t eanc 0 VOL. 37, NO. 45
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Friday, November 19,1993
FALL RIVER, MASS.
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CHD collection aids diocesan groups, others across nation The annual Campaign for Human Development collection will be taken up in diocesan parishes at all Masses this weekend. CH D funds self-help projects in the United States organized by low-income groups committed to improving their communities. Since CHD's founding in 1970. it has awarded grants and loans totaling $200 million to over 3.000 grassroots projects. All this has been made possible through the generosity of American Catholics. Over the years, the Fall River diocese has received nearly $500,000 in grants, channeled through the office of Catholic Social Services. Among them has been the Integration Project of CORD, Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled. The project assist the mentally retarded in integration into group homes and the larger community, ,lddressing such issues as health care, housing, home care, tra nsportation, handicapped access and employment discrimination. CHD funds have also aided the Portuguese Youth Cultural Association and a food coope rative in Fall River; and a housing advocacy group in New Bedford. Last ycar. said Bishop James H.
Garland of Marquette, Mich., the CHD collection raised $12.5 million. its largest amount ever. The bishop. chairman of the U.S. bishops' Campaign for Human Developm'ent Committee, noted that 1993 grants amounted to $7.4 million to 225 community projects. In addition. he said. one quarter of the amount collected in a diocese remains within that diocese for distribution to local self-help programs. In annol,;ncing the grants. Bishop Garland expressed gratitude to American Catholics for their generosity and reminded them that "CH D represents. in a very tangible way. our Church living out the Gospcl in action, and standing in solidarity with the poor." Father Joseph Hacala. S.J. cxecutive director of CH D, noted several trends that emerged from thc 1993 CHD-funded projects: • Economic development grants indicate the heightened need for jobs, job quality and job security for low-income people. • Grants went to a significant number of firsttime funded projects, which highlights the ongoing need to develop new responses to issues of housing. employment, health and education.
• Growth of church-based community organizing projects. as evidenced by 80 such groups receiving grants. Such church and synagogue organizations are making an impact by training leaders. identifying issues. and taking strategic action to solve local problems. • A large number of projects relate to children and families. One example is the Association for Children for Enforcement of Support (ACES). an initiative that specifically addresses the needs of low-income single parents. With 300 chapters throughout the country. ACES helps single parents collect full child support on a regular basis and advocates for better enforcement of child support orders. • Among the largest 1993 grants was that of$70,000 awarded to the Farm Labor Organization Committee, an organization of Mexican and African-American migrant and tenant farm workers that develops indigenous leadership to act on issues facing tomato industry laborers in the Midwest, Southeast, and Mexico. Other organizations receiving funding included groups that work for affordable housing, health care, job training, and worker-owned businesses.
"A gentle sweetheart of a guy" By Pat McGowan A priest who "wouldn't actually have chosen social service ministry" is leaving that minis! ry after nearly 20 years a& directc r of the Diocesan Department of Catholic Social Services - and is a .so leaving a hole in many hearts Father Peter N. Graziano admits that his interest really lies in the J'ields of theology and church hist:>ry and that his idea of a blissful retirement occupation would be that of reading the Fathers of the Church. Not that he is contemplating retirement in the near future: he is leaving Catholic Social :;ervices and his seven-year pastorate of SS. Peter and Paul pari:;h, Fall River, to assume the paSl)rate of St. Mary's Church, Mansfield, home to a large and activl~ parish community. Looking back over his :iears as Social Services director, he said "I was taken totally off guard when Bishop Cronin asked me to take over that office and sent rre to get a master's degree in social work." When Father Graziano assumed directorship of the agenc~, he recalled. "it had three staff m ~mbers. We were crowded into ,1 small office in the North Mair. Street building in Fall River now occu-
pied by Diocesan Health Facili-. ties. At times we almost had to share desks, we had so little space." From 1974 to 1986, Father Graziano directed Social Services while commuting from New Bedford where from 1974 to 1981 he was also director and chaplain of the former St. Mary's Homefor children, ministered at the New Bedford House of Correction and from June 1981 to Sept. 1986 was pastor of St. James Church.
FATHER GRAZIANO
Over the years he was also expanding Social Services, in the process staffing satellite offices in Attleboro, New Bedford and Hyannis and moving the Fall River office to its present Slade Street location. Today the four offices are staffed by a total of 30 people. Father Graziano cannot say enough in their praise. "I feel fortunate and blessed to be their director," he said. "It's a marvelous , marvelous staff-very dedicated to a ministry that demands flexibility and sometimes being on call day or night." He is pretty flexible himself. At about the same time Bishop Cronin asked him to take overSocial Services, said Father Graziano, he added, "And by the way, you're going to be director of the Hispanic Apostolate." "I didn't even spea~ Spanish," said the priest, but with typical energy he wrote to "40 or 45 religious communities" seeking to recruit sisters to assist him in his new job. "Then," he related, "I went to a Spanish convocation, met a Mexican sister and asked if she thought her community might be interested in coming to the diocese. She got Turn to Page II
BALL CHAIRPERSONS MRS. MANUEL T. NOGUEIRA AND JOSEPH F. GROMADA
1969 presentees sought
Bishop's Charity Ball chairpersons named The honorary chairpersons of the 39th Annual Bishop's Charity Ball have been named by Rev. Daniel L. Freitas, diocesan director of the event. They are Joseph F. Gromada of St. Stanislaus parish, Fall River, diocesan president of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and Mrs. Manuel T. Nogueira of St. John of God parish, Somerset, president of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. The groups are the honorary cosponsors of the ball, to be held Friday, Jan. 14, at Venus de Milo restaurant, Swartsea. The winter festivity will benefit the new HIV / AIDS Ministry established by Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., and, as in the past, exceptional and under-
privileged children of southeastern Massachusetts and other diocesan apostolates. Members of the ball committee, St. Vincent de Paul Society parish conferences and affiliates of the Council of Catholic Women are urged to submit names of persons, groups and organizations for listing in the ball booklet. Listings are under five categories with each category entitling the donor to ball tickets. Further information on the event is available from Bishop's Charity Ball headquarters, PO Box 1470, Fall River 02722, tel. 676-8943 or 676-3200. Where Are the 10? The Anchor for Dec. 26, 1968, Turn to Page II
PROPHETIC MOMENT: "I was called by God!" Jerry Rezendes, as the prophet Jeremiah, announced, opening the Diocesan Youth Convention Nov. 14. See story page 14. (Hickey photo)
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Bishops study many issues
The Anchor Friday, Nov. 19, 1993
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WASHINGTON (CNS) - After and final year the national colleca busy first day looking at protion to aid the church in Eastern posed new documents on peace, and Central Europe. the American family, parish social The meeting's major documents ministry and the permanent diacwere not scheduled for full debate onate, the U.S. bishops moved andavoteuntiiNov.17,afterthe into the second day. of their Nov. Anchor went to press. A full report 15-18 fall meeting in Washington on the meeting will appear in the with their agenda centered on the Nov. 26 Anchor. Also pending viewing of three videos - on Cath- \ were a number of liturgy matters olic Relief Services, domestic vioand a proposed statement of sollence and World Youth Day '93. idarity with newcomers to combat The bishops also elected two conwhat Archbishop Theodore E. Mcference officers and several comCarrick of Newark, N.J., said was mittee chairmen before going into an anti-immigration sentiment in executive session that afternoon. many parts of the country. Among actions taken by the Among the documents was one bishops during the first two days offered by the Committee on Marof the meeting were adoption of a riage and Family, chaired by Car1994 budget of $41.7 million and dinal Bernardin, as a sign of the approval of a proposal to draft a bishops' support, encouragement special message on abortion and and compassion for American famother pro-life issues to coincide ilies. with a papal encyclical on the subThe document, called "Follow ject expected next year. the Way of Love: A Pastoral MesMsgr. Robert N. Lynch was resage of the U.S. Catholic Bishops elected to a one-year term as NCCB to Families - On the Occasion of general secretary' and Archbishop the United Nations 1994 InternaThomas J. Murphy of Seattle was tional Year of the Family," is chosen as treasurer of the NCCB designed as a Catholic contribuand its public policy arm, the U.S. tion to the year, which has as its Catholic Conference. The bishops theme, "Family Resources and Resalso approved extending for a fifth ponsibilities in a Changing World." Introducing a new statement on war and peace prepared to mark the 10th anniversary of the bishops' land mark peace pastoral, "The Challenge of Peace," Archbishop John R. Roach ofSt. Paul-Minneapolis said that "deadly violence and harsh injustice still haunt our world" despite the end of the Cold War. The 60-page draft statement Archbishop Roach presented is titled "The Harvest of Justice Is Sown in Peace." It says that to work for real peace, the United States needs to avoid the temptation of isolationism and make substantive new commitments to international justice. Third World devel-
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BISHOPS'
MEETING During their meeting, the U. S. Catholic bishops will be asked to:
+Approve a new statement on war and peace issues today, 10 years after their landmar1< pastoral letter on nudear war and weaponry. .
+Make a statement on the sodal mission of the parish.
+Oeliver a pastoral message in support of family life and values. +Issue a statement marking the 25th anniversary of the revival of the pennanent diaconate.
opment, human rights and nonviolent conflict resolution. Also receiving a first look from the bishops Nov. 15 were documents thanking the more than 10,000 U.S. permanent deacons for their 25 years of service to the church and describing the social mission of the Catholic parish. Auxiliary Bishop John H. Ricard of Baltimore said the statement on the parish's social mission is intended to be "a modest, but use-
46th General Meeting Nov. 15-18
Washington +Approve the first section of a revised translation of the Sacramentary, the first of seven parts to be presented to the bishops for action over the next two years.
+Approve the Spanish translation of the Rite of Christian Funerals.
+Oedde on a proposed fifth year of parish collections in 1995 to aid the church In Eastem and Central Europe.
+Approve an overall 1994 budget of $41.7 million for the offices and agendes of the NCCB/USCC.
ful tool for those seeking to shape and strengthen parish social ministry." The document is a product of both the bishops' Domestic Policy and International Policy committees. Also due for a Nov. 17 vote were liturgy changes, including a massive translation updating project for all the prayers of the Mass, an inclusive-language version of the Grail Psalter for liturgical use and a Spanish text for the Order of Christian Funerals.
Anglicans vote to ordain women LONDON (CNS) - The Church of England voted overwhelmingly Nov. II to allow women to become priests but altered the measure to accommodate followers who disapproved of the decision. The ordination of women in the established church had already been approved by both houses of the British Parliament and assented to by Queen Elizabeth I I. The synod, in a landmark move Nov. II, 1992, voted to proceed with the legislation that would allow ordination of women. But danger of dissent proved so great that this year's vote included measures to appoint three roving bishops. These bishops will conduct services and look after the rights of clergy and parishioners who are unable to accept women priests. . But at least 36 clergymen, believing that women cannot be priests since Jesus chose only men to be his disciples, have resigned. Some 31 of them say they intend to join the Catholic Church, from which the Church of England split in the 16th century. Cardinal George Basil Hume of Westminster, England, has urged caution in acceptiJ1g dissident Anglican clergy into the Catholic Church. He said that potential converts must be prepared to accept the full teaching of Catholicism. The synod also decided to allow those opposed to women priests to be appointed to high church office. Protesters argued this would undermine the position of women
priests once they were ordained. Eleven branches of the Anglican Communion, notably in the United States, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Brazil, already allow women to be priests. The General Synod's vote opened the way for the first women to be ordained in Britain next Easter, which falls in the first days of April in 1994. One bishop, Barry Rogerson of Bristol, England, has said he will ordain some 40 women deacons to the priesthood on March 12. The subject has been considered the most divisive issue since the Church of England split with Rome over King Henry VIII's decision to divorce Catherine of Aragon in 1534. In a 1976 declaration, the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said the Catholic Church does not consider itself able to ordain women for a number of reasons, among them Christ's example in choosing only men as apostles, the unbroken tradition of the church that should be considered "normative," and the fact that in celebrating the Eucharist, a priest acts in the person of Christ, who was a man. 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020). Second Class Postage Paid at Fall River. Mass. PUblished weekly except the week of July 4 and the week after Christmas at 887 Highland Avenue. Fall River. Mass. 02720 by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $11.00 per year. Postmasters send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River. MA 02722.
THE ANCHOR -
Announcing...
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Diocese of Fall River -
Fri.., Nov. 19, 1993
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The Anchor Christmas Art Contest All CCD and parcchial school students in first through fourth grades in the Fall River d:ocese are eligible to enter the Anchor's Christmas art contest. We are looking for creative and original depictions of any aspect of the Christmas story done in black crayon or pen on standard-sin 8 I 2 by II inch white paper. All entries must be signed on the back by the student's classroom or CCD teacher and on a separate piece of paper must include the student's full name, age. address. te'lephone number. school or parish and grade. Our first-place winner will be featured on the front page of the Christmas issue of the Anchor and will receive $25. There w II be a second-place prize of $15 and a third-place prize of $1 O. as well as several honorable mentions, All prize-winning and honorable mention drawings will also appear in our Christmas issue. Anchor staff members will judge the entries. which must be postmarked by Monday. Dec. 13 and should be mailed to Christmas Art Contest. The Anchor. P() Box 7, Fall River \1 A 02722. Entries may also be brought to t~e Anchor office. 887 Highland Ave.. Fall Ri\'er. by Dec. 13.
Churchme,n fully support Card. Bernardin made against U.S. priests in order VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Vatto obtain compensation money." ican and U.S. church officials have In Washington, Archbishop expressed full support for Chicago William H. Keeler of Baltimore, Cardinal Joseph L. Berm.rdin, saypresident of the National Confering they disbelieved accusations that he sexually abused a teen-ager ence of Catholic Bishops, supported Cardinal Bernardin Nov. 15, the in the late 1970s. opening day of the U.S. bishops' They said the allegations demmeeting. onstrate how easy it is 'or a person's reputation to be unjustly "We e'xpress our complete condamaged before due process can fidence in his ultimate vindication," take place. the archbishop said. "There is total solidarity with After Archbishop Keeler's rethe cardinal at the Congregation marks, the bishops gave Cardinal for Bishops, both at the level of Bernardin a 45-second standing prefect and secretary," said U.S. ovation. He thanked them for their Archbishop Justin Rigali, secre- support and asked, "Remember tary ofthe congregation, who spoke me in your prayers." by telephone with Cardinal BerMany other U.S. church leaders nardin after the accusations were also issued statements of support. made public. In New York, Cardinal John J. Cardinal Bernardin categorically O'Connor noted that once again denied the allegations, made by the church had experienced "serious Steven Cook of Philadelphia in a adverse publicity." $10 million lawsuit filed in Cin"I do not know the accuser. I do cinnati. Cook, reportedly an AI DS know the cardinal very well. 1 patient, claimed Cardinal Bernar- categorically do not believe that he din and a Cincinnati priest abused has ever been guilty of sexual him between 1975 and 1977. The abuse," Cardinal O'Connor said. cardinal was archbishop of Cin"There can be no question but cinnati and president of the Na- that some church officials in the tional Conference of Catholic Bish- ' past have mismanaged serious, resops at the time. ponsible charges against clergy, "Obviously we don't b ~Iieve this although often mistakenly thinkat all. It's extremely important ing they were doing what was in that the cardinal knows he is supeveryone's best interest," he said. ported by the Holy See which is "But it seems to me that we, as a not about to believe these things," people, whatever our religious persaid a Vatican official, who asked suasions, have a serious responsinot to be named. bility to a fundamental tenet of Vatican Radio, in reporting on our constitutional way of life, that the accusations, described the carevery individual, from prince to dinal's strong steps to un~over and pauper, is to be judged innocent deal with cases of sexual abuse by until proved guilty, not simply priests in the Chicago arc hdiocese. publicly accused as being guilty." "American Catholics know him Cardinal Bernard F. Law of as a balanced man, a man of Boston said in a statement that he prayer," the radio said. It added, was with Cardinal Bernardin in "It has been observed that accusaChicago when he received the first tions of this kind are s Jmetimes reports of the accusations, and
that the Chicago cardinal categorically denied them. "This certainly is in keeping with the man I have known for almost 30 years," Cardinal Law said.
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4 THE ANCHOR -
Fri., Nov. 19, 1993
Diocese of Fall River -
the living word
themoorin~ A Thanksgiving Call to Conscience Thanksgiving is now the number one all-American religious feast, although in early New England it was the Protestant celebration par excellence. But as the spirit of Plymouth freed itself from puritanical prejudice and wove itself into the fabric of American life, a new perspective of inclusivity rather than exclusivity began to emerge. Nevertheless, it was only in the middle of this century that other religious denominations began to celebrate Thanksgiving with the ceremonies of their own traditions. Today it is a national holiday 'that embraces Americans of every religious persuasion. No longer the province of a few, it is shared by Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and adherents of many other faiths as a day for all Americans to pray and to share a sense of gratitude. With this in mind, we should continue to celebrate Thanksgiving, each in his or her own way, but always remembering that there are fellow Americans who are homeless, starving, abused and disenfranchised. Some solve this problem of conscience by providing a token Thanksgiving meal for the socalled street people or the neglected elderly. But all too often such outreach is a one- or two-shot affair. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, people may be well fed but all too often they are then forgotten till next year. However, it is becoming more and more difficult to forget. There are more homeless people in America this year than last; there are more undernourished Americans than ever before; there are more Americans who have been abandoned by the system. Government has as yet been ineffective in doing something about these American tr.'!.gedies. Our Senate is too busy trying to save face and preserve its own prestige, as has been evidenced in the infamous Packwood case. The House is rife with pork barrel bills which all too often do little for people and much for politicians. States are so busy fighting crime and attempting to placate taxpayers that the poor are generally left with little more than empty promises. As with the health care issue, welfare has become a political football. With regard to health, the battle in corporate America over the right of every citizen to decent medical care is a national scandal. Again the hidden agenda is profit, not people. To be sure, as so many of us gather around the Thanksgiving table with family members and friends, we should be thankful for our blessings. But the fortunate among us must not ignore the soup kitchens and food pantries. Somehow, this national celebration should spur us to do our part to see to it that next year more Americans will be able to gather at their own Thanksgiving tables. It is vital that we develop sensitive consciences on this subject. Especially as we join in public religious celebrations of Thanksgiving, should we recall the Beatitudes, in particular Matthew 5:6-"Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice." That teaching of Jesus should motivate each of us to work towards making Thanksgiving a true day of joy for all Americans. The Editor
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River 887 Highland Avenue P.O. BOX 7 Fall River. MA 02720 Fall River, MA 02722-0007 Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX (508) 675-7048 Send address changes to P.O. Box 7 or call telephone number above
GENERAL MANAGER
EDITOR
Rosemary Dussault
Rev. John F. Moore
~ Leary Press-Fall River
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ADA Y OF THANKSGIVING
"Thou hast crowned the year with thy bounty: and thy fields shall be filled with plenty." Ps. 64:12
Poverty, hunger, ill health plague U.8. WASHINGTON (CNS)-From sea to shining sea this Thanksgiving season, there is yet another sea - of faces - battling against the undertow of being in the underclass. Thirty million Americans are hungry, 36.9 million live below the poverty line, 37.4 million are without health insurance. The only thing hunger feeds on is a vicious cycle of poverty and ill health. An undernourished child tends not to pay attention in class. Inattention in class results in poor grades. Poor performance in school usually means a low-payingjob, or no job at all. And poor nutrition, exacerbated by poverty, leads to preventable diseases and conditions that strain the nation's health care system and its hospitals, which are ever more reluctant to care for the poor because of tighter federal Medicaid rules. Or take this vicious cycle: Mothers receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children won't take a job because it won't supply the kind of health benefits provided with AFDC. It's an uphill battle. Or, as public policy advocates at the U.S. Catholic Conference call it, an "upstream" battle. "Downstream" policies are akin to "catching every baby before it drowns," said Patricia King, USCC adviser on health and welfare issues. By going "upstream," the idea is to "find out who's tossing all those babies in the river," Ms. King said. The USCC favors an upstream approach, but Ms. King and Nancy Wisdo, director of the USCC Office of Domestic Social Development, said today's political currents don't favor it. \ This "common good" approach has few takers. For instance, a Bread For the World Institute hunger report released in October said, "Anti-hunger activists can no longer afford the dreamy idealism that the simple virtue of their cause will attract media attention." . "-"
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Special interest groups narrowly focus their priorities, and the Senate increasingly shares the House's legislative tactics of "micro-managing" issues, Ms. King and Ms. Wisdo said. And with an upcoming round of recisions - budget cuts of previously authorized spending - even the $25 billion of the Children's Initiative bill signed by President Clinton could be in jeopardy. This despite a Commerce Department report in September that said government cash transfers are more effective than tax-rate adjustments in reducing proverty. In fact, it said, were it not for AFDC, Supplemental Security Income, veteran's benefits and the like, the
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Prayer to Christ the King Christ Jesus, I acknowledge you king of the universe, All that has been created has been made for you, Make full use of your rights over me. I renew the promises I made in¡ baptism, and I promise to .live a good Christian life and to do all in my power to procure the triumph of the rights of God and your Church. Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer you my efforts in order to obtain that all hearts may acknowledge your sacred royalty and that thus the kingdom of your peace may be established throughout the universe, Amen.'
number of U.S. poor would soar from 36.9 million to 57.3 million. The numbers of poor are. the highest since 1964, just before President Lyndon B. Johnson launched his Great Society initiative and War on Poverty programs. "Even at the height of the Great Society programs, there was an attitude among policy-makers that you couldn't create a full-employment economy," said Marc Cohen, Bread for the World Institute research director. "The Great Society programs did reduce the poverty rate [to) considerably below what it is now," Cohen said. Whites have always avoided poverty more than blacks and Hispanics. But the Commerce Department report said that now whites, once in poverty, find it much harder to escape than before. Ms. King said a parallel exists with health care. Whites who once had easy access to health care now find it harder to keep because of employers trying to shift costs to employees, or because of job loss. Because these matters are not affecting whites in greater numbers, they are occupying much of the public debate. It gives a chance, Ms. Wisdo said, to show the common thread among all Americans regardless of race or class. The issue, Ms. Wisdo said, is not welfare alone; nor hunger alone, nor health care alone. Or the economy. Or jobs. It's poverty. If Americans are not poor, then many problems will take care of themselves, she said. But a comprehensive approach is needed to see how each issue affects the others. "The difficulty is you have to address every single part of it," Ms. King said." All of these things, remarkably, are outlined in the [U .S.) bishops' economic pastoral" letter of 1986. "But the poor," Ms. Wisdo said, "don't have the political clout to preserve their programs."
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Hispanic Apostolate activities listed
What Christian authority means Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17 I Cor. 15:20-26,:~8 Matthew 25:31-·16 On this feast of Christ the King. it's important to undentand how the early Christian cc,mmunity looked at Jesus' authority in their lives. In a recent workshop, Father Michael Crosby defined Christian authority " ... not as the power to control others, but as the ability to influence others." AuthOl ity should not be a force which 0\ erwhelms us, but an example which we imitate. It is this concept w lich most fits the biblical image of Jesus the king. There are a handful of references to Jesus as "king" or Jesus "reigning" in the Christian Scriptures. But we need to rea:ize which aspects of king or reigning the Sacred Authors refer to, Hnd which they leave out. Some concepts apply to Jesus, some don't. The early Christian communities rarely had positive ex periences with kings, who were c,ften corrupt and unprincipled and freq uently persecuted the d urch. Yet when they zeroed in on certain aspects of the royal jot, description. they found that even kings could help them understa'nd- what the Lord was doing in their lives. Paul, the earliest Christian author. seems to undernand this very well. In today's peric ope from his famous chapter 15 of I Corinthians. he's trying to find an image to convey a very deep yet very practical aspect of Jesus' dying and rising for his com munity. He could have fallen back on Ezekiel's image of Yahweh as a shepherd completely wrapped up in caring for his flock, quoting the Lord's promise " to look after and tend ... rescue pasture give rest. .. seek out. .. bring back bind up... heal. .." Instead, he develops a comparison between Adam's deathbringing conduct and Jt:sus' lifegiving reign. "Death came through a man."
Daily Readings Nov. 22: On 1:1-1;,8-20; On 3:52-56; lk 21:1-4 Nov. 23: On 2:31A5; On 3:57-61; lk 21:5-11 Nov. 24: On 5:1-6,13-14, 16-17,23-28; On 3:62..67; lk 21:12-19 Nov. 25: On 6:12-;~8; On 3:68-74; lk 21:20-28. Suggested for Thanksgiving: Sir 50:22-24; Ps 138:1-5; 1 Cor 1:3-9; lk 17:11-19 Nov. 26: On 7:2-14; On 3:75-81; lk 21:29-33 Nov. 27: On 7:15-n; On 3:82-87; lk 21:34-36 Nov. 28: Is 63:16-17,19; 64:2-7; Ps 80:2-3,15-16,1819; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Mk 13:33-37
By FATHER ROGER KARBAN Paul writes, "hence the resurrection of the dead comes through a man also. Just as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will come to life again, but each one proper order ... Christ must reign until God has put all enemies under his feet, and the last enemy to be destroyed is death...so that God may be all in all." Certainly one of the most important parts of anyone's leadership is the way he or she changes our quality of life. "Things" should be better now than they were before. 1n Paul's mind, if we imitate Jesus' dying and rising. our entire life will change for the better. We'll have the same power over deat h that he has. Of course. the comparison with Adam limps a little. Our first parent's conduct became part of our life experience whether we wanted it to or not. But Jes-us' conduct becomes part of it only if we permit him to influence us. His power in us only kicks in because we allow it to. In Matthew's Gospel. the Lord bases his concept of final judgment on the same image. We receive an eternal reward or an eternal punishment, not because we obeyed or disobeyed certain regulations. but because we either rejected or permitted the Lord's influence in our lives. "The king will say to those on his right: 'Come. You have my Father's blessing! ... You gave me food ... yolJ gave me drink ... you welcomed me ... you clothed me ... you comforted me ... you came to visit me .... And though we might object to his judgment, the Lord will insist, "I assure you, as often as you did it for one of the least of my brothers or sisters, you did it for me." We'll be with the Lord for all eternity only because we permitted ourselves both to experience him in others in need and responded to those needs. On the other hand, they who "will go off to eternal punishment" are those who rejected his influence and ignored his presence in others. In either case, Jesus' authority to reward or punish can't be compared to any such earthly authority. The Lord knows that the only authority which lasts is that which rejects domination in favor of influence. And it's that kind of authority which he commands us, his community, to exercise.
Youth Day followup VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Top U.S. church officials recently met with Pope John Paul II and Vatican department heads to discuss followup programs to World Youth Day 1993. The officials made a final review of Denver activities last August and reported on ways dioceses are trying to build on the experience among their young people.
The former rectory of St. Hedwig in New Bedford has become the home offive Guadalupana Sisters, Missionaries of the Holy Spirit. The sisters minister among Hispanics in the Fall River diocese, bringing from their native Mexico a strong sense of mission and evangelization. They work in the various deaneries of the diocese during the week and meet each Monday to pray, share and plan. Father Paul Canuel, director of Diocesan Apostolate to Hispanics and pastor of the newly founded parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, works closely with Sister Manuela at the new parish. She, like all the sisters, visits families and develops programs to prepare laypersons for ministry. Eucharistic ministers, lectors, catechists and choir members are encouraged to attend training sessions and a priority is involvement of parents in the religious education of their children. Baptismal and marriage preparation classes are held with the aid of qualified parishioners. Classes for children will begin in February and Confirmation sessions for youth will take place every second Saturday beginning in January. Hispanic youth groups are active in each deanery with adults volunteering time and talents to help involve members in their parish communities. The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be a high point of the year for the Hispanic Apostolate. A retreat will precede the feast and groups from around the diocese will gather on Dec. 11 for a special liturgy and festivities, Efforts are being made in each area to establish prayer groups and rosary circles, and to encourage involvement in the Cursillo movement. Each Friday a holy hour is held from 7 to 8 p.m. and a special Mass is celebrated the last Friday of each month. At SS. Peter and Paul parish, Fall River, and St. Pius X parish, South Yarmouth, Sisters Julia Logano and Teresa Pacheco are working with fami~ies and are forming bilingual children's groups. Basic courses in leadership, here as elsewhere, help prepare the laity for ministry. Sister Gloria Maria Rodriguez ministers with Father William Costello at St. Mary's parish, Taunton, and Sister Teresa Aguinaga serves at St. Joseph's in Attleboro with Father Kevin Harrington. Helping form a solid faith community which can be integrated into the larger parish family is the goal of all who minister among the Hispanic population.
Blockade rapped EL PASO, Texas (CNS) - An immigration blockade along the Mexican border is having devastating effects on the people of EI Paso and its Mexican neighbor, Ciudad Juarez, said EI Paso Bishop Raymundo Pena. He called for a moratorium lasting six months to a year on the Immigration and Naturalization Service's enforcement action while the Mexican and U.S. governments work on a plan for easing immigration controls that he said hurt people on both sides of the border.lmmigration enforcement agencies have been stopping Mexicans who cross into the United States each day for jobs as well as those trying to enter the country illegally.
The Anchor Friday, Nov. 19, 1993
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By Dr. JAMES & MARY KENNY Thanksgiving - what a wonderful idea: to celebrate gratitude. to applaud those impulses that lead us to return after we've gotten what we wanted and say thank you. Why should gratitude be so rare? Are we reluctant to take the time? Once we have gained our goaL do
A celebration of gratitude, we forget those who assisted us? Or are we simply more ready to offer negative comments than positive ones? "Thank you" is one of the four positive remarks. Together with "I love you," "well done" and "I'm sorry," it forms a treasury of uplifting responses, ways to affirm and touch our neighbor. The early settlers had a rough 'time surviving their first winter. Because of help from their Native American neighbors, many of them made it through. They were gratefuL and they gave a party to say so. The thank-you party was highlighted by a meaL one we still celebrate. To remember. we eat and enjoy turkey "with all the trim-
JOHN J. DIETZEN Q. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus makes numerous references to his equality with the Father. But at the Last Supper he says, "The Father is greater than I" (14:28). How do you explain this? (Ohio) A. You're not the first to have this problem. The most prominent Christian, perhaps, who found the passage a stumbling block was Arius, a fourth-century priest of Alexandria, whom history has known as the author of the Arian heresy.
- Before carving the turkey, we all pause for a moment to remember someone who has helped us in the past. Then we make a short resolution to call or write them during the next few days and say thanks.
Many families go beyond the traditional Thanksgiving meal to recall and remotivate the virtue of gratitude. Here are a few examples of family liturgies which celebrate the grateful spirit. -~ At the Thanksgiving table. a grandchild reads the story of the first Thanksgiving. Then each guest tells what he or she is especially thankful for that year. Every Thanksgiving we have a family football game out in the yard before the turkey. Then we take turns saying aloud the things we are thankful for. - We say thank you to someone else at the dinner table for something he or she has done for us.
- In one way or another, we always provide a Thanksgiving dinner for a family less fortunate than we. This is our way of saying thanks to people who have helped us, by passing on some of our benefits to' the next person. Reader questions on family living or child care are invited by The Kenny's, 219 W. Harrison St., Suite 4; Rensselaer, Ind. 47978.
Jesus' equality with the Father
By FATHER
mings," which include cranberries, dressing. sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. The Thanksgiving holiday. however. is more than a historical remembrance. We are reminded of our need to give and receive thanks not just that one time in our past, but every day. The meal is a way of coming together for an important purpose, to recall something that was and still should be. Mass is another such celebration. It uses the event of the Last Supper to remind us of the love we should have for one another. In sharing the Eucharist, which itself means "thanksgiving," we remind ourselves that we are all one.
This heresy, which tore the church apart for many decades, effectively denied the divinity of Christ. The text 'you quote constituted one of their major biblical bases. .As you note, of all the Gospels John is the least one from which we could muster arguments against the divinity of Christ. The very opening proclaims that "the Word was God ... and the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (I: 1,14). It is in the same Gospel that Jesus claims to have existed before Abraham and assumes for himself the name which Jewish tradition reserved for God, "I Am" (8:58). Obviously, the verse you quote cannot intend to contradict these other passages from the fourth GospeL
The early fathers of the church the Mass, except for a few Ameriand Christian tradition since have can tourists. Should we have done interpreted it to say something like this also? this: Jesus, as the eternal Word We felt we were correct in folbecome human, is the Father's • lowing the congregation. (Illinois) messenger and agent; as he himself A. The local people in the frequently insists, he is obedient to churches you speak of were following the general law of the church the Father, always doing his wilL Equal to the Father in eternal about postures during Mass. glory, he is nevertheless subordiRegulations on this matter are simple. People are to stand from nate to the Father in his human the Prayer over the Gifts (said by nature, as one of us. the priest just before the preface of Jesus expresses this kind of defthe Eucharist Prayer) until the end erence to and reverence for the of Mass. Father in all the Gospels. (For Exceptions are that they should example, Matthew 20:23, Luke sit after communion if there is a 22:42.) time for meditation, and they Q. Wejust returned from Europe, should "kneel at the consecration and were surprised that many unless prevented by lack of space, churches have chairs rather than large numbers or other reasonable pews. cause" (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 21). No one knelt at any time during
In 1969, the American bishops adapted this rule for the United States, providing that people should kneel from after the Sanctus ("Holy, holy, holy") until after the Amen at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer (Appendix to the General Instruction, 21). Unless the bishops of other countries adapt the missal in a similar way, the regulations for the universal church which I indicate above would apply for the people there. A free brochure outlining Catholic prayers, beliefs and practice is available by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Holy Trinity Church, 704 N. Main St., Bloomington, in. 61701. Questions for this column should be sent to the same address.
.A note of thanks By ANTOINETTE BOSCO This column is one of resounding thanks. In the past few weeks I have received more than 100 letters from people from east to west sending warm expressions of concern upon reading of the murders of my son John and his wife Nancy. I have read their messages with tears streaming down my cheeks, but these are not rivulets of sadness. The tears came from joy at the realization that I am not alone. I have reread these letters and realized how much strength I was
By FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK Freedom of speech and a wealth of resources for building up a culture are great blessings. But they shouldn't be taken for granted, which is the principal lesson I gained from participating in a recent world conference of Catholic directors of centers for culture. Participants came from radically diverse cultures. Interestingly enough, I gained a deeper appreciation of my own country and faith from mingling with all these people.
deriving from them. And I kept thanking God from the depths of my soul for the gift of this great extended family we all belong to. I have always been high on the communion of saints, as my readers probably know. But never have I so truly felt what this means until lately, when I lived the worst tragedy imaginable and yet have not fallen apart or felt my faith shaken. Now I know why. I have been supported in this cr.isis by my brothers and sisters in Christ, bonded to me'through the communion of saints. I'm sure John and Nancy, as well as my other loved ones on the other side of time, are equally part of this support. The letters have given me a
strengthened understanding of what it means to -be part of the church community. It means that no matter how many losses you have, no matter the degree of pain you must endure, you are not alone, and never have been because of your baptism, which St. Paul tells us makes us part of one body, Christ's. The letters I received made me realize how we become giants when we get a transfusion of love. Some letters came from people who had also experienced the trauma of someone's sudden death, in some cases by murder. "We are one with you in sorrow," wrote a family from New York state. "We too have had a son murdered and were so saddened by this most recent tragedy,
committed by a depraved individual, without concern for human life." They added, "Having read your column faithfully for so many years, you seem a friend to us. N ow we share this horror of horrors." A man in Illinois wrote: "After reading your column about Satan being real, the thought occurs that in our faith, in the end, he is a loser, no matter how completely he may seem to have the upper hand at times." And there was the warm wish from Barbara Lee, editor of the Intermountain Catholic in Salt Lake City, Utah, that the Lord "turns the pain and confusion to healing for you and your family, and that you can find peace in knowing that, at the moment of
their untimely deaths, they walked with God." What a beautiful image to carry! Then there is the touching letter I received from Bishop Paul V. Dudley of Sioux Fall, S.D. "It was courageous for you to share with your readers this painful family tragedy," Bishop Dudley wrote. "Oftentimes columnists arejust names we know. I am sure many of your faithful readers will identify much more with you through this personal sharing of pain. "God love you. Antoinette. May the Lord Jesus grant healing, support and the gift of forgiveness to you and all your loved ones." These letters are treasures, and I shall cherish them forever. Thank you, my friends.
Catholicism finds home in many cultures Participants from communist countries taught me that the long reign of communism was worse than the Black Plague. The communist system not only killed people, but wiped out their cultures. Intellectuals were "picked like mushrooms" and murdered. Freedom of speech and religion were suppressed. The cultural directors saw themselves cultivating a new culture in which democracy and religious values will be needed across the board - to protect the ecosystem, for example, or to turn work into a vocation rather than a state-demanded chore. Participants in the meeting saw religion once again inspiring music
and the arts, and looked upon it as a means of restoring the human trust destroyed by the suspicions communism spawned. Directors of Catholic centers for culture in countries like India had a much different agenda. Catholics believe in one God, one church. The Hindu, dazzled by the wondrous variety of creation, looks to numerous gods. How people envision the divine can profoundly influence how they work together. The vision of one God who fosters unity among a people, for example, influences the goals we work toward within society. I ndian Catholics were endeavoring to understand the Hindu view of creation in order to work better with them.
The same held true for a director from Algeria, a country that is 99 percent Muslim. As a missionary, his first task was to learn the Muslim culture. Other missionaries spoke of their ethnographic studies. Some from countries like Zaire were going into the bush to study tribal myths, animal symbols and oral traditions in order to translate religious faith into symbols the tribes could comprehend. Still other directors focused on social justice issues. In Mexico City one director spends his time studying and teaching church social justice principles. What I saw at the meeting was that throughout the world, the
Catholic tradition and the cultural traditions of freedom of speech and participation in society have much to offer. Furthermore, I saw the adaptability of our church through the work of missionaries, who had a particularly strong impact on me. Catholicism is one, but also diverse. More important, its very adaptability symbolizes and reinforces for me just how great the strength of faith is. It takes faith's strength for a person to enter an entirely new culture, to move from majority status in one place to minority status in another, and to discover what it means to be a follower of Christ and a builder of culture in that challenging situation.
About Guns Dear Editor: "The Mooring" editorial, "Out of control" (Oct. 22), condemned handgun violence, but blamed lawful gunowners and N RA members for crimes. Ask police how many licensed gun owners Lnd NRA members are committir g robberies. Not many. [Before issuing) permits, the police and state check applicants for prior arrests, domesti,; disputes, indications of mental problems or treatment, drug or alcohol rehab, any past drug use, all [cause) to reject applicants. After this multilevel check (and often an NRA safety training course and exam), and if the police have no other objection, we may get our permit. We :awfully use firearms for qualification and competitive shooting, training, recreational ;hooting, collecting, plinking, self-protection, shopkeepers, hiking, and historical re-enactment. We follow NRA safety training, which [has ) led to declining injuries. The Second Amendr:1ent is so important that our founding Fathers would not otherwise sign the Constitution. It protects citizens and local militias by discouraging future anarchy and social ist-or-fascist mili tary-police states. The Jews and Cc.tholics in Europe learned this the hard way. Liberals and quasi-Socia: ists would like to disarm law-abidi 19 Americans in the guise of fighting criminals. Liberal "solutior s" create crime and problems.
lament the amount of violence in our society, and every Christian should do what he or she can to help solve the problem. However, the solution is not, as your October 22 editorial urged, to restrict the legal ownership of handguns. This would do about the same amount of good as outla wing prescription drugs would in stopping the use of illegal drugs. As Justice Department studies attest, most inner-city murders are committed with illegal handguns, not legal ones. Our problem is
with illegal guns, and no amount of restriction of legal ones will solve that problem. Taking guns out of the hands of law-abiding citizens only increases the potential tyranny of those who use illegal guns to commit crimes and to take lives. Many good-intentioned people think legal guns are the problem, but have never looked at the facts. The places with the most res'trictive gun laws are the most dangerous in our land. Look at Washington, DC and New York City. It is illegal to own a gun in those cities. and look at the murder rates - the highest in the country. Compare these rates to cities in states where law-abiding citizens can obtain guns, like Dallas for example, where murder is much more infrequent, and then, mostly with illegal guns.
It seems a paradox that those states with the most restrictive gun laws are those with the highest rates of murder. But it's really not hard to understand. If guns are outlawed, only outlaws have guns, because they get guns through illicit channels. And outlaws use guns to intimidate, rob, and kill. The focus on legal guns is a disastrous red herring. It will. not come close to the problem, which is criminally-inclined people using illegal guns. So while we waste time, money and effort fighting a stra w man, the murder rates will rise. And all of us who promote this red herring will have a certain amount of the blood on our hands, because if we look at the facts we cannot claim to be invincibly ignorant of the roots oCthe problem. We agree that something must
Dear Editor: What a tragedy the amount of people being killed by ;landguns today! Christians cannot but
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Money-hungry drug bt:yers cause violent crime. To red uce crime, institute "Demand-(Buyer)-Side Reduction" to neutralize' he money flow from drug buyers. (M ichael Levine's"Fight Back: Howto Take Back Your Neighborhooc. Schools, and Families from the Drug Dealers." Dell: available through bookstores.) Implemert instant point-of-sale computer-<:hecks for gun buyers, as propos( d by the NRA and used in five s:ates. Enforce the 20.000 existing gun laws against criminal shooters. Implement Initiative 593-"3 Strikes and You're Out," drafted by the Washington Citizens for Just ce to imprison without parole three-time career criminals. Finally. be aware that bad guys use knives more commonly than handguns. A knife atta:k is formidable and may be mc,re dcvastating than a bullet. Few police can react. d,raw. aim anj shoot a charging knife-attacker within 20 feet. who will cover that unobstructed distance in 1.7 seconds. even assuming an impo~;sible 100 percent first-shot-stop by the officer. Still. for the citizen. handguns offer the best defen;e against a knife. Disarm citi/ens and shopkeepers. and punish the 11 for defending themselves. and see what criminals do next. Robert W. Zanders Raynham. Jlvl A
be done, but just disagree without malice about how to solve the problem. You argued your case forcefully, as I have tried to do. I would appreciate it if you could allow another Catholic's perspective. Thank vou. john R. Silveira Norwalk, CT
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8 THE ANCHOR -
Diocese of Fall River -
Fri., Nov. 19, 1993
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20,1993 ·10 A.M.· 4 P.M. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21,1993 ·10 A.M.· 4 P.M.
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Three parishes named for St. John the Baptist, in Westport, New Bedford and Fall River, share the Religious Education Month spotlight this week. Their stories and a reflection on the work of catechists by Sister Elaine Heffernan, RS M, an associate director of religious education for the Fall River diocese, follow.
For more info call 995-2264 St. Joseph Church Hall· Acushnet Ave, N.B. Across from Brooklawn Park
. St. John the Baptist, Westport Mrs. Jean Prior directs religious education for this 650-family parish which has 20 catechists and 12 teen helpers. Through the year special projects reinforce class instruction. At Thanksgiving the festival of Sukkot, a Jewish harvest
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A summer Bible School is held for 4th through 6th graders in cooperation with Westport Point Methodist Church, with 7th through 12th graders forming a support team and the week ending with a family celebration and lunch.
St. John the Baptist, New Bedford At this I,500-family parish with 320 religious education students, Marge Ferreira coordinates the work of a team of generous volunteers who conduct classes each Saturday and Sunday and encourage pupils to attend the special children's Mass at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday. As the oldest Portuguese parish in the United States, St. John's
treasures its heritage and children participate in special occasions such as the Holy Ghost feast at Pentecost and the Dominga crowning during the Sundays of Easter. They are also mindful ofthe needy, helping collect canned goods at Thanksgiving and in the case of older children, working with their catechists to prepare a meal for the poor twice yearly for distribution
by Market Ministries of the city. Throughout the year, students also take part in liturgical celebrations and confirmation candidates follow a program involving parents and sponsors. A special tradition is a yearly open house at which children are marked absent if Mom and Dad don't attend. There is also a special yearly meeting for the parents.
St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River "Generous Beyond Measure" aptly describes students in St. Jean Baptiste's religious education program says Daryl Gonyon, its director. He explained that all students have been bringing in coins weekly for a Coins for Charity collection. Funds donated, almost $200 up to
now, will go to the St. Vincent de Paul Society for Thanksgiving dinners for needy parish families. Parents have expressed pleasure at the enthusiasm of their children for this project. Individual giving is not recorded but class totals are announced weekly, with grades 2,
3, 5 and 8, in that order, thus far the top contributors. Throughout the year the Catholic Charities Appeal is also aided with proceeds from various projects and the children are told weekly about a different Appeal program that they are helping.
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Friday, Nov. 19 - 7:15 PM PRAYER VIGIL FOR VOCATIONS FR. PAT & TEAM Saturday, Nov. 20 - 6:00 PM ECUMENICAL SERVICE FOR VIETNAM VETERANS & FAMILIES REV. PHILIP SALOIS, M.S. Sunday,Nov. 21 - 2:00 PM HEALING SERVICE WITH MASS REV. ANDRE PATENAUDE, M.S. Nov. 25 - January 2 CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Sunday-Thursday 5:00-9:00 PM Friday-Saturday 5:00-10:00 PM Call for schedule of services & programs Nov. 26-27-28 CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Friday 12:00-9:00 Saturday 10:00-9:00 Sunday 10:00-8:00 ~
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festival, offers the opportunity to aid needy families and the elderly, while Advent includes the Jesse Tree and a Giving Tree and Lent calls forth sacrifices for Honduras and participation in Holy Week rites.
FROM LEFT, Jean Prior, St. John Baptist, Westport; Marge Ferreira, St. John Baptist, New Bedford; teachers Kristyn Methot and Stacy Rogers with kindergarten students Wayne Costa and Jennifer Mayes, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River.
Called to Evangelize Sister Heffernan, in reflecting on evangelization through catechesis, said she realized that Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, "knew what evangelization was all about." Orphaned at an early age, she was adopted by a Protestant couple
who left her their wealth, which she used to open a home in Dublin for poor working girls. Her work reflected the Religious Education Month theme, "Generous Beyond Measure." Catechists, says Sister Heffernan, are today's evangelists.
Today there are nearly 3000 catechists in the diocese, serving over 35,000 young people; and the parish is the primary means of bringing together their programs, those of Catholic schools and those of the faith community at large.
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AT EVENING PRAYER service at St. Joseph's parish, Taunton, celebrating November as Religious Education Month, William Breen, left, holds lectionary aloft during procession; view of altar antependium incorporating names of every parish in Taunton deanery, together with symbols of the four seasons, the work of Henrietta Sabin of Holy Rosary parish, Taunton. Bishop O'Malley was homilist for the service. (Kearns photos)
THE ANCHOR -
Nov. 21 1975, Rev. Stephen J. Downey, Retired Pastor, Holy Ghost, Attleboro Nov. 23 1984, Msgr. Christo Jher L. Broderick, Pastor Emer tus, St. Pius X, South Yarmouth Nov. 24 1991, Msgr. Daniel F. :~halloo, Retired Pastor, Holy Na ne, Fall River Nov. 25 1946, Rev. Philias Jalbl~rt, Pastor, Notre Dame, Fall Ri\er; Rev. Dennis Spykers, SS.Cc. Nov. 26 1945, Rev. James R. Burns, P.R., Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall River
Bp. Hughes installed in Baton Rouge BATON ROUGE, La (CNS) - Bishop Alfred C. Hughes, a self-proclaimed "pilgrim from the Northeast," was installed Nov. 4 as fourth bishop of Baton Rouge. Calling his new appointment a "gift and mission," the Boston native took over the reins of the diocese in ceremonies at St. Joseph Cathedral. About 40 bishops and archbishops came from around the country to participate in the afternoon service. Representing the Fall River diocese were Bishop Sean O'Malley and Msgr. John J. Oliveira. Bishop Hughes, 60, succeeds Bishop Stanley J. Ott, who died of cancer last November. He said he wants to serve as a model of Christ for the p,~ople of southeastern Louisiana. "As a father and shephe,d in the Lord, I am asked to 're-present' and image Christ's spou ,al love for you," he said in his homily. "But I do not take his pla~e. I am asked to be an icon of him. An icon is an image, but only an image. Please keep yOH eyes focused on him. He is the Lord. And be patient with me." As his first official act he asked Father John Carville, vicar general under Bishop Ott and (:iocesan administrator for the past year, to serve as his vicar general. Among well-wishers who filled the cathedral for the installation was a delegation of 130 from the Boston archdiocese, headec by Cardinal Bernard F. Law of Boston. Bishop Hughes was ordained a priest of the Boston archdiocese in 1957 and was named an auxiliary bishop there in 1981.
eNS photo
BISHOP HUGHE:i
Diocese of Fall River -
Fri., Nov. 19, 1993
9
FRANCISCAN FRIARS MASS AND DEVOTIONS to
ST. PEREGRINE FOR CANCER VICTIMS AND THEIR LOVED ONES Every Thursday • 9:30 A.M. AT ANNUAL Bishop's Night dinner of Fall River Catholic Woman's Club, from left, Father Vincent Diaferio, club moderator; Bishop Sean O'Malley; Catherine Audette, club president; Msgr. John J. Oliveira; Peggy Leger, club vicepresident. (Studio 0 photo)
ST. LOUIS CHURCH
420 Bradford Avenue • Fall River
W9men Vietnam veterans attend Washington Mass WASHINGTON (CNS) - The new Washington statue to honor women Vietnam War veterans meant one thing to retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Linda SpoonsterSchwartz. It was time for the nurse. who served in Vietnam, to keep her promise. She had prayed to Mary for the statue's approval and promised if it was erected, she would have a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated. Although the statue's Veterans' Day dedication was "a long time coming," she said it was worth the wait. On Nov. 10. nearly 500 women from all over the country gathered for her promised Mass,celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. The women filled the basilica's Crypt Church, many of them wearing military pins. Others carried cameras and tissues for what was an emotional reunion. "I never expected so much." Ms. Spoonster-Schwartz told Catholic News Service. "I kept looking at the people going to communion and saying to myself, 'It wasjust a simple promise,''' She made it when she worked on the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, trying to get approval for the sculpture dedicated to women veterans. The campaign was launched in 1984 and finally won approval from Congress in 1988. The nearly seven-foot bronze sculpture of three women pays tribute to the eight women who died in the Vietnam War out of the 11,500 who served there. It stands in a wooded grove near a bronze statue commemorating the men who served in the war. Both are close to the Vietnam War Memorial, etched with the names of over 58,000 killed or missing in action in the war. "When I saw a picture of [the statue) I said, 'Oh God, thank you,''' said Donna Cunningham from Littleton, N.H., who was an Air Force flight nurse in Vietnam. Her friend, Kathi Moore of Charlestown, N.H., also an Air Force nurse in Vietnam, agreed, saying "it was about time" the women were acknowledged. For her, recognition has come in letters from patients she treated. "They have told me the only thing that got them through was talking to us beforc~ going back to fight," Many said they were simply glad to have the opportunity to be with each other and talk about their experiences. "We haven't been together as a group since the war," said Ms. Moore. "We can put on a good
face, but underneath. we still suffer," she added. "This Mass was the start of the healing process," said Ms. Cunningham. reiterating the message of the homily given by Father Philip Salois. president of the National Conference of Vietnam Veteran Ministers. Father Salois resides at LaSalette Provincial House, Attleboro. The LaSalette Missionary told the congregation of nearly all women that although "healing has taken place, we can't do it alone; we need each other and a power far beyond ours ... that restores peace in our lives," "May the events of the week continue or begin the healing process," he said. "Let us support each other and love all women deeply who were affected by the Vietnam War." Father Salois also spoke directly to family members of the eight women who died during the war who were present at the Mass. "We honor you in a special way as you honor the loss of your loved ones," he said. One of the eight, Pamela Donovan, had written a Idter to her parents that they received four days after she died. Father Salois said it talked about how she must have disappointed them for abandoning God and her Catholic faith. "Yesterday I went to confession and to Mass, and I'm sitting on cloud nine right now," the letter ended. Its message apparently struck a nerve for some in the congregation. Three women thanked Ms. Spoonster-Schwartzafter the Mass. saying they hadn't been in church since Vietnam. With tears in hereyes, the woman who had kept her promise said she hoped it provided a means for these women "to find a way home," LaSalette service In further tribute to women affected by the Vietnam War, an interfaith service will be conducted by Father Salois at 6 p.m. tomorrow at LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro. Through music, scripture and poetry the service will address the struggles of the women veterans and civilians who served in Vietnam; Gold Star wives and mothers; POW-MIA wives, mothers and dauRhters; and the Amerasian and Vietnamese women whose lives were drastically altered by the conflict. The service will be dedicated to women Vietnam veterans and to civilian women killed in Vietnam. All are welcome to attend. For more information call (508) 2227313.
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his past summer, Kellie Farley and Donal Ryan, two New Yorkers, ended their service as lay mission volunteers in Belize, Central America. For KellieFarfey Kellie, one of the poorest of her students taught her a life-lesson. "When my students had to write letters to God," Kellie noted, "this girl wrote, 'Dear God, I have a lot of problems in my life... Dona(Ryan But because of you, I know I can get through it all. I love you God. Thanks for being there for me.' I won't ever forget the lesson that young girl taught me about faith." Donal left Belize with a faith, he said, he had made his own; "when I go home, I won't be so inconspicuous about my faith." The Society for THE PROPAGAnON OF THE FAITH .. --
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No. tOt ANCH. 11/19/9.'
' Please remember The Society for the Propagation of the Faith when writing or changing your Will.
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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Nov. 19, 1993
in our schools Bishop Stang High School Students and faculty at Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth, are involved in preparations for the annual Thanksgiving dinner to be served by Market Ministries of New Bedford. Students have been collecting nonperishable foods, frozen turkeys and funds for purchasing food during a shopping trip set for
tomorrow. Faculty and staff will cook turkeys at home and bring them to school Wednesday, where they will be deboned and carved and potatoes, stuffing and vegetables will be prepared. School vans will then deliver the meals to Market Ministries for Thursday's holiday dinner that will serve more than 200 people.
Holy Family-Holy Name School Holy Family-Holy Name School, New Bedford, has undertaken a Thanksgiving project of collecting enough nonperishable goods to circle the perimeter of the school building, approximately 725 feet. The canned goods will be offered at a Thanksgiving Mass 7 p.m. Nov. 22 at St. Lawrence Church and then distributed to the needy. Grade I is assembling a Thanksgiving recipe book. Recent school activities have included a Respect Life Mass in October celebrated by Father Steve Avila and a visit to the Missionaries of Charity on Oct. 14, the anniversary of their founding as a religious congregation 43 years ago. All students joined in an All Saints Day assembly which included a video presentation on lives of the saints. As part of a unit on nature,
second-graders recently enjoyed a day in the country, observing the signs of autumn in Rochester, going cranberry picking, and visiting Clydesdale horses at Eastover Farm.
TCMS Fifth-grader Peter Gallagher is the recipient of the Hitchcock Sportsmanship Award at Taunton Catholic Middle School. The award, given for citizenship, memorializes Bill Hitchcock, a youth advocate who was killed in the Vietnam War. Principal Kathleen Simpson was named a New England representative to the National Catholic Educational Association in August and recently attended the NCEA elementary schools department executive committee meeting in Tulsa, OK.
"BROTHER" ACT: Coyle-Cassidy senior Bill Frazier, left, and freshman Erik Johnson impersonate Scottish twin musicians The Proclaimers in a skit kicking off Spirit Week. Below, juniors Tom Drunsic, at computer, and Kate Tenney investigate Tuition Funding Sources software in the guidance department with Pepsi-Cola representatives Andy Houle, far left, and John Baptista, far right; guidance director Thomas J. Whalen; and principal Dr. Donna Boyle. Pepsi-Cola donated the software.
DURING OCTOBER, the month of the rosary, students at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, New Bedford, commemorated ~he appearances of the Blessed Mother in Fatima with a rosary procession, followed by a litany in the church led by Father Andre Faria.
Coyle-Cassidy High School Spirit Week events began yesterday at Coyle-Cassidy High School, Taunton, with the annual Oxfam America Fast for a World Harvest. Students and faculty prayed for the hungry of the world at a school service and fasted during the day, donating money saved from skipped meals to the Oxfam America organization. As Spirit Week counts down the days to the Thanksgiving football game against the Feehan Shamrocks, each class is competing for points to ear,n the Spirit Bowl, which will be presented at a pep rally on Wednesday. Among competitions are Decades Day, for which students dress in the style of a particular decade; and Blue and Gold Day, for which students don the school colors. Money will be raised for the school's food pantry on "Jeans and Hat Day." A Thanksgiving liturgy will precede the pep rally on Wednesday. Coyle-Cassidy has received the Tuition Funding Sources software program from the Pepsi-Cola Company. The software assists students in researching information on more then 300,000 scholarships and the eligibility requirements of 3500 colleges and universities and 4000 vocational schools.
"Every year hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship money goes unclaimed," said Coyle-Cassidy guidance and admissions director Thomas J. Whalen. "With this system we'II'be able to locate many more scholarships and money in financial aid for Coyle-Cassidy students and their parents." Senior Samantha Hammond of Middleboro is the winner of the school's Voice of Democracy contest, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Second and third pla'ce finishers were sophomore
James Boyle and junior Kate Tenney, both of Taunton. Contest entrants wrote and recorded a 3 to 5 minute audio essay on the theme "My Commitment to America." The drama club recently presented two performances of "The Night of January 16th," directed by faculty members Chris Myron and Carol Caulfield. Spanish teachers Lorena Vauteil and Bill Breen attended the Massachusetts Foreign Language Association's annual conference last month in Sturbridge.
Bishop Connolly High School Teresa Carreiro, a senior at Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, was the winner of the area Carousel Lions Club youth speech competition earlier this month. She competed with students from Case, Somerset and DightonRehoboth high schools on the topic "Hopes and Fears of Today's Youth" and now moves on to a regional competition. A Fall River resident, at Connolly Miss Carreiro is president of
the Alcohol Awareness Team and a participant in the National Honor Society, law team, language club, community service and the Peer Training Corps. She is associate editor of the yearbook. Sophomore Liliana Ibara of North Dartmouth will attend the 36th annual Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation Leadership Seminar. The program is designed to motivate and train future leaders.
Dominican Academy "Let the Games begin!" was the cry of Colleen Sykes. eighth grade teacher and moderator of the Dominican Academy. Fall River. Summer Olympics-postponed until November due to heavy rain on the original date. Autumn proved just as amenable to the array of sack and wheelbarrow races. obstacle courses. a water balloon toss and a tug-ofwar. Each of the nine teams chose to represent a state. with the Nevada team coming out ori top.
St. James-St. John S1. Jarries-S1. John School. New Bedford. recently observed Drug Awareness Week, with all students wearing red ribbons to promote a drug-free environment. Kindergarten and first and second grade students attended a presentation by three St. Luke's Hospital pharmacists discussing dangerous substances that may be found in and around the home. among them household cleaners, medicines. mushrooms and berries.
THE DOMINICAN ACADEMY float earned thejunior division second place trophy in the Somerset Musictown Parade. Representing the winners are students (from left) Ashley Sturchio, Stephanie Brodeur and Allision Sturchio and their mothers, Debra Brodeur (left) and Nancy Sturchio, who joined students on the float during the parade.
THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Nov. 19, 1993
SISTER MARYANNA COYLE, board of trustees chair for the Catholic Health Association, urges senators to retain universal access in the Clinton health plan during testimony in Washington.(CNSjCHA photo)
11
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"A gentle sweetheart of a guy" Continued from Page One excited about the idea and said I should write to their mother general-and by September, 1975, four Guadalupanas sisters carr e to us from Mexico. I went to Green Airport to meet them wit I: a delegation from the New Bedford Hispanic community-and 1hey all started singing Spanish h:lmns at the airport." Also in the international area, Father Graziano noted, Catholic Social Services was responsible for resettling several Cam )odians and some 400 Vietnamese in the diocese. He paid special tribute to Bishop Connolly High School for the welcome it extended to high schoolers among the refugees. "One student became a doctor ,lnd another an engineer," he saiL - The Cambodian and Viel namese situations were more unusual than most, but Social Service!: solves problems and handles emergencies on a daily basis, offering counseling, adoption programs, information and referral assistance and funding for self-help p:'ojects: among many other services. The agency assisted in many ways with problems associa :ed with the Porter case, working with victims, attorneys and therapists and aiding in formation of diocesan policies in such matters. "It was a wonderful opportunity to serve and to represent :he caring, compassionate churc:l," said Father Graziano. What about Confluence? Many have asked if Father Graziano's transfer to Mansfield will mean the end of his participation in Confluence, the progr",m seen at8:30a.m.each Sunday on WLNE Channel 6, immediately following the diocesan television Mass.
For over 13 years he, the Right Rev. George Hunt, Episcopal Bishop of Rhode Island, and retired Rabbi Baruch Korff of Providence have discussed a wide variety of topics on the program with Channel 6 director of programming Truman Taylor as moderator, and the association will continue. "It's a v'l~ry important part of pastoral ministry," said Father Graziano, explaining that "it's not so much what we say as our obvious friendship for each other" that's important. "I'm a dyed-in-the-wool ecumenist," he added. "I've always been upset by the scandal of divided churches." He said that "sometimes we decide on our topic seconds before the program begins-the station wants us to be spontaneous!" The trio usually dine together after tapinga broadcast, however, and their conversation often provides them with future discussion topics. Father Graziano, a self-described news freak who reads four newspapers a day and is also a fan of CNN and PBS, is seldom at a loss for subject matter. He grew up in a family that always discussed current events at the dinner table and says his parents, now in their 80s, "still devour newspapers." Confluence moderator Truman Taylor said Father Graziano has added immeasurably to the program. "He's sort ofa balance wheel when things get contentious," he chuckled. He" Be Missed The priest's staff at Catholic Social Services concur that he has been "a delight to work with and for." "He gave us freedom to trust our own judgment," said MaryLou Mancini, director of the Fall River office of Catholic Social
Services, who also quoted Fall River Atty. Frederic J. Torphy as saying "Most people will never be aware of how much good Father Graziano has done." And Clara Weeh·Boutilier, interim director of Diocesan Catholic Social Services, said that Father Graziano's departure was "a great loss to the agency. "He is highly respected by the staff and the social work community. His work in the agency and his contribution to the field of social work will be felt for many years. His presence will be missed," she added. In the Parish Meanwhile, in SS. Peter and Paul parish, "tears Cowed" last Sunday as parishioners bade Father Graziano farewell. said Chris Richard, parish secretary. She said the pastor greeted churchgoers after each Mass and after the 9:30 a.m. liturgy, parish organizations presented him with a variety of mementos, including carwash tickets from the CYO and a plaque with impressions of the hands of parish Girl Scouts." Each hand had a message on it," said Mrs. Richard. There was also a key to the city of Fall River, presented. by mayoral assistant Stephen Hug and a special song from the parish Spanish community, as all said goodbye to "a gentle sweetheart of a guy," as Mrs. Richard described the beloved priest.
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Charity Ball chairpersons Continued from Page One listed the 37 young ladies to be presented at the 1969 Bishop's Ball. Today Mrs. Michael J. McMahon is looking fo: them in the hope that they will serve on the hospitality committee for this year's Ball. Armed with a yellowed copy of the 1968 Anchor and he ,ped by longtime Diocesan COli neil of Catholic Women members Mrs. Harry B. Loew of the Attleboro area; Mrs. James Quirk, Cipe and Islands; Miss Adrienne Lemieux, Taunton; and Miss Dorothy Curry, New Bedford, she has located 27 of the presentees of 25 years ago and hopes to find the remai rling 10. Some, she knows, will not be able to attend: Theresa O'Donnell Connell lives in Victoria, Australia; and both Jane Wheeler Hutcheson and Susan Levesque Dixon are residents of Washington State. But those in the area whose
addresses are known will be contacted by letter and if they plan to attend the Ball they are asked to contact the diocesan office of Catholic Charities by Dec. I. Still sought are the following, listed by name and 1968 parish affiliation: Anne Frenette, St. Anne parish, New Bedford; Susan Pauline Furtado, Sacred Heart, New Bedford; Linda P. Roberts, St. Francis Xavier parish, Acushnet; Diane Muriel Cloutier, the former St. Roch, Fall River; Elizabeth DeNardo, Our Lady of Fatima, Swansea. Mary Jane Moriarty, St. John the Baptist, Westport; Patricia Ready, Holy Cross, S. Easton; Karen Dunham, Our Lady of the Isle, Nantucket; Lynn Perry, Our Lady of the Assumption, Osterville; Noreen Navro, Sacred Heart, Oak Bluffs. For further information, contact Mrs. Michael J. McMahon, PO Box 2624. Fall River. 02722. tel. 672-709X.
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Pope back at work with arm in sling
.Polluters rapped VATICAN CITY (CNS) Pope John Paul II recently denouncd international companies that exploit weak Third World poIlution regulations and use poor countries as sites for environmentaIly unsafe plants or as dumps for hazardous waste. He spoke to participants in an international conference on Chemical Hazards in Developing Countries sponsored by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
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The Anchor Friday, Nov. 19, 1993
VATICAN CITY(CNS)- Pope John Paul 11 marked the Italian Thanksgiving Day by expressing his gratitude to doctors who reset his dislocated shoulder and by calling on all people to thank the farmers who grow their food. In his first public appearance since being briefly hospitalized after a faIl, Pope John Paul II offered his suffering "for the good of the church and for peace among man." For his Nov. 14 Angelus address, the pope wore a red cape that partiaIly hid the sling immobilizing his right arm and shoulder. Doctors said the pope would have to wear the sling for four weeks because of the dislocation and smaIl fracture of his shoulder socket. Preparing to address the crowds in St. Peter's Square, the pope gave.a smaIl wave with his right hand. But for the final blessing, the pope broadly made the sign of the cross with his left arm - a papal first, according to Italian newspapers. Quoting "liturgical experts," the newspapers assured their readers that a left-handed blessing wasjust as effective as the traditional righthanded variety. During his Angelus talk, the pope told the crowd what happened. "Last Thursday (Nov. II), as you weIl know, I had to spend a brief time in the hospital, having fallen while going down the steps from the podium to greet those present at the end of an audienc.e" with agriculture ministers attending a conference of the U. N. Food and Agriculture Organization. The pope thanked the medical 'personnel who cared for ,him. as well as "the numerous people who were near to me with the warmth of their sympathy and, above all, with the precious comfort of their prayers." The noon Angelus address marked the pope's return to an almost-normal working schedule after two-and-a-half days of cancelled audiences. Archbishop Aloysius M. Ambrozic of Toronto had a private meeting with the pope Nov. 15 and said the only thing out of the ordinary was that he had to shake the pope's left hand instead of the right one. "And, of course, you couldn't think of kissing his ring" with his right hand in a sling, the archbishop said. When asked if Pope John Paul. seemed tired or in pain, the archbishop said, "Oh, anything but." "What always amazes me about路 him is that he is so relaxed," and he was during this meeting as well, Archbishop Ambrozic said. "There was no tension in his face like you would expect with someone who is suffering."
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THE NORTH AMERICAN College on Rome's Janiculum Hill that overlooks St. Peter's Square has room for more students. (CNS photo)
North American College rector complains U.S. priests "don't push the product." VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Low, but holding steady or slightly increasing say the Vatican statistics on U.S. seminarians. The same situation is forecast for the North American College, ,the U.S. seminary built on a hill overlooking St. Peter's Square. The Vatican's 1991 Statistical Yearbook, published this summer, said the number of U.S. diocesan seminarians enrolled in philosophy and theology programs grew from 3,676 to 3.777 during 1991. The increase of 101 seminarians in the last six to eight years of their preparation for the priesthood, wasn't sounded as an all-clear signal. but was welcomed after a decade of declining numbers. At the North American College, where all students have finished their philosophy studies before enrolling, the increase is not evident yet. but it is expected. "I think we have bottomed out," said Msgr. Edwin F. O'Brien, college rector. "The fact that we are holding steady is a hopeful sign." The colleg.e had 127 students at
Saintly stats VATICAN CITY (CNS) -In the first 15 years of his pontificate, Pope John Paul 11 has beatified 596 individuals and proclaimed 267 new saints, says Archbishop Edward Nowak, secretary of the Congregation for Sainthood Causes. The archbishop reported the statistics at the official opening of the 1993-94 course for postulators, persons who coIlect information on potential saints and act as an advocate for their cause. Of the almost 600 people proclaimed blessed by Pope John Paul, 45 I were martyrs, as were 240 of the 267 new saints, said Archbishop Nowak. Counting individuals is complicated by the fact that most canonization and beatification ceremonies include large groups of people, especiaIly in the case of martyrs. Archbishop Nowak said those honored were offered to the faithful as examples for imitation in 80 beatification and 27 canonization <;erelllonies.
the beginning of last year as ians per 100,000 Catholics and the number of seminarians per 100 opposed to this year's 125, an allpriests. time low. Europe, which is seen as having Part of the reason for the dip is that a big class left last year. North' a vocations crisis as severe as that of the United States, has 10 semiAmerican College gave the United States a bumper crop of 28 new narians per 100,000 Catholics. In priests last spring, while six semi- North America, the figure is just narians left to spend a year doing over nine, while in Africa it's almost 16. required pastoral work prior to ordination. Of even more concern to Msgr. The students themselves are the O'Brien are statistic on seminargreatest sign of hope, Msgr. O'Brien ians in relation to number of priests. said. Low numbers cause worry not Changes in seminary education just because they show that a local resulting from a study of U.S. church will have trouble replacing seminarians in the late 1980s are. priests who die or retire. but benow showing positive results in the cause they hint that priests are not encouraging a vocations to the priesthood. Vatican statistics for the year ending Dec. 31, 1991, reported 9.49 seminarians in philosophy and theology studies for every 100 priests at present in North Amer-, ica. The figure is 13.36 in Europe, 44.6 in South America and 70.54 in Africa. North American College student Twenty years ago. statistics body. he said. showed 18.8 seminarians per 100 The U.S. seminaries where the priests in North America. as students are taking philosophy and opposed to 11.6 in Europe. 18.6 in pretheology courses are doing a South America and 69.4 in Africa. better job of screening and educatThe figures show that in North ing applicants, the monsignor said. America "priests don't plI~h thl' The average age of seminarian product." Msgr. O'Brien "ilL! at North American College is now Often, priests in the United States 27, he said, and students' abilities are unhappy with the tasks that and vocations have already been take most of their time, thus don't challenged and tested. see their life as attractive, he said. Since Msgr. O'Brien took over as rector in 1990, he said he has But he said that in his own expenoticed "a greater respect for the rience, he knows seminarians don't traditions of the church" among shy away from challenge - they're those enrolled. even anxious to try their hands at "They are open to new ideas, running schools and raising money but are not so ready to cast off the for youth programs. old," he said, and they place great Priests "don't realize that with emphasis on the spiritual life. just a word they can make a differ"This generation has seen a lot ence," he said. "They have to focus of confusion," he said. on finding vocations in their parIt's not like the seminarians are ishes." fighting for a pre-Vatican II church, because they have had no experience of that. he said. But they do know that "a lot of what is peddled as religion" isn't the real thing. VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The "They want the solid stuff." he Catholic Church celebration of World Communications Day in said. Two worrisome statistics re1994 wiIl focus on television and ported by the Vatican in its annual the family, Archbishop John P. report are the number of seminarFoley announced.,.-"... ' ..'t,i:/:
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WEST HAVEN, Conn. (CNS) - West Haven Mayor H. Richard Borer Jr. turned detective recently, outsmarting his own police department in finding a tabernacle that was stolen from St. Louis Catholic Church. "It was an outrageous crime," declared Borer, who scoured trash dumpsters near the church and, amazingly, discovered the missing object lying on a heap of garbage. Church officials called police immediately when they noticed the tabernacle was missing late one evening. A thief had entered the church through a vent over the kitchen, according to Father Peter J. Pinto, pastor, who was interviewed by the Catholic Transcript, newspaper of the archdiocese of Hartford. Police figured the burglar ripped the 200-pound cast iron tabernacle from a side altar, placed it inside a barrel or something similar and roIled it out the door, said West Haven police inspector RusseIl Kniehl. The tabernacle, which holds the Eucharist, is considered the most sacred item inside a Catholic church, but has no monetary value unless plated with gold or another precious metal. The St. Louis tabernacle is gold and silver-colored but was not made with any precious metals. "There's no market for tabernacles, but the person who stole ours probably thought it was worth a lot of money," Father Pinto said. "People of all faiths should be outraged by the desecration of any object held to be sacred," said Mayor Borer, a member of nearby Our Lady of Victory parish. "Certainly that's why I was there [at the church] to make sure [the investigation] was handled completely and thoroughly." When the mayor left the church, he had a feeling the crime was not an act of vandalism 'but was committed by someone looking for "quick cash for drugs or something." Acting on a hunch, he started going through dumpsters near a housing project behind the church. The missing tabernacle was in the last dumpster he checked. Still unaccounted for were two ciboria containing consecrated communion hosts. The tabernacle itself was damaged beyond repair. About the mayor's role, Father Pinto said, "He is a good Christian man. I admire him for his concern."
Lay role not matter of power, says pope VATICANCITY(CNS)- Pope John Paul II said he is pleased that lay people have taken an increasingly creative role in the church, but said this participation must never reflect a "logic of power." The pope made the remarks earlier this month to members of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. which was holding its plenary meeting at the Vatican. "The history of the church in our century is rich with the creativity and marvelous generosity shown by lay people engaged in its service and its mission." he said. The church can only give thanks for this high-profile role taken on by the laity. the pope said. It reflects a deeper understanding of baptism, as developed by the Second..Yatican,.C;04ncil. he, !\aid.
Iteering pOintl PUBLICITY CHAIRMEN are asked to submit news items for this column to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, 02722. Name of city or town shoulcl be included, as well as full dates of all activities. PIt~ase send news of future rather than past events; and send items to Steering Points, NOT to individual :;taff members. Due to limited space and also because notices of strictly parish afta rs normally appear in a parish's own bulletin, we ar,~ forced to limit items to events of general interest. Also, we do not normally carry notices of fundraising activities, which may be advertised at our rElgular rates, obtainable from The Anchor business office, telephone (508) 675-7151. On Steering Points items, FR indicates Fall River; NB indicates New Bedford. ST. PATRICK, FR Food pantry donations will be collected at Masses this weekend. SEPARATED/DIVORCED, NB Support group meeting 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 22. Family Life Cerlter. N. Dartmouth; Leo Buscagli.l video 'The Politics of Love" will be shown. ST. LOlJlS de FRANCE, SWANSEA Paulette Normandin will present "Relaxing with Angels" 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday. religious education center. ST. STANISLAUS, FR St. Stanislaus School wi.l move from its temporary home at the former St. Patrick's School into its new quarters at St. Stanisla JS at II a.m. tomorrow. To assist, call 6746771 during school hours. Monday will be the first day of classes in the new school, which will be dedicated by Bishop O'Malley at 1::10 p.m. Nov. 29. An open house will be held 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 5. ST. MARY, N. ATTLEBORO Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve service 7:30 p.m. Nov. 24, paris~ center, sponsored by Council of Churches. Donations of canned good:;, paper products welcome to benefit Food & Friends Kitchen. LaSALETTE CENTER, ATTLEBORO Advent day of recollection 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4, conducted by Rev. Normand Theroux, MS; retreat themed "Compulsive Eating: a Plea to be Free" Dec. 10 to 12, directed by Sister Mary Sullivan, RC. Program will include "personal inner work," small and large group activities, video presentation and action ted niques. Information on both events: Retreat Secretary, 222-8530.
SACRED HEART, N. ATTLEBORO Food pantry holiday donations may be left anytime in basket at Church SI. entrance. Thanksgiving Mass 7 p.m. Nov. 24. ST. DOMINIC, SWANSEA Religious Education Month family Mass 9 a.m. Sunday; children's creative work will be displayed in center. Holy hour for life 7 p.m. Sunday. CHRIST THE KING, MASHPEE Food pantry will accept frozen turkeys for Thanksgiving this weekend. Parish feast day party, to include making sundaes and Advent wreaths, I :30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, parish hall. Thanksgiving Mass 7 p.m. Nov. 24; refreshments follow.
LaSALETTE SHRINE, ATTLEBORO Rev. Andre Patenaude, MS, will conduct a healing service at 2 p.m. Sunday. [t will include teaching, songs, Mass and the opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. All welcome. SPIRITUAL COMPANIONS, FR This interfaith group assists persons with psychiatric disabilities by means of one-on-one interaction. Information: Union Methodist Church, 676-3091; Rev. James Hornsby, 678-2901.
Ecumenical service set for Nov. 22 With Very Rev. Francis L. Mahoney, pastor of Holy Name parish, Fall River, as homi1ist, the Interfaith Council of Greater Fall River will sponsor an Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving at 7 p.m. Nov. 22 at Temple Beth El, 385 High St., Fall River. Other participants in the service will be Mark Viera of First Baptist Church, Jasime Baden of Bethel AME Church, Interfaith Council co-presidents Barbara Shore and Anne Pacheco, and Rabbi William Kaufman, Cantor Richard Walberg, Dr. Herbert Rubin and Dr. Irving Fradkin, all of Temple Beth EI. Following the service the Temple Sisterhood will serve refreshments. All Greater Fall River residents are invited to attend.
Multiplies "Happiness is the one thing that multiplies by division." - Earl Riney
M()vies Recent box office hils 1. The Nightmare Before Christmas. A-II (PG) 2. Flesh and Bone, A·III (R) 3. RoboCop 3, 0 (R) 4. Cool Runnings, A·II (PG) 5. The Beverly Hillbillies, A-III (PG) 6. Look Who's Talking Now, A-II (PG-13) 7. Rudy, A-ll (PG) 8. Demolition Man. 0 (R) 9. Malice, A-III (R) 10. Falallnstinct, A-III (PG-13)
Becoming "Treat a child as though he already is the person he's capable of becoming."-Haim Ginott
5aJJivan)s Est. 1962
Religious Articles
The Anchor Friday, Nov. 19, 1993
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SEPARATED/DIVORCED, CAPE Mid and lower Cape support group meeting 7 p.m. Sunday. SI. Pius X parish center, S. Yarmouth; newcomers welcomed 6:30 p.m. Information: Father Edward Healey, 7750818. ST. JOSEPH, TAUNTON Calix, a group for those recovering from substance abuse, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the parish center on Kilton St. All welcome.
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COME AND SEE The Catholic singles group will hold its monthly gathering 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 28, St. Mary's Church, Mansfield. Msgr. John J. Oliveira will celebrate Mass, followed by a pizza party. Jim Breen, director of the Boston archdiocesan Office for Young Adults, will speak on "The Role of the Single. Adult in the World Today." To register call the Office of Education, 678-2828.
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WHAT'S MY U:'JE? Participants gather for a seventh and eighth grade retreat day, themed "Building the Body of Christ" at Our Lady of the Angels parish, Fall River. Leading up to the retreat, students were anonymously paired with adults in the parish, questioning them by mail in order to guess their identities and roles at Our Lady of Angels, such as lector, usher or choir membe r. The identities of all involved were revealed on the retreat day. (Studio D photo)
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ON STAGE at the youth convention, Father Costa blesses water for renewal of baptismal promises. In costume are, from left, Chiro Alvarez as Archbishop Romero, Jayme Purcell as Sister Jean Thoruros, Matt Stubbs as Gandhi and (at far right) Magda Cardoso as Dorothy Day. In background is the cross later used in a presentation b~ yout.h who attended Wo~ld Youth Day in August. At right: convention masters of ceremomes Enn Duarte, Andy SmIth and Mary Beth Rausch; keynoter Molly Kelly. (Hickey photos)
Molly Kelly tells youth:
Chastity' healthier than "safe sex" By Marcie Hickey Chastity advocate Molly Kelly - along with Rosa Parks, Archbishop Oscar Romero, Sister Jean Thoruros, Dorothy Day, Mahatma Gandhi, Amilcar Cabral and the
prophet Jeremiah - appeared at Bishop Connolly High School Sunday to celebrate the potential of diocesan youth and help them "hear the Lord call your name." The Fall River high school was the setting of the annual Diocesan Youth Convention, themed "Rhythm .of Life" in reference to the message of the August World Youth Day in Denver: "I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly." Father George Harrison, diocesan vicar for youth, told the nearly 900 convention participants that "The Lord is calling each of us by name... Be willing to risk everything in response to his challenge to 'Come follow me and I will give you a share in abundant life.'" Mrs. Kelly, a widowed mother of eight from Philadelphia who travels the country speaking to teenagers about chastity, declared that the youth convention "says the same thing" Pope John Paul told World Youth Day participants: "You are an important part
CROSSROADS: A sign greeting arrivals illustrates the ins and outs of the youth convention; youth choir; a convention participant leads Mass entrance procession. (Hickey photos)
of the church, the most important ingredient in the growth of the church." "You're a good generation!" was her refrain in the convention's keynote address. The rest of the "celebrity" speakers were brought to life by costumed teens demonstrating the difference that one person, heeding God's call, can make in the world. The convention opened with Jerry Rezendes as Jeremiah traversing the aisle of the darkened auditorium as a choir of youth from Our Lady of the Assumption and Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes, New Bedford, and St. Thomas More parish, Somerset, sang out: "I heard the Lord call my name; listen close and you'll hear the same..." Assuming the stage, Jeremiah announced that, "I was called by God to tell the people that if they were still unfaithful, their lives would be ruined... But I said, 'I do not know how to speak. I am only a boy.'''
God's response (recreated cour- with today's "contraceptive mentesy of the Connolly speaker sys- tality," readily admitting to receivtem): "Do not be afraid, for I will ing frequent criticism from proponents of "safe sex." be with you." They claim her message is outOne by one the others came forward to describe their life's mis- moded and that when it comes to sion: Rochelle Cruz as Rosa Parks; sex youth "are going to do it anyChiro Alvarez as Archbishop Ro- way," said Mrs. Kelly. Her response? "Can you imagine mero; Jayme Purcell as Sister Thoruros, founder in 1989 of a Jesus on the cross saying, 'Oh well, youth-run bakery which helps they're going to do it anyway. I'm keeps its employees off the streets; getting down!''' There are two messages "out Matt Stubbs as Gandhi; and Ross Grace as Amilcar Cabral, cham- - there" about sexual responsibility, pion of Cape Verdean indepen- she said, one advocating "safe sex" and the other "self control." dence, assassinated in 1973. The former is a "total putdown Each declared that "I too heard of your generation," with the conthe Lord's call and answered." Masters of ceremonies Erin dom its appropriate symbol "beDuarte, Mary Beth Rausch and cause it's a conjob and it's dumb," Andy Smith told the gathering Mrs. Kelly declared. In giving young people more that "In baptism we are formed into a people, sent forth and and more contraception to counstrengthened with the gifts of the ter pregnancy and disease, "they Spirit. We do not stand alone but are giving them the tools to do the together form the body of Christ. things that cause the very prob"Today we gather to sing, pray, lems they are trying to avoid!" Contraceptives perpetuate the shout and dance this rhythm of cycle because no method is 100 life!" percent effective, Mrs. Kelly said. Condoms, for example, have a 10 Molly's Message Mrs. Kelly established one thing to 17 percent failure rate in pregfrom the start: "I am not an anti- nancy prevention and a 69 percent success rate in preventing HIV sex speaker." After all, she quipped, "I have transmission. "That's a 3I percent failure rate," eight children." Mrs. Kelly cited, akin to an airline Now ages 19 to 31, her children advertising that "we get there 69 were all under 12 when her husofthe time...the rest of the percent band died in 1975. A grandmother time we crash!" of seven - "two still in the womb, . The best the safe sex message but I count them" - Mrs. Kelly can offer, Mrs. Kelly sum!?ed up, brings her chastity message to. is "eat something, wear something, 100,000 young people each year in the United States, Canada and insert something in your body. It Europe. Her video series is used in might work but it's not 100 percent many religious education programs safe." Th,at approach ignores emoin the diocese. The chastity message is basic, tional consequences, "taking sex, she said: "to place sexual inter- a beautiful gift from God, and course in marriage where God reducing it right down to the animal level." intended it to be." Mrs. Kelly declared she is "tired In refusing to compromise that of those who talk about young message, Mrs. Kelly said she does people today as if you're different" not intend to "take away your abilfrom previous generations, that ity to choose." God gives that ability, she said, somehow "your hormones are ragbut he also "gives us the answer: ing more.... Well, God made them, so instead of 'raging' hormones choose life." Turn to Page 15 Mrs. Kelly contrasted chastity
Chastity healthier than "safe sex" Continued from Page 14 why not caB them 'ho.y hormones?'" God's "original bluepr nt" for men and women is "perfe~t as he designed it," she said. She asked the audien~e how many in the past two wel~ks had not heard the word condom. Three hands were raised. "How many have heard the word chastity?" There were rine responses. The disparity, she said, illustrates that chastity may n)t be as "well-advertised" because 'it's not a product. I can't sell you 1 pill or spray you with repellent." But "saved sex - re'raining from sex before marriage and having sex with your partner in marriage" - is "100 percent e:'fective, costs nothing and has no harmful side effects." "Chastity is a lifestyle," Mrs. Kelly concluded. God did not design sexuality to be "dirt~, or for you to have to go to the drugstore to control it. [He meant] for you to treasure it, respect it, pfi)tect it. You have all you need to control your sexuality: a brain." . More with Molly It is not unusual for one of Molly Kelly's presentations to rate a standing ovation from y.)uth, as it did at Sunday's conventic n. Once "they hear me out, they realize I like them and I'm constantly affirming them. They stood up and clapped for themselves this morning," Mrs. Kelly said laler at a workshop encouraging adult youth ministers to promote chastity. But a positive response isn't always the case, Mrs. Kelly said.
There have been times "I've felt under attack" from promoters of contraception and abortion. "Imagine having to debate killing babies or how our children should live. But we have the Good News, and they don't," she said. The key to her own approach is "Never change the message" by offering contradictory advice along the lines of "Absolutely don't do this, but if you do do it..... She recalled an incident at an Orlando school where, after speaking, she was approached by a student who said that all through her presentation he had been waiting for her to "drop the bomb." But she never did. "What's the bomb?" Mrs. Kelly asked. The teen explained that he had expected her to "offer us condoms in the end." "Teach them over and over that they are good and they are worth something," Mrs. Kelly told the youth ministers. "Affirm them over and over. But do not change the message. They will admire the fact that you never reduced the message or reduced them." Youth participants also had the opportunity to voice concerns in a series of dialogue sessions with Mrs. Kelly and a panel of their peers. Many of the. young people expressed doubt in their power to counter such societal trends as teen pregnancy and sex and violence in the media. But Mrs. Kelly referred to the convention's opening sequence as a lesson in how "one person changed the .world." She and the panelists pointed out
By Charlie Martin
REACH OUT TO ME I know you'll soon be off on your own And you'll b.~ many miles from your home There's not much more I can do Except to sa~' how much I miss you If you reach 'lut to me You know I'll be right there If you reachlut to me You'll have someone who cares If you reach 'lut to me No matter what or from anywhere Just reach out to me And I will see you there You've become much more than a friend This kind of feeling it will never end You will be in my thoughts night and day I'll wrap my urns around you and pray Produced by Larry Wdr, Michael Damian, Tom Weir. Sung by Michael Damian (c) 1993 by Scotti Brothers Records ENDURING FRIENDSHIP is one oflife's most special gifts. And Thanksgiving is an occasion to be grateful for that gift. Such a friendship is well described in Michael Damian's new release "Reach Out to me." A reader from Springfield, Mo., recently sent me a copy of the lyrics. I couldn't ~ e1p but see how appropriate this song would be for reflections about Thanksgiving. The person in the song prom-
ises another that no matter what, "if you reach out to me, you know I'll be right there." Even if the other goes "many miles from your home," this individual will be close in his thoughts, love and prayers. This kind of friendship support is a gift to treasure. Thanksgiving provides each of us a chance to acknowledge these special sources of love. Who are these people for you? Perhaps a grandparent
that while peer pressure is often perceived as a negative influence, it can also be positive. "If you're positive yourself, it's bound to rub off," said panelist Sean Boutin. One audience merr..ber argued that safe sex proponents are "just trying to protect you and your future." Mrs. Kelly responded that that may well be their intention, "but will it really protect you? ... You will never get me to use the word safe about something that's not 100 percent effective. You will never get me to offer you less than the best." Another teen commented that "everyone teaches us a hundred ways to say no. Maybe they should teach us why to say no." "That answer has to come from you," said Mrs. Kelly, "whether it's that you don't want to take a chance" on pregnancy, disease, or emotional harm; "you want to save yourself for someone you want to spend the rest of your life with; or for spiritual reasons you care about your soul and the other person's." The Catholic faith can offer some answers, added panelist Pam Cogan, but the chastity message applies to all. Her non-Catholic friend "says she doesn't want to become a statistic." Overall, "it's a healthy message," said Miss Cogan. At the end of the dialogue sessions, Mrs. Kelly offered index cards printed with a "True Love Waits" pledge. Signers of the cards, which originated with the Southern Baptist Convention, promise
who always sees the best in you, even when you make a whopper of a mistake. Maybe a friend you met at school who continues to write and call you even though he or she now lives in a different location. Or a teacher interested not only in educating you in a specific subject but who cares about all areas of your life. Whoever these people may be, Thanksgiving prompts us to tell them what they me·an to us. Don't fear that your efforts will appear phony. To express gratitude is at the heart of Thanksgiving. You can tell such people that this holiday reminded you of the most special individuals in your life. One friend who is always there for us is God. God sees through all of us. All our actions and attitudes are known by our Creator. God rejoices in who we are and how we are growing. God perceives even better than we do how we are responding to all the goodness placed in our souls. God's friendship can never be lost, even if we turn away from divine love. This Thanksgiving take time for God. Take time for special friends. Make an extra effort to express how these gifts help to heal, uplift and put joy into your life. Do you have a sonl: suggestion for this column? If so, send me a copy of the lyrics, copyright information and your ideas about the song. Your comments are also welcomed by Charlie Martin, RR 3, Box 182, Rockport, IN 47635.
THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Nov. 19, 1993
15
DIALOGUE: Father Jim Medeiros moderates discussion with Molly Kelly and panelists Stacy Charland, Rochelle Cruz, Becky Fisher, Jarrett Pumphrey, Sean Boutin. Below, Father George Harrison presents youth ministry award to Sister Marianna Sylvester, RSM. (Hickey photos) to "always live a chaste life, as a single person or within a covenant marriage relationship." Mrs. Kelly invited the youth to take the cards as a personal reminder of commitment to chastity. Other Highlights Father Harrison and Father David Costa, director of youth services for the diocese, were among seven concelebrants of the convention Mass. In his homily Father Harrison said the day's Gospel parable of the talents (Lk 18:35-43) was calling the youth to "invest your giftedness, abilities, youthful enthusiasm, talents, compassion and fortitude in the service of life." The choice of accepting that invitation involves risk, he said, and while Jesus gives no easy answers he "is at our side every step of the way and gives the true rhythm of life." Father Harrison proposed that the audience was full of potential "Dorothy Days, Mahatma Gandhis and Archbishop Romeros" who will find that "on the other side of sacrifice, unselfishness, generosity and forgiveness lies the fullness of life." Convention participants renewed their baptismal promises and at the conclusion of the Mass awarded the second annual Elizabeth Ann Seton Award for an outstanding youth minister to Sister Marianna Sylvester, RSM, of Our Lady of the Assumption parish, New Bedford. Youth had the opportunity to attend two workshop sessions, choosing among 24 topics, during
the afternoon, and at the end of the day attended a reflection presented by young people who attended World Youth Day in August. The service, held in the darkened gymnasium with a softly lit six-foot wooden cross as a centerpiece, included slides of youth activities in the diocese and witness talks. "I'm not a saint," one speaker began. "I make mistakes. Jesus is not asking us to be perfect ~ut to let him into your life." As "Jesus and I live each day together," he said, "I know that nothing's going to happen today that [he] and I together can't handle." The speaker concluded the reflection and the convention with a challenge to his peers: "How does his life change you? With his life, how will you change the world?"
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"LivingouttheGospel" 1969presenteessought PROPHETICMOMENT:"IwascalledbyGod!" Jerry Rezendes,astheprophetJeremiah,announced, openingtheDioces...
