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VOL. 49, NO. 47 • Friday,Del:ember9,2005

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Pel" Year

Vatican document on homosexuals draws sharp lines

By JOHN THAVIS CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

WATCHING MASS celebrated in Portuguese at churches across the Fall River diocese and some in Rhode Island as presented on Portuguese cable TV on Sunday nights puts the homebound and those in nursing homes and hospitals among the worshipping congregation they miss.

Portuguese cable TV religious programs keep a million in touch

By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR FALL RIVER - Father Gastao A. Oliveira is adamant when it comes to teaching his flock at Santo Christo Parish about faith and morals and how they pertain to living the Christian faith in their daily lives.

As coordinator of Portuguese Communications for the Fall River

diocese since 1994, he's just as million viewers, according to the strong about getting the Gospel latest statistics, and those people message and all it entails to liter- are in communities extending from ally hundreds of thousands of here to Boston and beyond, and people of Portuguese heritage into Rhode Island," he told The across the immediate region of Anchor last week.

Joining Father Oliveira for the Southeastern Massachusetts and interview was Joao Coelho, well Rhode Island.

"The fact is that the Portuguese known to viewers of the programs Turn to page J2 - Portuguese cable TV Channel 20 is reaching a

Marriage Preparation Program' benefits engaged and volunteers

By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

NORTH DARTMOUTH- Volunteers who present the diocesan Marriage Preparation Progranl and the Remarriage Programs are not only helping engaged

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/ KEN AND JEANNINE Pacheco, parishioners of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Westport, have been volunteers in the diocesan Marriage Preparation Program for nearly 20 years. They are coordinators for the New Bedford area.

couples prepare for a lifetime together, but are also rmding their involvement is strengthening their own marriages.

That's just one benefit of being involved according to program co-director Scottie Foley who has been involved with the program with her husband Jeny since they were married.

'We've been working on marriage enrichment for our entire relationship," said Foley. "It has strengthened us tremendously and it's a critical ministry to the future offamilies."

In 2005, nearly 700 couples attended programs in the diocese as they prepared for marriage. There are currently programs in four of the five deaneries. The leanl includes 53 married couples, five priests and three deacons. l1lere is also a Remarriage Preparation Program, for widowed couples or those being remarried following an annulment, and a program for Portuguese-speaking couples.

Some ofthe volunteers, like Deacon David Akin and wife Rosemary, of St. Pius X Parish, South Yarmouth, have given of their time for 20 years and continue to help others because they feel they should give back to the Church. ''It has been a labor of love for us," said Deacon Akin. "The Church needs good advocates for the sacrament of marriage and it's been a wonderful experiTurn to page J2 - Marriage

VATICAN CITY - A longawaited Vatican document drew a sharp line against priestly ordination of homosexuals, but in ilie process raised a series ofdelicate questions for Church leaders and seminary officials.

The nine-page instruction, prepared by the Congregation for Catholic Education, said the Church cannot ordain men who are active homosexuals, who have "deep-seated" homosexual tendencies or who support the "gay culture." Those who have overcome "transitory" homosexual tendencies, however, could be ordained, it said.

The document was officially released by the Vatican Novemoor 29, after years of preparation.

(Full text of the docWllent begins on page three.)

The instruction's bottom line was iliat homosexual men should not be accepted into seminaries or ordained to the priestilOod. In recent weeks, some reports have suggested that the document would allow homosexual men to be ordained, as long as they had remained celibate for at least three years during seminary formation.

But the docunlent does not say that; there is no discussion of "celibacy" of homosexual candidates. What it does say is that fleeting homosexual tendencies experienced in youth should not represent a bar to ordination as long as those tendencies are clearly overcome.

In other words, a candidate would have to mature out of a

homosexual inclination well before ordination. ''nlis part of the text refers to someone who may have had an experience tied to the process of maturing during adolescence. It does not refer to someone who is homosexual and who has refrained from (sexual) acts in a three-year period," said an official ofthe education congregation, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The wording of the text is significant. It presumes iliat homosexuality is not a pernlanent identity but a set of ''tendencies'' or an inclination that can, in fact, be overcome.

But the instruction makes no attempt to derme the difference between "deep-seated" or ''tran-sitoty2tendencies. Nor does it say what criteria would be used to detemline whetller a candidate had overcome such tendencies.

The new instruction does mention the seminarian's spiritual director and confessor as people who should dissuade a homosexual man from pursuing ordination. That presumes, as the docWllent states, that a spiritual director would "make sure that (acandidate) does not present disturbances of a sexual nature, which are incompatible with the priesthood."

One bishop, who advises the Vatican on doctrinal and other issues, said it was clear the Vatican was not taking a"don't ask, don't tell" attitude on homosexuality.

In explaining why homosexuals should not be ordained, the Turn to page three - Document

Friday, December 9, 2005

Mrs. Eglantine H. FoIster FALL RIVER -.- Mrs. Eglantine H. (Allard) FoIster, 98, mother of the late Father John R. FoIster, a Fall River diocesan priest, and also of Mrs. Paul (Denise) Berube, office manager for the Diocesan Tribunal, died November 26 at the Catholic Memorial Home.

She was the wife of the late Joseph John FoIster.

Born in Fall River, the daughter of the late Alfred and Marie (Allard) Allard, she spent her life raising her family.

She was a member of St. Anne's Parish in Fall River and its Senior Citizens, as well as a of the Prayer Group at the Academy Building. She was an avid bingo player and bowler well into her 70s.

Besides her daughter Denise Berube, of Swansea, she leaves

eight other daughters, Jacqueline Beaudoin, Irene Lopes, Theresa St. Laurent, and Ann Marie FoIster, all of Fall River; Lorraine Berube of Grafton, Dolores Gissic of Somerset, Jeanne Pimental of Simi Valley, Calif., Claudette Moran ofBullhead City, Ariz.; two sons, Normand FoIster ofFall River and Richard.

FoIster of Simi Valley, Calif; 33 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; and many nieces· and nephews.

She was also the sister of the late Irene, Claire, Eliodore, Eugene and Roger Allard; and grandmother of the late Peter Gossic III. Her funeral Mass was celebrated November 30 in St. Ann~:s Church, followed by burial in Notre Dame Cemetery.

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PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS, AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA .

On December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my name that I promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces necessaryfor the salvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first Saturday offive consecutive months shall: 1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me companyfor 15 minutes while meditating on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me. "

In a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each to be preceded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

Confessions may be made during 8 days before or after the first Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at either the morning or evening Mass on the first Saturday.

Joint statement from the Pope John Paul II HighSchool Group and the Fall River diocese on Pope John Paul II HighSchool Fund-raising efforts have been highly successful, almost reaching a December 1st goal of $5 million agreed upon by both the Group and the Fall River diocese. .

In light of the fund-raising result and, perhaps more importantly, in light of the desire ofboth the Group and the diocese that the school begin on a ftrm foundation, it is the consensus of representatives of both parties that the high school be opened in September 2007.

This will allow for more time to develop a solid educational program so that the optimal number of students will want to attend. At the same time fund-raising will continue in efforts to reach the project's overall goal of$1O million.

Both the Pope John Paul II High School Group and the Fall River diocese remain committed to the project and look forward to the opening in 2007. An entrance exam is planned for Saturday,

December 2, 2006 at the Pope John Paul High School building.

A principal will be hired for the school in June or July of 2006.

Mr. Frank Ward, a principal contributor thus far, whose early support was crucial in obtaining the building, is in full support of the decision and has reconftrmed his commitment to the success and viability ofthe school.

Bishop George W. Coleman will be touring the school building in early 2006 to review renovation progress and looks forward to its formal dedication after its opening in September 2007.

Realizing that opening a high school would not be an easy task, the high school Group and Bishop Coleman and the diocese are grateful for the hard work and dedication of so many who all share the dream of a Catholic high school on Cape Cod.

Attleboro native' receives permanent status in international secular institute CUMBERLAND,RI. - Bishop Richard 1. Malone of the Diocese ofPortland, was the main celebrant recently at the Marie Joseph Spiritual Center, Maine, for the sixth re-

newal of vows of Christine-Noell Tremblay and her receiving "Stability" within the Secular Institute, the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate. Stability is the act offtnal

incorporation through which the institute officially acknowledges the Oblate's permanent status in the institute.

The Oblate Missionaries ofMary Immaculate, laywomen consecrated to bear witness to the love of Christ in the midst of the world, profess the evangelical counsels ofpoverty, obedience and celibate chastity and live in society integrated among contemporaries within theirprofessional, social and cultural milieus. Tremblay, who professed her fIrst vows in August 2000, was received as a permanent member ofher Institute upon completion ofan eight-year spiritual fonnation program.

Tremblay is a native ofAttleboro, and a 1978 graduate ofCumperland High School. She earned her ~t;,. ~~. ' bachelor's degree in biology/pre,: med in 1982 at Wheaton College in . _:i • Norton. She continued her educa~, . r1 tion through the Diocese of ProviBISHOP RICHARD J. Malone, ofthe Diocese of Portland, dence Ministry Institute Program meets with Christine-Noell Tremblay on the occasion of her andProvidenceCollege,receivinga sixth renewal of vows and Stability in the Secular. Institute, certiftcation in ministry in 1992. the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate. . Tremblay continued to pursue her vocation to consecrated life entering the Oblate Missionaries ofMary Immaculate in 1997. Among her responsibilities, Tremblay was appointed as OMMI Vocation Coordinator in the United States in 2003.

The Oblate Missionaries ofMary Immaculate are one of 187 secular CASKETS&URNS institutes in the global Church.

Founded in 1952 by Father LouisMarie Parent, aMI, in Canada, the spirit of the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate is characterized . by a spiritual and missionary quality that inlpels its members to live the charity of Christ according to the example of Mary Immaculate, for the purpose of spreading this same .charity throughout the world.

Additional information about the .Oblate Missionaries of Mary Im". .. maculate or their Associate program FREE CASKET STORAGE FOR SENIORS .. 'is available at ommi-is.org, by E-mail at christinenoell@aol.com, or by PAYMENT PLANS writing to: CQristine-Noell Tremblay, Vocation Coordinator OMNI, P.O. PROUD MEMBERS: FUNERAL CONSUMERS ALLIANCE GROUP Box 303, Manville, R.I. 02838.

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Full text of Vatican instruction on homosexuality and priestly formation

By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY - Here is the Vatican's English-language text of "Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment ofVocations With Regard to Persons With Homosexual Tendencies in View of Their Admission to the Seminary and to Sacred Orders." The instruction, from the Congregation for Catholic Education, was issued November 29.

INTRODUCflON In continuity with the teaching ofthe Second Vatican Council and in particular with the decree "Optatam Totius" on priestly formation, the Congregation for Catholic Education has published various documents with the aim of promoting a suitable, integral formation of future priests by offering guidelines and precise . norms regarding its diverse aspects. In the meantime, the 1990 Synod ofBishops also reflected on the formation of priests. in the circumstances of the present day, with the intention of bringing to completion the doctrine of the council on this theme and making it more explicit and effective in today's world. Following this .synod, Pope John Paul II published the post-synodal apostolic exhortation "Pastores Dabo Vobis. " In light of this abundant teaching, the present instruction does not intend to dwell on all questions in the area ofaffectivity and sexuality that require an attentive discernment during the entire period of formation. Rather, it contains norms concerning a specific question made more urgent by the current situation, and that is: whether to admit to the seminary and to holy orders candidates who have deepseated homosexual tendencies.

1. Affective Maturity and Spiritual Fatherhood According to the constant tradition of the Church, only a baptized person of the male sex validly receives sacred ordination. By means of the sacrament of orders, the Holy Spirit configures the candidate to Jesus Christ in a new and specific way: The priest, in fact, sacramentally represents Christ, the head, shepherd and spouse of the Church. Because of this configuration to Christ, the entire life ofthe sacred minister must be animated by the gift ofhis whole person to the Church and by an authentic pastoral charity.

The candidate to 'the ordained ministry, therefore, must reach affective maturity. Such maturity will allow him to relate correctly to both men and women, developing in him a true sense of spiritual fatherhood toward the Church community that will be entrusted to him.

2. Homosexuality and the Ordained Ministry From the time of the Second Vatican Council until today, various documents ofthe magisterium, and especially the "Catechism of the Catholic Church," have confirmed the teaching of the Church on homosexuality. The catechism distinguishes between homosexual acts and homosexual tendencies.

Regarding acts, it teaches that sacred Scripture presents, them as grave sins. The tradition has constantly considered them as intrinsically immoral and contrary to the natural law: Consequently, under no circumstance can they be approved.

Deep-seated homosexual tendencies, which are found in a number of men and women, are also objectively disordered and, for those same people, often constitute a trial. Such persons must be accepted with respect and sensitivity.

Every sign ofunjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.

They are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's cross the difficulties they may encounter.

In the light of such teaching, this dicastery, in accord with the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, believes it necessary to state clearly that the Church, while' profoundly respecting the persons in question, cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the'so-called "gay culture."

Such persons, in fact, find themselves in a situation that gravely hinders them from relating correctly to men and women.

One must in no way overlook the negative consequences that can derive from the ordination of persons with deep-seated homosexual tendencies.

Different, however, would be the case in which one were dealing with homosexual tendencies that were only the expression of a

Document

Continued from page one

instruction refers to the teaching of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church," which describes homosexual acts as sinful and the homosexual inclinationas "objectivelydisordered."

It follows, it said, that homosexuality is a bar to a priest's "affective maturity" and &eriously impairs his ability to minister pastorally to the Catholic community.

Answering questions about why the document had not come earlier, sources said the Congregation for the Doctrine ofthe Faith- then headed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the current pope - suggested in 1996 that the education congregation prepare such a document. A first draft was completed in 1998, a second draft in 2002 and the final version this year.

transitory problem- for example, that of an adolescence not yet superseded. Nevertheless, such tendencies must be clearly overcome at least three years before ordination to the diaconate.

3. Discernment by the Church Concerning the Suitability of Candidates There are two inseparable elements in every priestly vocation: the free gift of God and the responsible freedom of the man. A vocation is a gift of divine grace received through the Church, in the Church and for the service of the Church. In respoQ,ding to the call of God, the man offers himself freely to him in love. The desire alone to become a priest is not sufficient, and there does not exist a right to receive sacred ordination. It belongs to the Church - in her responsibility to defme the necessary requirements for receiving the sacraments instituted

by Christ - to discern the suitability ofhim who desires to enter· the seminary, to accompany him

during his years of formation and to call him to holy orders if he is judged to possess the necessary qualities.

The formation of the future priest must distinctly articulate, in an essentially complementary manner, the four dimensions of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral. In this context, it is necessary to highlight the particular importance ofhuman formation as the necessary foundation of all formation. In order to admit a candidate to ordination to the diaconate, the Church must verify, among other things, that the candidate has reached affective maturity.

The call to orders is the personal responsibility of the bishop or the major superior. Bearing in mind the opinion ofthose to whom he has entrusted the responsibility of formation, the bishop or major superior, before admitting the candidate to ordination, must arrive at a morally certain judgment on his qualities. In the case of a serious doubt in this regard, he must not admit him to ordination.

The di~cernment of a vocation' and of the maturity of the candidate is also a serious duty of the rector and ofthe other persons en-

trusted with the work of formation in the seminary. Before every ordination, the rector must express his own judgment on whether the qualities required by the Church are present in the candidate.

In the discernment concerning the suitability for ordination, the spiritual director has an important task. Although he is bound to secrecy, he represents the Church in the internal forum. In his discussions with the candidate the spiritual director must especially point out the demands of the Church concerning priestly chastity and the affective maturity that is characteristic of the priest as well as help him to discern whether he has the necessary qualities. The spiritual director has the obligation to evaluate all the qualities of the candidate's personality and to make sure that he does not present disturbances of a sexual nature, which are incompatible with the priesthood. Ifa candidate practices homosexuality or presents deep-seated homosexual tendencies, his spiritual director as well as his confessor have the duty to dissuade him in conscience from proceeding toward ordination.

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T HE LANDING Homosexual tendencies and the priesthood The Church has long had a written policy against the ordination to the priesthood of men with homosexual tendencies. Over the course of the last few deeades, however, the policy was implemented so rarely in places ,that even many bishops, seminary staff, and priests thought there was de facto no policy at all. . . In 1996, at the suggestion ofthen Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Vatican's Congregationfor Catholic Education- which supervises seminaries throughout the world - began work on an instruction to give guidelines to bishops and seminaries about how to handle candidates to the priesthood with homosex-ual tendencies. The result of their nine years ofconsultation and revision was the nuanced but clear document that we print on page three of this issue.

The essence ofthe document is summarized in one sentence: "The Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question, cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosex-uality, present deepseated homosex-ual tendencies, or support the so-called 'gay lifestyle. '" The first thing that is emphasized is the deep respect the Church has for those with homosex-ual tendencies. While the ChurCh, in service to the truth, states that homosex-ual inclinations are "intrinsically' disordered," the only worthy n;:sponse to those with them is love. The document notes that homo- . sex-ual tendencies "often constitute a trial," and part ofthe pastoral wisdom of this instruction is to recognize that the dynanlics ofpriestly formation and life can constitute for those with such tendencies an even greater trial.

The dQcument excludes from the senlinary and ordination three classes of ,candidates, two of which shauld be obvious and uncontroversial. Those who engage in homosexual acts simply do not live by the Church's teachings on scx-ual morality, and it would be insane for the Church to ordain those who do not practice'what they are called to preach.Likewise, those who support a "gay lifestyle" - and look at homosex1.illlity as something that should be celebrated, either by living it themselves orenabling-those who do.- simply are not thinking with the mind of the Church they have sworn a solemn oath to represent.'

The exclusion ofthpse with "deep-seated homosex1.k1.l tendencies" is more complicated. Within the document, the Congregation uses the eXlJression "deep-seated" (in the original Italian, "profoundly rooted") in contrast to "transitory." It recognizes that there is a huge difference between one who eX1JCriences some fleeting same-sex attractionS - which, because of their ephemeral character, can and "must be clearly overcome at least three years before ordination to the diaconate" - and another whose attractions are strong and seenlingly a permanent part ofone's self-identity. The Congregation, for PopC Benedict, is establishing the bar not at whether a man can practice continence (the abstention from sex-ual activity), but at whether he is free of"intrinsically disordered" same-sex affections, Does this mean that the Church thinks that a continent homosexual cannot be a good and holy priest? No. As several bishops have stated, they are aware of priests in their dioceses with homosex-ual tendencies who have remained faithful to Christ and served his people with great dedication and fidelity. They remain priests good standing. The question is not whether it's possible, but whether it is prudent and likely, for there have also been priests with same-sex tendencies who have not served with the same distinction , For one with deep-seated homosexwil tendencies to become a holy priest, he needs much greater hunlility than a typical heterosexual man and has to overcome many more obstacles.

First, for him to believe and leach the Catholic faith, he mustbe able to say with honest iI1tegrity, "I have a disorder in my emotions and attractions that is not my fault, but which I have to work to overcome." Otherwise, he will be tempted to conclude that the Church is wrong about her constant teaching on homosexuality, and therefore can be wrong on other matters offaith and morals about which she definitively teaches. That would be a disaster for the man and for the Church. .

He must also overcome gieater challenges in seminary formation and priestly living. While it is ofcourse possible with God's grace for a man ,vith profoundly rooted same-sex tendencies to remain chaste, seminary and rectory living would provide temptations to him that a typical heterosex-ual seminarian or priest living in those same circumstances would not face. Failure here, too, would be grievous for both the man and the Church.

The Congregation, looking at the whole picture, both the successes and the failures, has concluded by reaffurning its traditional norms with greater nuance. Anchor readers are encouraged to engage the document at that deep and honest level.

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OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OFFALLRIVER

Published weekly except for two weeks in July and the week after Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 - FAX 508-675-7048, E-mail: theanchor@anchornews.org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, F~II River, MA, call or use E-mail address Member: Catholic Press Association, New England Press Association, Catholic News Service PUBLISHER路 Bishop George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandl'y@anehornews.org EDITOR David B. Jollvet davejollvet@anchornews.org NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jimdunbar@anchornews.org REPORTER Michael Gordon mlkegordon@anchornews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase marychase@anchornews.org

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Friday, December 9,' 2005

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THE VIRGINIA STAll~ GOSPEL CHO-

RUS PERFORMS DmUNG THE RECORDING OF THE TRADITIONAL 'cHlUSTMAS

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BY ALESSlA GIULIANI, CAll-iOUC PRESS PHOTO)

"SING TO HIM, SING PRAISES TO HlM; SPEAK OF ALL HIS WONDERS" (ICHRONICLES 16:9). . ,

路Humility, humility, and humility During this holy season of Word, the Second Person of the , Blessed Trinity, who shared all Advent, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Our Savior, the glory and majesty of the we also prepare to celebrate the Divine Nature, lowered himself humility of God. Humility is one , to assume our human nature and become a man. He who created of the virtues of Advent that we are challenged to acquire and the whole universe took on the practice, because it is one of the fonn of one of his creatures. He divine attributes of God, whom whom all the universe could not we are called to imitate.' contain agreed to, accept the The word "humility" comes limitations of our human condifrom the Latin word "humus," tion, being born as a baby, for the sake of saving our souls. which means dirt, or earth. It refers to the quality of being God showed the world his "down-to-earth," or realistic about our lives.

The realism of humility includes recognizing and admitting that we are creatures, precious to our Creator, but creaBy father David tures nonetheless, who should "not deem A. Pignato. equality with God something to be ' grasped" (Phil 2:6).

Recognizing this basic truth puts humility when ''the Word everything else in proper became flesh and dweIt among perspective. us" (In 1: 14). "Humility," writes It should be noted that St. Bernard, "is the mother of humility is not false modesty or salvation," because it was God's insecurity. Being humble, or humility that made him willing to realistic about our lives as become our. Savior. ,Christians often requires being Humility was also one of the courageous about spreading and virtues that most impressed defending our faith. Humility is Jesus, and still does. Throughout never an excuse for cowardice. the Gospels, we read of stories , The divine humility ofGod , in which displays of humility that we are called to imitate is moved his Sacred Heart to grant powerfully evident in the requests. Jesus valued and mystery of the Incarnation that rewarded humility because his we are about to celebrate at whole mission as our Redeemer Christmas. In fact, the Incarnawas precisely to save us from tion was the most sublime act of the opposite ofhumility - pride humility that the world had ever - which caused the original sin, seen - God the Son, the Eternal and the fall of our human nature.

Putting Into the Deep

As St. Augustine used to say, "It was pride that caused the fall. ...

[So,] if you ask me what are the ways to God, 1 would tell you the first is humility, the second is hwnility, [and] the third is h~ility." Christ came to save us from the sin of pride, and so he loved to see humility, which is the antidote to pride. (See Monsignor Timothy Dolan, Priests for the Third Millennium, 54.)

And so, humility is an important virtue for us to focus on during this season of Advent. By the virtue of humility, we remember that we are not God, and that God knows better than we do what is good for us. It's humility that makes I,IS . able to obey God, even when we want something contrary to him.

With humility, we also try to put others first and to control our disordered desires for honor and attention. It's humility that makes us able to rejoice when others are preferred to us.

Humility - it is one of the attributes of God and it is one of the Advent virtues that we are challenged to practice. As we approach the great soleninity of Christmas, when we will celebrate the most sublime act of hunlility ever - the birth of the Creator and the Savior as a baby, in the poverty of a stable may we all grow' in the. virtue of humility, so that we can welcome the Christ Child with humble, holy hearts.

Friday, D808mbw9, 2005

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The ~og days of winter 200 I, 2003 and 2004 New My two daughters are in England Patriots. Since you've cahoots, planning to take our granted those requests, my wish dog Igor to have her picture list has become far less desperate. taken with Santa Claus.

Knowing full well this week's This is a disaster in the Hot Stove baseball meetings in making. Igor is a border colli~­ Dallas could alter some of these Australian cattle dog mix, and requests, here goes: very, very friendly. But she's as I wish for Johnny Damon to hyper as she is friendly. And for roam centerfield for the Sox for some reason beyond my comprehension, she's never met a chew toy or stuffed animal of which she hasn't tom out the eyes and destroyed the face. My biggest fear is that she'll'view Santa as a

By Dave Jolivet big old chew toy.

Phew, just thinking about it gives me the another three or four years. willies.

I wish Manny Ramirez would What also bother,s me a great grow up and accept responsibildeal is that I didn't hatch the ity for the big fat contract he plan sooner than my girls. signed with the Red Sox. Well, before Igor attempts to I wish for Gabe Kapler a rip the stuffing out ofjolly old fully recovery from his devasSt. Nick, I best prepare my tating Achilles' tendon injury.

Christmas wish catalogue I wish average fans could because I suspect a week from now my canine will have landed afford to take their families to the Red Sox again. the Jolivets on Santa's naughty I wish for the New England list.

Pat;riots to get healthy for the Dear Santa, allow me to playoffs next month. preface this with a big thank you I wish that next year's Super for the 2004 Red Sox and the

My View From the Stands

Bowl party will include the Pats' again. (I know that's a bit greedy, but it's worth a shot.)

I wish average fans could afford to take their families to the Patriots again.

I wish NFL wide receivers would stop acting like idiots when they score touchdowns.

(Perhaps a year on your naughty list may be incentive enough.)

I wish I could get into the Boston Bruins as I once did, I wish average fans could afford to take their families to the Bruins again.

I wish for USC to hold Texas to less than 70 points in the Rose Bowl.

I wish that I will break 100 in golf next year.

Finally Santa, it's my ardent wish that you survive your photo shoot with Igor and the Jolivet girls. And should things run amok, please remember I had nothing to do with it - this time.

Dave Jolivet is a former sports editor/writer whofrequently gives his view ofthe unique world ofsports.

Comments are welcome at davejolivet@anchornews.org.

A return of Jesus Christ Among many Christians the re- pregnant and I can't have this baby. turn of Jesus Christ is a much-an- I can't give it up for adoption. It's ticipated event. It is an event hoped too much to go through this." He for, dreamed about, and prayed for would walk through the doors and by thousands, millions of people. , sit down beside her.

"But you can," he would say.

Will he come on a cloud sur"You have the strength within you. rounded by angels?

Yes, we believe he will come in Your beautiful child will bring much joy to a couple who has been waitglory.

But what if he was simply here ing a long time, two people who among us? What if he simply re- have prayed for a long time."

And the young girl's tears would turned one day with no announcement? Would everyone know that tell her that her heart has been he is the one, that it is he who has returned?

Or would people miss him again this time?

Would he challenge our values and our materialistic culture in such a way that many people'would

By Greta MacKoul fmd him only to be a nui_ sance, a troublemaker, and 1an outcast?

If he were on earth again, what changed, her spirit has been would he be like? strengthened, and her answer will Would we find him at a Chris- be "yes."

And the next day we might find tian rock concert? Yes. I think so.

He would be there with the young him at a parish gathering, a church people. He would see the hope in social or festival. Hundreds of their eyes and the desire that they people are there, and he is enjoying have to know him. He would be being with them. He is happy to be ' happy that so many young people with so many who love him. He is were trying, even if not perfectly, ' enjoying the food, the music, the to bring their lives to him. games, and the children.

But then a concerned look would Then a distant look comes over come over his face. He would qui- his face and he knows that he must etly leave the concert and walk go. It is just about dusk and he beswiftly into town. There he would gins to walk several miles until alstop at the glass doors of a build- most midnight. Off in the distance ing. He would see the young girl, 'he sees some dim lights and,a tall 15 years old, sitting in the waiting tower. He can make out some figroom, alone. It is a home for preg- ures standing by a chain link fence. nant teen-age girls.

They are praying.

He would hear her thoughts. "I "Am I too late?" he asks them. can't do this. I'm three months ''No, you have five minutes."

Our Journey of Faith

Pro-Life group honors Father Marcel Bouchard EAST SANDWICH - The Cape Cod Pro-Life Alliance recently honored Father Marcel Bouchard, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich a~ a luncheon at the Parish Center.

Noting Father Bouchard's longstanding support, encouragement and spiritual guidance of PLA activities, the group presented a donation to the parish and a pair of Waterford candlesticks

by PLA President Patricia Stebbins.

Speaking on behalf of Catholic Citizenship, Beatrice Martins, PLA member and diocesan Public Policy coordinator, noted his leadership and'support for the recent marriage amendment petition and other activi~ ties.

Also present was Marian Desrosiers, diocesan director of the Pro-Life Apostolate.

The Alliance was celebrating

the beginning of its seventh year as an educational, grassroots Catholic organization. Often' working in conjunction with the Massachusetts Catholic Conference and Catholic Citizenship, the Alliance has presented a variety of programs such as two "Catholic Unity Rallies"; sponsored speakers for local church groups and at the community college via its Speaker's Bureau; supported the local "A Woman's Concern" with time, treasure and talent, and obtained space at the Cape Cod Mall for a Christmas creche beginning in 2003, and continuing this year.

PLA also works with MCC, Catholic Citizenship and parish pastors to obtain signatures for various petitions which have been presented over the past few years.

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He says to the guard, "I must

go in."

"I'm sorry, you cannot."

"But I must go in."

He looks gently into the eyes of the guard, and the gate is opened.

He makes his way into the building, into the small room where the inmate who is sentenced to die is waiting.

Jesus takes his hand.

"I'm sorry," says the man.

"I know."

"I'm sorry."

"I forgive you."

"I'm sorry."

"You will be with me in paradise."

If Jesus returned and walked among us, would people be for him or against him? Would we embrace him or ignore him? Would people recognize him or pass him by?

We remember him at Christmas time as a little child, one who brought hope to the world, and one who continues to bring hope to the world. There are many people who love him and many who know who he is. And during this season of Advent, we reflect upon Jesus, to embrace the truth of who Jesus is, and to wait for him to arrive in our hearts.

And for this gift we must make room.

Greta MacKoul is the author and illustrator of"The Ocean Flowers, A Parable ofLove" and numerous articles. Greta and her husband George, with their children MaxWell andMarysa, are members ofChrist the King Parish in Mashpee.

liThe children's lives are totally changed since coming to Holy Rosary School."

While visiting families in Faisalabad, Pakistan, missionary Sister Rosalda Aquilina came upon five children whose parents could not afford school fees. Sister Rosalda arranged for them to attend a ChurCh-run school.

~

-¢> "We love learning

our lessons," said one of those children. "The Sisters teach us about Jesus too, and we want to be like Him." -¢>

Sisters throughout the Missions reach out with the love ofChrist to serve the needs ofchildren, offering them 'the "Good News" proclaimed by the angel that first Christmas: "a savior has been born for

you." -¢> :This Christmas, won't you offer a gift to our mission family, through the Propagation of the Faith, to support those who, through their words and actions, reveal Christ's love and peace to the suffering and the poor?

--------The Society -----------------------------------------~for THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH ...A Pontifical Mission Society ,

,

Altn: Column

Rev, M,gr. John J. Oliveim, v'E. 106111inoi, St., New Bedford, MA 02745

" ANCH.I2I09105

Enclosed is my Christmas Gift for the Missions. ..

0$100 Name'

0 $50

0 $25

0 $10

0 Other $,_ _ ---:-

Address,

City

_ _

----'State_ _--"Zip,

_

~--- www.worldmissions-catholicchurch.org ---~

Friday, December 9, 2005

We must increase in holiness makes more sense in that Isaian prophecy regarding Some people I encounter holiness doesn't grow underJudah and Jerusalem. The often comment on how cover or go underground. The promise ofa Messiah is held disillusioned or disenchanted saint has to stand out, and the out to them: "he has clothed' they are with the Church. holiness ofthe Church must me in the garments of They complain the Church . salvation, he has wrapped me . be perceptible.John the teaches one thing and does Baptist is that saint whose in the cloak ofintegrity." another in action. Does the (Isaiah 61: I0) The Church follow the prophet aim or purpos~ of Isaiah in saying "Listen, Christ for Israel is Homily of the Week justice shall be done." These the same as for the people can't identify themThird Sunday Church - to beselves with the Church. Like of Advent the Levites sent from Jerusacome a holy nation, a lem to ask John the Baptist, people set apart. . By Fath.,r "Who are you?", they ask the Holinessisn'ta .

Daniel W. 'Lacroix static quality, like a same pointed question ofthe stamp on a package .

Church today. What they're saying in a negative way is ofgoods. It's closer holiness never went underto the aim or purpose St. Paul that the only Church that cover or underground. St. appeals to them is a holy' had for):ris Thessalonians: John is the symbol ofAdvent, .

"May the God ofpeace make Church. It has to be a Church announcing the coming and ofsaints before they can you perfect and holy." (1 public life ofthe Christ. The believe in it and feel part ofit.

Thessalonians 5:23) Despite Church asks us to prepare for We need to have hope that all the mystery surrounding . the historical remembrance of .the Church is continually $em, saints are real solid, Christ's birth in another way. evolving as the holy Body of happy men and women Christ. .

Just as the word Advent because they are Christlike. means coming or beginning, Their attitude is in agreeThe complaint against the how appropriate Advent ment with the teaching ofthe . lack ofholiness in the Church

. marks not only the coming of been swept by the call ofthe world rather than the call of Christ into the world by his birth, but also the beginning of the baptist.

Advent is not over, the Church year. A call to a new holiness in each one of . however. There is still time remaining to prepare to open us as members ofChurch. . wide the door ofyour heart Reflect on this Third and soul, making it a fitting Sunday ofAdvent, place to receive the love of look at the time spent the Christ Child on Christmas to buy and wrap gifts, write Christmas cards, Eve. When coming to the crib on Christmas, prepare now to decorate the house, bake and prepare food offer him gifts ofpersonal holiness. for parties and family Let the message ofJohn get-togethers, and see the Baptist; a message of the how much time is hope ofholiness, not fall on spent on the spiritual deaf ears. Be that new part ofprepariilg for prophets ofthe Church call us Christmas. Has Advent to saintly lives offering prompted you to a call of . ourselves as adoration to the conversion, repentance, Savior. Let our prayers to live receiving the sacrament of holy lives rise like the incense reconciliation before Christofthe Magi at our Lord's mas Day? What prayers crib. were prompted while adFather Daniel Jv.' dressing and signing the many Lacroix is pastor ofSt. Christmas cards and notes sent out? Ifyou haven't done Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet. any ofthese things, you have

Liturgy ofthe Eucharist -. 'Communion Rite (Continued) assists the priest in administerAs the people sing' the Agnus Dei ("I,.amb of God"), the priest ing Communion to the people.

In the Western or Latin drops a particle of the conseChurch, Communion has been crated host into the chalice, received in various ways. Until 'symbolizing the reuniting of the eighth century, the host Christ's Body and Blood at his resurrection. He prays inaudibly: "May this mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it." In the early 'Church, when a

By Fro ThomasM. Kocik bishop celebrated Mass, he broke off a fragment of the host he'had just consecrated and sent was received either directly on it to his priests as a sign of the tongue or in the hand. communion between them; .

Between the 11th and 16th . when they in tum celebrated centuries kneeling gradually Mass, they deposited the replaced standing as the communicant's posture. fragment in their chalice.

Next, the priest chooses one Communion was received of two short prayers said under both forms; bread and . wine, until the 12th century, quietly as his private preparawhen practical and disciplinary tion for Communion. He genuflects, raises the host aloft, reasons prompted the restriction of the people's Communand echoes the baptist's cry in John 1:29: Behold, the Lamb of ion to the host alone. The .

God! He invites us to receive Church teaches that in receiving either form we are receivJesus, the Lamb slain for our offenses, in holy Communion. ing the whole Christ, whose But first, we admit our unworBody and Blood are now inseparable. Since Vatican II, thiness, in imitation of the these earlier customs have been centurion who asked Je'sus to heal his servant (Mt. 8:8). The restored as options. priest consumes the host, the Each country's conference of bishops detennines the Body of Christ under the appearance or "form" of bread, posture for the reception of Communion and the act of then the consecrated wine, reverence to be made by each Christ's Blood, saying quietly person as he or she receives it. before each action: "May the Body (Blood) of Christ bring Our bishops have decided that me to everlasting life." The we should receive Communion deacon, if present, receives standing and that we should both forms from the' priest and bow beforehand; however, the

Loving and Living the Mass

(

Holy See has decreed that those ~ho. genuflect or meel are not to be denied CommUnion. ' When offering us the sacrament, the priest or other minister says, "the Body of Christ" or "the Blood of Christ." We answer "Amen," an act of faith that it is so.

While Communion is distributed, the C~mmunion Antiphon is sung. Originally a psalm with an antiphon before and after it, it is now usually a Bible verse alluding to the occasion of the Mass. A . suitable hymn may be sung in place of, or in addition to, the prescribed Communion chant.

If no singing occurs, the priest

or people recite the Communion Antiphon just after the priest's Communion.

After Communion, any remaining hosts are put in the tabernacle and any remaining precious Blood consumed.

Then the priest extends the chalice to the server, who pours water into it to wash any remnants of the sacrament.

Meanwhile the priest prays silently that we may receive with pure minds what we have taken by mouth, and that this gift may be for us an eternal remedy. Having drunk, he dries the inside of the cup. The "purification" of the chalice and other vessels may instead be carried out by the deacon or an instituted acolyte.

The Communion Rite

In Your Prayers Please pray for the follow~ng priests durin the coming weeks

,r

concludes with a period of silent thanksgiving followed by the Prayer after Communion.

Standing at the altar or at his chair, the priest prays that the graces of the sacrament remain in us as a daily help toward our salvation. With our "Amen," the Liturgy of the Eucharist is ended.

Father Kocik, an author of two books, one on the liturgy, is chaplain at Charlton Memorial Hospital, Fall River, and resides at St Thomas More Pari~h, Somerset

Daily Readings Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec13

c.12 1996, Rev. Paul F. McCarric.

1972, Rev.

Fall River

FallRivor

Reg~~,' P., St. Anne, Dominican Priory, ~.nenau.

1991, Rev. AdrieIi L. Francoeur, N(.l ., La Salette Shrine, Attleboro

Dec 14

Dec 15

14, ,

Dec. 1970, Rev. Msgr.John J. Hayes, Pasta, Holy Name, New Bedford Dec. IS \ ' 1942, Rev. Mortimer Downing, Pastor, ~ Francis Xa~er, Hyannis 1955 Rev, John F. O'Keefe, Assistant, St. Patrick, Fall River

Dec 16 Dec 17

,ls61:1-2a,10-11; (Ps) Lk 1:4650,53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; In 1:68,19-28 Zec2:14-17orRv 11:19a;12:16a,10ab; (Ps) Jdt 13:18bc,19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 Zep3:1-2,9-13; Ps 34:2-3,6-7,1719,23; Mt21:2832' Is 45:6b- .

8;18,21b-25; Ps 85:9ab-14; Lk 7:19-23 Is 54:1-10; Ps 30:2,~, 11-13; Lk7:24-30 Is 56:1-3a,6-8; Ps 67:2-3,5,7-8; In 5:33-36 Gn路49:2,8-10; Ps 72:3-4,7-8,17; Mt 1:1-17

Friday, December 9, 2005

A caravan of crechers 6 December 2005 - St. Nicholas Day - Homeport It's a gaggle of geese, a pod of whales, a pride of peacocks and a "caravan of crechers." A "crecher" is a person who collects Christmas Nativity scenes. Don't bother, you won't find the word in the dictionary. I made it up.

I'm a crecher. My mother purchased my first creche at Woolworth's Five and Ten. The figures came glued to a cardboard stable.

In elementary school, all us kids received a pop-up paper creche every Christmas from Msgr. John McKeon. I kept mine on the bureau year-round a sure sign of things to come.

An heirloom Christmas Crib belonged to my grandfather. He built the stable. The figures were German. It included paper-leafed palm trees, cotton batting sprinkled with mica flakes, and two electric candles with orange bulbs. It was always set up in exactly the same way. When I was old enough, I was allowed to

assist with the set-up. I would begin pestering grandfather before Thanksgiving. At the age of six, I dared to ask him if I might have his manger scene

"when he was done playing with it." Grandfather laughed out loud but he gave it to me. I have it still.

Every year, it takes the place of honor.

My grandfather, Anthony Rose Correia, also had a Christmas village. I never saw it.

It was long-gone before my arrival. But I heard about it. In my child's mind, I could picture the vastness of the thing. He would set it up, they said, late in the evening after returning from work at the New Bedford Car Barn. He had houses and skaters, citY streets and farmers' fields -

even a church. Once, I was told, the Evening TImes photographed his village for the newspaper.

With my Azorean grandfather, Christmas was a big thing.

Today, some call me "Father Christmas." I, too, have a village. It's nice, but doesn't come close to my childhood vision of I grandfather's humongous " scene. Or so I thought.

Then one day, while rummaging through old family photos, I found an image of his Christmas village. In my imagination it was massive. In the photo, it was small enough to fit under the tree.

The first person I ever met who owned more than one manger was Anne Austill of Cataumet. She traveled the world and returned with unusual mangers from the countries she visited. I was impressed. I was very impressed.

So now I collect Christmas Nativities. I look for something unique to the culture, something that could not be obtained anywhere else. It doesn't matter if others consider it a "collect-

Closing the doors of limbo: Scholars say it was hypothesis VATICAN CITY (CNS)-An international group ofVatican-appointed theologians is about to recommend that the Catholic Church close the doors of limbo forever.

Many Catholics grew up thinking limbo - the place where babies who have died without baptism spend eternity in a state of "natural happiness" but not in the presence of God - was part of Catholic tradition.

Instead, it was a hypothesis - a theory held out as a possible way to balance the Christian beliefin the necessity ofbaptism with belief in God's mercy and the truth that God wills all to be saved.

Like hypotheses in any branch of science, a theological hypothesis can be proven wrong or be set aside when it is clear it does not help explain Catholic faith.

Meeting November 28-December 2 at the Vatican, the International Theological Commission, a group of theologians led

by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger until his election as Pope Benedict XVI, completed its work on a statement regarding "the fate of babies who have died without baptism."

A press release said the commission's statement would focus on the question "in the context of God's universal saving plan, the uniqueness of the mediation of Christ and the sacramentality of the Church in the order of salvation."

U.S. Archbishop William J. Levada, president of the theological commission in his role as prefect of the Congregation for the

able" or not. Designer names mean nothing to me. It's variety I value. God loves variety and so do I. What creative variety there is worldwide in presenting the Nativity of the Lord.

People ask how many sets I have. I don't know. I stopped tallying after 400 or so. I don't count them any more. I just enjoy them. In this, I am not alone.

Crecher Mary Fuller of Buzzards Bay is displaying her mangers this weekend at the historic Briggs-McDermott House in Boume Village.

At the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Roberto Medeiros of Lagoa's Museu do Presepio Acoriano is wrapping-up an exhibit of clay presepio figures, including live demonstrations by potter Antonio Morais.

There's the "Intemational Nativities" exhibit, with the presepio of Father Maq9~L Pereira, at La Salette Shrine, which now includes a ISO-creche endowment from Eileen Canty.

The exhibit stylist is Maureen Miconi-Ross.

Father Joe Viveiros always sets up scores of mangers in St. Dominic's Rectory, Swansea, and Father Bruce Neylon is showing his Nacimientos at the Fall River Art Society. Father Matthew Powell exhibits at Providence College. Father Darius Kalinowski is a bit sly about his collecting. They say he will be displaying Szopka "somewhere on the property of Our Lady of Victory Church, Centerville, sometime soon."

Father Marc Bergeron keeps a creche displayed in the rectory

at St. Anne's Parish in Fall River year round. The set, from Provence, contains hundreds of figurines.

Anastasia Lundquist welcomes folks this weekend to see her collection at Emmanuel College.

Nativities are on exhibit at the Diocesan Museum at St. George Church, Manchester.

At St. Bemard, Assonet, there is a specialized creche exhibit, ''Nativities ofNew Mexico," now in the church. A second exhibit will open in our ancient stables the weekend before Christmas.

"From the Crib to the Cross - The Life of Christ in Miniature," is on exhibit at St. Francis School, Acushnet, and will appear next at the United Church of Assonet. The Freetown Historical Society will be the site of my Christmas Miniature Village, assembled this year by local Catholic and Protestant families working together.

I write no Christmas cards, give few gifts, and listen to not a single carol (before Christmas).

Some call me Scrooge, but I try my best to keep Christ in Christmas. Grandfather would be proud.

Father Goldrick is pastor of

St BernardParish, Assonet Comments are welcome at StBernardAssonet@aoLcom.

Previous columns are at www.StBernardAssoneLorg.

Editor's note: The Anchor

Doctrine of the Faith, said..the ary thesis in support of a truth will run a feature on the question is important because which is absolutely of first sigcreche collections of Fathers "the number of babies not bap- nificance for faith, namely, the Goldrick, Bergeron, Viveiros, tized has increased considerably" importance of baptism," he said.

Neylon, and Kalinowski, next In "God and the World," puband the Church knows that salweek. vation "is only reachable in Christ lished in 2000, he said limbo had been used "to justify the necesthrough the Holy Spirit."

But the Church, "as mother sity of baptizing infants as early and teacher," also must reflect . as possible" to ensure that they PRO-LIFER CHRISTIAN . on how God saves all those cre- had the "sanctifying grace" HELPER ated in his image and likeness, needed to wash away the effects ApOSTOLIC particularly when the individual of original sin.

ADVISOR While limbo was allowed to is especially weak "or not yet in TRUE RESTORER possession of the use of reason disappear from the scene, the fuHOLY and freedom," the archbishop ture pope said, Pope John Paul's MEDICATOR said. teaching in the "Catechism ofthe ANTI-ABORfIONIST ONE Redemptorist Father Tony Catholic Church" and the encycCAREGIVER THOMAS PASTERNAK Kelly, an Australian member of lical "The Gospel of Life" took LOVING I'harmacllt the commission, told Catholic "a decisive tum."

INSTRUcrOR Without theological fanfare, News Service "the limbo hypothINFALLIBLE 202 RockSt. SPECiALIST esis was the common teaching Pope John Paul "expressed the Fall RIver of the Church until the 1950s. In simple hope that God is powerCHARITABLE THERAPEUTIST the past 50 years, it was just qui- ful enough to draw to himself all 5ON79-1300 The NatIonal CalhoIc PI1armIcIIlI Guild of 1111 Unltld SlIt.. those who were unable to receive etly dropped.

"We all smiled a bit when we the sacrament," the then-cardiwere presented with this ques- nal said. tion, but then we saw how many important questions it opened," including questions about the Saint Anne's Hospital power of God's love, the existence of original sin and the need for baptism, he said. is now offering an extended unit of Pope Benedict and Pope John Clinical Pastoral Education Paul II have both discussed the February 5 - June 11, 2006 subject of limbo in their writMondays 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ings.

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a learning process, within asupervised clinical setting, that helps theological students, In the 1985 book-length interclergy, and qualified lay persons develop greater competence in their spirituallprofessional roles. CPE is a means of view, "The Ratzinger Report," supporting people in their ministry and of extending quality spiritual care and education into an integrated health-care setting. the future Pope Benedict said, "Limbo was never a defined truth For more information, contact: of faith. Personally - and here I Ann Marie Lauzon, 508-674-5600, ext. 2060 am speaking more as a theologian and not as prefect ofthe consaint Anne's Hospital CPEE program Is accredited by the AssocIation CARITAS CHRISTI HULTH CARr gregation - I would abandon it, for Oinical Pastoral Education, Inc. and United States Conference of since it was only a theological 795 Middle Street, Fall River, MA 02721 C81hollc Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation hypothesis. www.saintanneshospital.org "It formed part of a second-

â&#x20AC;˘.

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Friday, December 9,2005

Marian Medals Award Ceremony

BISHOP GEORGE W. Coleman awarded nearly 100 Marian Medals to diocesan faithful at a prayer service at St. Mary's 'cathedral, Fall River, last·Sunqay. The recipients, nominated by their pastors, were acknowledged for dedication to the Church and its people. Middle photo, the bishop presents the award to Joseph Mello of Santo Christo Parish, Fall River, and bottom photo, to Claire Smith of Holy Cross· Parish, South Easton. (Photos by Eric Rodrigues)

ST. NICHOLAS made a surprise visit to a Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Ladies' Guild of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, New Bedford last Sunday. Above, St. Nick greeted some of the women who prepared and served the breakfast. Below children in the religious education program receive chocolate coins and a prayer card from their surprise visitor.

\

\

\

. CCC airs Advent series on Web WASHlNGTON (CNS)- The

u.s. bishops' Catholic Communication Campaign has produced a special ll-part Advent reflection series that it is distributing on its streaming video page on the Web. Each installment features a different bishop reflecting on various aspects of the season, focusing on each week of Advent, as well as most of the major liturgical feasts and holy days of this time of year.

The series, which began on Thanksgiving, will continue through January 8, the feast of the

Baptism of the Lord.

The CCC also unveiled a new name and logo for its streaming video project - CCC-TV. It is located on the Web at ccc-tv.com.

Visitors can view the segments using either Real Player or Windows Media technologies.

In a recent statement, the campaign's production coordinator, Ken Stockard, said the name change acknowledges the growing trend of convergence in commWlications technology.

"Although CCC-TV isn't a tele-

vision network in the classical sense, as the divide between computers and televisions shrinks, more and more programming will be available via the Internet," said Stockard, who coordinates and manages programming and content on the site.

The site has averaged nearly 30 new postings each year, ranging from originally produced news stories about U.S. Catholic life to trailers for CCC's television programming. The site has also featured live Web casts of press conferences.

9

Friday, December 9, 2005

Court considers parental notification law for minors seeking abortion

CARDINAL PAUL Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, and Swiss Bishop Amedee Grab of Chur leave the Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist at the Vatican in October. The Swiss Guard is celebrating the SOOth anniversary of the corps. (CNS photo by Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo)

Swiss Guard marks SOOth anniversary with stamps, Masses, ceremonies

By CINDY WOODEN

guards in their traditional tri-colored unifonns - said Pope Julius chose the Swiss mercenaries because of VATICAN CITY - One of the Vatican's most the Swiss "passion for war and, especially, for their popular tourist attractions is celebrating its 500th an- respect for the Church." ''The pontiffwanted to be able to count on a wellniversary with a special series of stamps, concerts, Masses and a 450-mile march. prepared corps of guards which would safeguard The Swiss Guard officially turns 500 January 22, him at critical moments and which could become the anniversary of the arrival in Rome of 150 Swiss the permanent nucleus of a larger army to be fonned soldiers recruited to serve and protect Pope Julius II. in case of necessity," Mader said.

The Vatican's commemorative stamps, featuring Between April 7 and May 4, more than 100 fonner artwork by fornler guard RudolfMirer, went on sale guards will march from Switzerland to Rome, following the route taken by their predecesNovember 22 at the Vatican and in Switzerland, marking the first Vatican-Swiss stamp. sors in 1506. package.

The march was timed to allow the fonner guards to participate in the key Also in anticipation of the anniver, moment of the anniversary celebrasary, a history of the Guard written by . ;\.:. ~ tion - a memorial Mass and Sgt. Christian-Roland Marcel Richard was recently released. swearing in of new members on Col. Elmar Mader, commander the May 6 anniversary of the fall of the Guard, said Richard's work ' of 147 guards, killed in action in marked the first time that an ae1527 while protecting Pope Clemtive guard published a book de~ ent VII during the sack of Rome. scribing life in the corps.

Mader was asked ifany thought had been given to changing the uniPrecise as the watches of his homeland, Richard said it took him fonn of the guards, particularly after Richard's book definitively laid 2,962 hours to write the book when he was not guarding the ento rest the legend that Michelangelo designed the costume. trances to the Vatican, protecting the pope, working crowd control, "It is not up to me to change continuing his training or perfonnthe unifonn of the Swiss Guard, . which dates from the Renaissance ing ceremonial duties at Masses and ' .and which the whole world recvisits from heads of state.

In addition to the history of the THE LOGO for the celebra- ognizes,"he said. The commander Swiss Guard, the book includes a tion of the SOOth anniversary of also was asked - and not for the chapter on the rules governing the the Swiss Guard. (CNS photo first time - whether the Guard recruitment, training and discipline courtesy of the Swiss Guard) ever would include women. of the corps.

"I cannot imagine that we ever The current Guard has 110 male Swiss citizens, would have women in service," he said. ''We live in a all of whom are Catholic and at least five feet eight very small barracks, and there would not be room inches tall. They must have an inlpeccable reputa- for women." tion, be under age 30, unmarried when they begin ''The men are young," .he said, "and I would not their service and have served in the Swiss Anny. want to recruit problems" for discipline.

"Obviously, women are capable of providing seRichard's history mentions the 1998 murders of the Swiss Guard commander and his wife by a guards- curity services. That is not the point. It is a matter of man who dlen committed suicide. discipline," he said.

"It is part of our history, so we had to face it," Mader said his men have a variety of reasons for Richard told Catholic News Service. "But on the other seeking a place in the corps.

While there is a sense of prestige and honor in hand, it should not be the only thing people talk about. being a guard, Mader said, "it is not like it was 30 It is one day in 500 years.:' Unveiling plans for the anniversary celebration dur- years ago, when a guard would return home and be ing a press conference, Mader - flanked by two seen as one of dle pope's men."

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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WASHJNGTON (CNS)- Dur- because "competing hanns" proviing oral arguments over a New sions of other state laws would proHampshire law, most ofthe justices teet the doctor.

She explained thatlegislators opted of the Supreme Court seemed to be seeking a way to preserve dle stat- not to include one because they were ute that requires minors to notifY a convinced that existing laws would parent before they can have an abor- protect doctors from prosecution in cases ofdanger to a patient's health, tion.

In November 30 questions to and that such a provision would open New Hampshire Attorney General the door to routine use of the healdl Kelly Ayotte, the justices appeared provision when there was no real to accept that the state could require medical risk involved.

Ayotte also offered to issue a parental notification, but it was less clear whether dley believe the law written order affinning that such needs to provide an exception to al- circumstances would be covered by Iowan abortion widlOut notifying a other laws, so that doctors would parent ifthe pregnant young woman feel free to act as they needed to in faces a medical emergency that is emergencies.

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of not life-threatening.

In most states such laws allow Appeals barred the entire law from for exceptions to the parental notifi- being enacted because it lacks a cation requirement when the health health exception. Kennedy, Chief ofthe pregnant woman is in danger. Justice John Roberts and Justice New Hampshire's lawjust provides Sandra Day O'Connor focused on for an exception if the patient's life how the main law might be preserved. is at risk.

Much of the discussion in that As Justice Stephen Breyer noted, the exception for a "health risk" has case revolved around why the 7th been interpreted so broadly that "lots U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals kept ofpeople think of 'health' as a way alive efforts by the National Organiofhaving abortion on demand," un- zation for Women to seek damages from Operation Rescue and Joseph der any circumstances.

Breyer posed the hypothetical Scheidler of the Pro-Life Action situation of a pregnant 15-year-old Network over their protests at aborwho路has dangerously high blood tion clinics.

When the case came back to the pressure. In his scenario, the condition was not life-threatening, but AppealS Court, the 7th Circuitfound the teen was in imminent danger that the previous ruling had not disof irreparable damage to her re- posed offour of the 121 violations productive system if she contin- on which ajury originally ruled and ued with the pregnancy. The girl that those counts warranted further did not want her parents to be told consideration of the possible applishe was pregnant, he suggested, cation ofthe Hobbs Act. The Hobbs but a judge could not be reached . Act is a 1948 law prohibiting "interto obtain pennission for the doc- fcrence with commerce by threats tor to proceed with an abortion, or violence."

Scheidlerv. NOW and Operation the bypass process provided for Rescue v. NOW, which were heard in the law.

Ayotte said in such a case the as one case, and Ayotte vs. Planned doctor could perfonn the abortion Parenthood of Northern New Enwithout risk of being prosecuted gland are likely to be decided before under the parental notification law the court's tenn ends in July.

PRO-LIFE PROTESTER Mary Susan Grayson, center, stands in front of supporters of legal abortion as the U.S. Supreme Court heard its first abortion case in five years in Washington November 30. The court heard oral arguments in a case on a state law requiring notification of a parent before a minor can have an abortion. (CNS photo from Reuters)

10

Friday, December 9, 2005

eNS video reviews NEW YORK (CNS)-Thefollowing are capsule reviews of recent DVD and video releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. "The Shirley Temple CoUection: Volume 2" Three more of the talented moppet's titles come to DVD. As with the first set, each disc offers the option ofblack and white (preferable) or colorized versions. The print quality is fairly soft either way, but was probably the best available.

The only extras are trailers of her other films, but despite their antique appearance, these vehicles continue to make dependable family viewing. (Fox) "Baby Take A Bow" (1934) Little Shirley Temple gets her first starring role as a preschooler who recovers the jewels her father (James Dunn) is accused of stealing, then helps nab the real thief.

Directed by Harry Lachman, the formula melodrama has little interest other than its Depression-era family setting and, of course, the bubbly presence of its precocious star. Brief violence endangering a child. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is AI - general patronage. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is G - general audiences.

"Bright Eyes" (1934) . Sentimental but sturdy tale of a five-ye~r-old orphan (Temple) whose .loving godfather (Dunn) risks his life piloting a plane through a ferocious storm to save the child from adoption by a grasping family. Directed by David Butler, the thin plot has plenty of heart with little Shirley at the center ofthings, whether stowing aboard a dangerous plane flight or singing "On the Good Ship Lollipop." The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classifI~ation is A-I - general patronage. The Motion Picture Association'of America rating is G " general audiences.

"Rebecca of Sunnybrook , Farm" (1938) Pedestrian Shirley Temple vehicle gives her the role of a "selfreliant" motherless child whose country aunt (Helen Westley) won't hear of her becoming a radio star until talent wins out. Directed by Allan Dwan, the predictable plot complications keep getting in the way of mild romance (Randolph Scott and Gloria Stuart), pale comedy, and Shirley's singing and hoofing with Bill Robinson. Dated but innocent fun. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I - general patronage.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G - general audiences.

"Gunner Palace" (2005) Raw and unfocused but affecting anti-war documentary chronicling the daily lives, fears and frustrations ofsoldiers serving in a U.S. Army unit known as'the "Gunners" . and stationed in Iraq, traveling with them on hazardous night patrols and raids of houses of suspected insurgents, as well as showing them relaxing at the former palace ofUday

Hussein, now converted into barracks - from which the film derives its title. Directed by Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein- from footage Tucker spent two months collecting- the (mostly) apolitical movie, shot in no-frills verite style, is by turns sobering and surreal, resulting in snapshots of combat drudgery which add up to a waris-hell message that will resonate with all viewers. The film contains much strong language and recurring images of wartime violence.

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III ~ adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (palm Pictures) "The Honeymooners" (2005) Ho-hum updating of the classic Jackie Gleason 1950s television series with Cedric the Entertainer as Ralph Krarnden, the New York bus driver, Mike Epps as Ed Norton, his sewer-working friend, and Gabrielle Union and Regina Hall as their long-suffering wives, in a contrived story about Ralph and Ed entering a mutt in a dog race. John Schultz's film bears little resemblance to the much-loved series in either tone or laugh quotient, and without Gleason or sidekick Art Camey, there's little point to the en': deavor. Some rnild'profanity, crass expressions, fleeting irreverence, crude humor and路 innuendo. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is PG-13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (paramount) "The Polar Express" (2004) VlSUa1l.y captivating anima~ fantasy - with Tom Hanks playing five roles -about a doubting young boy who is whisked away on Christmas Eve aboard a magic train bound for Santa's village in the North Pole. Based on the children's novel by Chris Van Allsburg, director Rob Zemeckis' hauntingly beautiful fairy tale celebrates childlike wonder and - though secular in tone - imparts a profoundly faithfriendly message about the importance ofbelieving in things that cannot be seen. The two-disc DVD features a handsome letterboxed print on the first platter, while the second contains a wealth ofbonus material: an deleted musical scene (not fully animated) with the late Michael Jeter (his last performance), a look, at how Hanks came to embody his five roles, behind-the-scenes features on the creative aspects of the film, Van Allsburg's recollections, singer Josh Groban performing the Oscar-nominated "Believe," short bits on the animation technique, games and more. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G - general audience.

(Warner Bros.)

USHER AND Chazz Palminteri star in a scene from the movie "In the Mix." For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo from Lions Gate) briefdrug references. The USCCB (George Clooney); a reformOffice for Film & Broadcasting minded Arab sheik (Alexander classification is A-III - adults. Siddig); an energy analyst (Matt The Motion Picture Association of Damon) grieving the death of his America rating is PG-13 - par- son, and a Washington lawyer (Jefents are strongly cautioned. Some frey Wright), hired to facilitate a material may be inappropriate for shady merger between two Texas children under 13. oil giants. Directed with unvar"Rent" (Revolution) nished realism by Stephen Gaghan, C~i Mt)~le Imaginative expansion of the the well-acted film touches on late Jonathan Larson's long-run- important moral questions about ning Broadway musical- an up- the' global pursuit of wealth" but NEW YORK (CNS)-The fol- dating of "La Boheme" - about strains for narrative coherence lowing are capsule reviews ofmov- the lives and loves ofNew York's under the weight ofits convoluted ies recently reviewed by the Office East Village artists, several ofthem multiple plots. Strong violence, infor Film & Broadcasting ofthe U.S. HIV-positive. Director Chris Co- cluding a graphic scene of torture, Conference of Catholic Bishops. lumbus has remained largely faith- and some rough language and pro"In the Mix" (Lions Gate) ful to the original - and many of fanity. The USCCB Office for Film Lame romantic comedy about the original cast members reprise & Broadcasting classification is Aa New York disc jockey (hip-hop their roles here - while the disso- m - adults. The Motion Picture artist Usher) who, after taking a lute lifestyles of some of the char- Association ofAmerica rating is R bullet for a mobster (Chazz acters take second place to the - restricted.

Palminteri), is hired to keep' a overriding themes oflove, connec"Yours, Mine & Ours" watchful eye on the Mafioso's tion and fellowship, and the film (Paramount) grown daughter (Emmanuelle encapsulates a significant cultural Inferior remake of the 1968 Chriqui), with whom he has an era. Implied drug use, same-sex Henry Fonda-Lucille Ball charmer affair against her father's wishes. relationships, suggestive dancing about a widowed naval officer Director Ron Underwood's inter- and movement, some rough and (Dennis Quaid) with eight children, racial romance is a mix of plot crude language and an anti-estab- and a free-spirited widow (Rene cliches and character stereotypes lishment outlook. The USCCB Russo) with 10, who marry years clumsily held together by a con- Office for Film & Broadcasting after being high school sweettrived script. Some violence, classification is L.-lirnited adult hearts, and the comic complicasexual situations and sexual hu- audience, films whose problematic ' tions that arise from merging the mor, as well as sporadic crude content many adults would find families. Despite a heart-tugging language. The USCCB Office for troubling. The Motion Picture As- ending, director Raja Gosnell reFilm & Broadcasting classifica- sociation ofAmerica rating is PG- lies on too much unrealistic slaption is A-III - adults. The Mo- 13 .:- parents are strongly cau- stick and though Quaid gives an tion Picture Association of tioned. Some material may be in- accomplished performance, America rating is PG-13 - par- appropriate for children under 13. Russo is utterly bland, making the ents are strongly cautioned. Some "Syriana" (Warner Bros.) original a far better bet all around. material may be inappropriate for Intermittently engaging but Some mild innuendo. The USCCB children under 13. mostly confusing political thriller Office for Film & Broadcasting "The Kid & I" (Wheels Up) . which explores corruption in the classification is A-I - general paWell-intentioned but clumsy international oil industry through a tronage. The Motion Picture Asbuddy comedy about a down-on:- mosaic of interlocking stories in~ sociation of America rating is PG his-luck actor (Tom Arnold) who, volving: a veteran CIA 'operative - parental guidance suggested. after a failed suicide attempt, is hired to write and co-star in an action film with a physically chal~ lenged teeri-ager (Eric Gores), to Can't remember how a recent film was classified be fmanced by the boy's wealthy by the U.S. Conference of Catholic. Bishops? Want father (Joe Mantegna). Despite a to know whether to let the kids go see it? You can heartfelt, life-affIrming message and a positive portrayal ofdisabled look film reviews up on the Catholic News Service persons, director Penelope Website. .

Spheeris' movie is saddled by inVisit www.catholicnews.com and click on "Movept writing and direction. Some crude language and humor, and ies," under the "News Item" menu.

CCiViLilei

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Friday, December 9, 2005

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Church is not so good at being 'fishers of men,' priest tells pope

By CINDY WOODEN

"This is one of the reasons in some parts of the world why 25.8 million VATICAN CITY - While the many Catholics abandon the Catholic <;::hurch has a rich array Catholic Church for other Chris510,000 ofteachings and traditions to help tian realities; they are attracted by Christians live holy lives, it is not a simple and effective proclamaso good at bringing people to tion that puts them in direct con1.8 million Christ in the first place, a Capu- tact with Christ and allows them chin told Pope Benedict XVI. to experience the power of his "Our past has prepared us bet- Spirit," he told the pope.

Eastern Europe & Central Asia 1.6 million ter to be pastors mther than fishers While it is important to nourish of men," Capuchin Father Raniero and guide believers, Father ~len 720,000 Cantalamessa told the pope and top Cantalamessa said, the church must '; Torah '., Vatican officials December 2. recognize that it needs to bring , Mults: 4.2 mill~\: , Father Cantalamessa, preacher to the point of faith first. people 1.2 million ChOdrenunder1S .' of the papal household, leads "We must proclaim the .basic meditations for the pope and his message neat and tidy, at least closest advisers on Fridays in once, not only to catechumens, Advent and Lent. but to all," he said.

Father Cantalamessa said alUnlike the sects that focus remost everyone in the world has peatedly and almost exclusively on heard of Jesus, and "writers ma- being born again, the Catholic nipulate" his life and message in Church follows the faithful with popular books and films, adding teaching and guidance to help VATICAN CITY (CNS) - As He encoumged the people who pope said, "God, who is the ulti- that '''The DaVinci Code' is the them mature in their faith and pass the number of people affected by worked through ''the many initia- mate judge ofhistory, will know ... latest and most aggressive episode through moments of suffering with their faith intact, he said.

HIV/AIDS continues to rise, Pope tives dedicated to overcoming this how to read and receive even the in a long series."

But having heard the name Father Cantalamessa told the Benedict XVI urged the world to disease," especially the work car- cries ofthe victims beyond the bitJesus and having heard his mes- pope and Vatican officials they have persevere in its fight against the dis- ried out by the Church. ter tones they carry at times."

He said St. Augustine taught that sage in a way that brings a per- one question more important to ask ease and offer needed assistance to "Closely following Christ's exthose hit by the virus. ample, the Church has always con- "even among the people ofBabylon, son to faith are two entirely dif- themselves than what place Christ has in modem society: ''What place On the eve of the December I, sidered healing the sick an integml there are people. who work for ferent things, the preacher said.

The Catholic Church has built does Christ occupy in my life?"

World AIDS Day, the pope made part of its mission," he said. peace and the good ofthe commuThe preacher said one can prothe special appeal at the end of his Some 23,000 pilgrims gathered nity" even though they may not "an immense doctrinal edifice" around its faith, but the basic mes- claim "Jesus is lord" only after weekly general audience in St. under drizzling min in St. Peter's believe in the God ofthe Bible.

Peter's Square.

Square for the pope~s first general God will lead these people of sage - "Jesu's is lord" - has saying, "Jesus is my lord. He has every right over me. I hand him The U.N.-sponsored day "aims audience for the season ofAdvent. good will ''toward the heavenly never changed, he said. the reins of my life. I no longer As Christianity sPJ:"ead around to dmw attention to the scourge of The pope dedicated his Jerusalem, rewarding them for their the world, faith in Jesus was al- want to live for myself, but for pure conscience," said the pope.

AIDSandin~tetheintem~onal cateche~is to Psalm 137, recalling Though they may not know most an assumption, and the him who died and rose for me." community to a renewed commit- the exile 'of the Jews and their enThe act of faith means allowGod, they possess "a sparkle of church focused on educating bement in the field ofprevention and slavement by the Babylonians.

He. said the psalmist's image of desire for the unknown and tran- lievers in doctrine, dogma, pmyer, ing Jesus, his teaching and his supportive assistance for those" example to enlighte.n and cleanse affected by the mus, said the pope. the Jews -weeping for their de- scendent" which is "a form offaith" spirituality and morals, he said.

Presenting the whole array of every dark or untidy space in Approximately 40 million people stroyed city of Jerusalem while in or belief in hope, he said.

This faith and longing for the doctrine to modern men and one's life, he said. live with IllY, and nearly five mil- the hands of their captors ''by the "That is the best way this Adlion people were infected by the~­ streams of Babylon" was "almost transcendent is "really a journey women who do not know Christ rus in 2004 alone, according to fig- a symbolic foreshadowing of the toward -the real Jerusalem (in as lord "is like putting one ofthose vent to prepare a welcoming manures released by UNAIDS, thejoint extermination camps" of the last heaven) and toward Christ," said old heavy brocade capes on 'the ger for Christ who comes at shoulders of a child," he said.

Christmas," he said.

U.N. progmrn on HIV/AIDS. More . century which were "an infamous the pope.

The pope reminded Christians to than three million people died last opemtion of death that remain a permanent disgmce in the history remain open to God and the tranyear because of AIDS, it said.

St. Anne's Prayer scendent and to ''not always beCalling the latest statistics alarm- of humanity."

"Good St. Anne, Mother ofMary; and Even though the psalmist ex- come attached to material things ing, the pope expressed his solidarity with those suffering from AIDS presses a longing for, ~olent re- and the here and now, but to be on Grandmother ofJesus, Itltercede for me and my venge against the Babylonians, the the path toward God." and their families.

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Pope' urges world·to continue its, fight against HIV/AIDS

petitions. Amen."

Abortion is crime against society, says Pope Benedict VATICAN CITY (CNS)-Abortion is acrime ofaggression not only against the unbom, but also against society, Pope Benedict XVI said "Children have the right to be born and to grow in the midst of a family founded on matrimony, where the parents are the first educators of children in the faith and where they can grow to full human and spiritual maturity," the pope said December 3.

Meeting with the presidents of Latin American bishops' committees for the family and for life, the pope urged them to work together, sharing the progmrns and approaches that are most successful in their countries. ''Children are the major richness and the most precious good of a family," he said. ''For this reason, it is necessary to help all people to be aware that

the intrinsic evil ofthe crime ofabortion, which attacks human life at its beginning, is also an aggression against society itself," the pope said Legalized abortion has laid the' groundwork for acceptance of the destruction ofembryos in scientific research, he said The result is that human life is reduced ''to an object or a mere instrument When it reaches this leve~ society itselfsuffers and its foundations shake, with all classes at risk," he said 'The key ~ addressing the situation, he said, is to strengthen and defend the tmditional family, which is the first place in society where human life is welcomed and treasured. ''Your task as pastors is to present with all its richness the extraordinary value of matrimony which, as a natuml institution, is the patrimony

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The pope said the entire church must focus on efforts to "safeguard the fundamental'values ofmarriage and the family, which are threatened by the current phenomenon ofsecu-

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12

Portuguese

v,

Continued from page one

in Portuguese, and who along with the priest people, are invited to participate.

One of the more controversial topics of co-hosts the "Boa Nova da Vida" or "Good News For Life" series broadcast twice a late has been discussion of the proposed Liquefied Natural Gas plant in Fall River. month on Wednesday nights at 9:30.

Coelho said that more recently the pro"What's amazing is that if our programs in Portuguese, including our weekly Sun- gram discussed the collection ofsignatures day night Mass at 7 o'clock, are watched in parish churches in favor of the proposed by a million people, it means we are reach- amendment to the Massachusetts Constiing out to a larger congregation than those tution that would define marriage as the who actually attend Masses in their parish union of a man and a woman, and subseq\lently do away with same-sex marriage. churches that day," Coelho said.

The December 7, Wednesday night topic Father Oliveira added, "This has become a real service to our people. If we don't use for "Bona Nova, " sponsored by Portuguese the tremendous power of television, then Communications was "Os Cristaos we are ()ff the right track. My mission as a. Perguntam: Sera 0 Natal: 'Deus Na Nossa priest is amplified by the television media." Historia? '" or "Christians Ask: Could the Coelho said, "It shows not only how im- Meaning ofChristrnas Be 'God In Our Hisportant a communications medium televi- · tory?'" .

It featured Franciscan Father Herculano sion has become, but also that as modem day Catholics we must make the best use Alves, a Capuchin, who IS a professor in possible of it to continually bring Christ's biblical research. teachings and their application to,those in Father Oliveira, who is a native ofPonte Delgada'in the Azores, like Coelho, has a our Portuguese communities of faith."

It's not an easy task, said Coelho, re- background in communications. What's incently retired after 31 years as a teacher of teresting is that it began in Africa. His comscience and mathematics to bilingual stu- ing to Fall River is another story.

"I have been in communications since dents at Roosevelt Middle School in New Bedford. A native ofthe Algarve, in south- my ordination to the priesthood on May 26, ern Portugal, known as Portugal's "Florida," 1972 for th~ Diocese of Carmona, St. Salhe is a member ofSt. John the Baptist Par- vador in the north ofAngola, Africa. At that ish in the Whaling City, andfor many years time it was a Portuguese colony," Father has been active in the Charismatic move- Oliveira related. "Today it is the Diocese of Uige." ment.

When he left Angola, en route to Brazil, "We work hard for many hours making arrangements and more so in selecting top- his trek included coming to America to visit ics and guests in preparing the features of a brother, Manuel. our evangelizing programs," Coelho re"And I sank into Fall River for 30 years," ported. He is no stranger to the broadcast he said, laughing. business, having been the first announcer.

"When I assisted Msgr. Mendonca at for Channel 13 when it came to cable TV in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel- Parish he began 1977. looking into my communications backAfter a sabbatical studying at the Medi- ground," Father Oliveira recalled. Edward cal University in Coimbra, Portugal, Coelho Lima, an official ofChannel 20, was a memwas an announcer and reported the news · ber of that parish too, and he asked Bishop with old WGCY in. New Bedford before Cronin for a Mass in Portuguese on TV, coming to Portuguese Communications, and and so it began." , becoming involved in programming for Every Sunday the Mass was broadl;:ast 'The Encounter of the Living God." from Our Lady ofMt. Carmel Church until The TV Mass itself is a major produc- Febru,ary 1995, when Msgr. Mendonca retion because it is not celebrated before the tired. Then Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM cameras in a studio, but in a different par- Cap, appointed Father Oliveira to direct Porish church each Sunday night. It is the tele- tuguese Communications. vision crew that comes in, and that is taken "The first thing I did was to spread the into account in the planning ofliturgies and · broadcast of the Mass to different parishes," ceremonies. he said. Today we have 10 Portuguese par"The parish is the setting and several Por- ishes- in Fall River, New Bedford, Tauntori, tuguese parishes in the Fall River diocese Providence and East Providence - from and also a couple in Rhode Island are the which the Mass originates every Sunday venues," Father Oliveira explained. night."

"The first broadcast Mass in Portuguese Father Oliveira said he's always surprised was on Pentecost Sunday, May 26, 1978, when he meets people at the YMCA and on from a studio. The second Mass was broad- , the street who tell him, "Hi Father, I've seen cast from Our Lady ofMt. Carmel in New you on Portuguese TV." Bedford. It was celebrated by Msgr. Louis What's surprising, he added, "is when Mendonca, who was the. vicar general dUr- they tell me, 'I don't know- what you're ing the time ofBishop DanielA. Cronin." .. saying because I aon't speak Portuguese, "The pastor is usually the celebrant and but I like it anyway. ", hornilist, and the parish choir 'and servers Coelho said the feedback from those acand readers and the congregations them- tive in the Portuguese community, as well selves are from there, and so each church · as the sick and homebound, "is very posihas special meaning not only for those tive, and they are very enthused." watching who attended that parish in the While he is pleased with what is being past, but for the extended Portuguese com- done via Portuguese Communications for munity everywhere who are watching," the the Portuguese Community on television, pastor added.

Father Oliveira laments "we dO,n't have any''Neither John nor I are greeters for the thing on radio for them. We used to have Mass celebration, but we leave that to the the Mass on the radio. And we have nothindividual pastors," the coordinator said. ing in Portuguese in the newspapers, and The twice-monthly "Good News" pro- that is too bad. But this is America, and we grams are ofa half-hour duration, and cover understand that very well." not only theological but social themes, citiWhile the diocese funds Portuguese zenship, politics and voting, and other topi- Communications, the monies go just for the cal issues, all things of general interest to feature programs, but not for the weekly the entire community, Coelho, explained. Mass, the costs of which are sustained by Guests and guest speakers, priests and lay the individual parishes.

Marriage

Continued from page one

ence for both of us."

He said one of the keys to the success of ' the program is the many wonderful couples that comprise the team. "We really enjoy working with one apother and strive to give engaged couples a day that is informative and enjoyable." , Each engaged participant in the program completes an evaluation and.according to all those The Anchor spoke to, the response to the program has been overwhelmingly positive. .

Rosemary Akin ~aid participating is a way to practice her Catholic faith and a "chance to instill ill young couples that marriage is a vocation and a covenant between three people; the husband, wife and Jesus."

It also gives her a sense of satisfaction and said "It has definitely strengthened our marriage. We share what has worked for us , in our 35 years together."

All engaged couples who are planning on getting married in the Catholic Church must participate in the prograni. According to the Farnily Ministry Website, it is intended to give participants "a fuller understanding ofthe sacrament ofmatrimony and some practical tools for building a lifetime together."

Foley says the diocese requires couples to participate because it cares about the future of the couples' married life.

Father Gregory A. Mathias, director of the Family ~ife Ministry Office, said the pro- . gram has been very successful, but it needs more faithful couples to be witnesses.

"It's a great sacrifice and we are blessed by their help," said Father Mathias. "They enrich those they speak to and it benefits them. They grow in their marriage and they are extremely generous couples."

He went on to say that the marriage'preparation programs are vital because young en'gaged couples are making a life-time choice and need to make an informed decision and appreciate with greater deptlI what marriage is, according to the Pascal Mystery of the Catholic faith. ''We want t~ help. couples ask' the right questions before they enter into marriage," . said Father Mathias. "I am hopeful that what we do is to good effect in the lives of these couples."

In addition to being thankful for all the volunteers, Father Mathias was also thankful for the hard work of Scottie and Jerry Foley. "They are very well eqUipped for this ministry and 'stay on top of the national issues. They are true believers in the Catholic vision of marriage. Every one of our staff members goes above and beyond."

"There are a few things that are impacting the program now," said Scottie Foley.

"The number of couples getting married in our diocese is going down and that is true of . many dioceses aroiuid the country. We had 1,800 couples 20 years ago and last year we had abour700 getting married. The consensus across the country is that it's being caused 'by cohabitation."

Although the number of couples getting married is going down, she s¥1id there is still a great need for voluntee,r couples. There is currently no program team in the Fall River Deanery. ~'We'd love to have one couple in each parish. That would be valuable to the program and it would provide a link between the engaged couples and their parishes," said Foley.

According to Scottie Foley, those who volunteer find it's a great opportunity to do something significant for someone else.

"They build up their own relationships, work with great people and it's an opportunity to see how God works in their own lives."

She praised the efforts of the couples in-

volved and said part of what the program does is try to give engaged couples practical tools for when they run into problems or obstacles.

"The number one issue is money and we get,them to look at practical things they can do with regards to spending. We also give them advice on how to communicate and information about natural family planning."

Mrs. Foley said they continually look at the program and make ~djustrnents to it based on what is happening across the country.

"Since Father Mathias has come in, he has given us many new ideas and we're striving to meet the needs ofthe program," she stated.

"Hereally cares and he's very available to us."

Mary Dupuis and her husband Ron are organizers ofthe Remarriage Program, which began in 1994. At the time, the two were getting remarried, but found that there was no program for couples who were being remarried following an annulment or death of a spouse. . .The existing diocesan program did not cover issues like merging families or support payments, Mary Dupuis said, "So we took it upon ourselves to get something going. We booked a retreat at the National Shrine ofOur Lady ofLa Salette and brought our own materials."

Mrs. Foley was looking to establish a similar program at the time and when she heard about the Dupuis everything came together.

The couple has been married 14 years and when asked why they continue to be involved with the program Mary stated "It keeps our marriage fresh. One can get busy with dayto-day work and you can neglect to connect. This keeps us hopefUl and connected.

We need to talk about issues in order to talk with the couples."

While couples in the marriage preparation program meet as a group, those in the remarriage program meet individually with a team couple. Mary Dupuis said they have had a very positive response to that format and find that it works well.

They too are trying to find more couples willing to volunteer and s~id it can help couples communicate and "be a positive force in the marriage."

There are currently four active team couples and several it) training.

"You feel like you're doing something good," declared Mrs. Dupuis. "We feel we are planting seeds. You send them home with a lot of information and a good foundation for the couples."

Our Lady of Grace parishioner Jeannine Pacheco and her husband Ken have been helping engaged couples for more than 18 years. They are coordinators for the New Bedford Deanery and became involved because they wanted to help others.

"It has given us a lot of fulfillment," said Jeannine. "It strengthens our marriage and we, as Catholics should give something back."

The Pachecos do many ofth~ talks during the program including communication, alcohol and drugs and natural family planning.

For Ken, being a coordinator is an opportunity to prepare couples for the sacrament of marriage and "show the Church loves them and cares for them." He added that it is important for married couples to give engaged couples their guidance and share their experiences.

"Marriage is a beautiful sacrament," said Ken. "Taking part in the Marriage Preparation Program is a great start to a marriage."

For more information on the Ma"iage Preparation Program and becoming a volunteer call the Office ofFamily Life Ministry at 508-999-6420 or visit the Website: www.familyfallriver.org.

Friday, December 9, 2005 cians including the Amari Quartet. For more information call 508-824-5707.

Head of U.S. bishops calls Vatican stand on gays 'timely' WASHINGTON (CNS) -

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ATTLEBORO - Perpetual eucharistic adoration is held at St. Joseph's Church, 208 South Main Street. For more information call 508-226-1115.

WEST HARWICH - The Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Church, Route 28, invites people to spend an hour or two in prayer.

This regional chapel of the mid-Cape area depends on the support of people. For more information call 508430-4716. ' HEALING MASSES STURBRIDGE - Father Ralph A. DiOrio will celebrate Mass Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Sturbridge Host Hotel. A healing service and luncheon will follow. For more information call 508791-0610.

LECTURES/ PRESENTATIONS NORTH DARTMOUTH - Are you having trouble preparing for Christmas because a child is missing from your family? If you have lost a child or grandchild through death or miscarriage, you are invited to come and celebrate the life of that child,at a Mass of remembrance Sunday at 5 p. m. at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road.

It is sponsored by the diocesan Office of Family Ministry.

MISCELLANEOUS ATTLEBORO - An Advent Taize Service will be held December 13 from 7-8 p.llJ. at St. Stephen's Church, 683 South Main Street. It will include music, prayer and quiet meditation.

For more information call 508-222-0641.

HYANNIS -

The Brazil-

ian Community of Cape Cod will mark its 15th anniversary Sunday with the celebration of Mass at 7 p.m. at S1.

Francis Xavier Church.

Bishop George W. Coleman will be principal celebrant and homilist. For more information call 508-760-2894.

NEW BEDFORD - The Donovan House, a transitional home for women and children, seeks volunteers to share their time, knowledge and skills. Training and ongoing support will be provided. For more information call 508-999-5893.

NEW BEDFORD - Confessions are heard every Friday from 5:45-6:30 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. They are preceded by eucharistic adoration at 4: 15 p.m. and the celebration of Mass at 5:15 p.m. For more information call 508-9931691.

SEEKONK - The local food pantry, Doorways, Inc., is seeking volunteers to stock shelves during the week or assist clients on Saturday mornings. For more information call Katie Malo at 508-761-5491.

SOCIAL ATTLEBORO - The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette is hosting the annual Christmas Festival of Lights now through January 1, 2006. Illuminations are from 5-9 p.m. daily and the 2005 theme is "We are the Light of the World." The musical group Servant Song will perform Christmas songs Saturday at 3 p.m.

For more information call 508-222-5410.

EAST TAUNTON - The annual Advent Lessons and Carols Program will be presented Sunday at 4 p.m. at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue. It will feature soloists and musi-

SUPPORT GROUPS .ORLEANS - The Separated-Divorced Catholics Support Group will meet for its annual Christmas dinner and Yankee Swap December 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Parish Center of S1. Joan of Arc Church. Attendees should bring an appetizer or dessert and a wrapped $10 gift. For more information call Father Richard Roy at 508-255-0170.

NORTH DARTMOUTH - The diocesan DivorcedSeparated Support Group will hold its annual Christmas party December 12 from 7~9 p.m. at t,he Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road. Attendees are asked . to bring a $5 gift for the Yankee Swap and a pot-luck food item. For more information call Bob Menard at 508-673-2997.

NORTH FALMOUTH The St. Elizabeth Seton Cancer Support Group will meet December 21 at 7 p.m. in the church. For more information call 508-5637770.

PENANCE SERVICE NEW BEDFORD - In Preparation for Christmas, there will be two Advent Penance Services in the New Bedford Deanery. St. Mary'S Parish on Tarklin Hill Road will host a service on December 19 at 7 p.m. On December 21, Our Lady of Guadelupe at St. James Parish will host a Penance Service also at 7 p.m.

Priests from area parishes will be on hand bott! evenings to hear confessions.

Advent Mission in New Bedford NEW BEDFORD - St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford is hosting an Advent Mini-Mission December 12.:14 at 7 p.m.

Father Raymond de Souza, chaplain to 路the Newman Center at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, will preach the mission on "The Fatherhood of

God." The conferences will take place during a holy hour each night.

Father de Souza becanie very well known to American audiences as a Vatican analyst for the Fox News Channel this past April during the death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI. He is a regular col-

A

WEST HARWICH - An Vatican document that puts reAdlJent Celebration will be strictions on the ordination of held December 15 at 7:30 homosexuals is "a timely docup.m. at Holy Trinity Church's ment," expressing a "Christian Damien Hall. It will begin realism about what is expected in . with praise and worship fol- candidates for the priesthood," lowed by a presentation by . said the president?fth~ U.S. ConFather Edward J. Healey. fere~ce ofC~tl~olIc BIshops. ,For more information call BIshop WIllIam S. Skylstad of Alice Bahnsen at 508-398- Spokane, Wash., said the docu1139. ' ment. s~l~uld enco~rage bi~hops

umnist for the National Catholic Register and the National Post, Canada's version of the USA Today.

Advent confessions will be heard each evening beginning at 6 p.m. The mission is open to all. For more information, call 508-993-1691 or visit saintanthonynewbedford.com.

and relIgIOUS supenors to dISCUSS with seminary rectors and vocations directors the criteria for judging the maturity priesthood candidates should have on emotional and sexual matters.

The bishop made the comments in a statement on the "Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations With Regard to Persons With Homosexual Tendencies in View of Their Admission to the Seminary and to Sacred Orders," issued the same day by the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education.

Text

The Vatican docwnent said that the Church cannot allow priestly ordination of men who are active homosexuals, who have "deepseated" homosexual tendencies or who support the "gay culture."

Bishop Sk.-ylstad said that "it is certainly not acceptable if a candidate practices homosexuality or, whether active or not, if he identities himself principally by a homosexual inclination or orientation."

Nor should a seminarian support the "gay culture" and focus on homosexual issues to the point "that he cannot sincerely represent the Church's teaching on sexuality," he said.

The aim of sem inary education is to develop priesthood candidates who '~isplay an 'affective maturity' which enables them to relate properly to others as chaste, celibate priests who can faithfully represent the teaching of the Church about sexuality, including the immorality of homosexual genital activity," he said.

COl/IiI/lied from page Illree

It goes without saying that the candidate himself has the primary responsibility for his own fonnation. He must offer himself trustingly to the discernment of the Church, of the bishop who calls him to orders, of the rector of the seminary, of his spiritual director and of the other seminary educators to whom the bishop or major superior has entrusted the task of fonning future priests. It would be gravely dishonest for a candidate to hide his own homosexuality in order to proceed, despite everything, toward ordination. Such a deceitful attitude does not correspond to the spirit of truth, loyalty and openness that must characterize the personality of him who believes he is called to serve Chri'st and his Church in the ministerial priesthood.

CONCLUSION This congregation reaffinns the need for bishops, major superiors and all relevant authorities to carry out an attentive discernment con-

ceming the suitability ofcandidates for holy orders from the time of admission to the seminary until ordination. This discenunent must be done in light of a conception of the ministerial priesthood that is in accordance with the teaching of the Church.

Let bishops, episcopal conferences and major superiors look to see that the constant nonus of this instruction be faithfully observed for the good of the candidates themselves and to guarantee that the Church always has suitable priests who are true shepherds according to the heart of Christ.

The supreme pontiff Benedict XVI on Aug. 31,2005, approved this present instruction and ordered its publication.

Rome, Nov. 4,2005, memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski prefect Archbishop 1. Michael Miller, CSB secretary

In honor of Sister Lucia dos Santos, seer ofFatima, who died February 13,2005, age 97.

Lucia pray for us.

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SIXTH-GRADE STUDENTS from Espirito Santo School, Fall River, display the masks they created as part of a recent study of Egyptian culture. '

FIRST-GRADERS Madison Partington, Morgan Gartman and Katie Loonie were among many from St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro, to participate in its annual Thanksgiving Feast. In addition to preparing. the meal, students from grades one-four performed skits and songs of historical significance.

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EACH CLASS of students from St. Pius X School,' South Yarmouth,/helped make Thanksgiving dinner baskets that were distributed by the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society. Front from left: Nathan Mobed, J.J. Mirisola, and Kevin Olson. Middle: Alexis.Manchuk, Cooper Gagnon, Kayley Stevenson, Kyla O'Connor, Harrison Snook. Back: Marysa MacKoul, Peter Keefe, Christina Goulet, Corinne DeSimone, Gus Duvall, Alex Benoit and representatives from the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

FIRST-GRADE STUDENTS in Margaret McCormick's class at Our Lady of M1. Carmel School, New Bedford, were all smiles on a trip to the local fire station. It followed a unit on fire safety and students were enthusiastic about meeting firefighters and learning about their jobs first-hand. Pictured with students are McCormick, left, and chaperone Katie Goncalves. .

THE BOYS and Girls Cross Country Track teams at S1.

John the Evangelist School, Attleboro, ended their seasons in second-place and fifth-place respectively. They competed in STUDENTS FROM the French classes at St.- Stanislaus School,' Fall River, enjoy a day at the Catholic Athletic League. Member of the Boys Team are, the provincial house ofthe'Dominican Sisters ofthe Presentation in Dightgn. While there they from left front: David Stewart, Tim Gill, Tony Cicchetti, Michael learned about the history of the religious order and shared time in prayer. The Dominican Adams, lim Lynch. Back: Brendan Monroe, Chris Adams, Matt Sisters are currently celebrating 100 years of service in the Fall River diocese:' ' . Boland and Grant Bedard. . .

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Friday, December 9, 2005

Pope says Catholic universities can bridge gap between science, faith ROME (CNS)-Catholicuniversities can bridge the cultural chasm between science and faith by offering top-quality research and study that still upholds the dignity of the person and promotes the good ofsociety, Pope Benedict XVI said to professors and students of Europe's largest Catholic university.

The Catholic nature of a university, far from being a hindrance, is an asset, he said.

"The Catholic university is a great laboratory in which ... new lines of research are constantly being developed in a stimulating encounter between faith and reason which aims to recover the hannonious synthesis" 'between the two, the pope said.

Even in today's culture that divides faith and reason, "it is again possible to merge faith and science," he said.

The pope made his remarks in a recent address to faculty and students at Rome's Sacred Heart University, marking the start ofthe academic year.

Founded by Father Agostino Gemelli in Milan, Italy, in 1921, Sacred Heart University has campuses in five Italian cities and a total of42,000 students and 1,400 professors, making it the largest Catholic university in Europe.

Speaking to his audience gathered in the university's Agostino Gemelli Department ofMedicine and Surgery, Pope Benedict said the Catholic university's mission is to teach and carry out scientific research in accordance with "a coherent cultural and educational project that serves future generations and the human and Christian development ofsociety."

"The fundamental questions facing man - how to live and how to die - appear to be excluded from the field of rationality and are left to the realm ofsubjectivity," he said. The end result has been that the university's original search for truth and goodness "disappears, to be replaced by the question offeasibility," or what is doable and not necessarily ethical.

"This then is the greatchallenge facing Catholic universities: to practice science within the horizon ofa rationality different from that which widely dominates today, in keeping with a form of reason open to the transcendent, to God," said the pope.

Even the field ofinfertility and fertility research can benefit from the work being done by Catholic universities and institutes, he said.

The university's Paul VI International Scientific Institute ofResearch on Human Fertility and Infertility for Responsible Procreation, founded in 2001 in Rome, is an "eloquent example of that synthesis between truth and love that represents the vital center of Catholic culture," said Pope Benedict.

He said he hoped the center continues to receive "the necessary support in carrying out its important research activity" which "gives a sound scientific foundation to the natural regulation of human fertility" as well as natural methods to overcome infertility.

The pope said the research being done by Catholic institutes and universities is intended for "the glory of God and the spiritual and material advancement of humanity."

Hurts can be healed

By CHARLIE MARTIN - CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE album charts. Their latest release their lives. Since that time, many FIX YOU offthis CD is ''Fix You." efforts have been initiated to help When you try your best but The song is one of the disc's these people. One of the leaders you don't succeed has been Catholic Charities USA When you get what you want more mellow tracks. It invites reflection on times ofdisappoint(see catholiccharitiesusa.org). but not what you ,need ment - times "when you try your Clearly, the generosity, kindness When you feel so tired but best but you don't succeed ... and concem expressed for those you can't sleep when you lose something you aftlicted are part of the healing Stuck in reverse can't replace, when you love process.

And the tears come streamsomeone but it goes to waste."

Notice my emphasis on healing, ing down your face Facing disappointments can not fixing. Nothing can fix the When you lose something ache that these members of God's you can't replace family encountered. Rather, Jesus' When you love someone but teaching asks us to assure that it goes to waste those who suffer do not face their Could it be worse? loss alone.

Lights will guide you home We cannot give back to And ignite your bones hurricane victims the life they had.

And I will try to fix you But we can pledge a sustained And high up above commitment to help them rebuild a or down below new life. Our love and openness When you're too in represent a pathway of God's love to let it go healing in the face ofdevastating But if you never try you'll loss. never know The events ofHurricane Katrina Just what you're worth are just one example of that which Lights will guide you home leave us feeling empty and broken. cannot be fixed. Most suffering is And ignite your bones , not public. Rather, it resides deep Often it is hard to see how to And I will try to fix you within someone's heart. When we Tears stream down your face move beyond disappointment.

Instead we need to live temporarily perceive that loss and grief are When you lose something occurring, we need to activate the with the grief that accompanies you cannot replace full power of our prayer, friend.. such painful experiences.

Tears stream down ship and understanding. Further, The guy in the song offers your face And I when required, as in the case of another approach. He says, " Lights will guide you home Lights will guide you home ..., and this year's hurricane, we must do And ignite your bones what we can to help with others' I will try to fix YOl~." Perhaps he And I will try to fix you ph~ical needs. We cannot fix means well, but his promise to fix Sung by Co/dp/ay what has occurred, but we can the pain cannot be kept. Most A/bum:X&Y make sure that another knows we disappointments cannot be fixed. (e) 2005 by Capito/ care.

Loss is real. It always hurts. Yet, I keep hearing music reviewFollow your heart's instincts true caring from another can make ers proclaim Coldplay the best about how to reach out to others, the difference for how life's pain band on the planet. I remain a whether these individuals are your heals. disbeliever. In my perspective, brothers and sisters on the Gulf For example, last August our those rockers from Dublin, U2, Coast or people who have needs whole nation watched Hurricane are still the kings oftoday's pop/ closer to your home. Fixing is not Katrina harm thousands of our rock. fellow citizens in New Orleans and often possible; healing is God's Even so, I have to say Mississippi. Many lost loved ones, gift. Many times the pathway of Coldplay's new disc "X&Y" homes and just about everything in this grace comes through you. deserves its place at the top of the

Come, just as you are Hi. My name is Osvaldo. My friends call me Ozzie - a nickname given to me by my sixth-grade teacher. I am the Faith Formation director at Santo Christo Parish where I serve Christ's young disciples.

This has been a great joy for me for more than 22 years.

The Advent season is a time for searching within one's selfthe real value of"self."

Very often we try to be someone else, look like someone else, or act like someone else, that we completely forget about the real person that is within. Have you ever looked at yourself and been satisfied at the person you see, just as you are?

You know the story of the Magi, more commonly known as the Three Wise Men or the Three Kings, and their searching for and fmding Jesus in Bethlehem, in a humble manger. They knew they were searching for a king. However, they also knew they wouldn't find him in a palace.

They were humbled at finding the Christ Child in that manger. But what did the Wise Men experience on their joumey to Bethlehem? It is an experience made by all

child that night - their choosing Christ as public schools, and instead keeps God people, especially you, the young. their king. of that environment. completely out While searching for the newborn king, So how will you present your self to What message is society giving you, they encountered resistance. It is the same Christ? Come, just as you are, to that resistance that you will find in your search young people, and all people? All these are manger. Don't worry about what your encounters of resistance in our search for for him, because not everyone bears true friends have that are bigger or better than Christ. But I truly believe that this resiswitness of Christ. You face this resistance tance can be overcome. We simply need to what you have. Don't worry about what every day. Look they may think of you. Be satisfied with come to Christ around you and your self - that's the greatest gift you can as we are. just there are signs present to Christ. Come, just as you are, The Magi of this resisand fall on your knees and do him homage did. These tance to Christ. and proclaim to the world, by that simple Three Wise Just look at the gesture, that Jesus is your Lord and Lord Men, who were Advent and ofall. . humbled at that Christmas But if you really want to be someone manger in seasons alone,

By Osvaldo Pacheco Bethlehem, after else, why not choose to be Christ? Want when we to look like someone else? Why not choose encountering prepare for and to look like Christ? Want to act like resistance and celebrate the someone else? Why not choose to live like struggling through it, bowed before their birth of Jesus. Our society thinks it's Christ? Want to give your self completely? king.

There were no words spoken, only a offensive to some to use the name Christsimple gesture - a gesture that proclaimed Give your self to Christ, completely, just as mas,and instead uses holiday. It's offenyou are. God bless. ,to the world that this child was their Lord sive to' some to put a manger scene on Owe Pacheco is Faith Formation public display, and instead allows images of and Lord of all. Their gifts of gold, Director at Santo Christo Parish in Fall Santa Claus, reindeer and candy canes. It's frankincense and myrrh, though rich in River, where he has been involved in offensive to some to sing Christmas carols symbolism, were nothing compared to the youth ministry for 22 years. with any religious tones whatsoever in our greatest treasure that they presented the '

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Pope calls for global solidarity to help end world v~olence VATICAN CITY (CNS) World leaders and people of good will must band together to help end violence, which "disfigures humanity," stunts development and quashes hope, the pope told new anlbassadors to the Vatican.

"In order to create a climate of peace and a spirit of reconciliation on all social levels, beginning with the family," all people need to lend a hand, otherwise "it is not possible to move forward on the path to a peaceful society," he said in an address, adding that nations must act to attain peace.

The pope made his comments to a group of 11 new anlbassadors from Mrica, Asia, Europe, Central America and the Caribbean.

One way to achieve more harmonious development among people would be to "pay special attention to youth, ensuring that fam ilies and the various educational structures are provided with the means to fonn and educate" young generations, the pope said.

He said young people needed to be taught "essential spiritual, moral and social values" and be made aware of their role in society and how they can best "serve the common good and address all people's needs."

In addition to the French-language address he made to the group

of new ambassadors, the pope gave the diplomats separate written messages dedicated to the situation in their own countries.

In his message to Petros Tseggai Asghedom, the new anlbassador from Eritrea, the pope said the Vatican was eager "to support the international community in its efforts to avoid further military escalation and to resolve the continuing conflicts" in the Hom of Mrica.

But he said the Church was "deeply concerned that all citizens should be free to practice their faith and that no one should feel under threat or coercion of any kind." He also asked that the right to exempt religious from military service be respected.

The pope told Ali Abeid Karume of Tanzania that "vibrant and successful democracies" were built on the core values of peace, solidarity,justice and liberty.

He also thanked Tanzanian authorities for theirgenerosity in sheltering "nearly a million refugees fleeing the violence and bloodshed of wars in their homelands." He said such solidarity was praiseworthy and served as "an example for Mrica and the world."

The pope also praised South Mrica's "policy of acceptance" of refugees as exemplary.

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STUDENTS AND TEACHERS at St. Joseph's School in Fairhaven responded to a request for help advertised in The Anchor. Father Paul Cruz of St. Antony's Church in India expressed a need for donations of holy medals, statues, pictures, pens and pencils for his students. Principal Dorothea Coderre enthusiastically embraced the idea of St. Joseph's students reaching out to help Father Cruz. Students and teachers in al! grades pulled together and collected a box full of donations. Students in Julie Vareika's kindergarten classroom will be mailing the package this month.

New Bedford church to host annual Legion of Mary reunion Sunday NEW BEDFORD - Our The diocesan Legion of Mary Lady of, Fatima Praesidium, holds the reunion each year to from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel give members, active and auxilParish, will host this year's Le- iary, and their families and gion of Mary Reunion Sunday friends the opportunity to gather -for prayer and socialize. at 2 p.m.

The event includes recitation The world-wide organization of the rosary and adoration of of the Legion of Mary is always the Blessed Sacrament in the looking for new members. church, followed by a gather- Members are active with evaning in the church hall. gelization, visiting nursing

homes, and visiting families of newly baptized infants. The reunion is an opportunity to get to know members, and possibly join them.

For more infonnation about the Legion of Mary contact diocesan Director Father Barry Wall at 508-672-7232, or Father Terence Keenan, curia spiritual director, at 508-992-7163.

Christmas Greetings During the holiday season, which greeting would you be more likely to give to someone you just met?

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THE 2005 Massachusetts Citizens for Life dinner was recently held at the Lantana Restaurant in Randolph and featured Suzanne Vitadamo; sister of the late Terri Schindler Schiavo, as the keynote speaker. From left: Robert S. Roth; Mary Schindler, mother of Terri; and Vitadamo. Several diocesan Pro-Life advocates were honored at'the banquet for their hard work and dedication.