about reconnecting with the faith" through ligious freedom. campus ministry in college.

Whether it involves a pastor facHe earned a bachelor's degree ing interference from local zoning magna cum laude in social anthroofficials over where he can build a pology and comparative religions church or a religious organiat Harvard University, where zation seeking to preserve its he was president of the identity by hiring employees No matter what issue his office Harvard-Radcliffe Catholic of the same faith, the issue of might be dealing with, Picarello said Student Association, and a religious liberty has long fasmaster's in religious studies cinated the new general his role as general counsel is to help from the University of Chipreserve "the freedom of the bishcounsel for the U.S. Conferops to carry out the mission of the cago before graduating from ence of Catholic Bishops. the University of Virginia i Zoning ordinances and hir- Church. II • ldl "!S':--" Law School in 1995. ing practices might not seem Picarello said his wife, likely battlefields over First might be dealing with, Picarello Martha, is "thankfully not an attorAmendment rights, but Picarello said his role as general counsel is ney." She works for the Literacy said that when government officials to help preserve "the freedom ofthe Council. of Northern Virginia, try to tell religious leaders what can bishops to carry out the mission of which provides adult literacy eduor cannot be a worship site and who cation, especially for immigrants. the Church." they can hire it "attacks the Church After law school Picarello spent "I always say, ''The bishop's got where it lives." to bish,'" he said. "That's their job. the next five years clerking for a "It attacks core religious beliefs The last thing I waht to do is to be judge and working for a Washingto say you can't assemble for wormaking any part ofa bishop's deci- ton law firm. He felt a call to do ship," he said in a recent interview sion.... We're here t6 support them." "something else" but said, "I didn't with Catholic News Service in his Picarello came to his post by know what the something else was." office on the fifth floor of the what he called "a long and convo"I was m.oving by faith rather USCCB headquarters. "And in orluted path" that began in Brooklyn, than sight," he added. The path led . der to stay religious for more than N.Y. A lifelong Catholic, he at- to the Becket Fund and eventually one generation, religious organizatended a public eleplentary school tQ the USCCB. tions have to be able to hire people based on religion."

Picarello, who turns 38 November 29, came to theUSCCB in midSeptember, succeeding Mark Chopko, who had been USCCB general counsel since 1988. For the past seven years, Picarelio worked at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty; a secular organization that describes itself as "a public-interest law firm protecting the free expression of all religious traditions."

Many of the issues Picarello will confront as USCCB general counsel are the same ones he saw as vice president and general counsel for the Becket Fund. But others are new, such as the laws that some states have enacted or are considering that extend their statutes of limitations for legal cases involving the sexual abuse of minors.

"The Church nationwide should be concerned" about those efforts, which "are fundamentally unjust and threaten to bankrupt the church," Picarello said.

In California alone, financial settlements to victims of clergy sex abuse have exceeded $1.8 billion since 2005, after the state lifted for one year the statute of limitations "Set Your Heart on civil suits for sexual abuse cases against private entities. That figure On Tllings Above" is more than the $1.7 billion in es... Col. ,':1 timated Church costs related to clergy sex abuse between 1950 and 70 Holcott Drive the early 2000s.

Attleboro, MA Picarello said he is concerned about the possibility that other www.bislIOEfeelzml.C01ll states could pass "a series of unjust laws that could do very great damENTRANCE EXAM: Saturday, December 1 (7:45 a.I1l.-11 :30 a.Ill.

By NANCY FRAZIER O'BRIEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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I 14

16, 2007 $ The Anchor $ Several pro-family candidates r----------------------, Marian Medal award score local election victories ceremony set for Sunday NOVEMBER

Weymouth, and was formerly a legislative aide and press secretary for Worcester Rep. FALL RIVER - 'Municipal elections . George Peterson and state Sen. Bob Hedlund November 6 resulted 路in several victories of Weymouth. statewide for pro-family candidates, includPap said he knows how difficult it can be ing at least two in Fall River. Catholic Citi- for people, especially for. parents, to find zenship Executive Director Victor Pap also time to keep up with the political news that won election to the Weymouth Town Coun- affects them. He hopes Catholic Citizenship cil. can expand with more active volunteers The Woburn-based Coalition for Mar- statewide, and better educate Catholic famiriage and Family reported that 11 of the 13 lies on political issues affecting them. candidates it had supported won contested Elsewhere in municipal elections, anlocal races. other pro-family success' was scored in In the Fall River mayoral race, Rep. Rob- Quincy. Mayoral challenger Tom Koch deert Correia defeated fellow state Rep. David feated incumbent William Phelan, who had Sullivan, a supporter of redefining marriage. advocated the redefinition of marriage.

Correia, a 30-year statehouse veteran, was'." )'he Coalition for Marriage and Family among those loyal to letting the proposU . reported t~at Koch had signed the petition marriage protection amendment advance. 'for a marriage protection amendment and .

Joseph Martins, husband of Catholic Citi- defended his signature during the campaign, zenship Fall River Diocese Coordinator Bea explaining, "The teachings of my upbringMartins, was elected to the Fall River School ing and faith frame my belief that marriage Committee. Martins has 39 years' experi- exists between a man and a woman, and I ence in education and was formerly a coor- will not try to spin that belief for political dinator in Providence public schools.' purposes."

For city and town officials, current chalBrockton Mayor Jim Harrington won lenges could inchide public school curricula over challenger Jass Stewart, an activist who and casino gambling, Pap said. Other thorny is "married" ~o another man.

And Greater Marlborough Marriage and issues could be abortion clinic regulations, adult video store zoning, and parental rights. Family Chapter Co-Chair Paul Ferro was reOne's faith has a profound impact on the elected to the Marlborough City Council. decision-making process," Pap said. "The Ferro defeated the legislative aide of Rep. biggest challenge we face in the culture war Steve Leduc, a supporter of abortion and is convincing our own parishioners that 10- 'same-sex "marriage." cal politics matter, and that these policies Coalition spokeswoman Chane! Prunier really affect our children. credited chapter volunteers for the victories.

"For example, if the state were to man- ."We're. also building our grassroots netdate a health care curriculum framework; work, an effort that's vital to recruiting pro-. then like it or not, our schools would be ex- family legislative candidates in the future panding the hypersexualizat~on of our cul- to defeat anti-family incumbent legislators," ture by robbing our children of their inno- she said. cence. This leads to increased, not deA Coalition election statement also creased, instances of rape, teen pregnancies, praised churches that had distributed voter and STDs." guides to assure people knew where candiMartins said that as a school committee- dates stood on issues.. man, he will support and defend parental "We encourage other churches to fulfill rights to know what's being taught, espe- their civic responsibility by helping to discially in health or sexuality classes, by hav- tribute voter guides in upcoming local elecing curriculum outlines available for paren- tions in the spring and legislative campaigns tal review. "Such curricula must be grade next fall," the statement read. "Distributing appropriate, and include abstinence, respon- these guides is in full compliance with IRS sible choices and legal ramifications," he regulations and churches should not be insaid. timidated by those wishing ,to silence ChrisIf instruction is sexually explicit, Martins tianvoters路." supports an "opt-in, opt-put;' provision The next round of elections could be whereby parents get prior notice ofclass con- sooner than anticipated. The State House tent and must sign approval for their child to News Service reported November 9 that an attend or not. He said, "If a parent objects to earlier primary is gaining support: certaiJi classes, the student is to be placed in "Top state officials lined up behind the an alternative class without credit penalty and idea of an early February Massachusetts prifree from harassment." mary, which would make the state's first vote Correia did not return Anchor requests in the 2008 presidential electiori a month for comments. When he becomes mayor in earlier than traditionally scheduled," the January, his House seat will be filled in a news service reported. special election whose date will be set by The state could save money by schedulthe House speaker. ing special legislative elections on the same Pap concluded, "The most important way day, a move that would then change the poto fulfill our duty as Catholic Christians in litical dynamics of those smaller races, with the civic arena is to actively participate in more voters traditionally turning out to vote the election of candidates who share our for president, the report said.

Catholic values."

Meanwhile at the State House, lawmakIn May Pap joined Catholic Citizenship, ers will push heftier bills ahead by Thankswhich promotes public policy education and giving, when it will "stash its controversial political participation of Catholic laity. He matters in the spirit of holiday solidarity, respeaks Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese, turning in January for the second year of serves on the St. Jerome Parish Council in the two-year General Court."

By GAIL BESSE

ANCHOR CORRESPONDENT

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FALL RIVER - Ninety-one faithful from across the Diocese of Fall River will receive the Marian Medal Sunday at a 3 p.m., ceremony at St. Mary's Cathedral led by Bishop George W. Coleman. .

The Marian Medal is awarded annually for devotion and service to the parish and the Church.

The tradition of recognizing laymen and laywomen for service was established by Bishop James L. Connolly and the awards were presented for the first time by him in 1968.

The sterling silver emblem is embossed with the Miraculous Medal of Mary one sideand the diocese's coat路of arms on the other.

The following are the available names of the awardees as The Anchor went to press.

Attleboro Deanery Robert Boucher, St. Joseph Parish, Attleboro; John Doherty, St. Mary Parish, Norton; Richard P. D'Onofrio, St. Mary Parish, Mansfield; Suzanne Donovan, St. Stephen Parish, Attleboro; Barbara Harrington, St. Mary Parish, Seekonk; Marietta Karpinski, St. Mark Parish, Attleboro Falls; Susan Luerken, Holy Ghost Parish, Attleboro; Luis Montanez, St. Joseph Parish, Attleboro (Spanish Apostolate); William T. Mournihan, Sacred Heart Parish, N. Attleboro;.Patricia Olean; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Seekonk; Grace Resendes, St. Mary Parish, N. Attleboro; Elsie Walsh Spellman, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Attleboro; Sandra L. Vin~ent, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish, S. Attleboro.

Cape Cod & Islands Deanery Gregory M. Cambi, Our Lady of Lourdes at Visitation Parish, Wellfleet; Lawrence L. Cameron, St. Joseph Parish, Woods Hole; Evelyn Christopher, Good Shepherd Parish, Vineyard Haven; Kathleen Coyle, St. Margaret Parish, Buzzards Bay; Eileen M. Duane, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Hyannis; Agnes Gorsuch, Holy Trinity Parish, W. Harwich; Mary P. Lees, Our Lady of Victory Parish, Centerville; Daniel D. Lindberg, Christ the King Parish, Mashpee; Joyce McGrath, 81. Mary/Our Lady of the Isle Parish, Nantucket; Mary K. Mikita, Holy Redeemer Parish, Chatham; June Mary Miller, St. Patrick Parish, Falmouth; Joan Shirley Oliver, St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Provincetown; Patricia E. Olsen, St. Anthony Parish, E. Falmouth; Pauline Pleau, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Pocasset; George 1. Power,St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, N. Falmouth; .Richard G. Racine,' St. Pius X Parish, S. Yarmouth; Mary 1. Sem, Our Lady ofthe Assumption Parish, Osterville; Joan Siecke, Corpus Christi Parish, E. Sandwich; Helen Stempsey, St. Joan ofArc Parish, Orleans; William White, Our Lady of the Cape, Brewster.

Fall River Deanery Richard Araujo, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, ~wansea; Diane M. Barboza, St. Bernard Parish, Assonet; Lucille Belanger, Parish of the Holy Trinity, Fall River; Pierrette Rose Bernier, St. Anne Parish, Fall River; Andrew Bissinger, St. Joseph Parish, Fall River; Mariana Carvalho, Espirito Santo Parish, Fall River; Cecile Chicca, St. Thomas More Parish, Somerset; Paul Robert Desmarais, St. John the Baptist Parish, Westport; Jose G. Ferreira, St. Michael Parish, Fall River; Rosemary Ferreira, St. John of God Parish, Somerset; Patricia Galkowski, St. Stanislaus Parish, Fall River; Cynthia Gamache, Sacred Heart Parish, Fall River; Joan Louise Lynch, Holy Name Parish, Fall River; Edward Mendes, St. Patrick Parish, Somerset; Richard Perry, Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish, Fall River; William Platt Jr., St. George Parish, Westport; Doris Proulx, St. Louis de France Parish, Swansea; Berta Rodrigues, Santo Christo Parish, Fall River; Theresa Sirois, St. Mary Cathedral Parish, Fall River; Susan M. Sousa, Holy Rosary Parish, Fall River; Donald Souza, St. Dominic Parish, Swansea; Roger Henry Tessier, Immaculate Conception Parish, Fall River; Frances Tyrrell, SS ..Peter & Paul Parish, Fall River; Jeanne Warner, Our Lady of'Grace Parish, Westport.

New Bedford Deanery NoemiaAngelo, St. Mary Parish, New Bedford; BarbaraA. Bandarra, St. Julie Billiart Parish, N. Dartmouth; Janice B. Bastoni, St. ~ohn Neumann Parish, E. Freetown; Maria J. Cabral, St. Joseph Parish, Fairhaven; Willi ani P. Contois, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet; JosephE. Langlois, St. Lawrence Parish, New Bedford; M. Theresa Lavallee, St. Joseph/St. Therese Parish, New Bedford; Yvette Leblanc, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, New Bedford; Robert A. Makin, St. Mary Parish, S. Dartmouth; Elaine Motta, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, New Bedford; Clara Neves, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, New Bedford; Carol Oliveira, Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church, New Bedford; Maria da Gloria Pacheco, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, New Bedford; John T. Quinn, St. Rita Parish, Marion; Natalia Santos, St. John the Baptist Parish, New Bedford; Anna Senna, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, New Bedford; Maria J. Simas, Immaculate Conception Parish, N.ew Bedford; George Souza, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, New Bedford; Carl Wesley Taber, St. Anthony Parish., Mattapoisett; Mary A. Vanasse, Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, New B~dford; Paul A. Wesoly, St. Mary Parish, Fairhaven; George Zine, St. Patrick Parish, Wareham.

Taunton Deanery John Stanley Biedak, Holy Rosary Parish, Taunton; Dr. Hugh C. Boyle, Holy Family Parish, E. Taunton; Patricia Brophy; Holy Cross Parish, S. Easton; Philip Cronan, Annunciation of the Lord Parish, Taunton; Patricia Dooley, St. Joseph Parish, Taunton; Edna Fernandes, St. Ann Parish, Raynham; Laura Grasso, St. Jude the Apostle Parish, Taunton; Lawrence E. Jones, St. Paul Parish, Taunton; Sandra Parker, St. Mary Parish, Taunton; Mary Rebello, St. Joseph Parish, N. Dighton; Marie Roscoe, Immaculate Conception Parish, N. Easton; Jane R. Santos, St. Anthony Parish, Taunton.

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NOVEMBER.

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16, 2007

The Anchor

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Army addresses gaps in care for injured troops returning to U.S.

By THERESA LAURENCE CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Wounded veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are'about to get more adequate support physically and spiritually - while they recover at new warrior transition units across the country.

'These soldiers deserve the best for giving their all," and until now they had not been receiving it, said Army Sgt. Maj. David Allard, battalion leader for the new unit at Fort Campbell, an Army base on the Kentucky-Tennessee border.

The new units will include physicians, nurses, squad leaders, platoon sergeants and mental health professionals responsible for the soldiers' health care needs.

With a new staff and recently completed barracks to house 187 recovering soldiers, Fort Campbell's warrior transition unit is one Of the largest in the country.

It has been a slow start for Allard and his staff, who are still shifting around office .space and realizing changes that need to be made to the barracks to make them fully compliant with the federal Americans' With Disabilities Act.

.ExtreDle the souls in purgatory.

He .quoted Scripture to make the point that we all belong to God, not to the world. "If the world hates you, realize it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have "hosen you out of the world, the world hates you (John 15:1819)."

"Great saints like Francis de Sales started their' meditations with 'What will you do when you die?''' Rice said. He talked about particular judgment, the separ~­ tion ofthe soul from the body, and of God's questions to us after death about loving him, as expressed by our treatment of the poor, children, and the imprisoned, "The biggest problem with heaven, hell, and purgatory is that they are not places. Heaven is about Jesus, it is a personal relationship. Hell is the rejection of Jesus. Nobody is predestined to hell," Rice said. He said we could experience heaven and hell on earth. Heaven is about joyful community, love, family, friends, and all of the wonderful things we experience in life, whereas hell is isolation, pain, and loneliness, he explained.

"Purgatory exists, but it is not a third option," Rice said. He ex-

"It's been a challenge, but worth it," according to Christy Allard, David's wife and a member of the Army National Guard who works on the post with the unit.

David and Christy Allard, both Catholics, are, as Christyjoked, mem-

bers of the ''universal Church," since they go to Mass at Fort Campbell and at churches in Clarksville, Nashville and Hopkinsville, Ky. They attend daily Mass. Rosary beads dangle from the rearview mirror in the family minivan.

LOOKING AFTER HIS OWN U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. David Allard, a Catholic, is the battalion leader for the newly established warrior transition unit at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. The new unit is part of the Army's stepped-up effort to provide comprehensive care for wounded soldiers and their families. {CNS photofTheresa Laurence, Tennessee RegisteiJ .1.."

They belong to the Cathedral scribed as the "signature wounds Veterans Prayer i:Group, which from Iraq." meets monthly at the Cathedral of If it had not been for Christy's II the Incarnation in Nashville, and are close' observation of David after he also members of theI Passionist Part- returned from Iraq, his diagnosis of . ners. Partners formally commit to mild traumatic brain injury might the charism of the founder of the not have been made so soon. This Passionist congreg~tion, St. Paul of summer, after he was evaluated at the Cross, throughia contemplative Walter Reed Army Medical Center prayer life.

I in Washington, David received the The Army is pow dedIcating diagnosis and le~ed that he was more resources and hiring many new nondeployable military and civili~ staff members Then he was tapped to lead Fort to work in the warrior transition Campbell's warrior transition unit. units, with a priority on lowering the He said the new position is an ideal ratio ofsupport personnel to soldiers. match because he knows from perEach squad leade~ has a maximum sonal experience the level of care of 12 soldiers to cMe for, whereas in these soldiers need. the past he or she could have as many When soldiers are nearing the as 50. ,: . end of their healing I?rocess at Fort . .. ill .

Campbell, they are evaluated to deWounded soldiers are general.ly , 'lUI G&W . admitted to FortCampbell's warrior termine if they can return to active transition unit if they need six duty, should return to a different months or more of medical care and job, or need help transitioning out rehabilitation. "Their sole purpose of the military and into civilian life. while they're hereis to heal," David Army Brig. Gen. Michael S. said. Soldiers are also assigned a Tucker, deputy commanding genprimary care manager, who con- eral of the North Atlantic Reducts their medic~l evaluation and gional Medical Command, said, establishes their :'road map to re- "We want to allow these soldiers covery," and a case manager who ·to be everything they want to be keeps up with th~ir appointments. . in life, and not allow them Just to "The warrior transition unit is focus on the 'bad leg,' so to speak, not only about the soldier, but also but let's focus on them going back about the familiJs," said Christy. out into the civilian world and beSoldiers' farniliesineed support too, ing a productive citizen in soci. and can help squJd leaders identify etY,"'he said. if a soldier is suffering from post. stress I!d'Isorder or t rautraumatic matic brain injur;y, which she de~ CAPE COD I,

Continued from page one

plained that purgatory purges our sins, and that you can't fail purgatory. Purgatory is a place of suffering;but not the same suffering as hell. Rice likened it to the marathon in Chicago that he ran, where you suffer working hard to make it count.

The last subject of Rice's address was final judgment. "Our bodies will be incorruptible and glorified after we are raised from the dead," he said. "Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Our addictions and troubles are trivial compared to the glory of God's Kingdom," he concluded.

The event continued with eucharistic adoration, followed by fellowship in the cafeteria. Students enjoying their first "Extreme" ~ave the service great praise.

"I liked the talk," said Tim Michaud, 17, a Bishop Feehan High School student. "I liked the talk. It covered a lot. r learned a lot about purgatory I didn't know before," said Solomon Simpson, 16, from St.Theresa's Parish in Tiverton, R.I. Last month's attendees were again enthused.

"I've gone to Proud2BCatholic and Steubenville East. I like adoration a lot and I like the music," said Mark Hennigan, 13, a student from St. Brendan's in Bellingham. "I've been going to Steubenville conferences, I love

15

NATIONAL MORTGAGE coming here, seeing people my own age worshipping Jesus in this way," said Jura Melius, 18, a student at Anna Maria College, also from St. Brendan's. "The first experience I had was amazing.

Just hearing the witness of the musicians inspires me."

Extreme East events are held on the first Fridays of the month.

The next will be on December 7 at Bishop Feehan High School Auditorium in Attleboro, where Sean Forrest will present a talk, "Moral Relativism: Jesus the One and Only." Sessions will resume at La Salette January 4, with speaker Chris Padgett. He will address, "The Saints, Service and Sacrifice." Tickets may be purchased at the door or ordered online at Proud2BCatholic.com and Steubenvilleeast.com.

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YOUTH PAGES

NOVEMBER

16, 2007

Corpus Christi Parish to host noted teen speaker, author

'OH WHEN THE SAINTS .... - Students from St. Margaret's School in Buzzards Bay dressed as their favorite saint for a Mass celebrated by Father Francis de Sales Paolo.

EAST SANDWICH - Jason Evert, who has spoken about chastity to students and parents nationally, will present "Romance Without Regret" at Corpus Christi Church December 3.

Evert, 31, will address nearly 200 students in grades seven to 10 who are preparing for the sacrament of confirmation. The program will run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Parish Center, adjacent to the church at 324 Quaker Meetinghouse Rd., just south of Exit 3 off the Mid Cape Highway.

Jane Amaral, assistant director of Religious Education, is in charge of the confirmation program, urged parents to attend. The general public is also invited.

There is no charge.

Evert has a master's degree in theology from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, and a

minor in philosophy. ~e founded the Pure Love Club as an outreach program to teens. It focuses on the importance of chastity in relationships. After carrying out his ministry alone for three years, he teamed with his wife, Crystalina.

They live in California with their three children. They have appeared on many television programs throughout the country.

"Some think that 'chastity' simply means 'not having sex,''' said Evert. "But that's mere abstinence - what you can't do and can't have. Chastity is more than that, it is about what you can do and have - right now: A chaste lifestyle that brings freedom, respect, peace, and romance without regret."

Amaral can be reached at the parish office, 508-888-0209, Ext. 106 for more information.

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PASS THE SYRUP PLEASE - Grade-three students at St. Pius X School in South Yarmouth recently enjoyed a feast at the school's second annual Pancake Breakfast.

'" A BREATH OF FRESH AIR - Paul Belham, firefighter, EMT, and alumnus of St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro, discussed and demonstrated his equipment to the first- and third-grade classes.

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Father Healy, pastor of the Holy Trinity Church in Harwich, reads a Bible story with great enthusiasm to Holy Trinity pre-school students. Pre~school attendance has grown from eight to 21 students this year.

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MODEL CITIZEN - Bishop Feehan High School Principal Bill Runey presents Senior Emma Creeden with the 2007. DAR Good Citizen Award sponsored by the Attleboro Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The program is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship and is open to all seniors.

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NOVEMBER

YOUTH PAGES

16, 2007

Catholic and Bible-themed toys take their place on the market David Socha, founder ofone2believe Every year as Decemberapproaches ' toys, the company that introduced the retailers begin stocking their shelves faith-based toys two years ago. and filling their Websites with toys. ''We're trying to bring resources This year, Moses and the baby to parents that are wholesome and Jesus will share space with action of God," Socha told the Arkansas figures and fashion dolls.

Catholic, newspaper of the Little A test run of three lines of toys Rock Diocese.

He got his start in the toy busibased on stories from the Old and New Testaments started this summer ness as a child when his parents ran at a select group ofWal-Mart stores a gift shop Buffalo, N.Y and Target.com. The tests will con, The best-selling figure in his tinue through January. company's faith-based line is aJesus These lines, produced by figure. ''Frankly, I was surprised at that," one2believe toys, include ''Tales of Glory" figurine sets, "Messengers of Socha said. "It has really caught us Faith" figures and "Spirit Warriors" off guard. It'll probably be comaction figures. Each toy comes with pletely sold out."

The next best-seller is theJ\~'ativ颅 a small storybook of a well-known Bible story, such as Noah's Ark, ity set, but Socha's favorite is Davidand Goliath, the birth ofJesus, Samson, whom he describes as ''the toughest guy in the toy box." and Jesus walking on water.

TheselectWal-Marts will display Right now the company has anthe toys on the preschool aisle be- other 75 products in development cause the chain felt they were good and is focusing on toys for girls. It items for that age range, said Mel- plans to introduce a line of Bible issa O'Brien, in a written statement princesses such as Ruth, Deborah from Wal-Mart's corporate commu- and Miriam with a ''focus on biblinications department. cal strength."

This is the first timeWal-Mart has Other religious toys available carried a line of ''faith-based toys," online include characters from the and the company will decide if it will Catholic prayer-based ''Holy Baby" continue or expand the offering DVD series created by Wayne and based on customer response, Dede Laugesen of Boulder, Colo.

O'Brien said.

The characters Baby Robert Wmzerling, a Wal-Mart Scholastica and Baby Bosco - are toy department manager in North ' fashioned after saints for whom they Little Rock, said his store has been are named.

The toys are available at Cathoselling out every case of the Bible lic gift stores in the Boulder area and' characters they've been getting.

He thinks the market for this type can also be ordered from the Web of toy comes from parents. site, www.holybaby.com.

"I've heard mothers talk, espeThe couple's newest product is a cially that they didn't care for (some puzzle rosary featuring breakaway of the) action figures. They didn't clasps between each decade. like what it represented and wanted ''There is nothing else like it on something more wholesome," he the market," Dede Laugesen said, said. noting that the rosary can be ''taken That's exactly what inspired apart and used for family prayer."

UTIT.E ROCK, Ark. (CNS)-

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Thanksgiving for the si'mple, personal joys

By CHARLIE

MARTIN -

CAT~OLIC NEWS SERVICE

It's Thanksgivin~! - time to thing as well as another is not THANK YOU FOR identify what brought you joy nearly as important as choosing THE MUSIC activities and interests that you I'm nothing special. Infact, I'm a and satisfaction this year. bitofa bore Looking back irlto rock enjoy.

Sometimes God gives some If I tell a joke, you've probably路 . history, Abba was one of the biggest names of the '70s. people abilities that are out of heard it before (Teens, just ask your par- . the reach of most of us. Only a But I have a talent, a few will become "American ents.) In 2001, the group put wonderful thing out "The Definiti~e CollecIdol" winners, for example. But 'Cause everyone listens when I tion," ~ re-mastered recordjust because you don't possess start to sing 'professional ability doesn't ing of their biggest hits that I'm so grateful and proud included "Thank You for the mean that you shouldn't sing.

All I want is to sing it o~t loud Music."

This songl~prompts Use your voice in creative Refrain: consideration of positive ways. Join your parish's So I say experiences for which yOIl liturgical choir or the chorus Thank you for the music, the are thankful. class at school. Do whatever songs I'm singing For the song's character, it's you can just to sing for the joy Thanks for all the joy her ability to sing. She says~ of singing. they're bringing "I'm nothing speciat ... 'But I Whatever abilities you Who can live without it, I ask in have a talent, a wonderful possess, allow them to lead you all honesty thing, 'cause everyone listens toward experiencing your life What would life be, without a when I start to sing;" This in uplifting and satisfying song or a dance, what we are ability makes her "grateful and ways.

So I say, thank you for the music, Many of your abilities may proud." She can't help but say, for giving it to me "Thank you for the"music, the never get public recognition.

Mother says I was a dancer songs I'm singing.'; There are no popular TV shows before I could w~lk "you" in her exclamafor the ability to listen, to be .The She says I began to sing long tion is not defined.IIHowever, as generous, to be a faithful before I could talk friend. Yet these gifts make a And I've often wondered, how did followers of Jesus, 'we know that all our gifts and abilities tremendous difference for it all start others. come from God. Using our Who found out that nothing can This Thanksgiving pause to capture a heart like a melody can abilities and following our passions are worth exploring consider what God has done to Well, whoever it was, I'm afan when seeking satisfaction and help you become the person (repeat refrain) joy in living.!1 you are today. Name your gifts I've been so lucky, I am the So look at who you are.

Is and how they define you. Then' with golden hair there joy in what you do? How thank God for this tremendous I wanna sing it out to everybody do you engage life1s opportuniexperience we call life. Resolve What a joy, what a life, to live your life to the fullest by ties so that you experience what a chance challenge, success and meanusing your talents for the good (Repeat refrain.) of others and all the ways they ing?

(Repeat second verse.)

The answers to these fill your heart with joy.

(Repeat refrain.)

Your comments are always questions are always personal.

Sung by Abba God made you unique. Consewelcome. Please write to Copyright (c) 2001 by Polydorl quently, when it comes to your Charlie Martin at: .

Umgd chmartin@sw(ndiana.net or at It's time to pause and look at abilities and joys, comparing yourself to others akes no 7I25W 200S" Rockport, IN your life. sense. Whether you do some47635.

Why so?

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What would you 路give?

The teachers and administrators and staff at our school were recently on retreat. It's a good thing to pull away from the everyday work of life from time to time and look at the bigger picture. Our school theme this year is "Be the Gospel" and our retreat, led by Father Andrew Johnson, was a brief glimpse into the heart of the martyr. The question that rose within me was "what would you give for your faith?"

The "Age of the Martyrs" refers to the very early Church when persecution of Christians was the law of the land. This may cause us to think that martyrs are simply a piece of history and not relevant to us today. Nothing could be further from the truth. ' We need the example of courage and faithfulness that these early

Christians lived and died by now more than ever. Faithfulness must be our rule of life. As the prophet Isaiah wrote, if we do not stand firm in the Lord, we will not stand at all. We come into contact with so much in our daily life that runs contrary to the message of Jesus. If we are not faithful in all of our daily small decisions, how will we be faithful in the major choices of life?

The martyrs are not only a piece of our distant past.

Consider the life and death of Blessed Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio, a 14-yeai--old Mexican who died in 1928 during the persecution of the Church. He was arrested and beaten and threatened witt) death. He would be allowed to live if he renounced

his Catholic faith. He refused. The story is told that they cut the bottoms of his feet and forced him to walk to the cemetery, all the while telling him that if he

would just say "death to Christ" they would spare his life. He died shouting "long live Christ the King." I am humBled by the strength and the courage of a 14year-old boy. What would we give for our faith?

There :ire people imprisoned for the faith today around the

world. Good people, devoted to the Church, who are beaten, tortured, and killed for love of Christ. In China, in the Congo, in hundreds of other places, our brothers and sisters are giving their lives for their faith. What would we give? ~n the United States in the 21st century, we are:not likely to be calied to give our biood for our faith ... but we are called to give our lives.

We may not be ask楼 to die for Christ, but we are constantly asked to live for him. The word "martyr'? means wit;ness. Do our lives give witness to our love for Christ and his Church?

November is thei1month that the Church calls out attention to the last things: death, judgment, 1

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heaven and hell. This month we celebrated all saints, we pray for all souls, and we come to terms with the fact that we, too, must face our own earthly mortality and the life to come. The red martyrs are those who shed their blood and die for Christ. White martyrs are those who give their lives to Christ, traditionally through monastic life, but perhaps for you and me, our witness will be in our homes, and in our, schools, and in oUr neighborhoods, and with our friends. Each of us must continually wrestle with the depth of our commitment and answer the question. " what would you give?

Jean Revil teaches spiritual theology and thanatology at Bishop Stang HighSchool.

Comments welcome at: jrevil@bishopstang.com.

I 18 Chaplain

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The Anchor ,

NOVEMBER

16, 2007

I

Continued from page one

reminder to a yesteryear in America's - and the American Church's history - of the love a priest can have for his God, his fellow man, and his country.

The priest's story begins in Fall River but then waxes international as he becomes a participant in well-known World War II history including Africa's Tunisia, where German Field Marshall Irwin Rommel and the likes ofU.S. General George S. Patton battled it out with tanks.

After the Allied landings in Europe, our native chaplain arrived in Italy becoming part of the ''Wmter Line" Battle of Monte Porchia, as Americans, British and Germans warred fiercely in the mountainous region between Anzio and Cassino. .The saga also poses a link between Chaplain Lenaghan and Stephen Ambrose's dramatic WWII mini-series "Band of Brothers."

BornJan. 18, 1907in Salem to Charles Francis Lenaghan, later the assistant postmaster at Fall River's South End Post Office, and Helen Marie (Carlin) Lenaghan ofSalem, young Arthur Lenaghan resided on Shawmut Street in Fall River since his infancy. He attended. St. Louis School because he and his parents and two sisters were members of St. Louis Parish.

He graduated from B.M.C. Durfee High School in 1923 and from Holy Cross College in 1928. . Having discerned a vocation to the priesthood, he en- . tered St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Md., and was ordained, along with six others as a priest of the Fall River Diocese on May 30, 1931 in St. Mary's Cathedral by Bishop James E. Cassidy.

His assignments as a curate were at St. Lawrence Parish .in New Bedford, St. Mary's in Nantucket, Sacred Heart in Taunton, and finally for five years at Holy Name Parish in New Bedford.

In late wiOter 1942, as the war in Europe progressed, he asked permissionto become a military chaplain, and inApril 1943 reported to the military chaplain's school at Fort Monmouth, N.J. After more training at Harvard Divinity School, he was commissioned a first lieutenant.

The next we hear of Father Lenaghan was a V-Mail letter he wrote to Bishop Cassidy on April 15 1943, the day after his troop transport ship docked in Tunisia. The dateline read, "Somewhere in North Africa."

He said he was assigned as chaplain to the 6th Armored Infantry Regiment, a part ofthe FirstArmored Division. He would be a witness to the tank warfare vividly described in the film 'The Desert Fox." The chaplain told of being able to celebrate Mass on board ship during "a most pleasant trip. It was difficult to imagine that we were destined for awar theatre. The Catholic officers and men went to confession and received holy Communion daily. It was most edifying."

He told of visiting battalions engaged in war and celebrating Mass for them.

'Theirsincerity and devotedness indicated most remarkably the trust and love of God, especially when they know not the day nor the hour;' he said. ''It is hot by day and cold by night."

He ended the letter by wishing the bishop good health, and. ''In your charity, some time say a prayer for me." It was. signed, ''Your obedient servant, Arthur C.Lenaghan."

Other than a Fall River Herald News story that Chaplain Lenaghan had been promoted to the rank of captain and received the Legion of Merit Award for "outstanding service" in North Africa, little more is on record about his wartime ministry.

The only other pertinent letter in the diocese's arChives describes how Father Lenaghan died.路 It came in mid-January 1944 from Capt. J.P. O'Connell, a chaplain with the 505th AAA in Italy, to Father John J. Hayes, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Fall River.

Father Hayes was ordained alongside Father Lenaghan.

In the lengthy letter, Chaplain O'Connell wrote that, "Quite by accident, while visiting some of my own men in an Evacuation Hospital, I saw him (father Lenaghan) on the day after he had been hit. He was unconscious but not suffering. He died that night, (Jan. 8, 1944) without regaining consciousness, approximately 24 hours after he had been wounded."

Father O'Connell reported that a Father Martin, the armored division's chaplain, celebrated Father Lenaghan's Requiem Mass and that he himselfgave the eulogy. He said 15 priest chaplains attended the Mass and burial, as well as officers and hospital personnel.

"Under the circumstances it was the best ceremony we could provide," Chaplain O'Connell wrote. 'The number of priests present who assembled so quickly for the occasion was a wonderful tribute to Father Arthur and proved that the bond which unites priests has not been broken un-

HE GAVE HIS LIFE - Father Arthur C. Lenagha'n, a chaplain in the U.S. Army was the only priest from the Fall River Diocese to be killed in action during World War II. Father Lenaghan died Jan. 8, 1944 when wounded by an incoming German artillery round while serving American soldiers in Italy. (Diocese of Fall River Archives photo)

der the difficult conditions of war."

He added, ''Father Arthur's grave incidentally, is placed in the midst of so many ofhis own men who have fallen on the battlefield. So he is still with them."

However the location ofthe grave or cemetery was never mentioned.

FatherO'Connell also wrote "since his death I have heard many accounts ofFatherArthur's bravery, courage and valor..

He received his death wounds while engaged in work for which he had volunteered althol;lgh he knew of the great danger involved. It-happened in this way: during an afternoon ofparticularly heavy fighting, he had been busy at the forward aid station where he had taken care ofthe wounded.

After dark, when the number of litter bearers had been greatly reduced because of casualties, he volunteered for litter carrying duty and it was while engaged that he was hit by a German artillery shell. On this, and many other occasions, he had shown a profound sense of devotion to the men under his care, which was not to be stopped no matter what the danger involved."

The letter opens another mystery. Father O'Connen wrote: ''I am glad, in a way, that I was present for his funeral. At least, our class was represented...."

Whatever class at what school or perhaps seminary Father O'Connell, FatherHayes, and FatherLenaghan attended

tog~ther,

is not on record.

Another look at Father Lenaghan's final days appears in 'The Fifth Army At the Wmter Line," a U.S. Army document detailing the fighting at Monte Porchia in Italy's Uri Valley: 'The two assault battalions came down from higher ground and started out across the flat at 1930 hours, 4 January 1944. Ahead ofthem ... the first battalion took a hit and was struck by an overwhelming volume of deadly accurately artillery and mortar fire. The troops soon dropped back, leaving scores of casualties on the filed. Medics and stretcher-bearers were taxed to the utmost by the large numbers to be evacuated~ Chaplain Arthur C. Lenaghan repeatedly went out with them until he was fatally wounded. Chaplain WIlliamJ. O'Brien came over from the 1stTank Group to the 6thArmored Infantry to take FatherLenaghan's place, and during the next two days while the battle continued, organized parties of Italian civilians who helped the soldiers bring out the dead and take them to a cemetery."

It is here that the "Band of Brothers" series makes a connection.

The death of Army Tech 5 medic Henry J. Guanere of Pennsylvania near Cassino on Jan. 6, 1944 - two days before Father Lenaghan was killed - was made famous as described by his real life brother Sgt. William ''Wild Bill" Guanere of Company E, 506th Parachute Infantry of the.

101stAirborne Division in the mini-series.

Henry Guanere died while employed as a litter bearer with the 47th Armored Medical B~ttalion near an Evacuation Hospital in the soggy Uri Valley following a blizzard.

It was the very same area in which Father Lenaghan, also working nighttime duty as a volunteer litter bearer, was wounded and died.

Bill Guanere was buried in the U.S. Army Cemetery in Nettuno. While no mention is made of where Father Lenaghan was interred, 5,500 chaplains who died in combat in that area were buried there, Army reports reveal.

When FatherLenaghan's mother and two sisters received . news of his death, Bishop Cassidy celebrated a Requiem Mass on Jan. 31, 1944 in St. Mary's Cathedral for him, although his body remained in Italy.

Cardinal Francis J. Spellman of New York, the military vicar fortheArmed Forces at the time, presided. Msgr. Tunothy Sweeney, pastor of Home Name Parish in Fall River, and a former military chaplain, gave a profound eulogy.

"Shot and shell have found an innocent victim and this brave, young, soldier of the cross breathed his last on the field ofbattle, far from home and kindred," Msgr. Sweeney said; ''He had the heart of a child, and as a result readily won the confidence and affection oflittle children he served."

It was first of two local "funeral" Masses for Father Lenaghan.

Four years later, on Sept. 18, 1944, after Father Lenaghan's body had been returned home, CoadjutorBishop James L. Connolly celebrated the funeral Mass on the day of burial, with Bishop Cassidy presiding. Father George E. Sullivan was the eulogist Father Lenaghan wasn't the only priest of the Fall River Diocese to serve the military in World War II. Fifteen others also put on uniforms to minister to armed forces persolinel across the globe. But he was the only oOne to die in combat during that war.

The chaplain rests alongside his father, ~ho predeceased him on Feb. 5. 1942; his mother, who died July 7, 1962; two single schoolteacher sisters: Alice, who died in 1983 at age 73, and Elinor, who died in 1988 at age 80; as well as another sister, Anna, who died at age five from meningitis in June 1918 and for whom the cemetery plot was initially purchased.

Sadly missing is aVeterans Administration marker identifying the grave of a veteran, for which no application has ever been made.

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NOVEMBER

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16, 2007

The Anchor

,Bible Study L__ , " , ,, "

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EASTON - Holy Cross Parish at 226 Purchase Street holds Bible study sessions at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 9:30 a.m. Fridays at the parish center. This year's session, which runs through May, focuses on St. Paul's letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Ephesians. For more information call Fran Long at 508-238-2255.

[Eucharistic Adoration NEW BEDFORD - Eucharistic adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m.

Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m. and confessions offered during the evening.

IL,,Healing Service ,"_",

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ATTLEBORO - A Portuguese Healing Service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette with La Salette Father Manuel Pereira.

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ATTLEBORO - The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, 947 Park Street, is running its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.

Non-perishable food items can be lett in the box found in the church's Hall of Memories. The drive ends Sunday. The food will be distributed to the Council of Churches food bank and the La Salette Shrine Soup Kitchen.

INDIA - Father Paul Cruz requests sending pens, pencils, rosaries, used cards, used magazines, and statues for the children of his parish. Send to P.O. Box 691571 , Kottiyam - P.O. Kollam - 691 571. Kerala - India.

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ATTLEBORO - The Masses for Thanksgiving Day at The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette at 947 Park Street are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. There will be no 12:10 p.m. Mass.

ATTLEBORO - The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette Pax Christi meeting will be held November 20 at 7:15 p.m.

CHATHAM - A Tridentine路Mass in Latin is celebrated 1 p.m. every Sunday at Our Lady of Grace Chapel on Route 137 in Chatham.

EASTON - LifeTeen, a Catholic movement that provides resources faith experiences leading teens closer to God, is sponsoring a night of prayer, praise, worship, teaching, and adoration. It will take place November 29 at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Chapel, 500 Washington Street. For more information contact Holy Cross Family Ministries at 508-238-4095, Ext. 2027. a~d

NEW BEDFORD - The Daughters of Isabella will meet November 20 following 7 p.m. Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish at 121 Mt. Pleasant Street.

POCASSET - St. John the Evangelist Parish will hold its Holiday Fair today from 6 to 8 p.m. and tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

REGIONAL - A concert, "An Evening of Winter Reflections & Melodies," will take place December 2 from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Calvary Retreat Center, 59 South Street, Shrewsbury, featuring the Calvary Musicians. The show will be repeated that evening from 7-8:30 p.m.

All are invited. Free parking. For information call 508-842-8821.

IPro-Life ATTLEBORO - The intention for the 4 p.m. Mass November 24 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, 947 Park Street, will be for the unborn.

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By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR

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NORTH DARTMOUTH - St. Julie Billiart Parish hosts a Bible study twice a week, organized by its Adult Faith Formation office. The lectionary-based study takes place 10 a.m. Tuesdays in the parish conference room at 494 Slocum Road, with a repeat session at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. .

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NEW BEDFORD - Courage, a group that helps people who are attracted to members of the same sex live chastely, and Encourage, a ministry to parents, relatives, and friends of persons with same-sex attraction, will meet on December 1 at 7 p.m. at the rectory of St. James Church at 233 County Street. For more information, call Father Richard Wilson at 508-992.9408.

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. Priest who cared for immigrants in raid to receive DSS award

Around the Diocese ~, '

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dedication and caring commitment " "It's a tremendous honor and really it belongs to so many individuals, organizations, agencies and parishes that are providers and united in the effort to work with children and families," said Father Fallon, whose advocacy and ministry includes ministering to Guatemalans in the New Bedford area as a CSS community advocate. ''The raid resulted in the immediate arrest of people from Mexico,

He said there are approximately 4,000 Guatemalans in the greater New Bedford Area, and that many of them attend Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church in the Whaling City.

Many of them had fled to the United States following civil wars in their country. ''The immediate action by Father Richard D. Wilson, pastorof Our Lady of Guadalupe to open his parish hall as a relief and assistance and communications center for everyone affected and as a gathering place for city, state and federal officials, was instrumental in initiating some order in the wake of the raid," Father Fallon recalled.

He also cited Maya K'iche, an advocacy group for Mayans, who are from Guatemala, as well as the Immigrants Assistance Center in New Bedford, the Latino Health Institute, and the DSS as being vital first responders.

A native of Butler, Penn., Father Fallon was ordained a Holy Crdss Father in June 1991.

His entry into the Latino culture and its language began about that time, when while serving in the Bedford-Styvesant area in Brooklyn, N. Y. He was sent to Cuer"mi Vaca in Mexico to study Spanish in order to serve a cross section ofLatino parishioners back home.

In subsequent years he has visited Guatemala as part of the English as a Second Language Program.

Last March's raid continues to be an ordeal for local families, Father Fallon lamented.

"We're preparing to celebrate the funeral Mass of a 40-year-old father, caught up in the raid, who was retut:ned to Guatemala. But he undertook a risky, difficultjourney through the desert from Mexico to reenter the United States so he could visit his wife and four-year old son. Unfortunately," said Father Fallon, "the journey proved too much for him."

NEW BEDFORD - When agents of the U.S. Dept. ofImmigration and Custom Enforcement rounded up a whopping 361 illegal immigrants in the March 6 sting at the Michael Bianco Inc., manufacturing plant, one of the first caught up in the ensuing chaos of separation of families and deportation was Congregation of Holy Cross Father Marc Fallon.

"We went into action immediately and I'm still very much involved and the situation for so many people is far from over," reported Father Fallon, who, since 2004 has been a commu, nity advocate for ongoing assistance with the Fall River Diocese's Office of Catholic Social Services in the Whaling City.

His chat with The Anchorcame last week after he was nominated to receive The Community Partner Award from the Department of Social Services of the Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services.

He will be the first priest- as well as the first recipient - of the newly FATHER MARC FALLON esc established "annual" award that recognizes the contributions of an indi. vidual or team on behalf of a com- Honduras, Brazil, El Salvador, Pormunity group the DSS "values as a tugal and Cape Verde, and many from Guatemala," Father Fallon, who is in community partner."

The award will be made at the residence at St. Lawrence Martyr ParDSS Pride In' Perforniail&" Awards '-ish in New Bedford, reported.

"What was so difficult was that it ceremony November 29 at the Hoagland Pinc.us Conference Center split fathers and mothers and their children - some of them infants..It in Shrewsbury.

The focus of the award is on how also struck at single parent mothers awardees "meet families' needs or of young children, who were moved change situations that have a signifi- away to holding centers in Massachucant impact on lives in the commu- setts and as far away as Texas, and all nity. It represents those members of under the threat of deportation," he the community who respond to life recalled. .

The original estimates ofchildren events in a canng, creative and sensiaffected was between 80 and 140, tive way," the DSS Commissioner's "and our concerns proved true after Award Selections Committee noted.

The citation to Father Fallon reads: it was finally reported that indeed 113 children were put at risk," Father ~'Your efforts in serving the Commonwealth's children and their Fallon said. families are highly valued and deserve our deepest appreciation. ConSERVICE.. .By caringfamily and service-family professionals gratulations and thank you for your TRlJST ln the people you know )

In Your Prayers _

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Nov. 19 Rev. Msgr. Lester L. Hull, Retired Pastor. St. Mary, Our Lady of the [sle.

Nantucket, 1982 Rev. Philodore H. Lemay, M.S., La Salette Provincial House, Attleboro, 1990

Nov. 21 Rev. Stephen J. Downey, Retired Pastor, Holy Ghost, Attleboro, 1975 Rev. James F. Kenney, Retired Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1994

Nov. 23 Rev. James E. Smith, Retired Chaplain, Bethlehem Home, Taunton, 1962 Rev. Msgr. Christopher L. Broderick, Retired Founder, St. Pius X, South Yannouth, 1984

Nov. 24 Msgr. DiIliel F. Shalloo, Retired Pastor. Holy Name, Fall River, 1991.

Nov. 25 Rev. Philias Jalbert, Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River. 1946 Rev. Dennis Spykers. SS.CC. Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes.

Wellfleet, 1971

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NOVEMBER

16,2007

East Taunton parish to host Advent Service of Lessons and Carols EAST TAUNTON - Holy Family Parish will host its 17th annualAdvent SerVice of Lessons.and Carols December 9 at 4 p.m. at the church at 370 Middleboro Avenue.

This year's event will feature The Cranberry Brass Quintet, a multi-faceted group of professional musicians - associates of the New Bedford, Plymouth, and Rhode Island philharmonic orcljestras.

TIlls group melds many talents and a variety ofmusicill experience into a cohesive musical event.

The individuals have performed in orchestras throughout the coun. try, have played with a variety of recording artists, and have also appeared as soloists.

Together, with several other instrumentalists and vocalists, they strive to provide a memorable rich, traditional service marking the birth of our Lord.

A free will offering will be taken. . , For more information, call the parish at 508-824-57Q7.

ALL IN THE FAMILY - Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, right, was on hand with Bishop George W. Coleman, . to celebrate his mother and father's 60th wedding anniversary, and his brother and sister-in-Iaw's 25th. From right, Michael with his parents David and Maureen Avila, the bishop, Alice and Joseph Avila, and Msgr. Avila. (Photo by Brian Kennedy)

Marriage "Today we thank God for the years of faithful, married life that he has given you and, through you, to the Church. It is a work that God has begun in you, a work that will continue to have its good effect well beyond the allotrrientof years God gives to anyone of us," Bishop Coleman added. ' All five deaneries of the Fall River Diocese were well represented, with at least'eight couples from each; more than 30 from the Fall River and New Bedford deaneries respectively.

The anniversary years were impressive.

Nineteen couples were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, 32 couples their 50th, and 13 couples their 60th, with many other anniversaries between those major milestones.

1\vo couples were also celebrating their first wedding anniversary.

Topping the list were Mr. and

SPECIAL DAY - Christopher M. Peschel, center, was one of 27 first-year seminarians at St. Charres Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, in Pennsylvania, who recently received the cassock prior to a Mass celebrated by Msgr. Joseph G. Prior, rector of the seminary. The Cassock Day Rite is a longstanding tradition at the seminary in which seminarians receive and wear the soutane for the first time. The garment is symbolic of the seminaria':ls' .~iIIingnes~ to pursue a priestly vocation and strive to live in imitation of Christ, ~he H!gh Priest. ,';'~' '

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Continued from page one

Mrs. Ernest Martin from St. John the things that have changed and the Baptist Parish inWestport, who others that remain constant in their are celebrating their 69th anniver- married lies. , sary.

"You have learned what it means Bishop Coleman· keyed on the to be selfless and self-giving to each special relationship between the other and to your children. Your Eucharist and marriage, saying commitment and love to each other that it is only through the grace remains and, in the course of the of God, the sacraments, and the . years, undoubtedly has deepened Eucharist; offering spiritual food and strengthened. The seasons that strengthens their bonds and change, the years pass by, your chilaids them in carrying out the re- dren grow to adulthood and perhaps sponsibilities of married and fam-. now have children of their own," he ily life. noted.

"Through all these your mar"The life that comes from Christ is a life for us, and Jesus in- riage covenant with each other restituted the Eucharist in a family- mains, has become stronger, and like setting at the Last Supper. enables you, as husband and wife, When you meet for meals and are to face the future with a confidence together in harmony, Christ is close and love that has grown stronger, to you. And he is Emmanuel, God over the years," the bishop said, as with us, in an even greater way he congratulated them.

Following Mass the couples rewhenever you approach the table of the Eucharist," Bishop Coleman ceived a special blessing and were given gifts, of white roses and alstated.

He also reminded the couples of monds.

Religious leaders sign document urging compassion to ammals

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WASHINGTON (CNS)- Reli- livestock in factory farms.

"Like all of God's creation, anigious leaders gathered in Washington November 7 to sign a document mals are held to be sacred living urging people of faith to make com- creatures that should be cared for;' passion to animals an integral part . said Father Larry Evans, a Catholic priest who was among the signers. of their religious teachings.

"Catholics are called to follow the The document, '~A Religious example of St. Francis ofAssisi, the ~oclamation for Animal Compassion;' says in part that animals "have church's patron of animals and the intrinsic value as part of God's cre- environment, who a millennium ago ation and are entitled to live lives free set the high standard for animal compassion," said' Father Evans, paroof cruelty and exploitation."

The document was signed by chial vicar of Our Lady of Mercy members of at least 20 faith tradi- Church in Jersey City, N.J. Officials ofthe Best Friends Anitions, including Catholic, Baptist, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, mal Society said they plan to recruit Pentecostal, Lutheran, Presbyterian volunteers to take that message across the country. and Quaker representatives. ''This is an important event in the They called on people of faith to stop wearing fur, reduce meat con- timeline of the animal protection sumption and buy only from farms .movement," said Paul Berry, the that use humane methods, as op- group's executive director. "People posed to practices such as confining of faith are often the gatekeepers of chickens in small cages and raising critical social reforms in our coun-

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P.o. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722 theanchor@ancnornews.org 508.675.7151 ' This Message Sponsored by the Following Business Concern in the Diocese of Fall River GILBERT C. OLIVEIRA INSURANCE AGENCY

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try, and this event signals a major shift in their thinking on animal protection."

Berry said the religious leaders who backed the document showed "courage and moril1 leadership on behalf of animals."

"There is much conflict in the world today over religious differences," Berry added. "But this diverse group of religious leaders came together and proved that there is wide consensus among many faith traditions on the subject of animal ,compassion."

The proclamation also calls for the adoption of pets and spaying or neutering pets. It urges people to reject forms ofentertainment that harm or exploit animals and also asks them to advocate against commercial testing on animals and land development that encroaches upon wildlife populations.