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FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS FALL RIVER, MASS.

VOL. 45, NO. 46 • Friday, November 30, 2001

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

Pope calls for fasting, prayer. By JOHN THAVIS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

and hear words of hope." He cited the thousands of inVATICAN CITY - In re- nocent victims of the September sponse to the growing threat of 11 terrorist attacks in New York global terrorism and other con- and Washington. In an apparent flicts, Pope John Paul II called for reference to the continued milia Church-wide day of fasting in tary campaign in Afghanistan, he December and a prayer gathering said that "innumerable people of Christian and non-Christian have been forced to leave their homes to confront the unknown leaders on January 24 The pope said the interfaith and sometimes to meet a cruel meeting, to take place in the Ital- death," while "women, elderly ian pilgrimage town of Assisi, and children risk dying of cold would allow Christians and Mus- and hunger." The day of fasting falls on a lims to proclaim to the world that religion can never be used to jus- Friday, the Church's traditional day for fasting and abstinence. tify violence. The December 14 day of fast- The pope asked Catholics worlding among Catholics also was to wide to "pray with fervor to God be marked by prayers for peace. that he grant the world a stable The pope suggested that in addi- peace based on justice and help tion to limiting their food and people find adequate solutions to drink on that day, Catholics find the many conflicts that torment ways to transform their sacrifice the world." The pope did not provide deinto a contribution to the victims tails of the January 24 encounter of terrorism and war. The pope said he was con- in Assisi, the central Italian birthvinced that today's worried world place of St. Francis. Vatican offi"needs to see gestures of peace Tum to page 13 - Fast

GATHERED FOR an informal chat at the recent bishops' meeting in Washington, D.C., were, from left: Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin, Archdiocese of Hartford; Cardinal Bernard F. Law, Archdiocese of Boston; Auxiliary Bishop Francis J. Christian, Diocese of Manchester, N.H.; and Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., Diocese of Fall River. (John E. Kearns Jr. photo)

Advent: Confidence in the glory to come By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR

FALL RIVER - Altars without much adornment and vestments of a bluish-violet tint will instantly remind Catholics at Mass this weekend that they have entered into Advent, a period of devout and joyful expectation. "Advent has a two-fold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ's first coming to us is remembered; and as a season when that remembrance directs our mind and heart to await Christ's second coming at the end oftime," the General Norms for the Liturgical Year teach us. The word Advent (from the Latin adventus, or "coming") originally I described the whole mystery of the Incarl nation. The concepI tion of Jesus was an Advent, but so was his birth and what will be his final coming at the end-times. Yet Advent, after the 4th century, was associated with the time glish at 5 p.m., celebrated by of the year now called Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM Christmastime and fiCap. Choirs from throughout the nally with the weeks of diocese will participate. preparation for ChristTtte annual Mass usually has a mas, says Greg Dues in Latin influence, but this year there his "Catholic Customs and will also be a stronger emphasis Traditions." on the immigrants' adoption of the Some Catholics can find Advent a confusing United States as their new patria time. It blends together a penitential spirit someor homeland. The planning what similar to Lent, a liturgical preparation for the committee wanted to do this in second and final coming of Jesus the Christ, call Tum to page J3 - Guadalupe the Parousia, and a joyful theme of getting ready

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Spanish Apostolate prepares Guadalupe celebration TAUNTON - The Hispanic Apostolate of the Diocese of Fall River is preparing for its annual celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This year's celebration will be held at St. Mary's Church on December 8. The church is located on Route 138, just north of downtown Taunton. The celebration will begin with a Mass in Spanish and En-

to celebrate Jesus' birth at Bethlehem two millennia ago. The Order of Prayer also makes it clear that the birth of Christ at Bethlehem "is not an event which can be consigned to the past. The whole of human history in fact stands in reference to him; our own time and the future of the world are illuminated by his presence. He is the "Living One" (Rev 1: 18), "who is, who was, and who is to come" (Rev 1:4). At the same time the secular world adopts these weeks before Christmas as its primary holiday season bombarding the faithful with insistent advertisements and entertainment "and threatening to derail our observance of Advent," says Father Paul Turner, editor of "Sourcebook 2002." But Father Turner quickly and wisely - adds: "A firm grip on the spirituality of the season will keep us focused on hope rather than on credit." Advent will take us through the four Sundays of December 2, 9, 16, and 23. It will seem brief because it ends on a Monday, December 24, which is Christmas Eve. It is different from the Christmas season, which liturgically begins on the evening of December 24 and continues through the Baptism of Our Lord celebrated on Sunday, January 13, 2002. From the first Sunday of Advent until December Tum to page 13 - Advent


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