12.09.94

t eanc 0 VOL. 38, NO. 48

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Friday, December 9, 1994

FALL RIVER, MASS.

FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

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Retirement Fund for Relil~ious still in need

World AIDS Day Mass draws large crowd to Cathedral

WASHINGTON (CNS) - The Retirement Fund for Religious collection, to be taken up this weekend in diocesan parishes, has raised $150 million across the nation in six years. Although the most successful collection in U.S. Catholic history, it still accounts for only 3 percent of the support orders need to care for their aging members.

Auxiliary Bishop Carlos A. Sevilla of San Francisco, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Religious Life and ;\1inistry, gave the stark statistics during a report on the Tri-Conferelltce Retirement Office at the bishops' fall general meeting in Washington.

Bishop Sevilla gave the historically low stipends paid religious women as one cause for the continued unfunded retirement liability, pegged last July at $6.3 billion.

"Members ofrelil~ious institutes still in ministry are trying to address the question of compensation since the need for adequate compensation now impacts deficiencies in the past as well as retirement needs presently and into the future," he said.

"The current median stipend does not meet the current average cost of supporting even one retired member," And religious as a group are getting older, the bishop added.

The number of religious over age 70 will stay the: same for the next 15 years, but the number below age 70 will continue to drop.

By 2000, the median age of religious in the United States is forecasted to be 70.

"This means not oply that retirement needs will continue but also indicates a corresponding implication for staffing the apostolates in which active religious are now involved," he said.

Bishop Sevilla also noted that religious institutes are trying to help themselves in many ways.

Many are selling property, establishing retirement trust funds, utilizing convent space more effectively and renovating and downsizing motherhouses.

Mercy Sister Laura Reicks. associate director of the retirement office. said many orders now have development offices and are also emphasizing jobs that provide salaries instead of stipends.

Notre Dame Sisters currently put all pensions f:arned by their members into a J'i~tirement fund, Turn to Page 11

Saying that the first AI DS patient he met was a 78-year-old nun who contracted the disease from a blood transfusion, Bishop Sean O'Malley said that AIDS/ HIV should not be considered a "punishment from God." He spoke at a Mass of Healing and Remembrance offered at St. Mary's Cathedral Dec. I, World AI DS Day. "The church refuses to accept such a simplistic and cruel judgment," he continued, saying that Christians must respond to the worldwide health problem with "compassion, love and a spirit of hope."

Bishop O'Malley, a Capuchin Franciscan, cited the example of St. Francis of Assisi, a person as terrified of lepers as many today are of the AI DS virus, and noted that in medieval times leprosy was considered a punishment for sins.

Yet, said the bishop, "the grace of God allowed Francis to embrace a leper," and that embrace changed the life of the future saint, eventually inspiring him to found the Franciscan order.

The same grace of God is at work today, continued the bishop.

He said one example is the fact "that some people never suspected the love in their families until they admitted having AIDS" and experienced the unwavering support of their loved ones.

Bishop O'Malley expressed gratitude for diocesan efforts in the AI DS ministry, citing the work of Hope House, a residence for AI DS patients opened last Sept.

27 by St. Anne's Hospital, Fall River. He also thanked the many priests and sisters in the diocese who minister to AIDS patients; and Ms. Krysten Winter-Green, director of the Diocesan Office of H IV / AIDS Ministry, and coordinator of the World AIDS Day Mass, for the contributions she and her staff have made. They include publication of an HIV/ AIDS Resource Manual which has circulated throughout the nation and is being distributed to Maryknoll missionary priests throughout the world.

The congregation crowding St. Mary's Cathedral for the AIDS Day Mass included, in addition to many priests and other adults, large representations from diocesan high and elementary schools.

"It is important for young people to be here," stressed the bishop, Turn to Page II

DIOCESAN PARTICIPANTS in the National Catholic Stewardship Council annual conference, held' last month in Boston. (Kessler photo)

Fall River had largest delegation

National Catholic Stewardship conference studies use of time, talent, trea'sure The Fall River c:liocesan delegation, 49 strong and led by Bishop Sean O'Malley, was the largest group in attendan,ce at the recent National Catholic Stewardship Council's conference in Boston.

The parley drew over 600 participants from the United States, Canada and Jamaica.

Themed "Stewardship: A Grateful Response," the gathering emphasized that, as a letter to those'at the meeting from Boston Cardinal Bernard Law put it, "the sharing of time, talent and treasure to further the mission of the church is the responsibility Of every member of the Christian faithful."

The three-day general program was preceded by a two-day program for persons involved with stewardship on the diocesan level.

It included presentations on estate planning, establishment of diocesan foundations, 'management of capital fundraising campaigns, planned giving and organization and operation of diocesan stewardship committees. ' The general program opened with an update on the 1992 pastoral letter of the U.S. bishops, "Stewardship: A Disciple's Re-

sponse," presented by Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy of Seattle, Wash., Archbishop James P. Keleher of Kansas City, Kans., Bishop John J. McRaith of Owensboro, Ky., and Auxiliary Bishop Robert F. Morneau. of Green Bay, Wisc.

The first day of the program concluded with a concelebrated liturgy at Boston's Cathedral of the Holy Cross with Cardinal Law as principal concelebrant.

General program group sessions on parish and diocesan tracks included, for parishes, presentations

by Msgr. Joseph M. Champlin, Camillus, NY, whose topic was Stewardship and Sacrificial Giving; Barbara and Francis Scholtz, St. Augustine, FL, Ways to Introduce Sacrificial Giving; Rev. Thomas McGread, Wichita, KS, How to Nurture Commitment of Time and Talent; and Rev. Warren McCarthy, Schaumburg, IL, The Role of the Pastor in Nurturing Stewardship.

The diocesan track offered discussions by Richard Costello, Norwich, CT, and Herman Guenther, Colorado Springs, CO, on Planned Giving; Jerry Locey, Seattle, WA, on Ways to Improve Response to

Stewardship; Ann Masden, Alexandria, LA, and Marianne Murphy, Romeoville, IL, on Restructuring the Annual Appeal; John Lewis, Jr., New York, NY, on Soliciting Major and Planned Gifts; and Paul LeBlanc, Seattle, WA, on Incorporating Stewardship in the Annual Diocesan Appeal.

'The annual Christian Stewardship Award of the National Council, given to a person who exemplifies Christian stewardship in his or her sharing of time, talent and treasure went to Seattle Archbishop Murphy and the Bishop William G. Connare Award for Distinguished Service was presented to Frank J. Koval, director of development for the diocese of Lansing, MI. Koval has worked in the fund raising field for the diocese for 41 years.

The conference closed with an address on its theme by Mary Higgins Clark, America's top writer of suspense novels, who has 28 million books in print in the U.S. and additional millions in other countries. Ms. Clark discussed her faith, family and writing career, noting that the Catholic Church has Turn to Page II

...----In This I s s u e - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , DePaul Center Groundbreaking

Father Duffy Dies

When Catholics ' Disagree

Outcry Over Embryo Research

Taming the Christmas Tree

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Three Park St. Dominican Sisters die in Fall River Three Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena have died this month. Sister Jean de Verceil Beauregard died Dec. I; Sister Martin Landry died Dec. 4; and Sister Mary Loretta Lane died Dec. 5.

Sister Beauregard's Mass of Christian Burial took place Dec. 6 and Sisters Landry and Lane's joint Mass was offered today, all at the Dominican Motherhouse at 37 Park St., Fall River.

Sister Beauregard Sister Beauregard, 93, who died after a long illness, w<;ls a native of St. Dominique de Bagot, Quebec, Canada, and the daughter of the

SISTER BEAUREGARD

late Emile and Olivina (Langevin) Beauregard.

After professing vows in the Dominican community in 1933, she taught at Sl. Anne's School, Fall River, and at schools in New Haven, CT, and Plattsburgh, Mooers Forks and Peru, NY, retiring from the education field in 1978.

She is survived by two sisters, Sister Marie Paule Beauregard of the Park Street community, and Marie-Joseph Beauregard of St. Liboire, Canada; two brothers, Charles Beauregard of St. Liboire and Romeo Beauregard ofSt. Dominique de Bagot; and two nieces; both members of the Park Street community, Sister Marie Jeanne Beauregard in Fall River; and Sister Marie Germaine Beauregard; serving in Valleyfield, Quebec.

Sister Lane Sister Lane 93, was born in Atlanta, GA, and was the daughter of the late Edward and Dora (Hayes) Lane. .

A graduate of Catholic University in Washington, DC, she taught at Dominican Academy in Fall River for 24 years and thereafter taught in Plattsburgh, NY, at St. Peter's School, where she was also principal and superior of the Dominican community for four and three years respectively, retiring in 197'1.

She has no immediate survivors.

Sister Landry Sister Landry, 100, was a native of Fall River, the daughter of the late Napoleon and Aisemierie (Cote) Landry. Her ministry included housework and cooking and she also cared for boarding school students and was a sacristan.

During her active life she served in houses of her community in North Dakota, Acushnet and Fall River and in Plattsburgh, Peru, Mooers Forks and Ellenburgh, NY. She is survived by a niece, Sister Rita Pelletier, OP, of the Park Street community; two nephews, Rev. Richard Landry, MS, director of LaSalette Center for Christian Living in Attleboro, and Maurice Allard of Pawtucket, RI; cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Sister Biltcliffe SISTER LANE

SISTER LANDRY

Sister M. Georgina Biltcliffe, RS M, 72, died Dec. I at Rhode Island Hospital. The Mass of Christian Burial was offered for her Dec. 5 at Holy Name Church, Fall River.

A native of the city, she was:the daughter of the late George A. and Rose Marie (McDermott) Biltcliffe.

She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1941 and thereafter taught in , schools of her community in the Providence and Fall River dioceses, including Holy Family Grammar School and the former Our Lady of Mercy School, both in New Bedford.

She held a master's degree in library science from Marywood College, Scranton, P A, and served as a librarian in Rhode Island schools and at Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro. She also taught adult education classes in Rhode Island for several years.

She is survived by Ii brother, Nicholas W. Biltcliffe of Fall River, and several nieces and nephews.

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CAMP

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GROUND BREAKERS: (from left) contractor Glen Whitaker, Bishop O'Malley, Father Joseph Costa and Mark Browne of 51. Vincent's Home, and architect Alan Kearney break ground at the former 51. Vincent's Camp, Westport, for 51. Vincent's new DePaul Center.

St. Vincent's breaks ground for DePaul Center

By Marcie Hickey â&#x20AC;˘ Bishop Sean O'Malley joined St. Vincent's Home director Father . Joseph Costa and adolescent services director Mark Browne in wielding shovels last Saturday.

They were breaking ground at the former St. Vincent de Paul Camp, Westport, which will be transformed in the coming year into the DePaul Center, home of St. Vincent's short-term residential diagnostic program for youths.

St. Vincent's Home, which provides services for children at its Fall River campus, acquired the property after diocesan summer camps for exceptional and underprivileged children were relocated to Cathedral Camp, East Freetown.

Construction on the 83-acre DePaul' Center site will involve only one new building, a gymnasium, while six existing structures will be renovated and three will receive additions. The facilities will serve a maximum of 32 boys 12 to 18 years old. .

Father Costa expressed gratitude that the diocese has designated the camp, a piece of "prime real estate" that could have been used for lucrative purposes, for services to children in crisis. Its profits, said an onloo~er, will be realized in the form of improved lives for youths.

The challenges inherent in providing services to troubled youths are "worthwhile, because it does make a difference for these kids," said Father Costa. "It's the kind of experience that turns things around for them."

Bishop O'Malley told about 100 clergy, staff members and friends of St. Vincent's attending the groundbreaking that the church wants to provide the best for "God's little ones."

"How can we give [the poor] leftovers and hand-me-downs and keep the best- for ourselves?" he asked.

There is a tremendous need for programs like the DePaul assessment, and society cannot blame troubled children for their problems when the services it offers them are inadequate, Father Costa said.

"The system is overburdened with kids in need," said Browne, explaining that state services are so overwhelmed that they look to private agencies like St. Vincent's

to provide what the Commonwealth cannot. The DePaul program represents "maximum use of taxpayers' dollars for these services," said Browne. "We provide them better and cheaper than the Commonwealth could itself."

Currently operated at St. Vincent's in Fall River, where it can only accommodate a dozen youths, the DePaul program already has a waiting list of two dozen boys.

Referrals come mainly from the Massachusetts Department of Social Services, and more than half the youths entering the program come from the greater Fall River and New Bedford areas, with a few from out of state.

The youths generally have a background of neglect or abuse at home and have behavior problems and difficulty in school.

"These are kids who are giving off signals that they need help" and require immediate placement outside of the home "in an environment that can provide safety, stability and security," said Browne.

Counseling and therapy in the DePaul program, lasting up to three months, assess a youth's needs, determining whether he can return home or requires further residential care.

The program, said Father Costa, operates with the philosophy that "problems left neglected don't go away; they get worse.~' The DePaul assessment is designed to "uncover the reason" for negative behavior and "identify the needs of the family and the resources the family can access so they can be reunited."

Browne emphasized that all referrals are interviewed to assure they are appropriate candidates for the program. Youngsters requiring a locked setting or who would pose a risk to other residents or'the community will not be admitted.

"N <> activity here will pose a threat to the peace and tranquility of this neighborhood," Bishop O'Malley said at the groundbreaking.

St. Vincent's has kept residents ofthe camp neighborhood apprisea of plans for the site on a continuing basis. Three advisory committees, composed of a total of 23 Westport residents are examining seciJrity, environmental concerns and the impact ofthe DePaul Cen-

ter on the area, and are acting as liaisons to the community. A mailing listing advisory committee contacts will be sent to reside nts in early 1995. . Committee members "ca::ne to us with a lot of concerns thai: have been abated" since they have "educated themselves about St. Vincent's" by visiting its programs and meeting staff members, and they have communicated their satisfaction to other members of the community, said Father Costa.

The DePaul Center will be a "self-contained environment'" and off-campus privileges will bl: rare except for possible summer heach trips, said Browne. The staff-tostudent ratio will be high: one to four during waking hours and one to six at night, he added.

"80 percent of our cost is staff," he said. "These are kids who require a lot of personal attention."

The center will accommodate up to 32 residents in two dormitories, 16 in each. The center's other facilities will be an education ,:omplex with classrooms; an industrial arts shop; recreational and dining halls; an administration building with offices and a nurse's station; and a program hous~ for staff meetings. A hospitality center at the camp entrance will re';eive visitors. The gymnasium, to be built out of sight of the road, will feature a basketball court and fitness equipment.

Construction to date haH included digging of roads to be paved later and the foundations of building additions. A new leaching field and septic system have been <:ompleted.

Browne and Father Costa say they expect programs to get underway at the site by July, when one dormitory and the dining hall will have been renovated.

Father Costa noted St. Vinc<~nt's has overcome significant hurdles in the past year to arrive at the groundbreaking. "It's an understatement to say getting to this point wasn't easy, but as we overcame each obstacle we got stronger," he said.

He hopes that the community will come to see the DePaul Center as an asset.

Browne noted that St. Vincent's has done as much as possible to preserve the camp site as it is.

Turn to Page Nine

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Father Duffy dies at 72 The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday by Bishop Sean O'Malley at St. Francis Xavier Church, Hyannis, for Father Edward C. Duffy, 72. Pastor at St. Francis Xavier since June 1981, Father Duffy died Dec. 4 after a long illness.

He was born March 23,1922, in Fall River, the son of the late Thomas H. and thl~ late Anna (Connolly) Duffy. He graduated in 1939 from BMC Durfee High School, Fall River, !Lnd attended Providence College for two years before entering St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore.

Ordained June IS, 1946, by Bishop James Cassidy at St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River, he was parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier for eight years, then entered the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps for three years, serving in Quantico, VA; Alameda, CA; and in Japan.

Returning to the diocese, Father Duffy was parochiaJ vicar at St. James parish, New Bedford, until 1969; administrator at St. John the Baptist, Westport, until 1971; pastor at St. Mary's Seekonk until 1978; and then pastor ofSt. Mary's, Mansfield.

In 1981, after. being na med pastor at St. Francis, father Duffy was named dean of Khe Cape and Islands Deanery, a post he held until 1990 and which carried the title of Very Reverend.

While in New Bedford in the 1960s Father Duffy was involved with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Mental Health Clinic Board of Directors, and the Catholic Young Adults.

He was especially well-known as director of the New Bedford Area CYO, for which he organized countless spiritual, social, cultural and athletic events. Hie hosted New England CYO conventions and directed trips to Washington, DC, the New York World's Fair and the Expo in Montreal. He offered use of the CYO's Kennedy Center

Death sentence for Paul Hill completes "horrifying" cycle

FATHER DUFFY to worthwhile nonprofit youth and civic groups.

Father Duffy and "right-hand man" Bill Doyle also brought in big names in basketball - the Boston Celtics and Harlem Globetrotters as well as individual pro and college players - to boost CYO programs. The priest's longtime friend Bob Cousy often appeared at CYO events even after his retirement from the Celtics.

In 1970, Father Duffy was awarded the Bronze Whaler Statue for his work with youth.

Also during his time in New Bedford, Father Duffy was area director of the Catholic Charities Appeal. In Hyannis, he was moderator for the Cape and Islands District of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, chaplain for the Father McSwiney Council Knights of Columbus, and Faithful Friar of the F:ourth Degree Bishop Tyler Assembly. He was named to the advisory board of the Kennedy Skating Rink in Hyannis.

In March of thi$ year he was named an honorary chaplain of the Southbridge-based Former Massachusetts Statelfroopers, Inc., for kindness, under.standing and guidance shown many members of the state police.

Father Duffy is survived by his twin brother, Thomas H. Duffy of Branford, CT; and seven nieces.

Pope names administrators for Rwandan dioceses VATICAN CITY (eNS) - Pope John Paul II has named apostolic administrators for three dioceses in Rwanda whose bishops were murdered, for another Rwandan diocese whose bishop is missing, and for a fifth diocese whose bishop is in exile.

Archbishop Vincent Nsengiyumva of Kigali and Bishops Thaddee Nsengiyumva of Kabgayi and Joseph Ruzindana of lByumba were shot dead last June by Rwandan Tutsi rebels who apparently murdered the clergymen in revenge for the deaths of family members at the hands of Hutu militias.

Bishop Thaddee Ntihinyurwa of Cyangugu was named apostolic administrator of Kigali; Bishop Frederic Rubwejanga of Kibungo was named administrator of Byumba; and Father Andre Sibomana . was named apostolic administrator of Kabgayi.

Bishop Augustin Misago of Gikongoro was reported missing about the same time that the three Rwandan prelates were killed. Like them, he was seeking refuge in Kabgayi, but his body was not found with the others. Bishop Jean-

Baptiste Gahamanyi of Butare was named apostolic administrator.

Bishop Phocas Ni~wigize of Ruhengeri was living in Goma, Zaire, the site of refugee camps.

Missionary of Aftica Father Antonio Martinez was named administrator of the diocese.

Bishop Nikwigize, a Hutu, fled Rwanda with many of his faithful in mid-July as the Tutsi-dominated Rwandan Patriotio Front consolidated its power in the country.

WASHINGTON (CNS) - The U.S. bishops' pro-life spokeswoman said the death sentence given to Paul Hill Dec. 6 for murdering a Florida abortionist is wrong because "you should not kill people to show that killing people is wrong." ' "But a judge has decided that the State of Florida should kill Paul Hill because Hill killed Dr. Britton because Britton killed unborn children. The cycle of violence is horrifying," said Helen Alvare.

Ms. Alvare, director of planning and information for the Secretariat for 'Pro-Life Activities of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, made the comments in a statement issued the same day as Hill's sentence.

Circuit Court Judge Frank Bell ruled that Hill, a former Presbyterian minister, should die in Florida's electric chair for killing Dr. John Britton and clinic escort John Barrett outside the Ladies Center abortion clinic in Pensacola July 29.

Hill received two life sentences for his convictions under federal laws protecting clinic entrances.

The state death penalty takes precedence. ' Ms. Alvare's statement noted that although Catholic teaching allows governments in some cases to apply capital punishment, the purpose of punishing Hill could have been achieved by a life sentence. She also said the U.S. bishops have a longstanding position opposed to the use of the death penalty.

"In a society saturated with and sick from violence, capital punishment is a tragically mistaken sentence," she said.

A prominent supporter of legal abortion also opposed the death sentence for Hill, though for different reasons.

Kate Michelman, president of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action L,eague, said sentencing Hill to death "will not prevent another anti~choice fanatic from pulling the trigger."

The spokesman for a group that stage& blockades at abortion clinics, Rescue America, said Hill's conviction was unfair in the first place because the judge overruled his attempt to argue that the killings were justifiable homicide.

Hill defended himself at his state murder trial and did not deny the shootings.

Florida law provides for automatic state'Supreme Court review of capital sentences. It typically takes about 10 years to exhaust all possible death penalty appeals in Florida.

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Shame on Massachusetts!

Teachers must go on strike for decent pay; policemen must arbitrate; firefighters are treated like second:'class citizens; the· elderly are threatened with pension cuts: the Massachusetts legislators vote themselves a 55 percent pay increase. .

Perhaps nothing has been more insulting to the people of this Commonwealth than the financial maneuverings of their General Court. During the recent election campaign, there was not the slightest hint that personal greed would motivate one of the first items brought to a vote in the State House.

To make matters worse, the legislators, knowing well the outrage their action would stir up among their employers, the people of Massachusetts, secretly redrafted the pay raise bill to make it immune from repeal.

At a time when the economy is slowly recovering from recession and when the state job market remains tenuous at best, the Beacon Hill gang demonstrated how swiftly it could act when it came to lining its members' pockets. But when it comes to legislation that affects the lives of constituents, the gang's cheetah-like speed suddenly shifts to turtle-like plodding.

Example: Mike Barnicle, the Boston seer, has pointed out that_ whereas the pay raise went through in a matter of seconds, for 135 years the state constit~tion has included anti-Catholic wording, and that when the president of the State Senate asked his fellow legislators to begin the process of expunging that wording, inaction ruled tlhe day.

The bottom line seems to be that when a dollar bill is waved in front of our politicians or there are perks available, they move immediately; when it is constituents who will benefit, the day after forever becomes a suitable time frame for action.

Our legislators simply seem unable to run Massachusetts· objectively. Were they to doso, the constitutional amendment prohibiting aid to denominational institutions such as schools ' would long ago have been expunged.

Financial shenanigans and the countenancing of continued discrimination against denominational institutions: what makes all this even more galling is that many of our legislators sit in church on Sunday as if they were' living symbols of faith.

Yet, when it comes to voting,. they opt for public posturing, regardless of their private beliefs. They may be forgetting that such split personalities often self-destruct; but inthe meantime the common good can be seriously damaged. Removing offjcial prejudice from the Massachusetts Constitution would be at least a token of goodwill-to say nothing of reversing their own unconscionable pay hike.

We must protest when injustice rules and the common good is flagrantly abused. Those who have the public trust should not demonstrate narrowmindedness or abdicate their responsibilities. They should keep in mind the welfare of the whole state family and should remember their accountability for their public actions.

We, the electorate, must for our part hold them to such norms, letting them know they have no right to become the tools offactions that demean their integrity. But sad to say, the current behavior on Beacon Hill in no way reflects adherence to these ideals. As a result; our Commonwealth is shamed-by the duplicitous actions of our elected lawmakers.

The Editor

the

OFfiCIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese 'of Fall River 887 Highland Avenue P.O. BOX 7 Fall River. MA 02720 Fall River. MA 02722-0007 Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX (508) 675-7048 Send address changes to P.O. Box 7 or call telephone number above

EDITOR Rev. John F. Moore

GENERAL MANAGER Rosemary Dussault ~ leary Press-Fall R....er

CNSfCalholic University of America photo

CAROLERS AT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, DC

"Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice!...The Lord is near." - Phil. 4:4,5

-------------------------------------About Christmas and the·Pos·tal Service

By Father Kevin Harrington Every Christmas season seems to bring a new controversy on the politically correct manner to celebrate the holiday. A few years ago the Supreme Court had to decide what sort of Christmas scenes were too overtly religious to be displayed on public grounds. This year's brouhaha involved the Postal Service's initial decision to cancel plans for the popular Madonna and Child stamp for 1995 because it seemed too religious for Christmas. The decision was announced immediately following the stunning Republica!1 victory in both Houses of the Congress as well as in many gubernatorial races.

President Bill Clinton, consummate politician that he is, came to the rescue, intervening to restore the stamp plans. However, it should be noted that a spokesperson for the Postal Service said that the stamp was not dumped from the 1995 roster for religious reasons, but because it was felt that with the exception of one year, 1976, the Post Office had published Madonna and Child stamps since 1966 and that, after so many years, it was considered that one Madonna and Child looks just like another.

This statement was issued by the same Postal Service that recently had a contest to consider which picture of Elvis Presley should be selected for a stamp in his honor. I suppose it will be just a matter of time before Madonna, the entertainer, will get her own stamp!

The only question the Postal Service should ask itself is whether its customers want the Madonna and Child stamp, taking into consideration that after almost 30 years, it is stiII one of the service's mQs~ p()pular stamps.

Any business should consider the bottom line and that bottom line should be servicing customer wants, which should certainly take precedence over being politically correct.

Federal Express and UPS are examples of companies that are responsive to their customers' expectations: As a result, they have captured much of the overnight and package delivery business from the Postal Service.

While it is true that we live in a multicultural society, it seems patently unfair to be openly hostile to religious customs and symbols.

One still very astute nursing home resident confided in me that while she always enjoyed the schoolchildren who came caroling at Christmas, she preferred the Catholic school students, not that they sang any better, but that she preferred their selections to those of the public school students, who were limited to wh;at she referred to as "just those Santa Claus songs."

A public school teacher told me that 25 years ago she was allowed to decorate her classroom with religious symbols as long as they included either a Star of David or some recognition of Hanukkah.

About 15 years ago she was told to avoid all religious symbols with

praye~BOX .

For Love Lord our God, help us to love you with all our hearts and to love all men as you love them. Amen.

the exception of angels and last year her principal told her "I 0 can the angels." A class valedict orian who turned in her graduation speech to her faculty advisor was told by that person that while it was okay to thank parents, teachers and administrators, it was inappropriate to thank God in a "public setting."

I advised her that we live in America and that it is a free ·~oun­ try and that she can say anything she wants and if they don't ::ike it they can sue her! I find it almost incredible that a country can defend the right to burn the American flag as an expression of disrespect, but forbid a citiz~n to reverence the Creator in "public settings"!

If you think I am overreaeting, let me return to the Postal Se;:vice.

I would like to close by quoting a letter sent this year to almost ,~very post office: "Expressions [su(:h as) 'Season's, Greetings' and 'Happy Holidays must be used in li~u of 'Merry Christmas' or'Happy Hanukkah' to avoid the appearance of favoring any particular religion or religion itself. Symbols iden::ified with a particular religion, including but not limited to Nal:ivity scenes, crosses or the Star of David, shall not be displayed on postal property. Such sensitivity is appropriate during seasons that have a substantial impact upon ma.iling patterns."

111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020). Second Class Postage Paid at Fall River. Mass.

Published weekly except the week of July 4 and the week after Christmas at 887 Highland Avenue. Fall River. Mass. 02720 by, the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River. Subscription price by mail. pOltpaid $11.00 per year. Postmasters send address changes to The Anchor. P.O. Box j', Fall River. MA 02722.

Connecticut bishops. suggest criteria for gambling

Marriage vows and abuse Q. This past Sunday the Gospel said, "What God hns joined together let no man separate."

The priest then told of a woman who ran into the strel!t to get away from her husband who was beating her and often her children.

She was badly bruised and bloody. The people 1~llthered told her to leave him and go to her mother's home. She said she would rather die than break her marriage vow. With that her husband came and began beating her and took her home.

Our priest told us how weak we are running to the courts getting divorce after divorcl~. He seemed to be holding this woman up as an example of strength in marriage.

There was no mlmtion of the man's role in this marriage. And if that woman seeks a divorce to protect her life and very often the lives of her children how CfID that woman be considered the guilty one?

If we interpret the words of Jesus the way the priiest did, aren't we saying that Je!llIs condones beating women and that he would condone even the death of women at the hands of their husbands?

I cannot believe this. It would be encouraging sin, it seems to me.

(New York) A. Let's pass by for now the priest's attitude and talk about the wife in his homily.

I admire such a woman's desire to be generous and faithful, but something serious about marriage vows got lost somewhere.

When they were married, this woman promised to love her spouse, for better 01' for worse, for richer or for poorer, until death.

What love is shown in being a cooperator in her spouse's violence against her and her children?

Blunt as it may sound, this is objectively what she does when she remains in such a destructive, violent situation.

Any husband who behaves this way toward his family is seriously sick. He has a gross personality disorder, which he is acting out on the nearest persons available.

Certainly he is missing something essential in his commitment and relationship to his wife and children. To accept and adapt to such behavior is not what marriage vows mean.

Fidelity to the promise to "love

Daily Readings Dec. 12: Ze!=. 2:14-17 or Rv 1l:19a;12:1-6cl,10ab; Ps 45;11-12,14-17; lk 1:26-38 or lk 1:39-47 Dec. 13: Zep 3:1-2,9-13; Ps 34:2-3,6-7,17-19,23; Mt 21:28-32 Dec. 14: Is 45:6b-8,18, 2Ib-25; Ps85:9-14; lk7:19-23 Dec. 15: Is 54:1-10; Ps 30:2,4-6,11-13; lk 7:24-30 Dec. 16: Is 56:1-3a,6-8; Ps 67:2-3,5,7-8; In 5:33-36 Dec. 17: Gn 4·9:2,8-10; Ps 72:3-4,7-8,17; Mt 1:1-17 Dec. 18: Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3,15-16,18-19; Heb 10:5-10: lk 1:3!J-45

By FATHER JOHN DIETZEN for better or for worse" means, in this instance, doing everything possible to stop abusive behavior, not only for her sake and the children's, but for his sake as well.

Genuine "tough" love will say: This will not continue. For your sake as well as for ours, you need help. Get it. You must have some kind of long-range therapy.

If he will not, her promises to love him, as well as the obligation to love herself and the children, do not require her to continue in a situation that allows his abusiveness to go on.

Someone may protest: There are hard things in every marriage; you learn to put up with them.

True. The reason you put up with them, howev~r, in marriage or any other good relationship, is that you are helping each other grow emotionally, spiritually and mentally.

That is clearly hot happening here. The man is seriously hurting both himself and his family.

And the mother; if she is capable of aoy alternative, is permitting harm, not only to herself and the children, but to her husband as well.

Marriage vows are meant to be kept. But if a spouse is brutally and destructively abusive, part of keeping those vows is to do whatever is possible to end the circumstances that make that abuse possible.

I If this is the only way to move one's spouse out of an atmosphere that is destroying him and everyone else, the other spouse is being faithful, not unfaithful, to his or her marriage vows by following this course.

It may be the !larder way, but the alternative is to make both of them dependent, in a very unhealthy way, on each other's needs and weaknesses.

People in this kind of painful life need our prayers, for wisdom and courage for themselves, and for understanding in those around them, especially their families and religious leaders.

It's essential VATICANCITY(CNS) Helping the poor is an essential responsibilitv of a Christian and a main part (;f the churc~'s social teaching. Pope John Paul II told Chilean bishops. In order to de\'clop a sense of sharing with the poor.

Catholics should be asked to give of "what is necessary and not only of what is supcrfluous." the pope said. Citing a speceh he ga\'e in a 19!P visit to Chill:. the pope said: "The poor cannot wait! He who has nothing cannot wait for relief toarriveasa kind of rebound from the general prosperity of society."

HARTFORD, Conn. (CNS)Connecticut's bishops have issued a set of five "protective criteria" they said should be applied to gambling as the state considers expanding gaming possibilities.

Their criteria include keeping away compulsive gamblers, underage gamblers and the poor, and allowing local communities to reject gambling.

The statement was issued by the Connecticut Catholic Conference, public policy arm of the state's bishops.

"Individuals who participate in gambling are obliged to make conscientious, prudential judgments about their activity," the bishops said. ' "This applies as well to civil governments,. private institutions, churches and other private owners and sponsors of gambling activities."

The five protective criteria the bishops l.isted urged that: - State and local government maintain "the moral and legal integrity of the games," including keeping "organized crime" out of gambling.

- Safeguards be enforced to discourage "abuse of gambling" by individuals. Examples suggested included placing limits on the amounts tha.t could be wagered and setting restrictions on gambling credit.

- All or part of gambling revenues that go to government "be used for programs that benefit the people of the state or those who reside in the communities where the games are operated."

- Citizens "be provided the opportunity through referendum to decide whether gambling should be permitted in their communities."

- The state keep underage gamblers away and "every effort should be made to preclude undue attraction ofthe economically disadvantaged to participate in games of chance."

In Connecticut, people can take part in state: lotteries, plus greyhound racing, off-track betting and state-sanctionedjai alai, which is a game like handball. The state also permits churches and other nonprofit organizations to run bingos and games of chance.

There is also an Indian-run casino in the state, reportedly the biggest casino of any kind in the Western Hemisphere. Efforts have also been made over the past two years to introduce state-licensed casinos in Hartford and Bridgeport.

The bishops quoted from the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" on gambling. It says games of chance "are not in themselves contrary to justice" but become "morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others."

Public policy aspects of gambling make th~ issue more complex, "leading us to consider several important questions," the statement said.

"Will the continued expansion oflegalized gambling in Connecticut enhance local economies and the state's revenues without adding to the state's social and law enforcement problems? Is the state able to regulate gambling so that organized crime will not become involved? Are there appropriate limits set to protect gamblers from

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

addiction and misuse of personal funds?"

The bishops said, "Great care must be taken to ensure that the common good of society is served and the individual rights of the people are protected. The moral operation of legalized gambling establishments is a concern for all the members of our society."

Signing the statement were Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin of Hartford, Bishops Edward M.

Fri., Dec. 9, 1994

5

Egan of Bridgeport, Daniel P. Reilly of Norwich and Bishop Basil H. Losten of the Ukrainian-rite Diocese of Stamford, and Auxiliary Bishop Peter A. Rosazza of Hartford.

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of fall River -

fri., Dec. 9, 1994

SERVING ON committees forthe Jan. 13 Bishop's Charity Ball from the Somerset area are (from left) Mrs. Roger Dube, hospitality; Rev. Daniel L. Freitas, Ball director and pastor of St. John of God parish, Somerset; Mrs. Joseph Belanger, president of the Fall River District Council of Catholic Women; Mrs. Manuel T. Nogueira of Fall River, president of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and Ball co-chair; Rosemary Ferreira, hospitality. (Gaudette photo)

When Catholics disagree

By Mitch Finley Who is a good Catholic and who isn't? Catholics on the extreme right and extreme left point, an accusing finger at everyone in the church but themselves. They wag that finger vigorously. cluck ing, "All you people who call yourselves Catholics, you don't agree with us, so you're bad Catholics."

For right-wing Catholics you're a bad Catholic unless you believe that the pope is God's older brot her.

For left-wing Catholics you're not a good Catholic unless you ignore the Vatican, throw blood on nuclear bombs, sell all you have and go live in a South American slum.

Sometimes, of course, both groups are self-serving. Remember earlier this year when the VatIcan announced that it was acceptable for girls to be altar servers at Mass? I was astonished - and, I must admit, tickled - to read letters-to-the"editor in right-leaning Catholic periodicals from Catholics having fits about girl altar servers.

The irony was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Not only did these letter-writers call for dissent from the new "girl altar servers are OK" Vatican directive, but the reasons they gave for dissent were similar to those used for decades

by Catholics who disagree with the official church teaching on artificial methods of birth control.

Right-wing Catholics sometimes ca'll those who disagree with them to "the radical demands of the Gospel" - but what they mean is absolute, unquestioning obedience .to selected official church teachings that never made a claim to infallibility. While they reluctantly admit that these teachings are not infallible, they talk and act a~ if they are.

Left-wing Catholics act as if you're a bad Catholic if you don't think it's one of the great injustices

Give light . My 86-year-old 'mother, who loves to read, was the one who introduced me to a book titled "Random Acts of Kindness." by Daphnc Rose Kirgma. It drew my interest as soon as I read the author's explanation of the title.

"Random acts of kindness," wrote Ms. Kirgma, "are those little sweet or grand lovely thingswe do for no other reason except that momentarily the best of our humanity has sprung exquisitely into full bloom."

Imml:diately I began a list, starting with my memory of a kindness my mother did for a new family that moved into our neighborhood when I was 12 and we lived in a rather poor neighborhood in Albany, N. Y. The new family moved into a three-family house across the street.

This family app~ared almost destitute, and my mother wondered if they had any food. Not asking them, my mother cooked a big Italian meal and asked me to bring it to our new neighbors. I still remember the surprise on the mother's face and the tears in her eyes when she told me to thank my mother.

Th~l was,oneohh-estrongest

lessons in my life. seeing the beauty of an unexpected kindness. Ms. Kirgma writes that with such kind acts. "for a few minutes, the madness and the bitterness of the world begin to melt."

Eversince I read that little book, I have been thinking of all the random acts of kindness I have been blesscd with in my life.

Recently I received a gift from one of my readers in response to the sad ness I had experienced.

Barbara Shook, a Pennsylvanian, sent this poem of hers attached to the ribbon of a gift-wrapped package: "This is a special gift That you can never see The reason it's so special Is it's just for you - from me Whenever you are happy Or even feeling blue You only have to see this gift And know I think of you You can never unwrap it Please leave the ribbon tied Just hold it close to your heart It's filled with love inside."

What a beautiful random act of

Nature vs. nurture Dear Mary: I have two teenage daughters. I know that parents' often comment on the differences between their children, but in my case the differences are like night and day.

One of my daughters is calm, orderly, even-tempered and generally easy to live with. The other isjust the opposite - volatile, hottempered, sweet when she wants to be, a hellion when she doesn't. I can't believe they grew up in the same family.

I try to treat them alike and hold them to the same standards, but we always seem to be fighting with the hotheaded one.

Should I have different expectations for each? When I don't treat them aBike, they both complain that I am not being fair.

Help! - Iowa Researchers are finding some new answers to the ancient question of nature vs. nurture.

For a tong time experts thought that physical characteristics were inherited while emotional characteristics were due entirely to environment. Colicky babies were due to nervous parents. Shy children

of all time that women are .not allowed to be ordained to the priesthood and clerical celibacy is ridiculous. They also get exercised if you take church rules and regulations seriously at all.

Catholics are entitled to their opinions. that's what I say. Therc is much room for a varicty of opinions as long as wc're talking about issues not ccntral to Christian doctrine or 'infallible papal pronounccmcnts. I know there is no end of subtle theological distinctions involved here. and for all I know I'm a herctic. but I'm talking about basically good-hearted pcople who live in the real world.

What irritates the daylights out of me is the self-righteous attitude of both right-wing and left-wing Catholics toward each other and the huge crowd of moderate Catholics who believe they have a right to their own ideas and interpretations. Catholic moderates take their faith, the church and the demands of the Gospel just as seriously as do the right-wing and left-wing stone-throwers.

Noone can see into anyone else's soul, into the privacy of his Last weekend I was working on or her life, personal history and, the water system of our rental relationship with God. Catholics mobile home when God - or on the extreme left and extreme someone doing a credible imitaright have no right to condemn tion of God - paid an unexpected ordinary Catholics who prefer to visit. mind their own business and go Cold rain. Cold wind. Muddy about living their faith in the everypump house. Muddy clothes. day world as God 'gives them the Muddy hands. Dense, slate cloud light to do so. cover. Almost totally dark at 3 It's fine - healthy, in fact - for , p.m. In other words, standard alCatholics to disagree and debate most-winter day in the Pacific among themselves, of course, but Northwest. we should do it without hurling My friend Winston was helping. condemnations.

We needed two more 90-degree Notice that in John's Gospel PVC fittings and a He volun(3: 17) Jesus will have none of this teered to make a parts run back to condemnation stuff. Let us ponder town while I held down the fort. the words of G.K. Chesterton: The "fort" was a 6-by-8 pump "Catholics know the two or three house. A drop light illuminated transcendental truths on which they one little corner. A tiny space do agree; and take rather a pleaheater provided warmth. sure in disagreeing on everything Out of the blue it hit me. There else." 'was nothing I could do. Too dark

had been shaped that way by the family.

Today researchers can demonstrate that each of us is born with a certain type of neurochemistry.

That is, temperament is shaped by biology.

Research does not say that people are born good or bad, agreeable or angry, fearful or bold.

Rather the research supports what parents have noticed throughout the ages: Children are born with an innate temperament which mothers often say they can distinguish from the day of birth.

Does inborn temperament mean that parents cannot shape their children? Quite the opposite. Parental intervention is what changes the children who change.

The good news is that parents need not blame themselves for the personalities of their children. The bad news is that children with certain temperaments can challenge their parents more than their easygoing peers.

The colicky baby who is never easily comforted is a high-needs child and demands much from parents. Often this is nobody's

Accidental meditation

":r."

and wet to work on the outside of the mobile. Too bleak to do anything - and with about 45 minutes on my hands.

Given our frantic schedule of late, this sudden crash into nonactivity kind of caught me with my psychological seatbelt unhitched.

I sort of metaphorically slammed against the windshield of life, and I think I left a head dent in it.

Tons of things to do, and no way to get at them. No phone. No nothin'. .

Here's the God part. Nah, no visions or anything like that. I closed my eyes and simply tried to calm down. Gradually, I did.

Interestingly enough, 'I would have thought myself calm before Winston split. But as Ilet my head have its own lead, a different kind of calm took over. I mentally recited a slow, deliberate Hail Mary \ . .

-By' ANTOINETTE BOSCO

kindness, and from a woman 'I have never met.

Maybe there are more litt\(: kindnesses being sent our way than we realize. Maybe we find it hoHd to recognize a pure gift and acknowledge the giver.

I saw a woman once at the Port Authority bus terminal in New York handing out sandwiches to people who apparently were :lomeless. I asked her why she was doing this. "JJecause I'm not hungry and they are," she said.

Ms. Kirgma's little book is garnished with quotes from great minds down through the centuries. I recall one by the 15th c<:ntury Dutch Catholic scholar Erasmus who said. "Give light. and the darkness will disappear of itself."

That's been great advi<:e for people of any era. Let's be: kind -just for the joy of it.

By Dr. JAMES & MARY KENNY fault,. simply the temperame nt of the child.

Whatever their children's temperaments, parents must expect and require appropriate behavior.

The child who hits others or destroys property must learn restraint.

The teen whose mouth shoots off at every occasion must learn control. Some children will be ea.sy to socialize, others' more difficult.

While you can help your children modify their inborn temperaments, you would probab:ty be wise to accept the basic char~.cter足 istics you no,tice.

You might need to adapt your parenting style to the different temperaments of your children.

But 'you as parents have the responsibility and the power to help your children to relate appropriately to others.

By DAN MORRIS

and said to the divine in general, "So, how are things out there anyway?"

The next three-quarters of an hour or so might be called accidental meditation. It was a most pleasant and - no kidding - holy time. God didn't reveal any Lotto numbersor even an answer to my plumbing conundrum. However, serenity has its appeal.

Winston returned. "Sorry Itook so long," he said, "You must be somewhere between claustrophobia and boredomland."

"Not even close," I smiled.

THE ANCHOR -

Letters are welcome but the editor reserves the rlaht to condense or edit, If deemed necessary. All letten must be typed, signed and Inelude a home or business address (only the city name Is used In print). Letters do not necessarily reOeet the editorial views of the Anchor.

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Dec. 9, 1994

7

MARIAN MEDAL CEREMONY TELECASTS Acushnet, Fairhaven CVI Cablevision, Cable channel 2 Dec. II, 10:00 a.m.

Many thanks Dear Editor:' Many thanks to The Anchor for recognizing in its issue of Oct. 28th the fact that St. Mary's Parish in Mansfield is now 100 years old.

The people ofSt. Mary's have professed their Christian faith as a Catholic Family during years of tremendous challenge and change both within the Church and within society at large. Being at the outer edge of the diocese, so to speak, the Catholic people of Mansfield are honored to be brought to the center of diocesan life through The Anchor. Our deepest gratitude to our diocesan paper for making known our religious journey and history to both parishioner and non-parishioner alike.

Rev. Pete: .. N. Graziano Pastor

Brewster, Eastham, Provincetown, Orleans, Truro, Wellfleet Continental Cablevision Cable channel 8 Dec. 21, 5:00 p. m.

Dec. 22, 8:30 p.m.

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Barnstable, Chatham, Dennis, Harwich, Yarmouth C3TV, Cable channel 3 Dec. 16,4:30 p.m.

Dec. 22, 4:00 p.m.

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Dec. 29, 2:30 p.m.

North Attleboro, Taunton TCI Cablevision, Cable channel 27 Dec. 18,8:00 p.m.

Mashpee Continental Cablevision, Cable channel 20 Dec. 20, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 21, 8:30 p.m.

Marion, Mattapoisett, Wareham Continental Cablevision Cable channel 8 Dec. 14,6:00 p.m.

Bereaved invited to annuaH service

.f

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AMONG 101 diocesans who received the Marian Medal for outstanding parish service from Bishop Sean O'Malley in a ceremony at St. Mary's Cathedral last Sunday are, top from left, Rudolphe Blanchard, St. Hedwig parish, and Roland Blanchard, Holy Name, both New Bedford, believed the first brothers to be honored in the same year; Mrs. Mary Silva, St. Peter the Apostle, Provincetown, Permanent Deacons Michael Murray and Frank Camacho; Mrs. Frances Gorczyca, Holy Rosary, Taunton; Pauline Gregoire, St. Mary's, and Dolores Vasconcellos, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, both of New Bedford.

(Kearns photos)

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Hospice Outreadl of Fall River, which provides respite care to terminally ill homebound patients, will hold its 10th annual interfaith candlelight service for bereaved persons at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at Notre Dame Church, Fall River.

Hospice Outreach bereavement 路coordinator Rita Good said all who are grieving the loss of a family member or frif:nd are welcome to attend the se:rvice at which Bishop Sean O'Malley will be homilist and Claire Amiot will sing. It will also includl~ a candlelight ceremony during which those present may give the names of loved ones and place a white bow on a Christmas tree in their memory.

The bows will be distributed at the church entrance.

Those planning attendance are asked to notify the Hospice Outreach office at 673-1589.

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Plddress

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Telephone No. ----------------------------------------------------Children's Birthdates Mail to: C.A.O.F., 347 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, MPl 02115 Tel. (617) 536-8221 or 1-800-282-2263

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DIOcese of Fall River -

Embryo research approval pro~p.~~~_ outcry,o'presid'ential-a-etiOD

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Fn:, Dec. 9; 1994

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PRO-LIFE LEADEn Dr. Joseph R.Stanton joins members of the Christ the King parish, Mashpee, Pro-Life Committee at a recent presentation on euthanasia and abortion. Pictured, from left, are Patricia Devlin, Margaret Diggins and Claire Twitchell. Dr. Stanton, founder of the Value of Life Committee, said that laws on physician-assisted suicide like the one which passed last month in Oregon, "are lowering the barriers against killing, just as they did in Germany in the 1930s." . .

Dr. Stanton drew another parallel to' Nazi horrors in discussion of embryo research, which he said is creating human embryos that "become laboratory slaves, destined for death."

At the Nuremberg trials Nazi doctors were sentenced to death "for carrying out fetal experiments on non-consenting adults," said Dr. Stanton, adding that the practice threatens to return in another guise: in September~s, the National Institute of Health has approved the creation of human embryos solely for research purposes, to be destroyed after 14 days. Calling it "a crucial issue of our lifetimes," Dr. Stanton urged letterwriting to newspaper editors condemning such research.

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WASHINGTON (CNS) - Des- ' pite President Clinton's surprise announcement' denying federal funds fol' the creation of human embryos for research purposes, a coalition representing pro-life, profamily, medical and legal groups said Dec. 5 that all human embryo research should be banned.

"The manipulation and destruction of one set of human beings, even if done in the name of curing serious disease, is not morally neutral, it is morally repugnant," said a statement signed by more than 70 scientists, scholars, attorneys and leaders of pro-life or other groups.

"This injustice and the use of public money taken from Americans who are disgusted by such human experimentation cry out for a firm and clear repudiation by public officials," said the statement released Dec. 5 at a press conference in Washington convened by the American Life League.

In'a separate statement, the American Life League called Clin-' ton's Dec:. 2 announcement on embryo research "deceptive" and said the experimentation he banned is "only a small proportion of destructive research using human embryos."

The production of human embryos in private labs solely for experimentation and the production of "surplus" human beings for the in vitro fertilization process would not be affected, the American Life League said.

Earlier, an official of the U.S. bishops' conference had been among those urging Dr. Harold Varmus, director of the Nationa:I Institutes of Health, to reject proposalsby the NIH Human Embryo Research Panel for funding embryo research.

Msgr. Robert N. Lynch; general secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bish'ops and U.S. Catholic Conference, said the bishops' conference objects to all the experiments recommended for approval last September.

Just hours before Clinton's announcement, the advisory committee to the NIH director voted unanimously Dec. 2 to endorse the panel's proposals.

Under those proposals, research eligible for federal funds would include studies aimed at improving successful pregnancies, understanding the process of fertilization better, and aiding in the diagnosis of genetic problems in an embryo before it is implanted in the womb.

Research deemed unacceptable and "not to be federally funded for the foreseeable future" would include cloning, genetic diagnosis for sex selection, cross-species fertilization, d(:velopment of human/ -

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nonhuman organisms and putting human embryos in animals for gestation.

"We object to all these experiments, primarily because almost all of them would involve our government in destroying human life at its earliest stages," said Msgr. Lynch. .

"Some experiments actually' would require that hundreds of human embryos be specially created in the laboratory for the sole purpose of being manipulated and then destroyed," he added.

The debate is not about "when life begins," Msgr. Lynch wrote, but about "whether our government should respect all human lives, or treat some human beings as disposable research material."

"To choose the latter course will only bring discredit upon the enterprise ofgovernment-sponsored medical research," Msgr. Lynch added. . The NIH panel's 'recommendations also drew strong criticism from the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, representing the heads of the state's four Catholic dioceses [see The Anchor, Nov. 18, 19941.

"Experiments like those proposed by this NI H panel are condemned in medical ethics, punishable as crimes in several states, and contrary to the norms reflected in your current regulations," the conference said in a Nov. 9 letter to Varmus.

"Approving federal funding for them will bring disgrace upon the National Institutes of Health, and increase public distrust of the entire enterprise of fede"rally sponsored medical research," they added. "We therefore urge you to reject the NI H panel's recommendations in their entirety."

Massachusetts Citizens for Life issued a statement protesting the NI H panel's decision, noting that "research on human embryos merely for the purpose of research is so appalling that even traditional supporters of abortion, such as the Washington Post and Chicago Tribune, have editorialized against it, recognizing it as 'dan-

gerous, unwise, ill-advised' and 'unconscionable.' " Quoting a Wall Street Journal article by Father Richard .John Neuhaus, MCFLadded, "Ifsomeone objects that, at five or 15 days, the embryo does not look like a human being, one only has to point out that this is p,recisely what a human being looks like at five or IS days of development."

"The creation and destruction of human life for scientific experiinentation is truly Orwellian and should cause all American, to shudder with horror," said MCFL president Madeline McComish.

Acknowledging widespread opposition to the practice, the director's advisory committee said Dec. 2 that Varmus should move slowly on providing federal funds for research involving human embryos and should establish a committee that would consider ethical and moral issues involved in spe(:ific projects.

Dr. Steven Mul1er, president emeritus of Johns Hopkins 1I niversity and chairman of the I'll H Human Embryo Research Panel, said members of the advisory committee received more than 50,000 pieces of mail, most of them protesting the use of pu'blic funds for such research.

Douglas Johnson, federal Ie gislative director for the National Right to Life Committee, said after Clinton's announcement that the president,."after meditating on the recent defeat of ranks of proabortion incumbants, has suddenly displayed a spark of respect for the sanctity of innocent human life:."

"We hope that spark will grow," Johnson added.

In its statement, the coalition urged Congress to "enact and enforce laws and policies which forbid direct support" for human embryo research.

"Further, we urge that, as is done with other cases of civil rights violations, institutions or individuals be made ineligible to receive any public money as long as they conduct such unethical human embryo research," the statem<:nt added.

-----------------------usee pro-life spokeswoman named among 50 young WASHINGTON (CNS) - Helen Alvare, who serves as spokeswoman for the U.S. bishops on pro-life issues, has been named as one of Time magazine's 50 young leaders of tomorrow.

The Dec. 5 issue of the magazine included Ms. Alvare, 34, in its list of members of Congress, entrepreneurs, scientists and activists age 40 and younger who the magazine's editors believe will make a difference in the country.

"I was surprised and extremely thril1ed that Time could pick any pro-life activists to be a part of what's going to lead America for the next 50 years," Ms. Alvare told Catholic News Service. She said she doesn't take her inclusion on the list as a personal triumph so much as a recognition that pro-life activisim is being seen as a positive aspect of the country's future.

"If it wasn't me it would have been someone else," she said.

The list included Bill Gates, founder of computer software giant

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Microsoft; John F. Kennedy Jr.; Stephen Carter, Yale Law profl~s­ sol' and author; members of Cc,ngress Henry Bonilla, R-Texas, Cynthia McKinney, D-Ga., a:nd Susan Molinari, R-N.Y.; Rali?h Reed, executive director of the Christian Coalition; trumpeter Wynton Marsalis; talk-show hostess and actress Oprah Winfrey; and Maya Lin, the sculptor who designed the Vietnam Vetera:ns Memorial in Washington.

In Time's short profiles of the individuals, Ms. Alvare was notl:d as a pro-life feminist who sees no contradiction in the roles. Bmh arise from scriptural teachings about equality in creation ar..d Jesus' treatment of women, she said.

An attorney, Ms. Alvare has been director of planning and information for the U.S. Catholic Conference Pro-Life Secretariat since 1990.

In an essay preceding the listing, Time said it .picked people using a "civil and social impact" standard.

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Dec. 9, 1994

9

DePaul groundbreaking Continued from Page Two "Well over 60 acres will remain in the natural state," he said. Maintaining the buildings and upgrading the water and septic system can only improve the site, he added, and there will be less disruption for the town with fewer youths around than there was when the site was a summer camp.

Ultimately, though, Father Costa and Browne ask that the DePaul Center be judged on how well it helps children.

Browne told the story of a 15year-old whose behavior problems at school and at home remained a mystery until it was discovered during assessment in the DePaul program that he could not read and was embarrassed to ask for help. He now takes pride in carrying around a stack of books to read, said Browne.

"Once they begin this interac-

ST.STANISLAUSDED路 leAnON: Bishop Sean O'Malley and pastor Father Robert S. Kaszynski (left) celebrate dedication liturgy for the new St. Stanislaus Church on the feast of Christ the King. The new church was completed three-and-a-half years after fire destroyed the original St. Stanislaus. Right, the bishop is wel<:omed with bread and salt-symbols of prosperity, health and wisdom-by parishioners in Polish costume. (StudioD photos)

No Harm "N 0 one can truly discover any harm that prayer can do, the greatest harm being not to practice it."-St. Teresa of Avila

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Students use prayer, peer support to encourage religious vocations SOUTH BEND, Ind. (CNS) Young Catholics are .praying for one another and prompting one another to consider vocations to the priesthood and religious life through a program called Students Encouraging Religious Vocations, known as SER V. A national expansion is underway for the group, which sponsors such activities as a Way of the Cross dubbed "Sta.tions for Vocations"; a "vocations vigil," which entails setting aside an hour for personal prayer monthy; meetings with priests and religious for lectures and informal discussion; and other gatherings such as retreats and weekly Masses.

The first SER V club began at the University of Notre Dame in 1990. The organization is not officially affiliated with the university.

It arose partly from conversations between a retired Notre Dame employee, Herb Juliano, and students who prayed the rosary regularly at the Notre Dame grotto honoring Our Lady of Lourdes.

The group hopes to show young men and women that others respect priestly and religious vocations by promoting an environment of spiritual and practical.support from peers and concerned adults, Juliano explained.

SERV is succeeding in that goal,

tion" and begin to trust adults, said Father Costa, "you see a big difference in a short period of time. They feel safe enough to start addressing some painful issues."

The DePaul Center project "is a statement of our commitment to kids, and a statement of the commitment of the diocese to these children and their families," Father Costa said.

It is also making a statement at;>out the responsibility of society to reach out to troubled youths rather than casting them aside and writing them off.

"We hope the neighborhood understands that it is contributing to making a difference in the lives of these kids," said Father Costa.

said one member who is set to enter a seminary.

"I'm sure that all our prayers together [generate] great power.

Prayer is the most important thing in a vocation. It's crucial for a rich relationship with God," and it is in that relationship that discernment of a vocation fundamentally takes place, said Peter Minahan.

Largely due to the student organization, his vocation "becomes more clear every day and every week," and he is more confident telling' people about it, the Notre Dame senior commented.

Founder Juliano is now overseeing establishment of the National Legion of SERV. The national organization has minimal structure with freedom to adopt or adapt the activities of the founding clu,b, said Juliano.

Those wishing to enroll in the ~roup will be asked for a yearly $2 donation, jf they can afford it.

A quarterly newsletter for the national legion is available. ' The group does not influence male members' choice between diocesan priesthood or religious orders nor does it endorse any particular order or men or women.

Juliano said that perhaps 10 to 15 among some 50 members of the Notre Dame club have discerned a priestly or religious vocation or are seriously cqnsidering the pos-

sibility. Four former members have entered seminaries; one was ordained a priest and another a deacon this year.

SERValso encourages all young Catholics to recognize the call to a distinctly Christ-centered life, said the president of the group's Notre Dame club, senior Anthony Popanz.

A diocesan-sponsored SER V program has begun in San Diego, and "some kids get excited about it," said Father John Dolan, the diocesan director for priestly vocations.

Father Dolan said that the San Diego group started simply with visits to Catholic schools to distribute prayer cards and to explain the program. The cards provide a prayer that students injunior high, senior high and college can recite for peers in whom they see the signs of a religious vocation.

For more information on the National Legion of SERV or on establishing a local club, contact: National Legion of SERV, Attn: H. Juliano, P.O. Box 211, Notre Dame, IN 46556.

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 9,1994

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Christmas Tree Blessing' For a home blessing of a Christmas tree, the motber. fatber or other adult reads the following explanation. For parish, school or other groups, the designated leader reads. The tree remains unlit until the end of the service.

In the Book of Genesis. we are· told of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, whose fruit our first parents were forbidden to eat. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command. they were .cast from the Garden of Eden and they and their descendants knew sickness and death.

• For long years mankind suf, fered until Christ came as redeemer to die on the tree of Calvary.

Thus the tree holds a special place in the story of salvation and is fittingly one ofthe most important symbols of the Christmas season.

As our own tree once stood in the dark forest, cold and unadorned, so was the world before the coming of Christ. But now, brightly decorated, it reminds us of the tree of Calvary, which brought us redemption.

Let us now read God's word.

The children in a familv or designated persons in other gr<lUps may read one or more of the following scripture selections: A reading from the Book of Genesis: And the Lord God had planted a paradise of pleasure from the beginning: wherein he placed man whom he had formed.

Ani!. the Lord God brought forth of the ground all manner of trees. fair to behold and pleasant to eat of: the tree of life also in the midst of paradise: and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

A reading from the Book of Psalms: The fields and all things that are in them shall be joyful.

Then shall all the trees of the woods rejoice before the face of the Lord because he 'cometh: to judge the earth. .

A reading/rom the Book ofIsaiah: You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall sing praise before you and all the trees ofttle country shall clap their hands.

Instead of the shrub shall come' up the fir tree and instead of the nettle shall come up the myrtle tree: and the Lord shall be named for an everlasting sign that shall not be taken away.

A reading from the .Book of Ezechiel: Thus saith the Lord God: I myself will take of the marrow of the high cedar and will set it: I will crop off a tender twig from the top of the branches thereof, and I will plant it on a mountain high and eminent.

On the high mountains orIsrael Will I plant it and it shall shoot forth into branches and shall bear fruit and it shall become a great cedar; and all birds shall dwell' under it and every fowl shall make its nest under the shadow of the branches thereof.

And all the trees of the country shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree and have' dried up the green tree and have caused the dry tree to flourish. 1 the Lord have spoken and have done it.

A readingfrom the Book ofthe Apocalypse: To him that overcometh 1 will give to eat of the tree of life. which is in the paradise of my God .... And he showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal. proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

In the midst of the street thereof and on both.sides of the river was the tree of life bearing twelve fruits. yielding its fruits every month and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

At the end of the readings the leader says: Let us pray: Bless, we. beseech thee', 0 God, our Christmas tree, decorated in honor of the birth of thy Son. May the lightand beauty ofthis tree be reflected in our lives that we may share throughout eternity in the glory of the true Tree of Life. We ask this through Christ our Lord, who redeemed the sin of Adam that came through a tree by his death on the tree of Calvary.

Amen.

The tree should now be lighted. All may join in singing one or more Christmas carols and, if' desired, refreshments may be served..

Don't-buy' teens clothes for-'Christma~s!

By Christopher Carstens This is Christmas shopping season;and I have one simple suggestion, a practical truth that will help parents avoid a world of giftgiving mistakes.

Never buy a teenager clothes for Christmas.

For a teenager, clothes are a Christmas gift almost guaranteed to disappoint. There's virtually no way parents can get it right, and there are so many potential mistakes. It isn't worth it.

For teens, clothing is a public statement, a way of saying who you are and how you want to be seen by your peers. For parents, clothes are a way of staying warm in the winter, a practical matter.

First, there is a code in teenager's clothing, a set of signals that communicate to all other teens.

Any teenager can look out across the school campus and sort the kids into sets based on the clothes they're wearing.

In the typical California high school, kids sort themselves into such groups as surfers, gothics, old styles. school boys or school girls, grunges, stoners, red necks, normals - and 100 other groups whose names vary from school to

school. Unless you are certain what clothing fits what style, you'll get it wrong.

Sadly, some items of clothing ·can be downright dangerous. A red shirt or a pro-football team jersey in the wrong neighborhood can get you beaten up, or worse.

Parents can't know about all those rules. It helps to try to stay informed, and you can surely insist that your kids don't wear gang uniforms and wear clothing that is appropriately modest, but beyond this? It's hopeless!

Second, youth style is beyond the comprehension of mere adults.

For example, my daughter goes to a college where most of the students look like they rummaged their clothes out of dumpsters.

Now, let us not fool ourselves into thinking this is an inexpensive look. Indeed, some of those kids are wearing $90 jeans and $200 sweaters, carefully assembled to look like they came out of the dumpster behind Macy's or Lord and Taylor.

As a mere adult, your chances are practically nil of choosing something your kids think is fashionable or stylish. You will almost inevitably wind up choos-

ing something you would like right now, or something that you think you would have liked when you were a teenager. Both strategies produce purchases that will languish in the closet and eventually end up unworn, tossed in the St. Vincent DePaul box. TrLlst me on this one - I've watch,~d it too many times.

So, that leaves you with the option of buying "practical" clothes. Practical translates as "horing." Kids have a sp,~cial way of understanding this - you have bought them something you needed to buy anyway, and called it a present. This is seen as unfair.

There are two choices left. Either avoid clothing altogether, or give your kids the money and let them choose the clothes the::nselves.

That's what we've done for years, and it works out great.

We go for an after-Christmas trip to the discount factory outlet mall, and make a day of it. We have lunch together, and spend our Christmas money on Clothes at the inevitable sales.

Everybody gets clothes they like - and will wear. We have a fun family day. Who knows if it's the perfect solution, but it works for us.

The annual taming of the Christmas trlee

By Dan Morris According to Father John Har-' don's Modern Catholic Dictionary, the first known mention of a Christmas tree was in 1605 at Strasbourg, and it was later introduced into France and England.

It's my guess Christmas trees would have been popularized more quickly, but the candles kept going out when they tried to get them across the English ChanneL and when one would gp out they would all go out.

According to my neighbor. Bud. it was shortly thereafter that the three-legged Christmas tree stand was invented by a spiteful Englishman, but it was sent to the American colonies. by mistake.

Father Hardon does not mention this.

Colonists were so amused by the challenge of balancing an evergreen on a wobbly, three-legged contraption that they embraced it as an annual tradition and stored the stands in the attic between yule seasons, t:xcept in the remote areas where, because they had no attics, they hung the three-legged stands

on walls and told people they'd bagged a three-point, pot-metal buck.

If you've ever seen that old Robert Redford movie about Jeremiah Johnson you can see one of these in the background inhis log cabin. Which brings up a question: How did Jeremiah build an entire log cabin complete with log-burning fireplace with only an ax before winter set in?

It takes me a week to set up a Christma.s tree, and I have a garage full of things that cut and pound at my disposal.

Day I: Challenge stability of marriage by picking out tree with wife.

Days 2 and 3: Remove tree from car. Wipe pitch from car using "butter" theory. Vacuum fir needles from car. Replace broken rearview mirror on car. Patch seat and roof liner punctures in car.

Use solvent to clean butter from car.'

Day 4: Limb tree from bottom so it will fit three-legged, potmetal stand passed down from Jeremiah Johnson. Use electric carving knife with serrated edge.

Use grinder to remove pitch from knife. Use butter and gasoline to remove pitch from hands and grinder. Use common sense to remove wife from house for dinne:r when she finds pitch-stained towels in garage.

Day 5: Bring tree into house.

Take it back out again. Hack to correct height using butcher knife.

Repeat process until you have an apple crate of wood chips. Invest two hours trying to indu(:e the evergreen monster to stand up straight on its own (using fishing Ieade~ as guy wires and tacking it to piano legs, sofa arms anc', window sills). Install a ceiling hook and hang it. You can repla(:e the hunk of ceiling plaster late.r just like last year.

Day 6: Spend an hour locating the strings of lights you stored last year, and then two or so Iiours testing them all. When one goes out, they all go out. Decide 1:0 go buy new ones.

Your comments are welcomed

by Dan Morris, 25218 Meadow Way, Arlington, Wash. 98223,

Give witness during Advent, pope says VATICAN CITY(CNS)- Preparing for Christmas should remind Christians of their duty to give clear witness against violence, racial hatred and disrespect for life, Pope John Paul II said.

Like St. John the Baptist, who proclaimed the coming of the Lord, today's faithfUl should announce moral truths to contemporary society, the pope said at a Sunday blessing Dec. 4.

The pontiff said he was referring to the "many serious situations" that plague modern society: moral indifference, a "contempt for human life in its first stages or as it proceeds to its natural end," racial hatred, violence, war, and intolerance.

All these are causes of "that desert of injustice, pain and desperation that is advancing in our society," he said.

"In the face of this scenario, the

believer should, like the Baptist, make his voice heard in proclaiming the salvation of the Lord, fully adhering to his Gospel and witnessing it visibly in the world," he said.

The pope said parents have a primary responsibility to educate their children to be "courageous

witnesses" of Christ's teaching.

All Christians should serio'L1sly reflect on their faith and their lives during Advent, he said, particularly through the sacrament of penance. As Christmas approaches, people should strive to give up the superfluous, search out the essential, and create a climate of sile nce and prayer, he said.

Bankruptcy claim reversed WASHINGTON (CNS) - President Clinton has ordered the Justice Department to withdraw its support of a claim that money a Minnesota couple tithed to their church should be seized to payoff their debts.

In an unusual presidential action, Clinton asked Attorney General Janet Reno to withdraw a brief that the Justice Department had filed in support of a bankruptcy

court order. The brief was withdrawn the next day, as the case of Julia Christians vs. Crystal Evangelical Free Church was being argued before the 8th U.S. CirC"Jit Court of Appeals in St. Louis.

At issue is an order by the M innesota U.S. District Court a warding to debtors the $13,500 whi,:h Bruce and Nancy Young tithed to their New Hope, Minn., chur<:h before they filed for bankruptcy,

Fund in need

STEW ARDS: At the National Catholic Stewardship Council conference are, top, from left, Father John Sullivan, chaplain at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, North Attleboro; Joanne Riley and James Riley of Sacred Heart parish, North Attleboro; Eleanor Charbonneau, St. Francis Xavier parish, Acushnet:. At right, Father Marcel Bouchard, chairperson of the Diocesan Stewardship Committe and pastor of Corpus Christi parish, East Sand wich (left), and Msgr. Daniel Hoye, pastor of St. John the Evangelist parish, Attleboro. (Studio D photos)

Stewardship conference Continued frol11 Page One "always been the very heart of my existence."

The National Catholic Stewardship Council encourages both diocesan and parish-centered stewardship. With Kansas City, KS Bishop James P. Keleher as episcopal moderator and Matthew R. Paratore as national director, council headquarters are at 1275 K St:, NW,

Suite 980, Washington, DC 20005, Tel. (202) 289-1093.

In the Fall River diocese, Father Marcel H. Boucnard, pastor of Corpus Christi parish, East Sandwich, is chairperson of the Diocesan Stewardship Comittee. For further information on the diocesan program, he may be reached at PO Box 1170, East Sandwich 025370384, tel. 888-0209.

Beatificatiion explored for Polish p.riest WARSAW, Poland (CNS) . and his outspoken support of the Cardinal Jozef Glemp of Warsaw then-outlawed Solidarity moveplans to appoint a commission to ment, was kidnapped Oct. 19, 1984. research the case for beatification On Oct. 30, his body was dragged of a popular Polish priest mur- from the frozert Vistula River. dered by secret police agents 10 Pathologists testified that the main years ago. cause of death was probably chokSpeaking at a recent Mass mark- ing on blood from head wounds ing the 10th anniversary of the and vomit brought on by the shock priests' death, he said Father Jerzy of severe beatings.

Popieluszko, whose 1984 murder An estimated 8,000 people was widely believed to have con- including delegations from more tributed to the collapse of the than 100 regional branches.ofSolicountry's communist regime, had darity trade unions - attended become a "figure on a world scale" the anniversary Mass.

In a letter r~ad at the Mass, and confirmed that his teachings had been loyal to church and Gos- Pope John Paulll praised Father Popieluszko as a "defender of truth, pel traditions.

Four years ago, the Warsaw justice and hum.an dignity," from archdiocese approved a prayer for whom it was possibile "to learn Father Popieluszko's canonization. about responsil>ility for Poland and about its.Christian heritage."

It also raised St. Stanislaw Kostka 1n 1987 the pope prayed at the Church, where the priest is buried, to the status ofa national sanctuary. priest's grave, which has been Father Popieluszko, famous for visited by 13 million pilgrims from his "Masses for the homeland" around the world.

Continued from Page One and the active sisters also add 5 percent of their current salaries to the fund.

Another example of how religious orders are sharing care for elderly members is found in Richfield, Ohio, where 22 religious communities in the dioceses of Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio, and Pittsburgh support an intercongregational retirement center.

"The need was so great, congregations were just waiting for our doors to open," said Sister Mildred Baker, a Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who is intercommunity liaison for Regina Health Center.

The solution came with the opening of Regina Health Center, which has an 81-bed skilled nursing area and 74 assisted-living units.

Residents currently include 76 women and men religious, six diocesan priests and 36 other individuals, mostly family members of the religious.

Word has quickly spread of the center's success and sisters involved in it have' become consultants to dioceses wanting to start similar projects.

For the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dubuque, Iowa, costs of caring for its 660 sisters age 65 and over reach nearly $8 million annually.

In addition to using funds from the retirement collection. the order of 1,026 nuns has created a charitable trust, building it up by selling property, mostly girls' high schools, and involved its development office in working with donors on estate planning and wills.

The order has also renovated its two large retirement centers in Dubuque and Chicago to include assisted living areas and is involved in ministry by and with the aging in a center on motherhouse grounds where retired sisters teach classes for more than 320 area seniors.

Sisters of the Presentation, also based in Dubuque, care for aging members as hospital chaplains, pastoral ministers and in other roles and also have a sister studying gerontology for future ministry to aging religious.

In Brooklyn, N.Y., the Mercy Sisters havc~ reduced the area they use in their motherhouse and rented out the freed space as single-fa~ily units.

And Sisters in Song, a choral group of 57 sisters from 30 communities in 21 states, has released two albums, including one for Christmas. Proceeds are divided between the Tri-Conference office and a second national agency, Support Our Aging Religious.

Statistics, Anyone?

A new mortality study on the life expectancy of religious concluded that unless communities increase their retirement assets, all their resources will shortly have to go to the costs of caring for aged members.

According to the study, members of religious orders usually live longer than laypersons, with the average age of death for a woman religious 85 or as opposed to the age of 80 for laywomen.

Similarly, the average age of death for a .religious priest or brother is 78, as opposed to 74 for laymen.

Many observers credit the longevity of religious to good health habits and absence of the problems frequently accompanying careers in the secular world, marriage and parenthood.

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 9, 1994

11

AT WORLD AIDS DAY Mass, Bishop O'Malley speaks and a Catholic school student is among those offering petitions. The red ribbon painting

by Donald Burton was supplied by the Diocesan Office of AI DS Ministry. The bishop is wearing vestments adorned with dancing figures, described as redemptive people who, having been redeemed, can then redeem others. The vestments were obtained by Father John Ozug. (Kearns photos)

World AIDS Day Mass Continued from Page One saying it was an opportunity for them to "learn the dangers of this disease."

Students Shirley Guerreiro and Bryan Lemieux of Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth, were cantors for the Mass; and also a cantor was Elaine Nadeau.

Musicians were Madeleine Grace, :~.i;:"::"··\··'

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organist; Jackie Racine on flute; and Jane Murray on oboe.

On the altar was a painting of the red AIDS ribbon draped around a cross, the work of Donald Burton, a member of St. Thomas More parish, Somerset. The ribbon, worn by many at the AIDS Mass, symbolizes solidarity with and compassion for persons with AIDS.

TV Christmas specials listed WASHINGTON (CNS)- Broadcast and cable teievision will air a wide variety of Christmas services and specials throughout December.

NBC will show Midnight Mass from the Vatican at II :30 p.m.

EST Dec. 24.

Faith & Values Channel cable highlights (all times EST): - "Silent Mouse" with Lynn Redgrave narrating the true story that led to the composition of "Silent Night," 9 a.m. Dec. 10, repeated 8 p.m. Dec. 20, midnight Dec. 21,8 p.m. Dec. 24 and 9 a.m.

Dec. 25.

- "The Joy of Music," in which pan flutist Zamfir and the Joy of Music Chorale perform Christmas music in Europe's famous cathedrals and churches, 7:30 p.m, Dec. 18, repeated 3:30 p.m. Dec. 23 and 7:30 p.m. Dec: 25.

- "Santa," a BBC special showing the evolution of Santa Claus' image, 8 p.m. Dec. 18, repeated 9 p.m. Dec. 22 and I a.m. Dec. 23. . - "Highway," which looks at how Christmas is celebrated on Britain's the Channel Islands, 6 p.m. Dec. 20, repeated 7:30 a.m.

Dec. 21, 4 p.m. Dec. 23 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 25.

- " 'Tis the Season," a Hawaiiset story of how a young girlle-arns the real meaning of Christmas from a mysterious woman, 9 p.m.

Dec. 20, repeated I a.m. Dec. 21.

- "Silent Night," with Spanish opera star Jose Carreras In Salzburg, Austria, explaining religious customs associated with Christ mas and singing "Silent Night" in the church where it was written, 8 p.m.

Dec. 21, repeated midnight Dec. 22 and 4 p.m. Dec. 25.

- "The Journey," the Father Peyton's Family Theater show starring Lois Nettleton about a teenager who helps a homeless, pregnant robbery victim against her father's wishes, 8:30 p.m. Dec. 21, repeated 12:30 a. m. Dec. 22, 2 p.m. Dec. 24 and midnight Dec. 26.

- "Rough Edges," about two women who meet at a park bench near a vandalized nativity scene, 9 p. m. Dec. 21, repeated I a. m. Dec. 22 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 24.

- "Focus on Faith with Kathie Lee Gifford," in which the talk show host and singer shares her faith and the music of Christmas, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 23.

- Christmas Mass from St. Frances of Rome Church in New York, I p.m. Dec. 25.

- Pope John Paul II's "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and to the World") message at 2 p.m. Dec. 25.

Eternal World Television Network cable highligh'ts (all times EST): - "Nicholas, The Boy Who Became Santa," animated tale of St. Nicholas, in English at 8 p.m.

Dec. II, repeated 10 a.m. Dec. 14, 10 p.m. Dec. 16 and 3:30 a.m. Dec. 17, and in Spanish at 4:30 p.m.

Dec. II, repeated 6 a.m. Dec. 12, 6:30 a.m. Dec. 13,11:30 p.m. Dec. 14,2:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Dec. 24 and 2:30 a.m. Dec. 25.

- "The Fourth Wise Man" starring Martin Sheen, Alan Arkin and Ralph Bellamy as the Magi, in English at 8 p.m. Dec. 15, repeated 2 p.m. Dec. 16,4:30 a.m. Dec. 17, 10 p.m. Dec. 20, and I p.m. Dec. 24 and 30, and in Spanish at II p.m. Dec. 10, repeated I a.m. Dec. 21 and 4 p.m. Dec. 26.

- "Music for Christmas" pe'rformed. by The Catholic University of America's music school and the Basilica ofthe National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception's choir, 4 a.m. Dec. 18, repeated 1:30 p.m. Dec. 19,10 p.m. Dec. 22 and 8 p.m. Dec. 25.

- "Christmas in Nuremberg" with music of Bach and Handel plus Christmas favorites,S a.m.

Dec. 19, repeated I a.m. Dec. 22, 5 a.m. Dec. 25 and II p.m. Dec. 26.

- "The Savior is Born," Morgan Freeman's narration of the

first ,Christmas, II p.m. Dec. 19, repeated 10:30 a.m. Dec. 21, 4 p.m. Dec. 23, II a.m. Dec. 24 and 25, and 1:30 and 10 a.m. Dec. 26.

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Nursing homes announlce Christmas events

- "A Castle Christmas" with British tenor Dennis O'Neill singing carols in a Victorian setting, I Christmas activities planned this 22: Caroling by Elizabel~h Pole a.m. Dec. 20, repeated II p.m. month at the four diocesan nurs- Elementary School student:;. I p. m.

Dec. 23, 2 p.m. Dec. 24 and II Dec. 23: Caroling by Marian ing homes follow. . p.m. Dec. 25.

Manor depa:rtment headn. At 2 Our Lady's Haven -,- "Silent Night in Berlin" with p. m., the ca rolers will join staff, Fairhaven singers and instrumentalists backed residents and their families for the Today at 1:30 p.m.: Keyboard by the Dresden State Orchestra, 5 home's Christmas party. entertainer Dave Valerio will play a.m. Dec. 21, repeated I a.m. Dec. 2:30 p.m. Dec. 30: New Year's Christmas tunes in the auditorium.

23,4 a.m. Dec. 25, II p.m. Dec. 27 Eve party for residents and staff.

I :30 p.m. Dec. 13: Seniors from and I a.m. Dec. 30.

St. Mary's parish, Fairhaven, will Madonna Manor -,- "The Gospel of Luke: The stage a talen"t show and distribute North Attleboro Christmas Story," re-enactment of gifts and homemade pastries at a 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12: Caroling by Scripture with footage ofthe Holy Golden Agers Christmas Party. 10 youth group of Sacred Heart Land, in English at 8 p.m. Dec. 22, 'a.m. Dec. 14: Holy Family-Holy Church, North Attleboro. 3: 30 p.m. repeated 2 p.m. Dec. 23,4:30 a.m.

Name School, New Bedford, preDec. 14, Brownie Troop 999 from Dec. 24, midnight Dec. 25 and 10 schoolers will sing and dance for Falls School visits. At 6:30 p.m. p.m. Dec. 27, and in Spanish at II residents, who will have their picstudents from Bishop Feehan High p.m. Dec. 17 and 4 p.m. Dec. 19. tures taken with the children and school will sing carols. 2 p.m. Dec. ,-" A Time to Remember" starSanta. At 6 p.m., Eighth-grade 15: Entertainment by the four-and ring Donald O'Connor, about a religious education students from five-year-old students of Little boy who bears witness to ChristSt. Joseph's Church, Fairhaven, Folks School, Attleboro. 2 p.m. mas through his personal trials, 8 will perform Christmas skits in the Dec. 16: Sing-along with eUI:harisp.m. Dec. 23, repeated 5:30 a.m. au<!itorium. tic ministers and chapel volunteers.

Dec. 24 and 2 p.m. Dec. 25.

2 p.m. Dec. 18: Alysha LaFleur, At 3:30 p.m., Christmas caroling - The pope's Christmas mesa 14-year-old volunteer at the home, by Girl Scout:,. At 7:30 p.m., Cub sage live from St. Peter's at 8 p.m. will lead a sing-along in the auditScout Pack 46 of Plainville will Dec. 24, repeated 10 p.m. Dec. 25 orium. I :30 p.m. Dec. 20: Andre visit. and 6 p.m. Dec. 26.

Champagne, home volunteer, will 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19: Sing路,along - Christmas Eve Mass celeplay favorite tunes on the piano, to with Merryl Chabot. 7 p.m,. Dec. brated by Archbishop Agostino be identified by listeners In a "Name 20: Happy Hearts choral ~:roup, Cacciavillan, papal pro-nuncio to That Tune" session. 10 a.m. Dec. dressed in red and white Victorianthe United States, live at the Basil21: Dartmouth High School stustyle clothing, will perform Christica of the National Shrine of the dents will perform a concert. 10 mas carols. Noon Dec. 21: Winter Immaculate Conception at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 22: Residents can have Wonderland Luncheon. 2 p.m. Dec. p.m. Dec. 24, preceded by a live their Christmas gifts wrapped for ,22: Residents prepare Chri ,tmas choral meditation at 10 p.m. free. 9:30 a.m. Dec. 23: Santa's cookies to be served during a pres- Christmas Eve Mass from sleigh will travel the halls of the entation of a: Lawrence Welk Our Lady of the Angels Monas-' Haven, delivering gifts for resiChristmas Show video. tery Chapel in Birmingham, Ala., dents from their families and from 2 p.m. Dec. JI: New Year's Eve live at I a.m. Dec. 25, repeated at 8 the St. John the Baptist Church, party with cabaret singer Merea.m. Dec. 25 and midnight Dec. , Westport, giving tree project. At dith Arico.

26.

I :30 p.m., resident and family - Christmas Day Mass cele- Christmas party.

Catholic Memorial Home brated by Cardinal James A. I :30 p.m. Dec. 31: Residents' Fall River Hickey of Washington live at the New Year's Eve party.

2 p.m. Dec. II: Espirito Santo Basilica of the National Shrine of Marian Manor Church choir will perform in solathe Immaculate Conception at Taunton rium. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12: Caroling noon Dec. 25.

6 p.m. Dec. 10: Caroling by

by St. John the Baptist Church, Haskins Pony Club equestrian Westport, paril;hioners, who will group. bring gifts for residents. 7 p.m.

9:30 a.m. Dec. 13: YMCA proDec. 13. Swansea Community Band , gram preschoolers, who visit the will perform. I:30 p.m. Dec.. 14: Fatigued by his dispute with Manor monthly, will sing carols.

Blessing and lighting of Christ mas Esau and the desert's heat, he lies 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13: Caroling by tree in solarium. 6 p.m. Dec" 15: down on a rock and dreams about Daisy Troop 50 I. 6:30 p.m. Dec. Trip to LaSalette Shrine, Attlea ladder to heaven on which angels 15: Caroling by Cub Scout Pack boro. are descending and ascending.

II of Raynham. 9 a.m. Dec. 17: I p. m. Dec. 18: Christmas party It is here that he hears God's Children of residents' and staff for residents, f.amilies and l;taff promise that the land upon which he rests will be given to him and his members' families and children with a visit from Santa. 10:30 a.m. from the community are invited to Dec. 21 and Dec. 22: "Santa and descendants. Later his na,me will "B'reakfast with Santa" to receive the Sisters" visit each resident and be changed from Jacob to Israel.

The movie's high point for me, a small gift and have photos taken. deliver gifts.

10:30 a.m. Dec. 19: Christmas 6 p.m. Dec. 31: New Year's was its artful portrayal of thecovpageant by children from Bennett Party with entertainment by Arthur enant between God and Jacob. No Elementary School. 10 a.m. Dec. Cote Trio. matter whether he is disappointed

"Jacob" is worthy movie subject

By Father Eugene Hemrick tricked he gave into Laban's deTurner Network Television mand to work. The scheming but rightly described the production lovable character of Laban, beauof the biblical "Jacob" when they tifully played by Giancarlo Giansaid, "It is a beloved Old Testa- nini, credibly demonstrates how , ment parable of devotion, integ- this could happen.

We realize that anyone who had rity, redemption and faith." Better family entertainment we could not benefitted from the goodness of a Jacob would hold onto him at any get!

"Jacob" will be aired through cost.

A number of biblical scholars Dec. 17.

There are a number of things I , today tell us that if we truly want liked about it. First, Matthew to become one with the Bible we Modine as Jacob artfully portrays must imagine "seeing the place" kindness, compassion, suffering where its stories took place and the and faith, while remaining a very people involved.

"Jacob" aids our imagination human being.

Unlike the lead characters in with its desert scenes and authensome biblical movies, Modin\: tic costumes. We get a real sense of offers a certain naturalness which what it must have been like during has the viewer not only admiring the nomadic life of Israel's pahim, but feeling that the virtues he triarchs.

The two-hour presentation of portrays could be imitated.

Lara Flynn Boyle, who plays "Jacob" excellently summarizes his Rachel, does not let physical beauty life, starting with him taking the birth right from his brother Esau, overrun the ,beauty of a devotf:d and loving woman who not only and explaining his name, which supports her, husband but who means "attached to the heel." , helps us sense what it was like for Scripture scholars tell us that alher when the couple was unable to though Esau was born first, Jacob was attached to his heel, and, as it have a child.

The most charming character in were, tripped him up by clinging to "Jacob" is Laban, Rachel's father it to get to his father Isaac's first who tricks Jacob into marrying his blessing.

Esau's anger drives Jacob from daughter Leah, and then has him work seven years to win Rachel's Beer-sheb,a and causes him to journey to Laban in Haran. It is hand.

Whe'n we read about Jacob, it the beginning of his intimate jourseems incredible that after being ney with God.

at not having Rachel as his first wife or is wrestling with an angel, Jacob's commitment to God comes through forcefully.

Most would agree that the meaning of commitment today has been greatly diminished. This is partly caused by seeing more commitments broken than kept in society as a whole.

"Jacob" forcefully counters this, allowing us to imagine what commitment really implie's through its depiction of the workings of commitment between God and Jacob.

GIFTS. FROM THE HEART: Students at St. Joseph's School, Fairhaven, are observing Advent with the theme "Gifts from the Heart...Receive the Gifts of Christmas." Students are assembling "gift packs," containing soap, toothpast,e, shampoo, an.d a brush, comb and face cloth, to be presented Dec. 21 to Sister Rosellen Gallogly, RSM, for clients of tbe Market Ministries shelter in New Bedford.

"What r~ligiou~~duc~~i~~"doesfor '',;,~,/ CCO students at Holy Trinity parish. West I-Jarwi<:h. marked Religious Education Month in November with a project themed "What Religious Education Does for Me." Grades 1-3 made posters and grades 4-10 wrote compositions. Among the stu.dents' comments: Grade 4 "Religious education is a place where I can believe in myself, and a place where I can express myself." - Jody Baran "Religious education hclps me to learn aboul God and Jesus and the Good News thaI Jesus taught people about. To pray. to love one another, and be happy about yourself. Now 1 know about the life of Jesus." . Will Lazarescu

"I learn aboul God. Jesus and Mary to see what Ihey did. To learn about a virtue; love. faith and hope. To love everyone even if they're different." -Jessica Mongeau "Religious education helps me learn more about God. Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It helps me to give out my love. It gives me something that brings me love." +-Jenny Vohs Grade ~ "ReI. Ed. has made me kinder.

Also it made me more independent. ReI. Ed. is fun. ReI. Ed's for everyone. There is no better place to be. ReI. Ed's the place for me.

Best place in the world: outstanding teachers; radical. in other words. Miss Mann; independent. that's what it's m"de me; never

St. John Evangelist CC·D Handsome paper turkeys adorning the religious edu~ation bulletin board and office door at St. John the Evangelist parish, Attleboro, sported fcathers decorated with expressions of thanks by the more than 600 students in the CCD program. Students were asked to prayerfully reflect with their class and catechist about what they were thankful for as they celebrated Religious Education

Month. The grades 1-5 students offered thanks for such things as: "my guinea pig"; "my family"; "my friends"; "my home"; "my health"; "sports"; "clothes"; "my school"; "my dog and my cat"; "my VCR"; "my Nintendo"; "my mom and dad"; "God and Jesus."

Students also viewed the video "The PUmpkin Who Was Not a Squash," which had the theme of valuing differences and uniqueness.

boring. genuinely. really awesome!"

-Amanda Sinclair "I think religious education has made me a much better person. I know it has made me more loving and caring. It has also helped my sister Bria nne who is in second grade. My sister and I are also getting along better now because we have been coming here. Actually. it's helping my whole family." Allyson Keefe . "Religious ed ucation has brought me closer to God. I now understand the fulfillment of the scriptures. I now can understand about God instead of keep trying 10 just guess at what it meant when the Gospel was read at Mass. I now understand what people mean when they talk about Jesus. I also now understand the chapter in the Bible." -Joe:y Centrella Confirmation I "Religious ed ucation helps me understand my life. God. and my family and friends. By knowing and learning more about God and Jesus. I can understand that my life is great compared to some of the hardships Jesus had to face. I can deal with humiliation a lot better. and am not as concerned about material things as much as I am about things that I could never have another of. like my family and friends.

"Religious ed ucation has helped me to understand the life of God and Jesus a lot more. I learned what they have done to help us.

God has also helped me to understand my self a lot better and to realize that there is only one me and to be myself. Also to try to be thoughtful and understanding of my friends and family and enemies. also to give everyone a fair judgment."· Kathleen Bergstrom The religious ed ucation program. coordinated by Marie Mann. also held during November a parent night with pro-life speaker Linda Thayer and a benefit auction for leukemia patient Sara Woodland, a sophomore at Harwich High.

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 9, 1994

13

Moral foundation sets Catholic schools apart WASHINGTON(CNS)- Catholic schools' success is often linked to their academics and discipline, but what really sets them apart is their underlying principles, said Augustinian Father Richard Jacobs.

The priest delivered the annual Seton-Neumann lecture, sponsored by the U.S. Catholic Conference's Ed ucation Department and its Committee on Education.

Today's education research continues to prove that Catholic schools are effective primarily because they offer "rigorous curriculum, good discipline and a supportive climate," said Father Jacobs, who is director of Villanova University grad uate programs in school leadership.

While these characteristics are important and may sell Catholic schools to parents, he said, they are not what makes a Catholic school distinctively Catholic.

The moral framework, the central belief in God and the spiritual formation of the students are the key principles surrounding thi: existence of Catholic schools, said Father Jacobs.

"The development of moral character is the heart of education," he emphasized, adding that this aspect is overlooked in public schools.

The priest said public education has "failed youth because it conveys little or no moral purpose."

The moral aspect prominent in Catholic schooling is what prevents education from being "reduced to instruction," and it effects everything in the Catholic school from the classroom to the locker room, he said; for example, "Students take courses not merely for

the knowledge they convey, but more precisely, as a means to discover their true identity as a child of God, one who is called to become God-like in and through one's li(e."

He said extracurricular activities also take on a different light in Catholic schools. They not only provide socialization and distraction, but enable the students to "appreciate new depths of human experience that convey the living presence of God" either through one's friends or one's own limitations.

Since public schools do not have the underlying principle of a central belief in God, their role "stands in stark contrast" to Catholic schools, Father Jacobs said.

And because he believes Catholic schools are not just functional, he said the teachers should view their profession as a vocation.

"Teachers deal with students as individuals, communicating to their souls," he said.

According to Father Jacobs, all who are involved with Catholic' schooling, from students to bishops, must be clear on why the schools exist in the first place.

"Otherwise," he said, "parents, students and teachers will not be inspired and motivated to contribute their time, feeling and focus" to the schools' success.

When Catholic educational leaders understand and communicate the role of their schools they will be instrumental in forming future church leaders, he said.

They also "will have; ensured that the Gospel win be faithfully proclaimed not only to the next generation but well into the next millennium."

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Coyle-Cassidy exchange students, from left: Mariana PinheirofromBrazil, Corina Uzcateguifrom Venezuela, and Sophie Reiny from Belgium.

Coyle-Cassidy High , TAUNTON - During this school year, C-C is sponsoring its own league of nations by welcoming three exchange students. Corina Uzcategui from Venezuela, Mariana Pinheiro, a Brazilian, and Belgian Sophie Remy, though strikingly different, share much the same joys and concerns.

Of course, beginning the school year is challenging for anyone, but is especially challenging for these young women.

Mariana admitted, "I'm very shy and it is difficult to make friends." Said Sophie, "I did not know anyone, and it was very difficult for me."

All three students have come to the United States for similar reasons: they are very interested in learning the English language and' studying American culture. As Mariana put it, "I left Brazil to experience other lifestyles, but I chose America to learn English. I'm very fond of the United States because. it's a first world country."

Even though the girls have made new friends, they are all facing homesickness. "I call home at least once a week," said Mariana. They all will be away from home at Christmas and agree that it will be very difficult. Corina, however, looks on the bright side: "I will miss,my family very much, but I know they will send me lots of presents."

The international guests have just experienced their first traditional American Thanksgiving. When told Thanksgiving is a good excuse for Americans to eat a lot, Corina smiled brightly and said, "I think that will be fun!" , Mariana is quick to point out that because of the' English barrier, a lot of her classes are very challenging.

According to Sophie, "My favorite course is Sister Vera's creative writing class." Coyle instructors are impressed.

Sister Vera comments, "Sophie is a true student. She is very attentive and has quite a vocabulary. You know, not many people know the meaning and proper use of the word cacophony!"

The girls are also getting a taste of cultural life. Sophie plays on the varsity vo)leyball tea m. "My high school day in Belgium lasted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There was no room for sports, so this is a treat," she said. Both Corina and Mariana have found the local shopping inalls a delight.

All three students agree that their short time here will be well spent. They believe they a re lucky to be ,here, but the more fortunate ones are we, their American hosts. By being exposed to different ideas and cultures, we all become students. Even when these three young women are back in their homelands, the impressions they' take back with them and leave with us will be indelible. They are making this big world a bit smaller and little· more reachable.

Students and faculty wore red ribbons on World AIDS Day, Dec. :1, to remember and pray for the victims of AIDS and to become more aware of the disease.

The day's events included a showing of the powerful movie, "And The Band Played On" to the entire student body on the school's new closed-circuit television system.

Bells tolled throughout the movie, every nine minutes, symbolizing the death of an AIDS victim: Father John Denning, C~C, the Coyle and Cassidy chaplain, led a prayer sel"vice at the close of classes for the victims of AIDS and for all who are affected by the ., . disease. were missing from classes during . Also, certain students the course of'the day to show what it would be like if a friend 'or classmate was absent from students' lives because of AIDS. .

CC faculty members Kathy St. Laurent and Dr. Mary Pat Tranter coordinated the event with help from student organizer Mary Gibbons of Plymouth:

Debate Debut On Nov. IS a Bishop Stang first took place in the auditorium of New Bedford High School. Juniors Lisa Reale and Derek Sousa argued the affirmative, and two teams of sophomores, Jeff Figueiredo and Chris O'Donnell and Parker Gavigan and Josh Giguere, debated the negative for Bishop Stang in the opening round of the Eastern Massachusetts Debate Conference. The topic was the United States' immigration policy.

The students are members of Stang's new Spartan Forensic and Debate Team, coordinated by soCial studies teacher James McDonald..

"I joined the team to improve my public speaking skills" said Miss Reale. "What I've learned is a lot of 'times' when people look at an issue, they look at it through their eyes only. But in a debate, a person has to look at both sides of the issue. The feeling of knowing what I'm talking about from both sides is fun."

"I.1's exciting to shape a vision of an issue through logic and persuasion," Sousa said. "We're learning how to research information, analyze it, develop a belief, and, argue it with sound reasoning."

McDonald, who coached debate at Roselle Park High School, New Jersey from 1965-1991, is assisted by his son, Joseph McDonald, a 1994 graduate of the University of Rhode Island.

"It's interesting," said senior Olivia Davis, one of more than 20 team members. "I've improved my interpersonal skills, but I've also learned a lot about current events.

Debate has made me think of both sides of an argument now." .

The National Forensic League, which represents 2,500 schools, recently granted the Spartan team its official affiliation. For the first time in its history, Bishop Stang will be represented in district and, possibly, national competitions.

SADD's Story As faculty advisor for the Bishop Stang Chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving, Sanda Charves continues to warn students of the dangers of alcohol.

The '94-'95 SADD officers are seniors Jennifer Lussier, president; Michelle Neves, vice president; Andrea Cicirelli, secretary; and sophomore Charles Burke, Jr., treasurer.

Meeting weekly after school, the Stang Chapter has sponsored a variety of activities., including monthly bulletin boards outside the nurse's office, an October school assembly, and ubiquitous banners and red ribbons at Homecoming.

SADD members attend out-of-school workshops and seminars, organize and ru'n the Adolescent Issues Awareness Day (scheduled this school year for May I), and coordinate pre- and post-prom and graduation events.

Homecoming Court King Nicholas Furtado and Queen Sherri Fernandes reigned at Homecoming Ceremonies. Court members Colleen Carney, Andrea Goodwin, Michelle Neves and Elizabeth Rivet ~ere accompanied by escorts Seth Correia, Christopher Erikson, Peter Hasenfuss and Peter ' Pendergrass.

Dominican Academy, Fall River, eighth~grader Sanday DeSa receives her class ring andfloral remembrance from her kindergart~n "little sister" Kelsey Leite, kindergarten teacher Carol Brickhill and principal Patricia Moncey. The eighth-graders' class rings were blessed as part of the academy's Thanksgiving liturgy. (Gaudette photo)

A Limo to Lunch was enjoyed by t.op fundraisers in St. Mary-Sacred Heart School's recen.t kit drive. Among those accompanying principal Alberta Goss were (,front) Shannon Crounse and Ian Demers and (from left) Kathleen and Shauna Crounse, Heidi Charlebois. Otha students who won the lunch trip were Sara Smith, Danny Warren and Jaines Warren.

St. Mary-Sacred Heart NORTH ATTLEBORO - Winners of student (:ouncil elections last mo'nth were'president Merilee Fazio, vice president Brendan Poirier, treasurer Melissa WrigM and secretary Andrea Gualtieri. Homeroom representatives are Irene Choberka for grade 8; Kathh!en Crounse. grade 7; Amanda Klimiata. grade 6 and ShaLlDa Crounse, grade 5. The new council's first project is a grades 6-8 Chris':mas dance. planned for 6:30 to 9 tonight.

Third-graders and their families are participating in an Advent project. Each student will ta:ke a turn bringing home the class Advent box for a night. The box con'tains an Advent wreath, stories about the s'~ason, a book describing traditions and customs of Advent, and a snack.

Grade 5 recently held an "Element T-Shirt· Fashion Show" as part of their science studies of atoms, elements and molecules. After learning important facts aboUl: the elements, such as symbol and atomic number, the students painted the facts on T-shirts which were then modeled in a fashion show format. MeghanPetrone and Keith Svendsen were crowned Miss Iron and Mr. Mercury for their outstanding knowledge of their assigned elements. .

Seventh-graders included a "Guess Who" game in their study of the American Revolution. Students researched important historical figures and assumed their subjects' identities while classmates tried to guess who they Wl:re.

In religion, the seventh grade class created booklets of "Words to Live By," taken from the Bible, while eighthgraders laminated their own "illuminated scripts" using a favorite Bible quote.

Grade 8 will perform the play "Pleasl: Explain Christmas" on Dec. 20, accompanied by a musical performance by the rest of the student body.

Holy Family~Holy Name NEW BEDFORD - Students from preschool through grade 8 will participate in the annual Christmas pa'geant to be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 18 at St. Lawrence Church. The junior choir and instrumentalists will provide mus:ic.

Canned goods will be collected at the door.

The school Christmas celebration will be at II a.m.

Dec. 19. Students will present the gifts of mittens, hats, gloves, and socks they are collecting du:ring Advent for donation to charity.

A new stamp club for students in grade:; 4-6, advised by Gilbert Borges, president of the Whaling City Stamp Club, meets 2:30 to 3: 15 p.m. alternate Thursdays.

Over 40 needy families benefited from the H FH:'J .Thanksgiving food drive. Students had collected 2,000 bags of groceries before the school's Thanksgiving liturgy, and additional items, including turkeys, were collected during Thanksgiving week. Third-graders, who collected the most nonperishable foods, were trutedto a pizz,a party. ' Seven students won over $200 worth of tickets for th,~ New Bedford Concert Series at the Zeiterion Theatre for their essays on why they enjoy performances at the "Z." The winners were Daniela Chirigotis, Larr;y Sa'voie, Ericil Borges, Amy Mitchell, Melissa Tanque, Peter Hegart]' and Catherine Monty. All other entrants in the contest., which was open to grades 2-8, received two tickets to the: Paramount Brass Performance in April.

••••

The school h~s a flag pole and the American and papal flags;bu't no way to bring the two elements together! A volunteer is ·needed' to put up the flag pole and attach rigging. For information call the school at 993-3547.

By Charlie Martin

SOMETHING'S ALWAYS WRONG Another day I call And never speak And you would say Nothing's changed at all And I can't feel Much hope for anything Iii I won't be there 1'0 catch you if you fall Again it seems We meet in the spaces In between We always say It won't be long flut something's always wrong Another game Of putting things aside As if we'l come back To them some time A brace of hope A pride of innocence And you would say something Has gone wrong Again It seems we meet In the spaces in between We always say It won't be long But something's always wrong Written by Glen Phillips, Todd Nichols, Toad. Sung by Toad the Wet Sprocket (c) 1994 by Sony Tunes Inc./Wet Sprocket Songs (ASCAP) THE GROUP with rock's thing's always wrong." Perhaps most original name has another one or both individuals are chart hit. Toad the Wet Sprockafraid to face th垄 problems beet's "Something's Always tween them. They fear that Wrong" tells the story of a relaad mitting the coqflicts will bring tionship about t.o fall apart. the end of their romance. UnforThe song offers a clue to why tunately, avoiding problems this couple facf:s such difficulonly increases the possibility ties. They playa "game of putthat the love between two peoting things aside: as if we'll come ple will erode. back to them some time." \[ you find yourself in a datConsequently, th'ese conflicts ing relationship where problems never get resolved, and "someare being avoided, realize that

this-is serious~ tf-it isn't路possible to raise the level of communication there, something really is wrong. But perhaps considering these steps will help you see if better communication could make a difference: 1. First, be honest with yourself. What are you feeling? Particularly, what angers or resentments have you stored in your heart? Also, try to name the fears that have held you back from speaking about your feelings to the other person.

2. Ask the other person for a time when you can speak about your concerns. Be sure you agree on a time when distractions can be minimized. The purpose of setting up a time is to let your partner know that this is not just a casual conversation.

You're hoping that both of you will be attentive to what is discussed.

3. In the conversation itself, take responsibility for what you feel. Blaming another does not help solve problems. Tell your partner that your relationship with him or her is important to you, and you are willing to work on it together.

4. Suggest joint problem solving, inviting his or her ideas on how to make changes in the difficult situation. Be flexible.

As you work on the immediate problem, you also are enhancing the goal of developing better communication. Further, many times just gaining some momentum toward change makes the problem less hurtful for both of you.

5. Ask God to guide you.

Your openness and courage become pathways for God's healing for both of you.

Living in a relationship where "something's always wrong" is painful. Young people who are dating don't need to be content with such a situation. See if it is possible to move beyond fear to genuine communication.

Your comments are welcomed

by Charlie Martin, RR 3, Box 182, Rockport, IN 47635.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH: For Christmas donation to Our Sister's Place battered women's shelter, Notre Dame School, Fall River, students are collecting personal items, games and toys. The effort follows up on charitable projects of November: students conducted a Fast for Hunger Day, donating money to the Fall River Community Fo.od Pantry; contributed to Thanksgiving food baskets for the needy of the parish; and made placemats for the Thanksgiving meal served at the Rocking Horse restaurant. Rocking Horse owner Jack Oliveira awarded prizes to three students in each grade.

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 9, 1994

By Linda L. Rome Have you ever wondered what your name means? Naming is a peculiarly human occupation, given to us, according to the Old Testament, by God himself.

It seems that the human family has agreed that what we are called makes a difference. And what we call others can hurt them, or it can express our affection for them.

Have you ever thought about it?

Name-calling is a serious matter.

Giving you your name was a true and lasting gift from your parents, a gift they no doubt spent many hours debating. My own children are named in memory of their grandparents. Each of their first names commemorates one of their grand parents; we picked their middle names, the names we call them every day, to reflect themselves.

Many first names have meanings and associations. For example, my son's name John means "gracious one" in Hebrew, and his middle name Matthew means "gift of God," also from the Hebrew.

It has long been a common practice to name children after saints as a way to hold up the saint's life as an example, or to place the child under the special protection of that saint.

A name may have many versions, depending on the country: John in Italy is Giovanni; in Spain it's Juan; Ivan in Russia; and Hans (from Johannes) in Germany.

First names are often changed into nicknames, like Lisa for Elizabeth, or Jimmy for James. You may have had the problem of a teacher calling you by a nickname when you preferred your full name, or the other way around. A person's name is special, and it's only common courtesy to call someone by the preferred name.

Nicknames, or pet names, can be affectionate (like Slugger for a great baseball player), or derogatory (like Shrimp for someone small), and can affect someone's self-esteem.

It may be said that "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me," but we all know that calling someone a name can be a powerful weapon.

Noone wants to be called a coward or a wimp because it really does hurt.

Naming is a kind of power that needs to be used carefully. American Indians understood the power of names, choosing each one to embody special traits or talents (remember "Dances With Wolves"), so that the person would always be able to identify with the strength of the name.

It is common for teenagers today to give each other nicknames. A teenager may be known in a group of young people by a name altogether different from his given name. How many of these names

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can you think of? What is their symbolism?

Our last names, or family names, are relatively new, coming into use in the late Middle Ages. Many family names come from the father's name. For example, Johnson means "son of John," and Richardson means "son of Richard."

Other family names developed from a person's occupation, like Weaver, Baker and Taylor. Others were associated with a place, like Wallace which means "man from Wales." Your own last names can give you clues about your ethnic heritage or even about what your ancestors might have done for a living.

If you want to check out what your name means, go to the library and ask for a book on names, like Michael Shock's book, "By Any Other Name" (Prentice Hall General Reference, 1994, New York).

You'll find out lots of fascinating facts about something we all take for granted - your own name.

Youth pastoral on video CHICAGO (CNS) - Saying it was the first time in church history a cardinal has issued a pastoral on videocassette, the archdiocese of Chicago's youth office has released "Here and Now," Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin's new pastoral on youth.

In the 40-minute video, the cardinal sits down with six young people from the archdiocese and answers their questions on church, youth programs, priests and celibacy, the multicultural nature of the church in Chicago, the role of women in the church, and moral guidance.

The video used a talk show-style format, and the cardinal's responses were off the cuff.

He assured the young people of the church's support. "I want you to know that the church, this local community of faith, appreciates very, very much what you have to offer to the church, and our expectations of you are really higher than you think they are."

The video is an outgrowth of a series of local youth meetings held in February 1993, followed by an archdiocese youth hearing the next month attended by Cardinal Bernardin.

A few months .after the hearing, the cardinal and a committee of young people and youth leaders began thinking about the possibility of issuing a pastoral statement in a video format.

The video is meant to be a tool to keep dialogue going between youth and the church, according to Joanne Walczynski. who helped produce the project.

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SEPARATED/DIVORCED CATHOLICS, NB Pre-Christmas gathering 7 p.m.

Dec. 14, Family Life Center, N. , Dartmouth; participants asked to bring an inexpensive gift for Chinese auction to be led by Roseann Souza.

GUNS FOR GAMES Through Dec. 17, Funz-A-Poppin toy store in Swansea is conducting a "guns for games" swap: children under 12 accompanied by an adult can turn in their toy guns, knives or swords and receive a yo-yo or a discount coupon for any item in the store.

SECULAR FRANCISCANS St. Francis of Cape Fraternity will hold a memorial Mass for recently deceased member Trudy Harris 7 p.m. Dec. 13, St. John Evangelist Church, Pocasset, celebrated by Franciscan Father Stephen Doyle, of Boston, who will also officiate at profession of 95-year-old Emma Todesca as a Secular Franciscan. Father Doyle will speak on Christmas devotions of ·St. Francis and application of the Franciscan charism to Advent and Christmas celebrations. Refreshements and caroling follow; all welcome.

Psychotherapy and Family Counseling PATRICIA CASHMOR~,

Sponsors are needed for Familyto-Family Christmas Basket Program; information: John Forte, 428-4041.

ST. ANTHONY, E. FALMOUTH .falmouth Interfaith Choir, under direction of Frederick Johnson, will present Ron Nelson's "Christmas Story" 3 p.m. Dec. II; information: 548-0108.

EMMANUEL COiLEGE CLUB OF CAPE COD Cape Cod alumnae of Emmanuel College will hold a Christmas luncheon beginning with a soCial noon tomorrow at the Daniel Webster Inn, Sandwich. Information: 3945123.

SERRA CLUB NB Meeting Ded. 12 at White's of Westport. Rev. Roland Bousquet of St. Theresa's Church, New Bedford, will speak about the marriage tribunal.

N.S. de GUADALUPE,NB . Celebrations for feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: 6 p.m. Mass with mariachis Dec. 10, followed by dinner, and Mass with dramatization of Guadalupe apparitions 7 p.m. Dec. 12, followed by refreshments.

K. of Co, WESTPORT Monthly meeting of St.· Isidore the Farmer council 4373 Knights of Columbus is 2 p.m. third Thursdays at the Council home on Main Rd., Westport.

TAUNTON STATE HOSPITAL Civic and social groups interested in sponsoring holiday activities for patients are sought; information: Sanford R. Epstein,824-7551,(617)7277978 ext. 127.

ST. JOSEPH, TAUNTON Confirmation students will host "You Deserve a Break Today!", babysitting children ages 5-12 so parents can make holiday preparations, 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. II. Craft projects, a viqeo and refreshments are planned for the children.

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The Communicate: Health! Mobile Unit offers health care providers, companies and civic organizations an opportunity to lend a hand in the fight against breast cancer by providing women with high quality breast cancer scn:ening services in a comfortable setting. The mobile unit is availa.ble for a full day of scheduled screenings, and arrangements can be made to have the mobile unit stay for an extended period of time for special events.

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More than 5,000 women in Massachusetts will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. Experts agree that early diagnosis offers the best chance for a cure. and that mammography can detect breast cancers earlier than any other method. This is the motivation behind the Communicate: Health!· Mobile Unit from Saint Anne's Hospital, which provides convenieht, quality breast health care to uninsured and underinsured women in the Fall River area, taking an educational approach to breast self examination and offering safe, low-dose mammography.

The Communicate: Health! Mobile Unit is certified by the Massachusetts Department of· Public Health and the Medicare Health Care Financing Administration and is accredited by the American College of Radiology. The 36-foot coach is equipped with a low-dose Bennett High Frequency Mammography X-ray System, a AFGA Mamoray MR3-II Processor, a registration area, an education

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··ST. BERNARD' ASSONET A prayer requ~st book is located GaliIe.e Meeting 6 to 9 p.m. Sunnear the pu.lpit and may be used to day, Neumann Hall, Cathedral Camp, E. Freetown; Kathy St. Lau- . list special i.ntentions, which will be prayed for during the weekly Interrent will give witness on "The Third ~unday of Ady~nt: ¢,re We Prepar- cessory Prayer Group meeting. Requests may be made anonymously. mg for the. VISItOr. Father Dave Andrade will celebrate Mass.

SACRED HEART, N. ATTLEIlORO CURSILLO Combining stewardship and the Cursillo Movement of Fall River Leader's School 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, season of Advent parishioners are asked to tak.e an ornament from the Bishop Connolly High School, FR. parish Advent Tree each week. OrnaAll Welcome. ments are designated for "time, talent O.t. CAPE, BREWSTER or treasure," and each person is Lower Cape UItreya monthly asked to respond accordingly and on meeting and Christmas party tonight; the following week place a straw in information, 385-9152. the Christ Child's manger for each ST. MARY, NB act of charity accomplished.

Giving tree is set up in Memorial ST. PATRICK, SOMERSln Chapel for those who would like to Vincentians will serve supper at supply gifts for the needy. the First Baptist Church S,)Up kitSEPARATED/DIVORCED chen in Fall River on Dec. 20. DonaSUPPORT GROUP, CAPE COD tions of desserts will be appreciated.

Meeting 7 p.m. Dec. 18, St. Pius X A Christmas party will follow the parish life center, South Yarmouth. supper and the parish youth group Information: 362-9873. will sing carols.

HOLY NAME, FR DOMINIC, SWANSEA ST. Holy Name students will perform All welcome at Advent Evensong their first ever Christmas musical, program at 7 p.m. Sunday, There "Oh, What A Night!", 6 p.m. Dec. 16 will be a service of lessons and carand 17 at the school. Information: ols, accompanied by instruments and 674-9131. bells, and congregational carol singST. PATRICK, FALMOUTH Christmas open. house and tree ing: ParishioneTs are collecting infant needs for Birth right. Donations may lighting at the rectory 3 to 5 p.m.

Sunday; choir will sing Christmas be brought to any Christmas Mass. carols and refreshments will be ST. THOMAS MORE, served. Women's guild is collecting SOMERSET A lessons and carols progr~:m will mittens and warm socks during Advent; donations may be left at rec- be presented at 3 p.m. Dec. 18. All tory any time. A parishioner is con- welcome. ducting a toy drive as an Eagle Scout CATHOLIC WOMAN'S CLl'B, NB project; unwrapped toys may be left Christmas meeting 7:30 p.n:.. Dec. in box at rear of church. The junior 14, WamsuttaClub, NB, with musihigh youth group is sponsoring a cal program by New Bedford High parish giving tree.

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