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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

F riday , November 22, 2013

Diocesan high schools cited for academic achievement

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor

FALL RIVER — The Diocese of Fall River’s five Catholic high schools have collectively been named to the College Board’s 2013 Advanced Placement District Honor Roll. The honor was given to only 33 school districts in Massachusetts and 477 nation-wide. The

Fall River Diocese is the only Catholic diocese in the Commonwealth to have been named to the distinguished list.

“This is an affirmation of the high level of achievement in our Catholic schools,” diocesan superintendent of schools Dr. Michael S. Griffin told The Anchor.

To be eligible for the recogniTurn to page 12

At this year’s Faith Formation Ministry Convention, Father Anthony Ciorra shared how the Second Vatican Council changed the landscape of the Catholic Church, and challenged those who attended his workshop to see how spirituality, theology and holiness begin with the human experience. (Photo by Becky Aubut)

Faith Formation convention offered attendees ‘hope and joy’

Michael Vieira, left, has been teaching an Advanced Placement history course at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River for 19 years.

The Diocese of Fall River’s five Catholic high schools were recently collectively named to the AP District Honor Roll, the only diocese in Massachusetts to make the distinguished list.

Diocesan faithful to be recognized at 45th annual Marian Medals ceremony

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — When she recently opened the letter announcing that she would be this year’s recipient of the Marian Medal for Our Lady of Fatima Parish in New Bedford, the first person Elaine Rousseau thought of was her late father, James Emerson, who also received the diocesan award some 40 years ago.

“He was a collector at St. Mary’s Parish in New Bedford

By Christine M. Willams Anchor Correspondent

for years,” Rousseau told The Anchor. “I’m very humbled and very pleased to be receiving the Marian Medal. Since my dad received it before, it’s a special honor for me.”

Rousseau will be among the 79 parishioners at the 45th annual Marian Medal Awards ceremony Sunday to receive the annual distinction given for devotion and service to the Church from Bishop George W. Coleman during a 3 p.m. prayer serTurn to page 14

where culture had made an idol of perfection; and Erin McLoughlin ran a workshop to help HYANNIS — The annual Faith Formation give educators some methods to “Working with Ministry Convention was recently held at the Children with Special Needs, Behavioral StratResort and Conference Center at Hyannis, with egies for the Classroom.”

The convention’s title is a play on words: the the theme: “Vatican II: Our Hope and Joy” with a newly-designed schedule that offered a mix of “hope and joy” is pulled from “Gaudium et Spes” comprehensive workshops and general sessions (“Joy and Hope”), one of the four apostolic constitutions resulting from the Second Vatican on a range of topics.

The attendees celebrated Mass with Bishop Council, and Father Anthony Ciorra elaborated George W. Coleman and then followed their on that title when he presented “Surprised by pre-selected schedules to hear presentations by the Spirit: Vatican II, 50 Years Later.”

Father Ciorra is the author of “Beauty: A various individuals, including Sister Maureen Sullivan, OP, who talked about how Vatican II Path to God” and is the assistant vice president rediscovered the New Testament model of the for Mission and Catholic Identity and a profesChurch and offers the faithful a renewed way of sor of theology at Sacred Heart University in “being Church” in her “Lumen Gentium: A Vi- Fairfield, Conn. He spoke of the history of past ecumenical councils, including the Council of sion for the Church of the 21st Century.”

Additional presenters included John Col- Trent which met more than 450 years ago and lins who was “Making Great Things Happen!” had a much different tone than the more recent during his workshop on helping give Religious Second Vatican Council, adding the documents Education teachers and directors strategies on that came out of the Second Vatican Council engaging the youth in the Faith Formation pro- are “important to look at [in] the overall congrams in their parishes; Kevin Dowd helped at- text” and the impact the documents had on the tendees understand “The Spirituality of Imper- Catholic faith, including “Gaudium et Spes” and fection,” a Pauline understanding of how grace the “Apostolicam Actuositatem” (Decree on the is brought to bear on contemporary situations Turn to page 20

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

Local anti-casino votes impact petition to overturn casino law

EAST BOSTON — Two victories in local fights against proposed casinos forecast an uncertain future for expanded gambling in Massachusetts, anti-gaming advocates say. The momentum of those success-

ful campaigns has spurred on the petition effort that would overturn the entire casino law.

On November 5, the majority of voters in East Boston and Palmer voted against casinos in their backyards. That same day, Revere voted to back the project that originally would have

straddled the East Boston and Revere line. So far residents in 15 cities and towns have voted casinos down. In contrast, just six have voted in favor.

“We’re on a roll,” said John F. Ribeiro, chairman of Repeal the Casino Deal. “We knew all along that if we had the time

to get the message out about what comes along with casino gambling, that people would vote against it.”

He called the victories in East Boston and Palmer “glamorous” because many people expected those communities to invite casinos in. Success there

had the added benefit of garnering more signatures for the petition drive to reverse the casino law, passed in 2011.

“People are realizing we can beat it,” Ribeiro said. “All the money and all the politicians are aligned on the other side of Turn to page 15

News From the Vatican

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November 22, 2013

Pope says purported visions of Mary can lead people away from God

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Purported visions of Mary, if taken in the wrong spirit, can sow confusion and distance people from the Gospel, Pope Francis said.

Curiosities distance people “from the Gospel, from the Holy Spirit, from peace and hope, from God’s glory and God’s beauty,” the pope said during a homily at a recent morning Mass in the Vatican guesthouse, where he lives.

“Jesus says that the Kingdom of God doesn’t come in a way that attracts attention,” the pope said, according to a report by Vatican Radio.

Pope Francis greets children during a meeting with UNITALSI, an Italian Catholic association for the transportation of sick people to Lourdes and other Marian shrines, in Paul VI hall at the Vatican recently. (CNS photo/ Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo)

Pope Francis reflected on the day’s Gospel reading from Luke (17:20-25), in which the Pharisees ask Jesus when the Kingdom of God will come.

Jesus answers that the “coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,” and tells His disciples not to “run in pursuit” of signs of His second coming.

“Curiosity pushes us to want to hear that the Lord is here or over there, or it makes us say, ‘Well, I know a visionary who receives letters from Our Lady, messages from Our Lady,’” the pope said. But Mary is “not a postmaster of the post office sending out messages every day.”

“The Kingdom of God is among us,” he said. “Don’t look for strange things, don’t seek novelties with this worldly curiosity.”

The spirit of curiosity is what makes people want to “take control of God’s plans, of the future, of things, to know everything, take on everything,” he said.

“The spirit of curiosity distances us from the Spirit of wisdom because it’s interested only in details, news, newsy tidbits of the everyday,” and is always wondering how things will unfold.

This is the “spirit of dispersion, distancing from God, the spirit of talking too much,” the pope said. “This spirit of curiosity, which is worldly, brings confusion.”

But the “Kingdom of God doesn’t come with confusion,” he said; it comes from the “action of the Holy Spirit, Who gives us wisdom, Who gives us peace.”

God speaks to the prophets, not with a storm, he said, but with the soft and gentle “breeze of wisdom.”

A true Christian lives in this spirit, “the Spirit of God Who helps us judge, make decisions in harmony with the heart of God,” he said. “And this Spirit always gives us peace. It’s a Spirit of peace, love and fraternity.”

A girl with casts on her arms waves as Pope Francis greets people during a recent general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Pope warns against dangers of ‘adolescent progressivism’

Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) — Pope Francis recently cautioned against modern society’s push for a unified secular ideology, saying that this does not create positive globalization but rather an “adolescent progressivism.”

“The spirit of worldliness also exists today, today also brings us this desire to be progressive, following a single thought,” the pope said during a recent daily Mass.

Among the congregation in the Santa Marta guesthouse was the new Vatican secretary of state, Archbishop Pietro Parolin.

The pope centered his homily on the reading from the First Book of Maccabees, in which many of the Jewish community abandoned their cultural and religious customs because of the influence of the corrupt king “Antiochus the Illustrious,” who destroyed their temple and built pagan altars.

Pope Francis explained how giving up one’s identity like those in the reading “is a contradiction,” because “we do not negotiate values” and he warned against “negotiating fidelity.”

“This is precisely the fruit of the devil, of the prince of this world, which leads us forward in a spirit of worldliness.

And after, the consequences occur,” he added, highlighting how not only did the people of God take the “customs of the pagans,” they took it “a step further.”

“The king prescribed in all the kingdom that everyone form a single people and every one will abandon their own customs,” noted the pontiff, adding that “it is not the beautiful globalization of the unity of all nations, each one with their own custom [rather] it is the glo-

balization of hegemonic uniformity.”

He said this still happens, because “the spirit of worldliness also exists today; today also brings us this desire to be progressive, following a single thought.”

“If someone found the Book of the Covenant and if anyone obeyed the [ Jewish] law, the sentence of the king condemned him to death: and this is what we have read in newspapers in recent months” noted the pope.

Criticizing people who are not true to Christianity, he said, “These people, moved by the spirit of the world, have negotiated their own identity, have negotiated the belonging to a people, a people that God loves so much, that God wants as His people.”

Calling attention to the 1907 novel

by Robert Hugh Benson, “Lord of the World,” which focuses on this spirit of worldliness which leads to apostasy, Pope Francis cautioned against the attitude of wanting to “be like everyone else,” which he referred to as an “adolescent progressivism.”

“What do you think?” he asked, “that today human sacrifices are not made?

Many, many people make human sacrifices and there are laws that protect them.”

Despite this, continued the pontiff, “what consoles us is that the Lord always waits for us,” stated the pope, “He forgives us when we, repentant of any step, of some small step in this spirit of worldliness, go to Him.” Praying “in the spirit of a son of the Church,” Pope Francis encouraged the Mass attendees to ask the Lord “that, with His goodness, His faithfulness,” He “save us from this worldly spirit that negotiates all.”

The International Church In Philippines, signs of faith among ruins of typhoon

November 22, 2013

MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — In the week after Super Typhoon Haiyan cut a path of devastation across the central Philippines, faith remained strong among the hardest hit.

At Villamor Air Base in Manila, Roel Gonzales, 42, of Leyte province smiled while aid workers recently sang “Happy Birthday” to him.

It was a sweltering late morning with the sun approaching its peak, but everyone was shaded under a covered court. They sat in circles on plastic chairs, eating noodles with the speed of those who had not eaten for days.

In fact, they had not. They were among the hundreds of thou-

sands left homeless by the brutal storm that tore through homes and damaged the infrastructure of a number of island provinces.

A storm surge that Haiyan churned up brought 15-foot waves to Tacloban, the obliterated city on Leyte’s east coast that took the worst hit from the typhoon.

“All of a sudden all the houses were gone,” including his, said Gonzales, who lived right outside Tacloban. “You can’t find any trace of it, not one piece.”

The storm surge left countless corpses in its wake.

Gonzales counted himself lucky. His wife and their three children were together with him.

“So many people were lost,” he

told Catholic News Service. “But we’re still here. We’re still alive.”

Gonzales said the family left for Manila because, like the many people the storm displaced, they were starting to go hungry, and he worried his children might get sick with no medicine available.

In Tacloban, aid was very slow to arrive to places beyond the city limits. Debris, dwindling fuel and poor communication lines made it hard for relief goods to move to the people who needed it.

“And the smell became too much to bear,” he said, referring to the odor of bodies decomposing in the tropical sun. Gonzales said he never once lost faith in God. “You have to trust in the Lord

first of all,” he said. “If you don’t have faith, it’s very hard. And I really believe, this was really meant to be. He saved us. He let us live.

He’s given us more time on this earth to honor Him.” Eoghan Rice, communications for the Irish Catholic aid agency Trocaire, said he could smell the decay even in a closed vehicle. He recently traveled to Tacloban with an assessment team from Caritas Internationalis.

“The streets of Tacloban are sort of a tangled web of destroyed houses, overturned cars and dead bodies,” he told CNS by phone from Ormoc, a badly hit town on the western side of Leyte.

He said after seeing the dam-

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age wrought by Haiyan, a person’s faith gets even stronger.

“I think it’s heartening to see people all over the world, America, Europe and Asia, responding to this to show solidarity and support to people who are just going through something horrific,” Rice said. “Most of us could never imagine having to live through this sort of experience.”

Bishop George W. Coleman has granted permission for pastors to take up a collection if they are able to do so. The funds will then be transmitted to the USCCB to support their efforts as well as those of Catholic Relief Services in assisting the victims of this horrific disaster.

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November 22, 2013 The Church in the U.S. Worker says migrants just want ‘to live together with love’ in U.S.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (CNS) — In his legendary 1906 book “The Jungle,” Upton Sinclair chronicled the dangerous and harsh working conditions in Chicago’s meatpacking plants.

He told of how immigrant workers coming to this country seeking a new life and prosperity worked long hours in harsh and often deadly conditions for little pay and endured abuse, corruption and discrimination.

Shadows of that world exist in areas of America today as immigrant workers staff farms, dairies and meat-processing plants doing backbreaking labor for low wages while enduring violence, intimidation and fear of deportation.

Auxiliary Bishop John R. Manz of Chicago visited some of these workers in Alabama recently on a trip sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church in collaboration with the Birmingham Diocese. It was Bishop Manz’s 10th such visit.

During this trip, Scalabrini Sister Myrna Tordillo, the secretariat’s assistant director for pastoral care of migrants, refugees and travelers, and Sister Karen Bernhardt, a Sister of the Humility of Mary, from the Catholic Migrant Farmworker Network, joined Bishop Manz in visiting workers at tomato farms and chicken processing plants in rural Alabama.

Many of these workers stay in one area for several years instead of moving to follow the harvest seasons because they have jobs in processing plants.

Those who have been in the area for a while usually live in trailers or modest homes. In

some cases, there are also extended family members in the home. The children attend local schools, while the parents work.

Many are undocumented.

There also are “bachelor hovels” — groupings of rundown trailers where single men live.

In Steele, located in the eastern part of Alabama, tomato farmworkers are young and old, male and female. They pick tomatoes seven days a week during the peak of the season. This work is mostly done by people because machines are only used to pick tomatoes that will be processed.

Workers make $2 a box and a young worker can average about 200 boxes a day, clearing about $2,000 a week. But the work only lasts a few months.

The workers are on the job from 8 a.m. until sunset sorting tomatoes by size and color once they are picked.

In some cases, farmers spray the fields with pesticides while the workers are in them, which can cause illness and even longterm health damage for the workers.

In 2011, the state of Alabama passed a strict anti-illegal immigration law that caused many undocumented immigrants to flee the state. This hurt farms and other businesses dependent upon migrant workers because the owners reported that Americans wouldn’t work these jobs, with their harsh conditions, for low pay.

That year, many tomatoes and crops died in the fields. The immigrants are starting to return but not quite at the numbers that they once were.

A federal court later issued a ruling that gutted the law, and

earlier this year the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the state’s appeal of that decision. In October, the state agreed not to try to restore key provisions of the law.

Bishop Manz spends much of these visits listening to the stories of the workers. He makes the pastoral trips as a member of the U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee on Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees and Travelers.

Often the workers experience tragedy and hardship just getting to the United States, only to find their struggles have just begun.

Some workers who have found their way to Alabama have fled dangerous conditions in their home countries; this is especially the case among the growing number of Guatemalans living and working in Alabama. Continuous violence and strife in that country leads many to flee.

A group from the San Sebastian region of Guatemala lives in Boaz, where many of the men work in nearby chicken processing plants in eighthour shifts doing often danger-

ous work for $7 or $8 an hour.

Bishop Manz recently celebrated Mass in an old gas station converted into worship space that is home to a community of about 80 people with fervor for the faith.

When they entered the makeshift church, many of them genuflected toward the altar before progressing further into the space.

Spanish isn’t the first language for this group. They speak a Mayan dialect. Because of this, they tend to stay even further under the radar and that makes them harder to reach, even for the Church, said Bishop Manz.

“Let’s say the bishop does all he can to get somebody to work with the Spanish-speaking people. Then he finds out these people don’t even speak Spanish. Who do we get for them?”

Bishop Manz said in an interview with the Catholic New World, newspaper of the Chicago Archdiocese. Two staffers from the paper accompanied him on the trip.

Right now there isn’t a priest in the nearby parish who can minister to these Guatemalans.

They used to have one who would come to the chapel once a month to offer Mass, but he was transferred. The Diocese of Birmingham is working on replacing that priest.

Sebastian Francisco is a member of this Guatemalan community and has lived in nearby Albertville with his family for four years. He works at the Tyson chicken plant cutting the wings on the chickens from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. five days a week.

He has been in the United States for 26 years and has worked in other parts of the country, including Illinois and Tennessee. Unlike some of his friends, Francisco is documented. His father sent him to the United States when he was just a teen-ager because there was a war in Guatemala and his father was receiving threats.

He said he is happy his father sent him to this country because he is free here, but he would like to see his people gain more acceptance especially from the Catholic community.

“We just want to live together with love in this country,” he said.

Priest sees strong message for all in how pope ‘lifts up the poor’

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (CNS) — The president of Catholic Charities USA said Pope Francis is calling people to a “new reality certainly in the way that he lifts up the poor.”

His message of walking with those in need addresses some of the questions Catholic Charities and other Catholic organizations have faced, Father Larry Snyder told a group of journalists and media professionals at the recent Catholic Press Association’s Southern and Eastern regional meeting in Alexandria.

The priest also mentioned that Pope Francis is expected to introduce a worldwide hunger campaign with a video message December 10, which is World Human Rights Day. The campaign, “One human family, and food for all,” is an effort of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of Catholic relief, development and social service agencies. One aim of the campaign is to urge governments to implement the right to food in national law.

Father Snyder outlined the long history of Catholic social ministries in the United States, which began almost 300 years

ago when French Ursuline Sisters built a school, hospital and orphanage in New Orleans.

“What happened in New Orleans is what has happened in every community since Catholics have populated this country,” he said. “It was a response to a local need.”

Since then, religious communities and lay Catholics helped other Catholic immigrants — who made up more than half of the Church’s membership until the 1900s — to acclimate to this country.

At the beginning, their work involved ministering just to Catholics, he said, but the Second Vatican Council changed the approach and “challenged us to be leaven in the world.”

For organizations such as Catholic Charities, that meant anybody who was in need, regardless of their religious affiliation, could get services. Today, local agencies of Catholic Charities help about 10 million individuals every year, he said.

Father Snyder said Catholic Charities’ goal is to ultimately reduce poverty in the United States — which affects more than 46 million people.

“If our goal is to fill shel-

ter beds, we can build another shelter and fill even more beds.”

“The outcome should be how many people — because they were sheltered — have found a way out of poverty. If that’s our goal, to get people out of poverty, we are going to design our programs very differently.”

To this end, he said Catholic Charities USA is working with the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities to identify programs that are making an impact in people’s lives.

Catholics’ long-standing history of helping those in need continues with helping today’s poor and immigrants.

“Today, depending on which figures you are looking at, there are 10 to 15 million undocumented immigrants in this country, the vast majority of whom are Catholics,” he said.

“We were able to solve this issue before. As a Church we can be part in solving it today.”

“When people need help their first response is a local response,” Father Snyder added. “As Catholics we have to work with parishes because it is the only way it truly makes sense.”

November 22, 2013

The Church in the U.S.

U.S. bishops unanimously reaffirm opposition to HHS mandate

Baltimore, Md. (CNA/ EWTN News) — At their annual fall gathering in Baltimore, the U.S. bishops issued a message voicing their continued opposition to the federal contraception mandate and the threats that it poses to religious liberty.

“We stand together as pastors charged with proclaiming the Gospel in its entirety. That Gospel calls us to feed the poor, heal the sick, and educate the young, and in so doing witness to our faith in its fullness,” noted the message from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“Our great ministries of service strive to answer this call every day, and the Constitution and the law protect our freedom to do so. Yet with its coercive HHS mandate, the government is refusing to uphold its obligation to respect the rights of religious believers.”

Passed unanimously, the message was the first statement issued by the general membership of the bishops’ conference since the previous day’s election of Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., as the group’s president and Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of GalvestonHouston as its vice president.

Their terms officially begin at the conclusion of the bishops’ meeting on November 14.

The bishops’ statement renewed their opposition to the HHS mandate, or federal contraception mandate, which requires employers to offer health insurance covering contraception, sterilization and some drugs that can cause early abortions, even if doing so violates

their religious convictions.

Issued under the Affordable Care Act, the mandate is being challenged in lawsuits by more than 200 plaintiffs across the country. The lawsuits are currently in different stages of the judiciary process and could reach the Supreme Court in a future term.

Although the Obama Administration went through a lengthy process to revise the mandate, religious freedom advocates warn that the changes are not sufficient to secure the constitutionally-protected right to free exercise of religion.

The bishops said that protection of religious freedom, “especially as threatened by the HHS mandate,” is among their priorities, and went on to quote the words of Pope Francis: “In the context of society, there is only one thing which the Church quite clearly demands: the freedom to proclaim the Gospel in its entirety, even when it runs counter to the world, even when it goes against the tide.”

They identified three ongoing concerns surrounding the mandate: a reduction of religious freedom to mere freedom of worship; the compulsion of Catholic ministries to participate in the providing of abortifacients, sterilization, and contraception; and the compulsion of Catholics owning for-profit businesses to act against Catholic teaching.

“Despite our repeated efforts to work and dialogue toward a solution, those problems remain,” they said. “Not only does the mandate undermine our ministries’ ability to witness

Martha Hennessy of the Catholic Worker poses a question to the newly-elected leadership of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops during a news conference at the recent bishops’ annual fall meeting in Baltimore. Hennessy is the granddaughter of the late Catholic social activist Dorothy Day. (CNS photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

to our faith, which is their core mission, but the penalties it imposes also lay a great burden on those ministries, threatening their very ability to survive and to serve the many who rely on their care.”

The lack of a solution to the impositions against religious freedom, the bishops continued, is “all the more frustrating,” as the Church “has long been a leading provider of, and advocate for, accessible, lifeaffirming health care.”

“We would have preferred to spend these recent past years working toward this shared goal instead of resisting this intrusion into our religious liberty. We have been forced to devote time and resources to a conflict we did not start nor seek.”

However, America’s bishops reiterated their “resolve to resist this heavy burden” and to protect religious liberty. “Even as each bishop struggles to address the mandate, together we are striving to develop alternate avenues of response to this difficult situation.”

“We seek to answer the Gospel call to serve our neighbors, meet our obligation to provide our people with just health insurance, protect our religious freedom, and not be coerced to violate our consciences.”

They also expressed their gratitude to non-Catholic Americans who share a concern for the right to religious liberty, and said, “it is our hope that our ministries and lay faithful will be able to continue providing insurance in a manner consistent with the faith of our Church.”

“We will continue our efforts in Congress and especially with the promising initiatives in the courts to protect the religious freedom that ensures our ability to fulfill the Gospel by serving the common good.”

Concluding their message, the bishops invoked the example of St. Frances Cabrini, whose feast day was being celebrated. They said that the woman religious, who is a patron saint of immigrants, was “a brave woman who brought the full vigor of her deep religious faith to the service of the sick, the poor, children, the elderly, and the immigrant.”

“We count on her intercession, as united we obey the command of Jesus to serve the least of our brothers and sisters.”

Kim Daniels, spokesperson for the president of the bishops’

conference, said the statement shows that the bishops remain united and are not letting up on their efforts to secure religious freedom.

“This message was passed unanimously,” she told CNA. “It’s remarkable that the bishops continue to stand united in their opposition to the mandate and in their desire to witness to the fullness of the Gospel.”

“The bishops are standing together as pastors to support the ability of Catholic ministries to fulfill their core mission of witnessing to our faith in its fullness while serving the common good,” she continued.

“Like others, the bishops are trying to come to grips with the complexities of this burdensome law, and each bishop is determining how best to respond. It’s a very difficult situation and all are engaging in careful review.”

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November 22, 2013

Anchor Editorial

The Maccabee’s message for us today

On page two of this edition of The Anchor we read about Pope Francis’ discussion of the First Book of Maccabees at Monday’s daily Mass. This was not the first time that the Holy Father had made reference to this book of the Bible since he was elected to the papacy. On July 27 in Rio de Janeiro, he said, “Dear bishops, priests, religious and you, seminarians who are preparing for ministry: have the courage to go against the tide of this culture. Be courageous! Remember this, which helps me a great deal and on which I meditate frequently: take the First Book of Maccabees, and recall how many of the people wanted to adapt to the culture of the time: ‘No! Leave us alone! Let us eat of everything, like the others do. Fine, yes to the law, but not every part of it.’ And they ended up abandoning the faith and placing themselves in the current of that culture.”

It is significant that Pope Francis shares with us that he meditates frequently on this book of the Bible, which does not often come up at Mass and which is one of the books of the Bible which are called “deuterocanonical” by Catholics and “apocrypha” by Protestants (who do not accept them as being Divinely inspired).

The pope continued in Rio, “Have the courage to go against the tide of this culture of efficiency, this culture of waste. Encountering and welcoming everyone, solidarity — a word that is being hidden by this culture, as if it were a bad word — solidarity and fraternity: these are what make our society truly human.

Be servants of communion and of the culture of encounter! I would like you to be almost obsessed about this. Be so without being presumptuous, imposing ‘our truths,’ but rather be guided by the humble yet joyful certainty of those who have been found, touched and transformed by the truth Who is Christ, ever to be proclaimed” (cf. Lk 24:13-35).

In the Monday homily reported on page two, the Holy Father spoke about “human sacrifices” which are legally protected today, implicitly bringing to mind abortion and euthanasia. On Tuesday, continuing to read from Maccabees (2 Macc 6:18-31), Pope Francis spoke about Eleazar, an elderly man who refused to eat pork or even feign to eat it, so as to save his life. Vatican Radio reported that the pontiff emphasized that “instead of worrying about his own fate, Eleazar was

thinking of the young people who would remember him and his act of courage.”

The pope pointed out “the coherence of this man, the coherence of his faith, and also his responsibility of leaving a noble heritage. We live in a time in which old people do not count. It’s tough to say this, but we discard them, because they bother us. Old people are those who carry our history, who bring to us doctrine, who bring to us faith and give us our inheritance. They are like a good aged wine, they have this force within them to give us a noble heritage.”

The pope then told a story that he heard as a young child. Vatican Radio reported, “He said there was a father, mother and their children and a grandfather.

This grandfather got his face dirty when he ate soup which annoyed the father so he bought a separate table for the grandfather to eat at. But one day the father returned home and saw one of his children playing with bits of wood and on asking his son what he was doing was told that he was building a table for daddy to eat at when he became old” (this story brings to mind an inverted version of the old Harry Chapin song, “Cats in the Cradle”).

Linking the themes of care for the elderly and the persecution of believers, Pope Francis concluded on Tuesday, “Let us pray for our papas and nanas, who have so many times had a heroic role in the transmission of the faith in times of persecution. When dad and mom were not at home and even when they had strange ideas, which the politics of the time taught, it has been the nanas who have transmitted the faith. The fourth Commandment is the only one that promises something in return. It is a Commandment of compassion.

Have compassion with those born before us. We ask [from God] for the grace of the old saints — Simeon, Anna, Polycarp and Eleazar — from so many old saints: we ask the grace to take care of, to listen and to venerate our ancestors, our grandparents.”

These are good words to ponder as we remember the pilgrims and Native Americans and everyone else who has gone before us on this continent this Thanksgiving and as we look to our future — so that we might resist the “culture of efficiency and waste” through being agents of solidarity and communion.

Pope Francis’ weekly Angelus address and prayer Dear brothers and sisters, hello!

This Sunday’s Gospel (Lk 21:5-19) consists in the first part of one of Jesus’ sermons, that on the last times. Jesus gives it in Jerusalem, near the temple, and the topic is given to Him precisely by the people who were talking about the temple’s beauty, because that temple was beautiful. So Jesus said: “All that you see here — the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down” (Lk 21:6). Naturally, they ask Him: When will this happen? What will the signs be? But Jesus de-

flects attention away from these secondary aspects — When will it happen? What will it be like? — and turns it toward the real issues. And there are two. First, do not let yourself be deceived by false messiahs and not let yourself be paralyzed by fear. Second, live the period of waiting as time of witness and perseverance. And we are in this time of waiting, of waiting for the Lord’s coming.

This sermon of Jesus is always relevant, even for us who live in the 21st century. He repeats: “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in My name” (21:8). It is an OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

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invitation to discernment, this Christian virtue of understanding where the Spirit of the Lord is and where the evil spirit is. Today too, in fact, there are false “saviors,” who try to take Jesus’ place: leaders of this world, gurus, even sorcerers, people who want to attract the minds and hearts, especially of young people, to themselves. Jesus warns us: “Do not follow them! Do not follow them!”

And the Lord helps us not to be afraid too: in the face of wars, revolutions, but also natural calamities, epidemics, Jesus frees us from fatalism and false apocalyptic visions.

The second aspect addresses us precisely as Christians and members of the Church: Jesus foretells painful trials and persecutions that His disciples must undergo for His sake. Nevertheless, He assures them: “Not one of your heads will be harmed” (21:18). He reminds us that we are totally in God’s hands! The adversity that we face because of our faith and our adherence to the Gospel are occasions for witness; they need not distance us from the Lord but move us to abandon ourselves all the

more to Him, to the power of His Spirit and His grace.

I am reflecting in this moment and let all of us reflect.

Let us do it together: let us think about the many brother and sister Christians, who suffer persecution because of their faith. There are many, perhaps many more than in the first centuries. Jesus is with them. We, too, are united to them by our prayer and our affection. We also admire their courage and their testimony. They are our brothers and sisters, who in many parts of the world suffer because of being faithful to Jesus Christ.

We salute them from our hearts and with affection.

In the end, Jesus makes a promise that guarantees victory: “With your perseverance you will save your life” (21:19).

How much hope there is in these words! They are a call to hope and patience, to knowing how to wait for the sure fruits of Salvation, trusting in the profound meaning of life and of history: trials and difficulties are part of a larger design; the Lord, Lord of history brings everything to fulfillment. Despite the disorder and disasters that disturb

the world, the plan of God’s goodness and mercy will prevail! And this is our hope: to walk in this way, on this road, in this plan of God that will prevail. This is our hope.

This message of Jesus makes us reflect on our present moment and gives us the strength to face it with courage and hope, in the company of Our Lady, who always walks with us.

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, and she conceived by work of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary...

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy Word.

Hail Mary...

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary...

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Anchor Columnists Continuing to grow in faith

November 22, 2013

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hen Pope Benedict announced back on Oct. 11, 2011 that there would be a 410-day Year of Faith beginning exactly a year later and extending through this upcoming Sunday, my reaction was mixed.

On the one hand, I think I’m one of the biggest fans in the entire Church of ecclesiastical Holy Years, like the Marian Year (1987), the Great Jubilee (2000), the Year of the Rosary (20022003) the Year of Eucharist (2004-2005), the Year of St. Paul (2008-2009), and the Year For Priests (2009-2010). These have all been for me opportunities to focus on and grow in one aspect of the Christian life and to try to help others in the Church to do so as well.

Like the traditional Catholic practice of the particular exam, when an individual concentrates on acquiring a particular virtue or eliminating a particular bad habit, Church holy years are opportunities for everyone in the Church to laser-beam together on a common resolution that can improve our life of faith.

But when Pope Benedict an-

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nounced that we would dedicate disciples in every age. an entire year to the subject of The most pressing issues facfaith, it was harder to get excited. ing the Church are at their root Isn’t every year, I asked myself, crises of faith. And if we’re ever meant to be a Year of Faith? I going to address those problems, was initially about as enthusiastic we can’t take faith for granted. as I would have been if the civil That’s what the Year of Faith government announced a year has been about. It’s been a trecelebrating clean air. It struck me mendous opportunity for us to as too basic, too boring and prob- imitate the humble desperation ably too uninspiring to get others fired up about.

Putting Into But once I started to ponder the subject of the Deep faith much more deeply as I was preparing to do

By Father a parish mission for my Roger J. Landry parishioners to start the Year of Faith as well as getting retreats ready on the Year of Faith for priests, of the Apostles in echoing their seminarians and religious — auwords to Jesus, “Lord, increase diences that always get me to do our faith!” (Lk 17:5). my homework! — my attitude When we talk about growing began to change. in faith, we’re talking about two I started to see that there is a things. real crisis of faith not only among Faith, the “Catechism” tells us, those who don’t practice but is “first of all a personal adheramong many of those who do. ence of man to God. At the same In the Gospels, Jesus reproved time, and inseparably, it is a free the Apostles four times for their assent to the whole truth God “little faith,” and that’s a shorthas revealed.” coming that can afflict Jesus’ To increase in faith, we must

The day the world got weird

n 1963 I was a seven-year- “The Wall.” old first-grader at St. Anne’s I was afraid more than anySchool in Fall River. It was a nor- thing. Everywhere I turned, live mal existence, going to school or on TV, adults were sobbing. each day, playing with my friends That night, and for many ensuin the school yard (just the boys ing days and nights, the world, my — the girls had their own school world, felt like it was covered by a yard); going to class with Do- big, dark blanket. TV wasn’t fun. minican Sister Anne of Jesus, my It now revealed images of Kenall-time favorite teacher at any level; then going home to watch “The Match Game” and “Make Room For Daddy” on the old black and white TV. Everything was pretty

By Dave Jolivet normal until November 22. That was the day the world got weird.

As I’ve mentioned in previ- nedy’s last moments — the big ous columns, I was walking home smiles on the faces of the presifrom school in “ranks” when news dent and his beautiful first lady, broke of President Kennedy be- Jacqueline. Then panic. ing shot. Even at that tender age There were images of his alI knew that was not a good thing. leged assassin, Lee Harvey OsKids, like dogs, can sense the wald, a man whom I thought mood of those around them — looked evil. Then there is the imat least this kid could. People had age of him doubling over in pain just a blank look on their faces, after being shot by another sinparticularly when further news ister character in my mind’s eye, broke of Kennedy’s death.

Jack Ruby.

Walter Cronkite, the iconic Things just kept getting weirdCBS news anchor, was a wreck. er and scarier by the day.

Everyone looked up to Cronkite Since November 22 was a as a stone wall — again, at least I Friday, we didn’t have school for did. He was like a grandfather to what seemed an eternity. It sure me, spending every evening in my would have been nice to see Sisliving room. ter Anne of Jesus to help calm Looking back now, it was like my fears. living in a scene from Pink Floyd’s I remember the funeral and

My View From the Stands

watching Caroline. She was just a year younger than me and I felt so bad for her, losing her daddy. I watched John-John’s salute, and one of my most vivid memories is that of the magnificent riderless horse, Black Jack, following the caisson. The soldier with Black Jack had a heck of time restraining the animal, who I thought was also in shock.

I remember Jackie’s somber countenance throughout the entire weekend and beyond.

And I remember Lyndon Johnson becoming president. I didn’t like him because he wasn’t young and handsome like JFK. He, too, was scary.

I don’t know how long it took for things to get back to normal — for me anyway. But it did, I think, by Christmas.

But there was still this cloud over a once care-free country. It wasn’t too long after that I began to notice things I hadn’t before.

Things like the cruel and inhumane way whites treated blacks, and the nightly body count from Vietnam on the news.

That care-free world never came back — not since the day the world got weird 50 years ago today.

Anchor columnist Dave Jolivet can be reached at davejolivet@ anchornews.org.

first grow in that personal adherence, the total entrustment of ourselves to God. The greatest crisis of faith has to do with this trust. There are many who know what Jesus teaches, directly and indirectly through His Church, but don’t trust in Him enough to believe in and act on what He said and did.

They know He talks about forgiving others without limit, and yet still hold grudges and seek retribution. They know He eagerly desires to eat the Passover with us each Sunday, but miss Mass. They know He taught about the indissolubility of Marriage and yet still divorce and remarry. They know He indicates the Beatitudes as the path to happiness and yet still seek riches instead of poverty of spirit, lust instead of purity of heart, power instead of weakness, and popularity instead of a life so like His that we will be persecuted as He was.

To believe in Jesus means to believe in what He said and did and many Catholics lack that trust. The Year of Faith has been a graced opportunity to respond to God’s graces to grow in it.

At the same time, however, there’s a crisis in the knowledge of our faith, the “assent to the whole truth God has revealed.”

Religious illiteracy among Catholics remains epidemic.

Many Confirmation candidates don’t know the Ten Commandments, Seven Sacraments and basic prayers. Large numbers of adult Catholics know far more about sports statistics or celebrity trivia than they know about the content of our faith.

The U.S. Religious Knowledge

7 Survey showed that atheists and agnostics blow Catholics out of the water in terms of their knowledge of elementary facts about the Bible. The Year of Faith has been an opportunity to get to know the truths of our faith better, too.

The timing of the Year of Faith wasn’t coincidental. It began during the Vatican Synod on the New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Faith.

Since we’re never really going to be effective in spreading the faith unless we know it and believe it, a Year of Faith was needed as preparation for this new Pentecost. It was training for mission.

Even though the Year of Faith officially ends on Sunday, there’s no expiration date to the prayer, “Lord, increase our faith.” I was very moved on October 6 when Pope Francis asked all those in St. Peter’s Square to repeat with him three times the words, “Lord, increase our faith!” It’s something that should remain a regular aspiration.

The greatest compliment Jesus ever gave in the Gospel was to a pagan woman to whom He said, “Woman, great is your faith!” The Year of Faith was called because, frankly, Jesus isn’t yet able to say that about us as He would want.

It’s been an opportunity for us to respond to His help to grow in our trust in God and in the loving and living of the truths He has revealed to us.

We thank Him for the graces of this year and pray that the real fruit of the Year of Faith will be a life of greater faith and a deeper hunger to pass it on.

Anchor columnist Father Landry is pastor of St. Bernadette ParishinFallRiver. fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

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et us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” This Sunday our response to the psalm speaks of the joy which we should have going to the house of God. The psalm goes on to speak about “Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord” (Ps 122:3-4).

During this time of year, many tribes of families are hopping into trains, planes or automobiles (to conjure up an image of John Candy, may he rest in peace) so as to get to Thanksgiving celebrations, while other people sit alone in their own homes, or nursing homes or hospitals. Some would like to get home, but the cost or their military service or their jobs do not allow them to do so. Some folks actually rue the idea of going home, due to negative experiences

November 22, 2013

May the King help us to be reconciled in the past (or worse, in That love made Him acthe present), which makes cept the cross, so that we this house anything but a might be able to enter into “home.”

Kingship with Him. To all of these varied In our Baptisms, we are situations, we bring to made priests, prophets and prayer the mystery we celkings in Christ, the One ebrate this Sunday before Thanksgiving, that of Christ Homily of the Week the King. His KingSolemnity of ship was mocked on Christ the King Good Friday, as we hear in the Gospel

By Father of Luke (23:35-43).

Richard D. Wilson Jesus went to Jerusalem knowing that this would happen, but He went, so as to be Priest, Prophet and King able to say to the good of the New Covenant. thief and to so many other When we are anointed people, “Today you will with chrism after the pourbe with Me in Paradise” ing of the water, the prayer (23:43). reminds us of this great Jesus went rejoicing to reality. We, through BapJerusalem, not with a glib, tism, are made into priests superficial happiness, but higher than any of the with a joy rooted in the Old Testament priests and love that He has for His kings (and queens) even Father and for all of us. higher than David, about

whose coronation we hear in the first reading (2 Sam 5:1-3).

This reality should not make us proud, but should make us humble, because we have been given these offices not due to any merit on our part, but due to our union with Christ.

He wants us to be royal in the way that He is royal.

Given that His throne was a cross, this should be obvious to us.

A great part of this humility involves forgiveness, our seeking it from Christ in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and our forgiving of our neighbors (especially those seated with us at table or those who are not at our tables due to old grudges). St. Paul, in the second reading, reminds us that God the

Father “delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:12-13) and that “in [Christ] all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile all things for Him, making peace by the Blood of His cross” (1:19-20).

Some hurts truly are too great to allow for a “sharing at table,” while others are really just minor things which snowballed into something larger. I cannot prescribe one solution for all personal conflicts, but we do know from Jesus that we need to “forgive those who trespass against us” if we are to pray the “Our Father” and really mean it.

Father Wilson is pastor of St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Attleboro.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Nov. 23, 1 Mc 6:1-13; Ps 9:2-4,6,16b,19; Lk 20:27-40. Sun. Nov. 24, Solemnity of Christ the King, 2 Sm 5:1-3; Ps 122:1-5; Col 1:12-20; Lk 23:35-43. Mon. Nov. 25, Dn 1:1-6,8-20; (Ps) Dn 3:52-56; Lk 21:1-4. Tues. Nov. 26, Dn 2:31-45; (Ps) Dn 3:57-61; Lk 21:5-11.

Wed. Nov. 27, Dn 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28; (Ps) Dn 3:62-67; Lk 21:12-19. Thurs. Nov. 28, Dn 6:12-28; (Ps) Dn 3:68-74; Lk 21:20-28. Fri. Nov. 29, Dn 7:2-4; (Ps) Dn 3:75-81; Lk 21:29-33.

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n Nov. 22, 1963, the seventh grade at Baltimore’s Cathedral School was in gym class when we got word that President Kennedy had been shot. A half-hour later, while we were climbing the stairs back to 7B’s classroom, Sister Dolorine’s voice came over the PA, announcing that the president was dead. Walking into 7B, my classmates and I saw something that shocked us as much as the news we’d just heard: our tough-love homeroom teacher, a young School Sister of Notre Dame, was sobbing, her faced buried in her arms on her desk.

The days of public mourning that followed — their solemnity shattered only by the assassination of the assassin on live TV — were bound to leave an impression on a 12-yearold. Indeed, so great was the impression, and so effective the subsequent myth-making, that a half-dozen or so years later, as a college student beginning to feel the effects of late-’60s skepticism, I was nonetheless offended when it was first reported that the late president

JFK after 50 years

had been a “fearsome girler” (as American history.

The myth of Camelot, for Ben Bradlee’s father put it). example, misses the truth Still, the magnetic appeal about the assassination: that of the man (or the myth, or John F. Kennedy was a casualty both) was such that when of the Cold War, murdered I first went to Dallas, I was by a dedicated communist. inexorably drawn to the site of the assassination, the Texas School Book Depository and nearby Dealey Plaza.

Standing at the window from which the shots that changed

By George Weigel American history were fired, I quickly decided that a trained marksman could have “Camelot” also demeaned the easily done, by himself, what liberal anti-communist inthe Warren Commission conternationalism that Kennedy cluded he had done. embodied; that deprecation I remain grateful to John eventually led Kennedy’s party F. Kennedy for inspiring the into the wilderness of neo-isoconviction that public life lationist irresponsibility from ought to accommodate idealwhich it has yet to emerge. ism (without illusions, as JFK Then there is the mytholdescribed his own approach) ogy surrounding Kennedy’s and elegance. Fifty years after 1960 speech on church-andhis death, however, I fear that state, delivered to the Greater much of the Kennedy mythos Houston Ministerial Assois an obstacle to the flowering of Catholic witness in America ciation. No one should doubt that hoary Protestant bigotry — and indeed to a proper was an obstacle the Kennedy understanding of modern

The Catholic Difference

campaign had to overcome in 1960. Still, a close reading of the Houston speech suggests that Kennedy neutralized that bigotry, not only by deft rhetorical moves that put bigots on the defensive, but by dramatically privatizing religious conviction and marginalizing its role in orienting a public official’s moral compass. Thus Kennedy became, in effect, a precursor of what Richard John Neuhaus later called the “naked public square”: an American public space in which not merely clerical authoritarianism, but religiouslyinformed moral conviction, is deemed out-of-bounds.

Finally, there is the phenomenon that might be called the Kennedy Catholic: a public official who wears his or her Catholicism as a kind of ethnic marker, an inherited trait, but whose thinking about public policy is rarely if ever shaped

by Catholic social doctrine or settled Catholic moral conviction. The many Kennedy

Catholics in our public life are one of the last expressions of urban (or suburban), ethnic, Counter-Reformation Catholicism in America; and as such, they evoke a certain nostalgia.

Unfortunately, the shallowness of their Catholic formation and the invisibility of Catholic moral understandings in a lot of their judgments make Kennedy Catholics de facto opponents of the Church’s mission in the postmodern world, not protagonists of the culturereforming Catholicism of the New Evangelization.

At daily Mass in downtown Washington, I often receive Communion while standing on the marble slab in St. Matthew’s Cathedral that marks the place where the president’s casket rested, at the funeral Mass on Nov. 25, 1963. In praying for him there, I also mourn what might have been — and what has been distorted in the half-century since.

George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

November 22, 2013

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Anchor Columnists Confronting the lies about women: Fatherhood

ast column we considered the feminist accusation that motherhood interferes with a woman’s need for education. Unfortunately, our enthusiasm for education has led most institutions to adopt programs that ignore the subtle differences between boys and girls, as regarding their vocations. Even Catholic schools neglect to honor the distinction between men and women — perhaps out of fear of being charged with sexism — but this has led the average lay person to miss out on the rich reality that comprises complementarity.

This leads to another lie at the heart of feminism: the belief that fatherhood is problematic (at best) or a grave evil (at worst). One cannot look at the popular culture without seeing that most themes — subtle and overt — attack fatherhood. The usual methods use caricatures or mockery, but the shriller voices reveal the animus undergirding their worldview, and we must take

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stock of how their misguided wrath is shaping the landscape for the coming generation.

We must remember the Marxist antecedents to feminism, which rely on a [mis-] use of the classic dialectic to explain the material world. This tool, which was previously applied to the economic realm — predicting that the protracted struggle between those who own the means of production and the proletariat would lead to a communist paradise — is applied to the family, so that those who control the means of reproduction (men) should be resisted by those they exploit (women), creating the next panacea: androgyny. Then women will be free from the “patriarchy” that has always enslaved them.

This battle has been raging in the minds of many academics for decades, and they have worked hard to actualize their

thesis in most Western institutions. Nearing the phase of a “full flowering” of this lie, our society has realigned its understanding of human sexuality so that intimacy is a strictly private matter, it refuses to

consider the child’s psychosocial need for both mother and father, and there is a firm rejection of all natural law and Revelation which suggest otherwise.

Within this reckless philosophy, it becomes evident that the demands of motherhood and fatherhood are onerous, and the virtues that perfect them repugnant.

While both require generosity, selflessness, and oblation, the

world trumpets individualism, self-indulgence, and carnal decadence. The aversion that radical feminists have harbored concerning motherhood is obvious; the deeper revulsion for fatherhood has only become manifest in recent years. Regrettably, these confused activists are in the ascendency, and perhaps that has allowed them to state their case more freely.

The days when feminists took issue with the “Our Father,” or toyed with the idea of “herstory” (instead of history) seem quaint compared to today. Now we have come to the point where the gender deconstructionists have attacked everything from designated bathrooms to the legal definition of Marriage itself. Between these two place holders, we are seeing birth certificates reworded, class curricula revamped, and an added “sensitivity” in how we

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discuss the choices of others.

So where does this leave us?

As always, we take comfort in the embrace of Holy Mother Church, the font of all true wisdom. Only by meditating on the tender providence of God — Who wished to reveal Himself as “Father” — will we understand the authentic communion to which we are invited as men and women.

The Fatherhood of God illustrates that He is the source of our being and the pattern for fathers everywhere. When His Fatherhood is erased from our imaginations, we’ll truly be adrift in a sea of lies. Woe to the generation that does not fight for His rightful place in our culture, in our families, and in our hearts.

Anchor columnist Genevieve Kineke is a wife and mother of f ive who lives in Rhode Island. She can be found online at femininegenius.com. This is the second in an ongoing series on how feminism has undermined our culture.

Free condoms for everyone at whose expense?

ovember has brought us two federal appeals court rulings that the contraceptive mandate, a regulation under Obama’s Affordable Care Act requiring employers over a certain size to provide insurance for free contraceptives, morning-after pills, and sterilization, most likely violates religious freedom as codified in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The D.C. Circuit ruled on November 1 that the mandate placed a substantial burden on the religious practice of the Gilardi brothers, who as conscientious Catholics are opposed to contraception and who co-own a grocery chain called Freshway Foods. The court held that the government had not demonstrated that there was a compelling government interest that was advanced for the regulation in the least religiously-restrictive way possible, as the law requires. The brothers were therefore entitled to a preliminary injunction against the mandate.

One week later, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit out of Chicago ruled likewise, and further ruled that even forprofit business corporations could assert religious free-

mandate to be a substantial dom in their own right, since burden on religious practice. corporations are considered The Third and Sixth Circuits, legal persons at common law however, ruled that there was and under the Constitution, no substantial burden and that as well as under the federal business corporations do not Dictionary Act. While this have religious freedom rights. may seem counter-intuitive, The Supreme Court will we should not forget that almost certainly take up one the first corporation in our western legal tradition was and is the Catholic Church, the Body or Corpus of Christ, head and members. Surely, religious corporations have religious freedom

By Dwight Duncan to organize and govern themselves. Adding a profit motive does not of these cases to resolve these change a corporation’s abilissues. ity to seek religious goals, any In any case, it is significant more than it takes away their that the contraceptive manfree speech rights. Corporadate of the Obama Admintions, after all, are people working together for common istration is full of exceptions, which is highly relevant to purposes over time. whether there is indeed a These are matters that will compelling governmental ultimately be decided by the United States Supreme Court interest behind it and whether the regulation is sufficiently in the coming year. There is now a “split in the Circuits,” a narrowly tailored. Here, the D.C. Circuit held, “In this divergence in how the federal case, small businesses, busiappeals courts have resolved nesses with grandfathered this issue, which necessitates plans (albeit temporarily), Supreme Court review to resolve the significant issue of and an array of other employers are exempt from the federal law. The Seventh and mandate itself or from the D.C. Circuits join the Tenth entire scheme of the AffordCircuit’s Hobby Lobby case, able Care Act. Therefore, the in finding the contraceptive

Judge For Yourself

mandate is unquestionably underinclusive.”

Of course, if a “free condoms for everyone” policy is so important, then the question is why doesn’t the government itself provide them, instead of forcing those who are conscientiously opposed for religious reasons to do so, while exempting countless others.

I am not an impartial commentator on the matter. I filed an amicus brief on behalf of 28 Catholic theologians in support of the Gilardi brothers at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The brief was quoted and discussed in the majority and dissenting opinions.

The brief argued that the mandate required Catholic employers to make substantial direct contributions to morally objectionable actions, and thus substantially burdened their religious practice. The majority accepted this, holding that “the burden on religious exercise does not occur at the point of contraceptive purchase.” That, of course, is a decision the individual employee makes. “Instead, it occurs when a company’s owners fill the basket of goods and services that constitute a health-

care plan. In other words, the Gilardis are burdened when they are pressured to chose between violating their religious beliefs in managing their selected plan or paying onerous penalties.”

The bishops of the United States have just reaffirmed their decided opposition to the contraceptive mandate, with all its works and pomps.

In a statement issued November 13, they stated: “Beginning in March 2012, we identified three basic problems with the HHS mandate: it establishes a false architecture of religious liberty that excludes our ministries and so reduces freedom of religion to freedom of worship; it compels our ministries to participate in providing employees with abortifacient drugs and devices, sterilization, and contraception, which violates our deeply-held beliefs; and it compels our faithful people in business to act against our teachings, failing to provide them any exemption at all.”

Let’s see if the U.S. Supreme Court comes to the rescue!

Anchor columnist Dwight Duncan is a professor at UMass School of Law Dartmouth. He holds degrees in civil and canon law.

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hey stepped through the doors and looked around the hall at those seated at tables, like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday as they entered the saloon in the days of the old west. They were not, however, wearing

November 22, 2013

Kalaupapa celebrates Halloween 10-gallon hats or armed with holstered guns. They were dressed in robot-like outfits and strutted around the hall for all to see. One showed bulging biceps while the other displayed the legs of a model. It was Mary Jane and

few compliments on my outMark and they had come to fit from a couple of the guys McVeigh Hall to participate (beer will do that). Thank the in our annual costume party Lord that no one made a pass sponsored as always by our own beloved Edwin Lelepali. at me or I would have felt obliged to slap him!

Halloween brings back mostly happy memories of childhood days, of door-to-door visits while dressed in creative costumes, of candy and other treats.

In my own childhood

By Father days we gathered with Patrick Killilea, SS.CC. family and neighbors and bobbed in water for apples. Halloween Then there was of course in Kalaupapa is a time to relive those happy memories as the best part, the delicious food provided by Pali, not to we gather with the commuforget the beer. I had brought nity to celebrate our togethalong a bottle of wine given erness and for a few hours to to me recently by a visiting be as children again. There friend. I had intended to share are always creative, funny, or it with those at my table. daring costumes. I came as However, we were unable to Hula Hana and received a

find a corkscrew (believe it or not). So I sent the bottle home with one of my table mates. I hope he enjoyed it.

Personally I prefer the smooth taste of Bailey’s Irish Cream.

Note that!

Some of us left for our homes relatively early while others stayed to celebrate until midnight. I do not know whether all of the beer was consumed by that hour but I do know that all of us enjoyed our Halloween celebration. For this we give thanks to the Lord and we salute our good friend and benefactor, Lelepali. Aloha.

Anchor columnist Father Pat Killilea, ss.cc., is pastor of St. Francis Parish in Kalaupapa, Hawaii.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With Baptism, Christians are cleansed of sin, but the Sacrament doesn’t wash away human weakness nor the obligation to ask forgiveness when they make mistakes, Pope Francis said.

Baptism is “God’s powerful intervention in our lives to save us. This saving intervention of God doesn’t remove our human nature and weakness; we are all

Syria. “This must never happen!

Let us pray with insistence,” the pope said. The “real battles” that need to be fought in the world, he said, are not wars for power, but battles “for life, never for death.”

In his main audience talk, continuing a Year of Faith series about the creed, Pope Francis reflected on the affirmation, “I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.”

Moon Over Molokai

Confession renews grace of Baptism, pope says at audience weak and we are all sinners. And Baptism doesn’t remove our responsibility to ask forgiveness every time we err,” the pope said during a recent weekly general audience.

At the end of the audience, Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines and for those who recently died when a mortar shell hit a school bus in Damascus,

November 22, 2013

Be sure to visit the Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites.

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November 22, 2013

Diocesan high schools recognized for academic achievement continued from page one

tion, a school district must utilize an AP program and maintain or improve the percent of participating students scoring a three (out of a possible five, with two as a passing score) on the AP exams.

“This designation recognizes the extraordinary work our Catholic high schools in the diocese have done in challenging their students to achieve their highest academic potential,” added Griffin.

Sponsored by College Board, a nation-wide not-for-profit membership organization committed to excellence and equity in education, the AP program offers high school students the opportunity to enroll in collegelevel courses in a number of dis-

In addition to the diocesan high schools averaging a three or better in the AP exam results, these same schools, Bishop Feehan in Attleboro, Bishop Connolly in Fall River, Bishop Stang in North Dartmouth, Coyle and Cassidy in Taunton, and Pope John Paul II in Hyannis, last year combined to average a 1,632 on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests, compared with the state average of 1,526 and the national average of 1,500. According to Griffin, the scores have been on the increase for the last three years.

Michael Vieira has been a teacher at Bishop Connolly for 19 years, and has been involved in the AP history program his entire tenure there. “The program was in place when I ar-

Kate Corcoran leads an AP psychology classroom session at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro.

ciplines, giving the student a feel for what college studies entail, and also to possibly receive college credits that may be recognized when they do attend college.

“Scoring a three on an AP exam is something of which colleges take notice,” said Griffin.

“It’s a significant score that takes a great deal of commitment on the part of the students and the teachers, and some colleges will accept that score for future credit.”

rived here,” he told The Anchor.

“The Jesuits had it in place. It’s a program where the students have to be committed. There’s a lot of work in a rigourous curriculum.

“There doesn’t have to necessarily be a love for the subject to do well, rather a dedication to the work involved. These students choose to be in the program, so they want to succeed. The course is run like a college class, so the students are well-prepared when

they move on to college. They know what to expect and what’s expected of them.”

While Pope John Paul II High School is only in its sixth year, the school is already firmly entrenched in the AP lifestyle.

“I’m delighted to see our diocese receive this recognition,” principal Christopher Keavy told The Anchor. “At Pope John Paul II High School, we have made an early and firm commitment to the AP program. Each year since our opening in 2007, the number of students taking AP exams has increased as has their scores.

Our students score well above the national and state averages and this is a testament to their hard work and that of our outstanding teachers.”

“Our students’ success in earning college credit through Advanced Placement is a testament to their focus, family support and drive to be successful in college and beyond,” said Bishop Stang president and principal Peter Shaughnessy. “In addition to outstanding SAT scores, acceptances to the top institutions of higher learning and millions in scholarships, our students’ Advanced Placement scores illustrate that a Bishop Stang Catholic education is synonymous with excellence.”

Robert Ostrye is a 40-year veteran teacher at Stang and is the school’s AP English literature teacher. “It takes a special sort of student to excel in any Advanced Placement course: the work is arduous, the discussions are intense, and the exams are extremely challenging,” he said. “At Bishop Stang we are blessed with students who relish the prospect of hard work, initiate and contribute to class dynamics, and are exceedingly successful on the exams in May. At the conclusion of the course,

Robert Ostrye, a 40-year veteran teacher at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth, is the school’s AP English Literature teacher.

an AP student realizes that all of the challenges have been met and the reward of college credit is richly deserved.”

Bishop Feehan president Christopher Servant told The Anchor, “We are blessed to have some extremely bright young men and women whose aptitude and work ethic far exceeds that of most high school students.

We as a school are compelled to maximize these students’ Godgiven potential by offering AP courses, taught by highly-skilled teachers.”

“The strength of the AP program here at Feehan is reflective of the strength of our entire academic program, which is designed to challenge students at all levels,” said AP psychology teacher Kate Corcoran. “As for the diocese being recognized for its AP Program, I’m really excited.

Most importantly, the success of our diocesan AP program really highlights the value of a Catholic education. We are able to provide our students with an education that is academically rigorous as well as faith-based, and in so doing prepare our students for true success in the world.”

Jacqueline Briant, AP calculus teacher at Feehan told The Anchor, “AP courses in all

disciplines are demanding and fast-paced. The courses ask the students not only to work very hard, but to think deeply. Our students’ success at the challenge is a reflection of their discipline and hard work and of the preparation that they have had from all their teachers.”

“We provide a rigorous curriculum in art at every level and the methods that we use are formal and traditional,” added Brenda Loiselle, AP art teacher “Not everyone agrees with that philosophy but we find that it’s tried and true — teaching students the basics gives them a strong base from which to branch out. Self-expression often springs from knowledge.”

In just two years, the number of students enrolled in the AP program at Coyle and Cassidy High School has doubled.

“By using AP Potential, a program based on PSAT/NMSQT scores, we are able to identify students who may be ready for the challenge of AP course work,” said principal Robert J. Gay. “We’ve changed the mindset that AP courses are only for academically elite students and encourage students to enroll,” vice president of Academic Affairs Kathleen St. Laurent told The Anchor. “We know that high school rigor is the greatest indicator of college success and we support that.”

As an example of the commitment involved by the teachers and the students, AP biology teacher David Schoorens chose to give up a day off to complete four labs utilizing new biology kits. Schooner was quick to credit his students with the idea of coming in on a holiday.

“Our students’ performance on the AP exams truly reflects the high caliber of the curriculum, instruction and commitment to academic excellence that is fostered each day in our diocesan schools,” added Griffin.

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November 22, 2013

Thieves steal $500 worth of food from St. Anthony’s Food Pantry

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

NEW BEDFORD — After seeing food stamp benefits lowered earlier this month forcing an even greater demand on area food pantries already struggling to keep their shelves stocked, the last thing St. Anthony of Padua’s Food Pantry needed to see on their outside cooler was a busted lock, boxes in disarray and more than $500 worth of food stolen.

“The food taken was to be used to be given out for Thanksgiving,” said Father Edward A. Murphy, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford.

“We’re hoping to get some donations so that we can feed these people, and they can also have Thanksgiving with their families.”

St. Anthony’s Food Pantry has been helping the poor in the area for years, opening its doors on Thursdays to roughly 300 people, who are given a hot meal and food to take home.

“We are very blessed here at St. Anthony of Padua by those who volunteer their time every week to help these peo-

ple,” said Father Murphy. “Those who come [and use the pantry’s services] are good people but just cannot find employment and need assistance.”

At press time, Father Murphy was still processing the final monetary damage, and New Bedford police are continuing their investigation.

“Many who have found out about it have been very generous,” said Father Murphy. “I’m very grateful to all those who have responded generously at the moment. We’re grateful to all those who support the pantry.”

As for those who broke in and stole the food, Father Murphy harbors no ill will; “They’re welcome here on a Thursday; the door is open,” he said.

If anyone has any information about the break-in, please contact the New Bedford Police Department: 508-961-4584.

Donations to St. Anthony’s Food Pantry are being accepted; if writing a check, please make it out to “St. Anthony Food Pantry”; St. Anthony of Padua, 1359 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, Mass., 02746.

Boxes were strewn about and the contents knocked around by thieves, who broke into the outdoor cooler used by the food pantry at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford; roughly $500 of food, designated for families to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, was stolen.

The door to the large, outdoor cooler used by the food pantry at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford had its lock broken by thieves, looking to get into the cooler to steal the food inside. Police are still investigating.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, November 24, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Marc P. Tremblay, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Norton

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First Name Robert D. Patricia Madeleine A. Magdalena Frederick Robert J. Marilyn Robert Robert Patricia Jeanne John O. Beatrice Nancy L. Constance Michael S. Liliana Kathleen A. José Gilberta Joanne Maria Helena Norman Alban Helen Judite Robert Raymond Janet Edward Robert T. Regina Judith Ann M. Emilia M. Patrick A. Rita Elaine Peter Ana Helena Donald Donald J. Lorraine Ronald J. Florence Arlene F. Evelyn Brian Wilfrid J. Paul Diane Walter E. John Joseph John J. William F. Maureen Ellen John Arlene Norman H. Fred Joseph M. Virginia Jean N. William Joseph Lillian William Susan Laura B. Elaine Janet L. Gary Robert Mary Pauline L. Arlene A. Mark W.

November 22, 2013

2013 Marian Medal recipients Last Name

Parish

City

Deanery

Mullin Powell Santala Silva Morse Jones Lakin Enos Oliver Hoffer Corliss DellaMorte Viera Machado Monopoli Saulino Rebelo Crosson Ribeiro Marques Correia Sardinha Aguiar Lavoie Fournier Medeiros Gonçalo Gagnon Daly Sliney LaCrosse Amarins Warren Marklin Miner Mahon Campoli Rousseau Zajac Pinhancos Falkowska Dumont Neves Gagnier Dupont Boehling Hall Desrosiers Brown Roberge April Ehrlich Bianchi Garrity Maroon Kourtz Kearney Rego Cabeceiras Silvia Menard Jr. Wyatt Raposa Croak Kelly Bouchard Sr. Ripanti Brisebois Bezok Clark Camara Morin Rose Hoitt Donahoe Looby Cote Zajac Orzeck

St. Francis Xavier St. Bernard St. John the Evangelist St. Vincent de Paul St. Mark Our Lady of the Cape St. Margaret Our Lady of Victory Holy Redeemer St. Anthony St. John Neumann Corpus Christi Holy Family St. Joseph St. Mary St. Mary’s Cathedral Espirito Santo Holy Name Good Shepherd Holy Trinity Sacred Heart St. Anthony of Padua St. Bernadette St. Joseph St. Stanislaus Santo Christo SS. Peter and Paul at Holy Cross St. Patrick St. Francis Xavier St. Mary St. Rita Good Shepherd Christ the King St. Anthony St. Mary/Our Lady of the Isle Holy Name/Sacred Heart of Jesus Immaculate Conception Our Lady of Fatima Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. James Our Lady of Mount Carmel Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Anthony of Padua St. Francis of Assisi St. Joseph-St. Therese St. Mary Sacred Heart St. Mary St. Julie Billiart St. Nicholas of Myra Immaculate Conception St. Elizabeth Seton St. Mary Our Lady of the Assumption St. John the Evangelist St. Peter the Apostle St. Ann Our Lady of Mount Carmel Our Lady Queen of Martyrs St. John of God St. Patrick St. Thomas More St. Theresa of the Child Jesus St. Mary Holy Cross St. Pius X St. Dominic St. Francis of Assisi St. Louis de France Annunciation of the Lord St. Andrew the Apostle St. Anthony St. Jude the Apostle St. Mary St. Patrick Our Lady of Lourdes Holy Trinity Our Lady of Grace St. George St. John the Baptist

Acushnet Assonet Attleboro Attleboro Attleboro Falls Brewster Buzzards Bay Centerville Chatham East Falmouth East Freetown East Sandwich East Taunton Fairhaven Fairhaven Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Falmouth Hyannis Mansfield Marion Martha’s Vineyard Mashpee Mattapoisett Nantucket New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford North Attleboro North Attleboro North Dartmouth North Dighton North Easton North Falmouth Norton Osterville Pocasset Provincetown Raynham Seekonk Seekonk Somerset Somerset Somerset South Attleboro South Dartmouth South Easton South Yarmouth Swansea Swansea Swansea Taunton Taunton Taunton Taunton Taunton Wareham Wellfleet West Harwich Westport Westport Westport

New Bedford Fall River Attleboro Attleboro Attleboro Cape Cod Cape Cod Cape Cod Cape Cod Cape Cod New Bedford Cape Cod Taunton New Bedford New Bedford Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Fall River Cape Cod Cape Cod Attleboro New Bedford Cape Cod Cape Cod New Bedford Cape Cod New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford New Bedford Attleboro Attleboro New Bedford Taunton Taunton Cape Cod Attleboro Cape Cod Cape Cod Cape Cod Taunton Attleboro Attleboro Fall River Fall River Fall River Attleboro New Bedford Taunton Cape Cod Fall River Fall River Fall River Taunton Taunton Taunton Taunton Taunton New Bedford Cape Cod Cape Cod Fall River Fall River Fall River

45th Marian Medals ceremony is Sunday continued from page one

vice at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

The tradition of recognizing lay men and lay women for their outstanding volunteer efforts to the local Church was established in the Fall River Diocese

by Bishop James L. Connolly and the awards were presented by him for the first time in 1968.

A parishioner at Our Lady of Fatima for more than 40 years, Rousseau said she suspected something was up when her pastor, Father Marc Bergeron, asked her one Saturday before Mass if she had gotten her mail that day.

“I told him, no, that it doesn’t come in until about 5:30 p.m. — I get it very late. I asked him why and he said: ‘Just asking.’ When I finally got my mail I understood why,” she said, laughing.

Among her many parish activities, Rousseau has served as the long-time church organist, has been active with the Ladies’ Guild, has taught Faith Formation classes, and has also served as a lector at daily Masses.

“I’ve been the parish organist forever — I don’t really know how long,” she said. “I also played the organ at Cathedral Camp; I’ve always been involved with music ministry.”

Admitting that she was surprised to be singled out for her efforts, Rousseau said her many parish activities have been very fulfilling.

“You don’t need to be congratulated every time you do something, for me it’s just rewarding to go to Mass on Saturday, to go up to the choir loft and be there with the choir,” she said. “It just makes you feel good.”

For Mark W. Orzeck, this year’s recipient from St. John the Baptist Parish in Westport, being involved in various parish activities are rewards unto themselves.

“I think the more you give, the more you receive,” Orzeck said.

“I like working on the parish fair and I like working with the kids in (Faith Formation) classes. It’s been a great experience and we’re like one big, happy family.”

Noting that his parish is blessed with many great volunteers, young and old alike, Orzeck said he was pleasantly surprised to be honored with the Marian Medal this year.

“I was shocked when I received the letter, but I felt honored,” he said. “They did a good job of keeping it a secret.”

In addition to teaching grade 10 Faith Formation classes and working on the parish fair committee, Orzeck also assists with preparing Confirmation candidates by providing music for

their weekend retreats, serves as a lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, is a member of the parish council, and is responsible for designing and maintaining the St. John the Baptist Parish website.

“When you get involved, it gives you a chance to meet other folks that you wouldn’t otherwise meet, because people tend to sit in the same pews (at Masses) and this gives you a chance to meet the rest of the parishioners,” Orzeck said of his many activities.

Marilyn E. Lakin, Orzeck’s fellow Marian Medal recipient from St. Margaret’s Parish in Buzzards Bay, also felt it was important to get more parishioners involved in parish activities.

“I try to invite people to the different things we have at church, besides just going to Masses on Saturday and Sunday,” Lakin said. “When I first joined the Women’s Guild, I was a young mother and they had the meetings at night. I was encouraged by the pastor back then to join and to bring some young friends with me, and that’s what we did.”

For more than 50 years now, Lakin has been involved with everything from the parish St. Vincent de Paul Society, to her current position as president of the St. Margaret’s/St. Mary’s Women’s Guild, to serving as extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and lector at weekend Masses.

“I’ve been involved in quite a bit over the last 58 years,” Lakin said. “They joke and call me the perpetual leader, because if somebody doesn’t show up I step right in. I’ve been doing that for quite a while.”

Lakin’s favorite ministry is visiting homebound parishioners to deliver Holy Communion.

“To tell you the truth, being a Eucharistic minister and taking Holy Communion to the homebound is my favorite ministry,” she said. “I visit them every week.

Outside of the women’s guild, it’s my favorite thing.”

Lakin said she was surprised but “very pleased” when she received the letter announcing her as this year’s Marian Medal recipient for her parish, since her current pastor, Father Bruce Czapla, OFM, was only just assigned there in September.

“I’m shocked he nominated me,” she said. “But I saw him last week and thanked him.”

When John J. Kourtz, this year’s Marian Medal honoree Continued on page 15

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November 22, 2013 program every year.

“I think there was only one from St. Ann’s Parish in Raynyear where we didn’t have anyone ham, received his notice in the mail, he immediately called his in the program,” she said. “We pastor, Father John Murray, to had four this year, we had four or tell him he had made a mistake. five last year and the year before “It was a shock, I couldn’t be- we had 10.”

Having worked as a teacher lieve it,” Kourtz said, laughing. “I told Father Murray that I don’t for 35 years and having begun think I was deserving of it since with the parish Faith Formation there are so many other people program, Hall found it easy to in the parish who do more than transition into the RCIA role.

“I taught Religious Education I do. But he said: ‘Well, we’re fortunate in our parish that we have at the parish when my children so many good people but you were going through (it),” she said. stood out this year, so you get it.’ “I wanted to make sure they were learning everything with regards It’s a nice honor.”

Kourtz remains active with to the faith. By the time they the parish Knights of Columbus hit seventh and eighth grade, I council, is a member of the St. thought I might get involved Vincent de Paul Society, assists with educating the adults.”

Kourtz, who said he’s always as an altar server during weekday Masses and funerals, pitches in as had a love for the Church and an usher and collector at week- that he has become more inend Masses, has been involved volved since his wife passed away, with the parish Boy Scout Troop, said he anticipates his three sons and also serves as chaperone for and daughter to be at the certhe ninth-grade Faith Formation emony on Sunday.

Hall, who has been married retreats.

“I don’t think of it as doing a for 42 years, said one of her two lot, because it’s so spread out,” he sons will be celebrating his birthsaid. “In my younger years when day on Sunday, so there will be I was raising a family, I couldn’t two reasons to celebrate. “I exdo as much as I wanted to do. So pect they’ll all be with me for the I guess I’m making up for it now. ceremony,” she said.

Orzeck, who married his It keeps me young.”

Like the rest of her fellow high school sweetheart, Susan, nominees, Arlene F. Hall of St. said she will be there along with Mary’s Parish in North Attle- their two daughters, Heather and boro expressed shock and sur- Ashley.

And Lakin has invited not prise when she was notified of only her children, grandchildren the Marian Medal honor this and great-grandchildren, but also year.

“I had no idea and never saw “some of the parishioners who I it coming,” Hall said. “I saw our work with on different things” pastor, Father David Costa, on to the ceremony Sunday at St. the Sunday after I received the Mary’s Cathedral.

Rousseau said she’s looking letter, and I told him that I got a surprise letter in the mail. He forward to receiving the Marstarted laughing. He was glad I ian Medal Sunday with many of her family members present; and finally got it.”

As a parishioner at the North given her father’s previous honor, Attleboro parish for 35 years, she also wondered if there might Hall has been an extraordinary be another Marian Medal recipiminister of Holy Communion, ent in her family’s future.

“I have a sister who lives in she’s helped coordinate First Friday adoration, she sings with Florida and she has four children the choir for special celebrations, as well and she said to me: ‘Since she has taught Faith Formation this seems to be a generational classes, and she currently serves thing, who do you think will be as coordinator for the parish Rite the next one to receive it?’”

This year’s Marian Medal of Christian Initiation for Adults recipients will join more than program.

“I’ve been doing the RCIA 3,200 dedicated representatives program for about 12 years now,” of a variety of parish agencies she said. “I have to say it’s the and ministries who have been most rewarding ministry I’m in- nominated by their pastors for volved with. When these people the honor since 1968.

The sterling silver emblem come, they want to be there and they want to learn about the is embossed with the image of faith. You don’t walk in week af- the Miraculous Medal of Mary ter week and wonder if they want on one side with the inscription “O Mary, conceived without sin, to be there, because they do.”

Hall said her parish has been pray for us who have recourse to blessed over the last 12 years by thee.” On the reverse side of the having an average of three or four medal is the Fall River Diocese’s candidates go through the RCIA coat-of-arms.

Continued from page 14

Local anti-casino votes impact petition to overturn casino law continued from page one

this, but when good people get out on the right side of things, then you can move mountains.”

At press time, polls were still open for another local vote in Milford and petition supporters were still gathering signatures. Organizers needed to collect at least 68,911 voter signatures between September 18 and November 20. Ribeiro stated that he was confident that the campaign would collect more than the required number of signatures.

The next hurdle will be in the courts. Attorney General Martha Coakley rejected the petition as unconstitutional.

The Supreme Judicial Court issued an injunction on September 13 that allowed the signature drive to continue.

The court’s ruling will be issued if enough signatures are certified by the attorney general.

Ribeiro said the law is on his side. He called overturning the casino law of “critical importance” for the character of Massachusetts and said its residents need to have their say. If

successful, the drive would put the question to voters on 2014 state ballots.

Supporters of expanding gambling in the Bay State claim casinos will create thousands of jobs and bring in hundreds of millions of new tax dollars. The law appropriates 25 percent of casino revenue and 40 percent of slots revenue to go back to the state and local communities. Each casino license bid starts at $85 million.

Father Thomas Domurat, pastor at Most Holy Redeemer Parish in East Boston, said that casinos would heighten rather than lessen economic woes.

On October 20, he participated in an inter-faith rally, held at his parish and sponsored by the anti-casino group Friends of East Boston. In a press release issued by the group, Father Domurat said, “I realize that we live in difficult economic times, but that is no reason for our great Commonwealth to resort to inviting into our midst a business that will inevitably cause more human suffering.”

As a group, the religious

leaders stated that a casino would increase crime, addiction, pollution and bankruptcy rates. They also argued that a casino at Suffolk Downs would stifle small businesses and would most likely take more jobs from East Boston than it would ever provide. “God has something better for this town than a casino,” they said.

Ribeiro praised religious leaders, particularly those in East Boston, for speaking boldly against expanded gaming. When small businesses and other organizations were afraid to speak out against the powerful casino lobby, faith communities did not back down.

“They all spoke with one voice against the casino,” he said. “The faith groups stood up against this and were instrumental in defeating the casino.”

He urged more people who oppose casinos to lend a hand. He suggested that concerned citizens visit Repeal the Casino Deal’s website, www.repealthecasinodeal.org, for ideas on how they can get involved.

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Youth Pages

With the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons right around the corner, area food pantries are preparing for what is expected to be one of the most challenging and demanding times of the year. St. Joseph School in Fairhaven recently managed a food drive and collected boxes of canned goods and other nonperishable food items. Students from eighth grade recently spent a day delivering and helping sort and bag items at the Murphy and Others Living Interdependently for Future Endeavors in New Bedford, founded by Charlie Murphy, offering assistance to people with disabilities. The organization offers support through employment, independent living, education, and community and social interactions. The pantry, founded in 2000, was thrilled to see young people wanting to help out and make a difference. For more information on making a contribution or volunteering, call 508-992-5978, or, visit the M.O. Life website or Facebook page for M.O. Food Pantry.

November 22, 2013

Pre-kindergarten students at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton recently learned about fire safety from Firefighter Larry.

At St. Pius X School in South Yarmouth, third-grade students in Nick Corsi’s physical education class participated in the World Speed Stacking Day. On November 14, more than 500,000 people participated in speed stacking events simultaneously, attempting to set a “Guinness Book” world record.

As part of a cooking lesson party from the St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro dinner auction, various students from grades three through five took part in a Spanish fiesta recently.

The students made placemats, decorated the cafeteria, danced to the Mexican Hat Dance and made tacos and rice. Their parents joined them for dinner. The cooking lesson was made possible by Sister Mary Dumond, Diane Blaha and Sister Mary Jane Holden. Front, from left: Emma Blazejewski, Julia Listro, Bridget Sutula, Victoria Petrillo, and Summer Pereira. Back: Matthew Corso, Seamus Sutula, Sister Mary Jane, Nolan Duffy, Ryan Sullivan, Olivia Sirard, and Sarah Ribeiro.

Students in first grade at St. James-St. John School in New Bedford recently celebrated Johnny Appleseed Day.

The fourth-grade students at Holy Trinity School in Fall River are involved in the investigation of crayfish that provides the students with an in-depth experience with a living organism. Students are studying the physical characteristics of a crayfish, describing a number of behaviors, and learning a lot by spending time with the crayfish.

November 22, 2013

I

t took a lot of courage and sacrifice to move a large family to a foreign country. The fear of the unknown and expected uncertainties must have weighed heavily on my father’s mind. Yet, in faith, he brought my mom and five children (all under eight years of age, the youngest being only two months) to America. Forty-four years later, and three more children in the family, I realized as I sat in the hospital room waiting for my father to awaken from his surgery that it was his undying faith, more so than his courage and sacrifice, which compelled him to give his family a chance at a new beginning. I am ever so grateful, for his faith has been rewarded.

I truly believe that complaining gets you nowhere.

Looking for sympathy is not the answer. Carrying a frown on your face is not the attitude of a good Christian.

What message are you sending

Youth Pages The old little book of prayers

All of this was going to others? Pope Francis has spoken on this earlier this year through my mind while I was saying, “When Christians have in my dad’s hospital room. I could not recall a time during more of a sourpuss than a face these last four decades when that communicates the joy of being loved by God, they harm my father lacked this joy that Pope Francis speaks of. Sure, the witness of the Church.”

This phrase translates literally as “the face of a pickled pepper,” says Pope Francis.

The Holy Father went on to say, “The Christian is a man or woman of joy. While

By Ozzie Pacheco happiness is a good thing, it’s not the same as the profound joy he had his trials and tribulathat comes from the certainty tions, being out of work, 10 that Jesus is with us and with mouths to feed, 10 people to the Father. If one tries to be clothe, bills to pay, a house to happy all the time, that hapkeep up, sacrificing everything piness ends up transforming itself into lightness, superficial- so that his children could go ity and leads to a state of lack- to school, and then experiencing the sadness of his eldest ing Christian wisdom; it can daughter succumbing to a sickmake us fools, dupes, no? Joy ness that would eventually take is something else. Joy is a gift her life. Not once could I recall from the Lord. It fills us from my dad complaining or wearthe inside.” ing a “sourpuss.” He’s always lived in the joy of the Lord.

“How could this be?” I asked myself. And then I noticed his old little book of prayers on the table near his bed.

I always noticed that book of prayers by his side or on his

Be Not Afraid

person no matter where he was. But, I really never paid much attention to it until this day in the hospital. I picked it up. It was old, very old. It had more clear tape on it, holding the worn and torn pages together, than paper itself. Inserted in almost every page was a prayer card (and these were just as worn). One could only conclude that this old little book of prayers was read every day.

As I opened my dad’s prayer book, I found myself looking at a prayer card. It’s the “Be At Peace” prayer by St. Francis De Sales: “Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life; rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, Whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it God will carry you in His arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow, the same understanding Father Who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace, and put aside all

17 anxious thoughts and imaginations.”

Then, and only then, did I come to fully understand my father’s joy and strength.

You see, he’s been hospitalized eight times this year. Not once have I heard him complain. Now I understand the meaning of that “Be At Peace” prayer — my father lives it because he prays it. Just moments after reading that prayer, my dad awoke. I was filled with joy to see him healthier and stronger, and finally, back at home.

If I am blessed to inherit my father’s old little book of prayers, I shall treasure it all the days of my life because it has taught me that sickness and suffering can draw you closer to God and fill you with an everlasting joy.

Next time you ask God to spare you pain, be open to His reply, “No! Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to Me.” Give your dad, and your mom, a hug today. Tell them that their courage, sacrifice and faith has brought you joy in the Lord. Be at peace! God bless!

Anchor columnist Ozzie Pacheco is Faith Formation director at Santo Christo Parish, Fall River.

College students say Mass unites them ‘in prayer’ with typhoon victims

The students, faculty, staff and director of Holy Name School in Fall River recently celebrated Red Sox Day by dressing in the team’s attire or red, white, and/or blue clothing. Here Father Jay Maddock gathered with representatives of the faculty, staff and students from each class, pre-kindergarten through grade eight.

Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth announced that three seniors have been commended in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program, from left: Lorenzo Dube, Alexander Pacheco, and Regina Kaplan. Commended students from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation place among the top five percent of the more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2014 competition by taking the 2012 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Students at The Catholic University of America in Washington recently gathered to offer prayers and encourage donations to assist in relief efforts in typhoon-stricken central Philippines.

The Filipino Organization of Catholic University Students, known as FOCUS, sponsored the Mass and recitation of the Rosary “as a spiritual offering to the Philippines,” said one member of the group.

“We are united with (the people of the Philippines) in prayer,” said Angelica Sison, a junior theology major. “This Mass is of utmost importance because of the distance between us and the Philippines. We can’t be there physically, but the Eucharist unites us to them.”

Sison said the goal of the Mass was to “offer consolation and direction” to students and others who seek to aid in relief efforts.

“Many of our (FOCUS) members have family in the Philippines and some live in areas that were affected by the storm,” said

Ashley Ahlfeld, a senior education major who is president of student group. “The Philippine culture is very family oriented: ‘your family is my family.’”

She added that “we may not live there, but it only felt right to try to help.”

Andre de la Paz, vice president of the Filipino student group and a junior nursing major, said the majority of his family still lives in the Philippines and about a quarter of them have been affected by the typhoon.

“I’ve heard from one relative there,” de la Paz said. “They have nothing. There is no food. There is no water. There is no place to put the dead bodies. My heart sank when I heard that. I am really at a loss for words.”

About 100 people attended the Catholic University Mass to pray that God would “look with compassion on the people of the Philippines and lighten their burden,” said Franciscan Father Justin Ross, campus minister and celebrant of the Mass.

“Jesus offers two concrete things: He offers consolation.

He offers compassion,” the priest said. “We can offer our words and prayers of consolation and we can offer our acts of charity and compassion.”

FOCUS plans to host a number of bake sales and send the proceeds to the Philippine Red Cross. Another group member, Jackie Ecle, a junior general-choral music education major, will perform a recital to benefit typhoon victims. Donations at the concert will be sent to Catholic Relief Services for its Philippine relief efforts.

John Garvey, university president, attended the Mass and told those gathered that the university community “joins the whole Church in praying for those who have lost their lives.” He also reminded students and others that “we should be thankful for the blessings we have in our own lives.”

“The Filipino spirit is very strong. No matter what happens we come together as a community to pull each other back up,” Ahlfeld said. “We are grateful for the support coming from the CUA community.”

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November 22, 2013

Pope prescribes daily Rosary for what ails you

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis admitted he wasn’t a pharmacist, but he didn’t hesitate being the spokesman for the heart-healthy benefits of 59 little pills strung together: the Rosary.

“I want to recommend some medicine for all of you,” the pope said at the end of a recent Sunday Angelus address. “It’s a spiritual medicine.”

Holding up a white medicine box with an anatomical drawing of the human heart

on it, Pope Francis told some 80,000 people gathered for the midday prayer that the boxes contained a Rosary.

“Don’t forget to take it,” he said. “It’s good for your heart, for your soul, for your whole life.”

Praying the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet will help people reap the fruits of the Year of Faith, he said, because they are “a spiritual aid for our soul and for spreading love, forgiveness and brotherhood to everyone.”

Around the Diocese A Christmas Fair will be held at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Quaker Road in North Falmouth tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring coffee and donuts at 8:30, luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., serving lobster rolls, clam chowder, turkey salad sandwiches and more. Visit the Country Store featuring Christmas decorations including dried flower arrangements and wreaths, antiques and collectibles, jewelry, handmade items including beautiful knitwear, baked goods, books and raffles with many prizes including a trip to Bermuda leaving from Boston.

On Sunday St. Anthony of the Desert Parish, 300 North Eastern Avenue in Fall River, will host its annual Food Faire and Bazaar at the parish center. Come and enjoy homemade Lebanese foods and pastries and do some holiday shopping with local crafters who will bring their creative abilities and beautiful gift ideas. You can also take a chance on some beautiful gift baskets. There is no admission fee and everyone is welcome.

Our Lady of Grace Parish, 569 Sanford Road in Westport, will host its 27th annual Christmas Bazaar on November 30 and December 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. The event will feature a winner-everytime table, elf’s pot of gold, u-pic-um table, children’s craft table, and big money raffle. There will be more than 30 craft tables and the kitchen will be open both days, with pictures with Santa from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday. Christmas music will also be performed by Pat Cordeiro and Judy Souza from noon to 2 p.m. with the Children’s Christmas Choir. For more information call 508-672-6900.

Sung Vespers will be held every Sunday in Advent (December 1, 8, 15 and 22) at 7 p.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, 945 Main Road in Westport. All are welcome.

The Fall River Area Men’s First Friday Club will meet December 6 at the Chapel of St. Mary’s Cathedral, 327 Second Street in Fall River. Following the 6 p.m. Mass celebrated by Father Karl Bissinger, there will be a hot meal catered by White’s of Westport in the school hall across the street. The club will celebrate the priesthood with priests as its guests this evening.

Priests who have not yet registered to attend are requested to contact Daryl Gonyon at 508-672-4822, or email rosorg@aol.com. The Mass is open to the public. The Celebration of Priesthood meal is only for members and their guests and registered priests. Call Norman Valiquette at 508-672-8174 for more information.

The Catholic Women’s Club of Christ the King Parish, Jobs Fishing Road in Mashpee, will sponsor its Annual Christmas Fair on December 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parish center. Featured will be a variety of crafters selling handmade items including old-world Santas, nautical jewelry, knitted hats and scarves, homemade chocolates and treats, and much more. There will also be original hand-crafted Christmas wreaths and seasonal arrangements, gift and cash raffles, boutique gift items, hostess baskets, baked goods and a children’s shopping room with face painting and games. Hungry shoppers can relax over lunch at the Holly Café.

A Catholic women’s retreat day entitled “Seeking the Hope of Trusting in God” with Catholic author and speaker Allison Gingras will be held December 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Holy Cross Family Ministries, 518 Washington Street in Easton. For more information or to register visit www.

ReconciledToYou.com.

Volunteers, led by Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, director of papal charities, gave away about 20,000 boxes containing a Rosary, a Divine Mercy holy card and a medical-style instruction sheet.

In addition to describing how to pray the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a devotion begun by St. Faustina Kowalska, the information sheet states categorically that no negative side effects have been reported.

The sheet recommends daily use of the beads for adults and children, but adds that it can be repeated as often as necessary.

It also notes that receiving the Sacraments increases the efficacy of the prescription and that further information and assistance can be received from any priest.

The Swiss Guards, their family members and the Albertine Sisters who work in their barracks spent weeks in October, the month of the Rosary, preparing the boxes and inserting instructions in Italian, French, English or Polish. Archbishop Krajewski got the idea from Archbishop Slawoj Glodz of Gdansk, Poland; a seminarian in Gdansk had made similar boxes for youths attending a retreat.

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Nov. 23 Rev. James E. Smith, Retired Chaplain, Bethlehem Home, Taunton, 1962 Rev. Msgr. Christopher L. Broderick, Retired Founder, St. Pius X, South Yarmouth, 1984 Nov. 24 Msgr. Daniel F. Shalloo, Retired Pastor, Holy Name, Fall River, 1991 Nov. 25 Rev. Philias Jalbert, Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1946 Rev. Dennis Spykers, SS.CC. Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Wellfleet, 1971 Nov. 26 Rev. James R. Burns, P.R., Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1945 Rev. Charles Porada, OFM Conv., 2000 Nov. 27 Rt. Rev. Patrick E. McGee, Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1948 Nov. 28 Rev. Adrien A. Gauthier, Pastor, St. Roch, Fall River, 1959 Nov. 29 Rev. Thomas H. Shahan, Former Pastor, St. Mary,Taunton, 1902 Rev. Francis A. McCarthy, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1965

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday and Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel at Holy Ghost Church, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m.

Mass.

East Freetown — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich.

Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at noon. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

Fall River — Espirito Santo Parish, 311 Alden Street, Fall River. Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the chapel.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday, following the 9 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 4:30 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m.

Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m., and Confessions offered during the evening. Please use the side entrance.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel every Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

Taunton — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction.

Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Expostition begins following the 8 a.m.

Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church begins each Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. and ends on Friday night at midnight. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes. All from other parishes are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

19

November 22, 2013

‘We loved them in life. We remember them in death’ Annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection is December 7-8

At right, Sisters of Mercy and Associates recently gathered at St. Patrick’s and St. Mary’s diocesan cemeteries to memorialize the deceased members upon whose shoulders they now stand in Mercy ministry. They celebrated the lives of beloved community members in prayer, song, and a memorial grave-side presentation.

Above left and right are some of the 200 Sisters who gathered at a community memorial Liturgy.

These women who minister, and have ministered in the Diocese of Fall River, along with their religious Brothers and Sisters are grateful to the faithful of this diocese for their annual gift-giving in support of the Retirement Fund for Religious.

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@anchornews.org

The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held December 7-8 in Catholic parishes across the nation. Now in its 26th year, the collection is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office and benefits more than 34,000 senior Catholic Sisters, Brothers and religious order priests.

The rising cost of care compounds funding difficulties. Last year, the average annual cost of care for senior religious was more than $38,000 per person, while skilled care averaged more than $57,000. The cost of care for senior women and men religious was more than $1.1 billion in 2012.

The number of religious needing care is on the rise. In 2012, 61 percent of the religious communities providing data to the NRRO had a median age of 75 or older. Accompanying the higher median age is a decrease in the number of religious able to serve in compensated ministry.

Diocesan religious ask area faithful to remember once again through their parish contribution to the National Collection for all Religious priests, Brothers and Sisters. The consecrated religious have given a lifetime to the Church and to the diocese. They have always held their benefactors in daily prayer and are deeply grateful for the gift of sharing in their care.

20

November 22, 2013

Faith Formation convention offers attendees ‘joy and hope’ continued from page one

Apostolate of the Laity).

Father Ciorra stressed certain passages from “Gaudium et Spes,” including the dignity of the human person; “Humankind is not mistaken in recognizing its superiority over bodily things and in considering itself not just as a particle of nature or an impersonal element of human society. By its in-

terior life it far exceeds the totality of things, and it experiences this deep interiority when it enters into the heart where God, the Searcher of hearts, is waiting and where it decides its own destiny in the sight of God.” The council also brought up the laity’s role in the Church, calling on the laity to take on a more promi-

nent role and to bring forth the message of Christ; “Here is the key point: the laity derive their right and duty to work in this apostolate directly from Christ Himself, not from the Church or its clergy” reads the decree. “Through Baptism and Confirmation; lay people receive the Holy Spirit and are consecrated into that royal priesthood, that holy people, which is Christ’s own.”

The Church has become even more aware of the role the laity have in Church, said Father Ciorra, made even more apparent in the change from “apostolate” to “ministry.”

The council made a conscious decision to change its wording, said Father Ciorra, to be more pastoral, making “Gaudium et Spes” a “way of living.”

It has been 50 years since Vatican II, and 50 years is nothing in “Church time; we haven’t even begun, but “times have changed; you are our hope,” said Father Ciorra, addressing the audience.

And just as the council changed its language to a more pastoral focus, to bring the Gospel to the people, Pope Francis is living out the words of the council; “We have a pope energized by the Second Vatican Council” who is showing his love of the people and bringing them to Christ, said Father Ciorra.

“We thank God for the council,” said Father Ciorra. “The council was the work of God.” The convention marked its second year of bringing in Spanish-speaking workshops to cater to the Hispanic faithful in the diocese, and Father German Correa was on hand as one of presenters for “Family: Domestic Church.”

As translated through Father Karl Bissinger, secretary to Bishop Coleman and director of vocations for the Fall River Diocese, Father Correa said that the family is a very important aspect of the Catholic faith and to have “children raised in the faith in the context of the family,” he said.

A challenge for Father Correa is to appeal to the many cultures and different countries in the diocese’s Hispanic community; “Even though they’re from different cultures and different countries, they’re all together” at the convention, said Father Correa.

Father Bissinger helped clarify Father Correa’s comments by adding his own personal thoughts; “I think what happens is that, as Americans, we think that everyone who speaks Spanish, they’re all the same but they’re really not,” said Father Bissinger.

“They each have their own distinct cultures and distinct countries that they come from, and they have subtle differences and different ways of celebrating. So one of the challenges Father German has is to unite all those different cultures. They do share the same language and faith but it’s still a challenge to make them feel as one under the Church that Christ founded.”

A way to bring the diverse cultures together is to emulate the current pope, said Father Correa, of his idea “that the priest be open” and “just like what Pope Francis is doing — he descends and goes down to the people to make them feel like he is part of the family as well.”

“I think the personal approach is the best,” he added.

“It’s the most important part of getting them to participate, to get them close to the Eucharist.”