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Memoirs from the 'Peanut' gallery This weekend is 20th annual appeal by the National Religious Retirement Office. When this weekend rolls around each year, I can't help but think back to my days at St. Anne's School in Fall River. For nine enjoyable years, I was in the company of the good Dominican Sisters there, and I loved mostly every minute of it. A plethora of fond memories center around the Advent and Christmas seasons there. The Sisters always knew the reason for the season, and they joyfully shared it with their students. Christmas pageants, plays and activities abounded. One particular Christmas stands
out, when I was in fifth, sixth or seventh grade. I'm not exactly sure. Whatever year it was, our class opted to perform "A Charlie Brown Christmas," which had originally aired a year or two prior, in 1965. The class was psyched to act out something other than a Nativity sce~e. Not because we were tired of that, but I think we wanted to expand our acting horizons. More than anything in the world I was hoping for the part of Snoopy. I guess even back then I had an affinity for canines. I felt I did the best Snoopy imitation in the schooL "Blaaaaaaahhhh." I had it down pat. I was the top dog. But, the best laid plans of mice and dogs .... The part of Snoopy went to someone else. I was cast as Linus, and I don't think it was because they had faith in my acting abilities. It was more along the lines of my being the smallest boy in the class - this was in the days before Linus' little brother Rerun. When I learned I was playing Linus, I looked at the Sister with
my head slightly tilted (ala Snoopy, or Igor for that matter). "What?" Not only was I not playing Snoopy, I had a part with tons of lines ... and a show-stopping monologue reciting Luke 2:8-14. That's show biz., We had a ball rehearsing and preparing for our big production. Actually two big productions: one for classmates, and one for Dominican Father Rene Patenaude. We all loved Fa.ther pat. Show time - we were doing great. Then came my big moment. I placed my blanket on my head and secured it with an elastic - to get the look of a shepherd. Under the spotlight, I launched into the monologue. I if nailed it. It was as if there was a direct line from St. Luke's quill to my lips. Next up, the Father Pat performance. We were doing great. Then came my big moment. Adorned in my blanket and elastic I launched into my monologue. I choked. I sounded more like one of my bleating sheep than a Gospel proclaimer. No Tony Award for me. Snoopy was a hit though. Looking back on my brief stint as Linus, the monologue was only seven lines. Back then it seemed like the whole New Testament ... and part of the Old. Father Pat loved it none the less, as did our wonderful Sisters. I was in one more Christmas play. I played the part of Joseph. No lines to memorize, or flub. I just had to stapd there looking chic, or sheik-like; Despite my thespian meltdown, I stilllov~ the memories at good old St. Anne's - particularly the Sisters and priests. Remember them at Mass this weekend when the basket is passed. Meanwhile, if anyone needs an actor to play Snoopy, I'm still available ... and quite good. Listen: "Blaaaaaahhhhhh."
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7, 2007
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Kim Lisbon's talents realized 'in successful ministry to youth By BRIAN KENNEDY ANCHOR STAFF
for every Catholic student who wants to grow in the faith. "We want to offer them a place they can get ATTLEBORO - Kim Lisbon has always enjoyed good, solid Catholic teaching, form friendships, have, being a teacher. But she never imagined that with a fellowship, and ask questions, especially for those little business expertise she would one day leverage kids who don't have reinforcement at their home her classroom skills to bring new faith insights parishes," Lisbon asserted. and highly attractive and popular programs for young "It's a gre,at way to enable kids to experience people - to literally thousands who gather at the the Lord and get excited about the faith," the enerNational Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. getic Lisbon added. "I always wanted to be a teacher," said Lisbon, She said she strives to choose keynoters for who looks much younger than her 51 years. Steubenville East and Extreme East from among the "I taught at Bishop McVinney Elementary School most prominent names in youth ministry. in Providence, R.I. for "We select those we two years, and then went think are the best to speak into business. But I to our young people; missed working with the those who teach the faith kids. Now I get to use my without talking down to teaching and business the kids" she noted. skills to help La Salette's At Extreme East, MarYouth Ministry," Lisbon, tin Doman gave the Oca parishioner at St. tober 5 presentation. He Brendan's Parish in is a well-known recordBellingham, and music ing artist and founder of director for its Lifeteen Christ Music, a not-forprogram, told The Anprofit Catholic music chor. company. Bob Rice was Lisbon and her husfeatured at the November band of 21 years, Arthur, 2, event. He's an author, reside in Franklin, Mass. musician, and full-time Her varied program faculty at the Franciscan responsibilities at the University of popular Shrine take her Steubenville in Ohio. in two directions. Tonight's event at As coordinator for the Bishop Feehan High Kim School in Attleboro will Steubenville East Con- ANCHOR PERSON OF THE WEEK ference - held under a Lisbon. (Photo by Brian Kennedy) feature Sean Forrest, the large tent erected on the founder of the Movin' Shrine property - she plans and directs 300 volun- with the Spirit ministry and a former club entertainer, teers who serve 5,000 students each summer at the who turned his talents for selling spirits to a minisShrine. try for lifting spirits. And, as coordinator for the monthly follow-up Lisbon faces several challenges in expanding the called Extreme East, she schedules and plans events youth ministry. She said the New England region for hundreds of eager teens and young adults. lacks a strong youth ministry and has no dedicated What has been described as "great events" by the youth offices at the parish level. attendees, they include music, fellowship, and hearShe noted ironically that the success of Extreme ing about Christ's teachings, eucharistic adoration and East is indicative of this and other problems. the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation. "Bringing in 500 people is unheard of in youth Lisbon moved into the post last January and C!ver- ministry. It's like'a miracle," she explained. Another saw her first Steubenville conference at the Shrine issue is consistency. in July. "Steubenville East was held annually but there As the person in charge of the conference, Lisbon was no follow-up. People told us if there was a foland her group of volunteers oversee and attend to low-up they would come. To get through the hard all the advertising, security, priests, speakers, and times, I look at the photos and comments from the catering that goes into the annual conferences at two kids. We know what we do has a big impact," she weekends in July. said. Scheduling keynote speakers and entertainers is She emphasized that there is nothing more ima busy enterprise. Developing the spiritual format is portant than passing on the faith to the children in another. ''To offer the sacrament of penance requires parishes. recruiting priests," said Lisbon. "Steubenville East and Extreme East enable us "We need approximately 30 priests for the con- to come together as the Body of Christ; to explore ference. Most of them come through invitation and the sacraments; to give the opportunity for reconthey bring their parish youth groups. Some priests ciliation; to learn about the faith; encourage one concelebrate a Mass. They're a great witness for the another; and help one another," Lisbon said, noting love of the Church," Lisbon said. the success of the programs. One of the many reasons people flock from all Missionary of La Salette Brother Bob Russell, over New England and even as far away as Canada director of the National Shrine of Our Lady of La to attend Steubenville East is that it is the only re- Salette, praised Lisbon for her work. maining conference that still holds the event out"Kim has been a tremendous asset to the Shrine side in a tent. for us," he said. "She is a wonderful person to work Lisbon said, "I compare it to the Mark's Gospel with, and has great ideas that we can implement to when Peter said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good that we better the program." are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one The Anchor encourages readers to nominate othfor Moses, and one for Elijah.''' ersfor the Person ofthe Week - who and why? SubExtreme East is Lisbon's newest endeavor. Initi- mit nominations to: theanchor@anchomews.org, or ated as a follow-up to Steubenville, it is designed write to TheAnchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.