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t eanc Qf VOL. 36, NO. 49

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Friday, December 11, 1992

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

FALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

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Nuns' bodies are returned from Liberia DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (CNS) - The bodies of three of five American nuns gunned down in Liberia's civil war have been returned to the United States more than a month after their deaths.

The remains - believed to be of Adorers of the Blood of Christ Sisters Shirley Kolmer, Agnes Mueller and Kathleen McGuire - were brought to Dover Air Force Base on an Air Force C-141 cargo plane Dec. 7. The nuns were killed around Oct. 22, but their bodies were not recovered until Nov. 29.

An autopsy took place before the remains were flown to the order's provincial house in Red Bud, 111., for burial. Its findings were not immediately released.

Sister Mildred Gross, provincial superior of the order, other representatives of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, family members and State Department officials were at Dover for the arrival of the bodies.

Sister Gross said a 15-minute service was held on the aircraft.

The cases bearing the remains were draped with African cloth.

The bodies of Sisters Joel Kolmer, cousin of Sister Shirley Kolmer, and Barbara Anne Muttra had not been recovered as of Dec. 8. The two were reportedly killed in an ambush.

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Chapel opens December 15 Our Lady's Chapel, New Bedford, which closed last June when Franciscans of the Order of Friars Minor were forced to leave the diocese due to declining religious vocations and the state of the economy, will reopen Dec. 15 with a staff of two Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate.

The chapel, which had served downtown New Bedford resjdents and workers since 1956, had been greatly missed in the six months it had been closed, said Bishop Se~n P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., last month, in announcing its reopening.

Father Francis Mary of the Angels Pimental, who will be Father Guardian for the chapel, said it will be opened with a solemn pontifical Mass at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. Bishop O'Malley will be principal celebrant.

Once opened, the chapel's weekday schedule will be as follows: -5: 15 a.m. - Chapel doors opened -5:20 a.m. - Morning prayers, Turn to Page II

Diocesans at Black Catholic Workshop

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"GIVE TO THEM as they gave to you" is the slogan for this year's Retirement Fund for Religious collection to be taken up in diocesan cturches.

Collection to aid The annual collection benefiting the national Retirement Fund for Religious will be taken up this weekend in churches of the Fall River diocese.

The fifth in a planned series of 10 such collections will aid sisters, brothers and priests who have dedicated their lives to serving pthers in schools, hospitals, churches and a multitude of other ministries.

Discussing the retirement fund program, its director, Sister Mary Oliver Hudon of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, said that des"pite the recession that has driven 11 any Americans to re-examine and more carefully allocate their charitable contributions, American

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Catholics in 1991 coAtributed nearly $23 million to thd fund.

Religious congregations in the United States have ~been in a "retirement recession" of theilr own for years, she said.

1985 survey found that U.S. religious orders were at least $2.5 billion short of having enough mo~ey to care for their members throu1gh retirement.

Since then, Sister Hudon's office has been working on the problem.

"There's no way we can raise $2 or $3 billion in the nbt five years" she said, "but that ~as nev:~r our goal. We want to offer congregations seed money and assistance in retirement planningl" The current reti~ement deficit.

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religious

explained the nun, results from years of a system that could neither have predicted nor prepared for today's realities: fewer wage-earning members, a large aging membership (the average age of women religious in the United States is 65), and skyrocketing health care costs.

Faced with all these problems, congregations have by no means been sitting back waiting for others to take care of them; they have been selling lands and buildings to increase cash flow, auditing infirmaries and developing self-insurance arrangements. Some comTurn to Page II

Black Catholics from throughout New England met last month in West Springfield for the 19th annual Culture and Worship Workshop sponsored by the National Office for Black Catholics (NOBe).

Attending from the Fall River diocese were Father Benedict Folger, SSCc., and Deacon Antonio daCruz of Our Lady of the Assumption parish, New Bedford.

Participating were the dioceses of Fall River, Springfield and Worcester; Providence, RI; and Bridgeport, CT; and the archdioceses of Boston and Hartford, CT. "The weekend program this year was part of a continuing effort by NOBC to train, develop and form' Black Catholics as leaders in the Church," said NOBC president James McConduit.

Founded in 1970, NOBC "has for almost 23 years built lay leadership especially among young Black adults," said WalterT. Hubbard, NOBC executive director.

He said the recent workshop was not only informational but "also served to develop a cadre of persons to share in the impo"rtant task of leadership training."

Workshop speakers included Dr. Greer Gordon, professor of religious studies at Regis College, Weston, who addressed the role of Black Catholic women in the church.

"Cri de Coeur"

105 to receive ¥~a-:rl-i-a-n-M-e-d-a-I-I Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., will award the Marian Medal to 105 members of the Fall River diocese nominated by their pastors as outstanding parishioners at . . t3 an evemng prayer ser.vlce a p.m.

Sunday at S~. Mary s Cathedral.

The awardees names follow. Where . . d .. h a city IS not name ,It tS t e same as ·· t he d eanery d eSlgnatlOn. Fall River Deanery Mario Antonelli, Holy Rosary' Mrs. Hortence Berube, Sacred Heart; .

Norman F redenc Bessette, St. Thomas More, Somerset; Joseph Borges, · MAl' S anto Chnsto; rs. Ice Branco, St. Elizabeth; Mrs. Mary (Arthur) Carvalho. Our Lady of Grace, Westport.

Mrs. Gertrude (Robert A.) Chou inard, Notre Dame; Felix Czerwonka, Holy Cross; Mrs. Alzira (Gilbert) de Mattos, St. Dominic. Swansea; Mrs. Annette (Antone) de Mello, St. Louis De France, Swansea; Manuel de Oliveira. Our Lady of Health; Mrs. Dorothy (Arthur) M. Deschenes. St. William.

Mrs. Dorothy (George) Faria. St. Patrick; Mrs. Caroline Francisco, Saints Peter& Pa~l; Dr. Richard John Grace, St. Mary s Cathedral; Mrs.

Stella Lawton, St. ~tanislaus; Miss Maureen C. McCloskeY, Holy Name; Joseph Albert Michaud, St. Anne.

Mrs. Dorothy (~~lter) N.icolau, Im"?~culateConceptl~~;James Pavao.

Espmto Santo; Mrs. wanda (Robert) Peloquin, St. Michaell Swansea; Miss Gilda Pregana, St. [Louis; Joseph Raposo St. John of God Somerset· ' I " Mrs. Olive Rego, St. Michael.

M V' . . (W'llr ) C F' rs. Irglllla. I !am '.,.ogers, Our Lady of Fatll~a: Swansed, Mrs. ~vel~n ~rth~r~ SIIV(ILiI ' Our dl)~dY of S ngpe s;. k~s. S 0 ores ~ eRonar 'bousla , t. atnc s, omerset.. ene TtII au t, Blessed Sacrament.!' Mrs. Pauline (D Id) V· S 'I J B" t.' eand Aaptlste; D onaId Wh eZllla, I S Be ona e an, t. mar, ssonet.

Attleboro Deanery Henri G. Broussea~, St. J o.seph's; Richard Giorda~o, Stl Mary, Norton; Nelson J. Gulskl, St. Mary, No. Attleboro; Mrs. Yvette(J. Nbrmand) Hamel, Sacred Heart, No. ~ttleboro; Mrs. Graciela Valanzuela Herrera, Greater Attleboro Spanish A!postolatf:; Mrs. Joan (Gerard) Kenton. St. John The Evangelist.

Thomas McMorrow. SI. Mark.

Attleboro Falls: Ftancis Robert Menard..S~. Mary. ISeekonk; Mrs. Anna (WIlham) Pala;nza. St. Mary.

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Mansfield; Henry I. Pinson, Holy Ghost, Attleboro; Mrs. Annette (Bernard) M. Sirois, St. Theresa of the Child of Jesus, So. ~ttleboro ..

Mrs. Jeanne (LoUIS) C. Stebbms, St. Stephen; James A. Walsh, O.L. Mt. Carmel, Seekonk.

Ca e Cod Deanery M I' P MAid H I R d rs A Ice u 0 y e eeC'h th M' J' A H B . mer, a am; s. 0 nn . ennett, Our Lady of the Cape, Brewster; Mrs. Catherine B. Cadose, St. Peter the Apostle, Provincetown; Mrs. Marion (Richard) Congdon, St. M 'N k t· W'IJ" O' ary s, afnt~c e , C I lam.II ~vMlIle, OurLadyo VIctory, entervI e, rs.

LoUlse . (R aymond) Gagnon,.

St J osep h, Woods Hole.

Melvin Gonsalves, St. Anthony's, East Falmouth; Miss Rose Gross, Our Lady of Lourdes, ~ellfle.et; James ~.

Hobert, St. FranCIS XaVier, Hyanllls; Mrs. Rita O'Malley Holway, Christ The King, Mashpee; Mrs. Marie (Robert) H. Leavens, St. Patrick's, Falmouth; William ~. Mc Evoy; Our Lady of the AssumptIOn, OsterVIlle.

Miss Cynthia L. Merna, Holy Trinity, West Harwich; William F. Mulcahy, Corpus Christi, Sandwich; Mrs. Turn to Page II

BOSTON (CNS) - More than 60 organizations and individuals ha ve asked President-elect Bill Clinton not to "disenfranchise" the millions of Americans who oppose abortion.

In advertisements published Dec. 8 in The New York Times and the Boston Herald, the Boston-based Value of Life Committee wished Clinton a successful administration and encouraged him "to represent the deeply held conscientious conviction of tens of millions of your fellow citizens."

The ad was signed by, among others, Cardinal John J. O'Connor of New York; Cardinal Bernard F. Law of Boston; Bishop Rene H. Gracida of Corpus Christi, Texas; U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde, RIll.; the heads of right-to-life organizations in several states; representatives of various religious groups; and several legal scholars.

In a letter on joining the effort, Cardinal O'Connor, immediate past president of the U.S. Catholic bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said the statement "accurately reflects the time-honored commitTurn to Page II

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Dec. II, 1992

eNS/Stephenson photo

ARCHBISHOP PILARCZYK

Economy, evangelization concern U.8. bishops WASHINGTON (CNS) - The immediate past president of the U.S. bishops' twin conferences predicted the bishops will feel compelled to help the nation's Catholics cope with a reduced standard of living.

Reflecting on his three-year term during an interview, Cincinnati Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk said the most important work of the bishops during that time was a review of the structure and expenses St. Anne's Hospital gratefully acknowledges contributions that we have received to the Remembrance Fund during November 1992. Through the remembrance and honor of these lives, St. Anne's can continue its "Caring With Excellence."

ST. ANNE'S HOSPITAL REMEMBRANCE FUND Gilbert Arruda Malcolm Belanger Denise Berard Elisa Canuel Jeannette Cayer Ronald Cayer Francis Chadwick Manuel Costa Joseph Deda Lorraine Farquhar Lila Blanche Fournier Robert Franco Antone Furtado J. Barry Hetherson, Jr. Edmund W. Hussey Mary Ingram Stanley Kurowski Armand LaFrance Albert Lussier Frances McGuire Joseph Medeiros George Mercier Robert J. Nagle Albert Ouellette Raymond Parise Susie Phillips Richard A. Romagnolo Alexander Rostler

We are grateful to those who thoughtfully named St. Anne's Hospital's Remembrance Fund.

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of the twin conferences in light of budget pressures.

The financial examination, he said, lowered the taxes that dioceses are assessed by the conferences and made the bishops "as well informed about their conference as they have ever been as a group."

Now "the bishops are readier to say'no' to things.... They've learned that if you add" staff or projects it costs more, said Archbishop Pilarczyk.

On U.S. involvement in the Persian Gulf, he said, "the conference did what the church is supposed to do, asked the tough questions: Is it a just war it looks like we're going into? Is it being waged according to the criteria of moral warfare, if there is such a thing today?"

Archbishop Pilarczyk said he believes "our country is in for a declining standard of living" and the bishops are likely to wish to help lay Catholics cope with that reality.

In his view, the economic downturn may have some positive ramifications. "From a global point of . view, we use more than our share.

And we expect levels of comfort that are just ridiculous by world standards," said Archbishop Pilarczyk. '~Every ho.me has a.couple of TV sets, a couple of cars. When our expectations are such that these are bare essentials, and somebody else is literally starving to death, then we've got to do something to redress the balance." he said.

Archbisop Pilarczyk said that materialism is part of the reason the bishops' national plan for evangelization is needed now more than ever.

"I t is increasingly difficult in our American culture to be a committed, believing Catholic," he said.

Generations ago, U.S. Catholics "kind of looked on their faith as something inherited - you kept it and you brought up your kids Catholic, and that was about it."

But today, he said, the nation's Catholics as a group are affluent and part ofthe societal mainstream.

"You've got the great American dream - the house in the suburbs, two or three cars .. : maybe a: swimming pool, and to a large extent in this country your importance is determined according to what you've got, how successful

Catholic Charities USA is largest nonprofit group

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kings shall keep silence and ~ unto whom the Gentiles I shall make their supplica- ~ tion: come to deliver us and A

SKILLMAN, N.J. (CNS) Catholic Charities USA remained atop the list of the largest U.S. charities, according to a report by the NonProfit Times.

C;itholic Charities' income increased by more than $300 million in fiscal year 1991, giving it a total of $1.84 billion in income in the 1991 fiscal year.

The NonProfit Times, a monthly newspaper based in Skillman that serves the nonprofit sector, released the information in its fourth annual report, "NPT 100, America's Biggest Charities." It bases its rankings on the organization's IRS forms or audited annual reports.

Jesuit Father Fred Kammer, Catholic Charities' new president, said his organization has become the largest in the country because of failed public policies.

"I am proud that Catholic Charities has the capacity to be the largest. I am not proud that we are a growth industry," he said.

Placing behind Catholic Charities were Lutheran Social Ministry Organizations, $1.46 billion; and the Salvation Army, $1.28 billion.

The top 100 charities received a total of $20.15 billion in fiscal 1991, up 24 percent from 1990.

The survey purposely excludes private schools, foundations, public television stations, museums, and organizations whose sqle purpose is to spread their religious beliefs.

It also lists separa,tely the top 15 United Ways, colleges and universities and hospitals.

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DECEMBER 20 BEGINNING next Thursday the Church uses the ancient 0 antiphons, so called from their initial letter, at the Eucharistic liturgy and at Evening Prayer.

They are suggested as a beautiful evening grace or prayer at the time of lighting a family or individual' Advent wreath.

o KEY OF DAVID and Sceptre of the house of Israel, who openest and no man shutteth, who shuttest and no man openeth: come and bring forth from his prison house the c:aptive that sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death.

DECEMBER 21

& DECEMBER 17

o WISDOM, who earnest out of the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: come and teach us the way of prudence.

o DAWN OF THE EAST, brightness of the light eternal and Sun ofJustice; come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

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o ADONAI and Leader of the house of Israel, who didst appear to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and didst give unto him the law on Sinai: come and with an outstretched arm redeem us.

KING OF THE GENTILES and the desired of them, thou cornerstone that makest both one: come and deliver man whom thou didst form out of the dust of the earth.

DECEMBER 19

o ROOT OF JESSE, who standest for an ensign of

DECEMBER 23

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and Lawgiver, the expected " of the nations and their I Savior: come to save us, 0 Lord our God. f

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o EMMANUEL, our King

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DECEMBER 18

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DECEMBER 22

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you've been. That's not really in accord with our faith," he said.

In addition, he said, most people in the country "do not share our very basic teachings about human life," Archbishop Pilarczyk said.

And the United States is becom¡ ing increasingly secularized, he said.

People with religious faith of any kind are going to be more and more in the minority, he said.

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Boys Town Center opens in California .

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LONG BEACH, Calif. (CNS) - Boys Town, an organization dedicated to the treatment of troubled youth and families, recently opened its first short-term residential care facility in Long Beach. .

The center will serve up to 16 boys and girls at a time and annually serve about 350 youths, primarilyages 12 to 18.

"Boys Town has pioneered methods of changing the behaviorsoftroubled children and families," said Father Val Peter, executive director of the Nebraska-based organization.

"We're bringing this child care technology to Long Beach, and we would like to share what we have learned with other Southern California providers as well as learn from them," he added.

Dr. Michael Riley, director of Boys Town of Southern California, said the center would combat the growing problem of teen homeless ness, a situation which he said would most likely increase with the recent state, budget cuts.

He said Boys Town's primary strategy for reducing teen home-

less ness is to keep families together and teens at home when possible.

The new residential care center will include 24-hour crisis and respite service for families and teens, emergency residential care for teens, individual treatment planning and daily counseling, parent training and follow-up' services.

Pensions upped VATlCAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican has a new pension plan that raises benefits about 20 percent and for the first time establishes a permanent pension fund.

The plan, to go into effect in 1993, marks a major step forward for the Vatican, which had been paying pensions out of its annual operating budget.

11111111I111I1I11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111I111111111 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 High. land Avenue, Fall River. Mass. 02720 by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River. Subscription price by mail. postpaid $11.00 per year. Postmasters send address changes to The Anchor. P.O. Box 7, Fall River. MA 02722.

STATEMENT OF BISHOP SEAN O'MALLEY December 3, 1992 The Diocese of Fall River has reached an agreement with the men and women who accused James Porter of sexual abuse while he was a priest of the diocese in the sixties. Through the process of mediation, representatives of the diocese and of this group have arrived at ajust settlement of the matter.

It is my hope as the bishop of the diocese that this agreement brings comfort and healing to those individuals whose childhood was shadowed by ,the acts of a priest of the church. To them I offer continued prayer and support for their future.

It is also my hope that from this tragic time for our church will come a sense of understanding and compassion for the victims of childhood sexual abuse. The diocese has committed itself to an open and fair policy in ,cases of reported sexual abuse and is establishing a written policy in these matters.

My prayer, too, is that as a church we continue to grow in our understanding of the Gospel message to love one another, and that we seek as a church community to become a sign of that love in our troubled world.

Falmouth confirmation students make a difference for family at risk Ninth grade confirmation students at St. Patrick's parish, Falmouth, have "adopted" one of the families assisted by New Hope's Parent Aide Program in Sandwich.

The 24 students have raised funds to purchase clothing and a turkey for a mother and six children, ages 4 to 13, for Christmas.

The Parent Aide Program, coordinated by Joanne Claussen of Corpus Christi parish, Sandwich, works to prevent child abuse and neglect by assigning trained vohin~ teers to develop a supportive relationship with families at risk.

The parent aides 'serve as role models, developing parents' selfesteem, educating them in parenting skills and connecting them to community resources, said Mrs. Claussen. Offering "unconditional acceptance and nonjudgmental support," they "most importantly, help a parent find hope."

Mrs. Claussen praised the Falmouth students for their concern and generosity.

"It is my understanding from Marie Leavens, the director of religious education, that the young people have enthusiastically em~ braced this effort," she said. "In giving this gift of love, these students are living out the Gospel message. It's one thing to 1)ear and know the words of Jesus, far more empowering to actualize them. These youngsters may not be aware of it,

but they are cocreators, spiralling beauty and healing into our world through their outreach. They are making a difference in the lives of stra!lgers."

New Hope has parent aide programs based in Attleboro, Taunton, Norwood and Plymouth as well as in Sand wich. It also offers a Parent Aide Management Service, a battered women's shelter, a sexual assault program and in Greater Attleboro a Big Brothers/ Big Sis-.. ters program:' . . . . ....

Business mdst take individualI into account, says pope vATICAN CITY (tNS) - Programs aimed at economic development must promote respect for the human person, I Pope John Paul II told a group, of business i leaders.

"The fundamentlllly ethical character of busineSs decisi,ons, social policies and models of development makes it ilT\perative that leaders in these areas ~e guided by more than purely ecpnomic considerations," the pope said in a meeting with the Wdrld Business Council, a group th'flt promotes cooperation between business, and government leaders.

The pope told the group that Christianity gives priority in all economic, social and political activity to the good qf the human person.

I He asked the group'to allow ethical and religious va~ues to influence their activities, because those values are necessary if humanity i~ going to fulfill its "vocation to live in harmony, justice apd peace." ,

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Diocese of Fall River -:- Fri., Dec. II, 1992

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plus parts of North Africa and the Middle East, will be briefly introduced in English.

About 30 hours of programming per month is planned, officials said. The project was launched by Telepace, an Italian Catholic TV station, with the collaboration of Vatican Radio and the Vatican Television Center. Costs, estimated at under $800,000 annually, will be covered by Telepace, which is funded through contributions. No commercials will be shown on 'the broadcasts.

Viewers will need to parabolic antenna to receive the programs, said Father Guido Todeschini, Te1epace director. He said other TV stations could retransmit the images without payment, but could not sell them to third parties.

The first broadcast, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception,

was developed around the pope's annual Mass in the Rome basilica of St. Mary Major and the laying of flowers at a statue of Mary in the city center.

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Pope become:s TV perso~ality v ATICAN CITy (CNS) Scenes from Pope JQhn Paul II's working day are beco~ingfare for television viewers in alarge part of the globe, the Vatican said.

Daily satellite broadcasts, which began Dec. 8, will feature occasional live coverage. of liturgical ceremonie's and other events, aJong with a regular half-hour eve:ning synthesis of the pop,e's activities.

The images, beamed to all Europe, .'

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OBITUAR

NEW YORK (CNS) - Maronite Catholics have weakened their position in Lebanon, said Ambassador Chawki Choueri, Lebanese PearcE~ i representative to the United Nations. Maronites suffered a lack of The Mass' of Christian Burial representatiol} when they boycotwas celebrated Dec. 91at the Chapel ted recent elections and when sev- , of the Franciscan Missionaries of eral Maronite ministers left the Mary, North Providrnce, R.JI., for Cabinet "to express opposition to Sister Patricia Pearce, FM M, 58, elections,"he said. who died Dec. 5. ShJwas living at Many Christians boycotted the Holy Family Conv~nt in North parliamentary elections because of Providence while oil leave from the presence of Syrian troops in St. Helen's Convent Motherhouse about two-thirds of the country of the Franciscan M'issionaries of and because the large number of Mary In Rome. : . . '!

Lebanese outside Lebanon would A Fall River native; she was the not have been able to vote. A Lebdaughter of the late J<\mos and the anese bishop has estimated that', late Elizabeth (SUllivan) PI~arce. about 90 percent of the country's She entered the Franciscan MisMuslims also did not vote. sionaries of Mary in 1953 and 'after completing graduate education taught in Cincinnati~ Ohio.

In J 965 she was mis~ioned to India, where she taught at i Maris Stella College in Vijayaw~da and later was headmistress at a 'middle school in Hyderabad.1 Sister Pearce was also involved in communications,i religious formation, and organi~ation of a national mission library for her order.

She spent the last decade in the congregation's mothhhouse, where she painted icons aAd studied the spirituality of iconography.

She is survived by a sister, Janice Vantine of Dayton, IOhio.

Sister

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.the mooril"\9-.:.,

the living word

Somalia There is no oil in Somalia, no known mineral deposits or other sources of revenue. Starvation, death and anarchy seem. all that exist in that tragic land. How many times have we avoided looking at the starving bodies flashed across our television screens? How many times have we wished that the desperate situation would go away? How much guilt have we felt because no one was doing anything to change it?

This was the quandary in which we found ourselves and which we have now resolved as our nation begins to help these suffering brothers and sisters.

Are we finally beginning to realize that to be a world power America must confront some of the horrors pervading our world family? Are we at last trying to overcome our seeming indifference to the horrors plaguing Third World nations?

Questions on questions surface as thousands of Americans prepare to endanger their lives to help their suffering brethren.

Some will object to the Somali initiative on political grounds; others will say we cannot afford to send aid to another nation when we have so many problems at home. Nevertheless, we are going forward with this humanitarian outreach.

We cannot predict its outcome, but we know that our motives are honest and moral. This in itself is a blessing, given the crass commercial mentality that permeates so much of our lifestyle. It is almost as if we have been embarrassed into action, but at least we are acting.

In this season of Advent hope so dear to millions of Americans, ,our mission to Somalia is illmost beatitudinal. For· believers, it is.

The Sermon on the Mount is an abridgment of the chief truths and moral principles of the Kingdom. It is beatitudinal;' it is blessed; it is happy.

The beatitudes are set before each baptized Christian as a road to personal perfection. The word "blessed" stands in direct opposition to woe and gloom. Despite the fears inherent in military actions, Operation Restore Hope has nothing to do with conquest, everything to do with hope and help.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

Mercy is compassion for our afflicted fellowman and a willingness to come to his aid. The more we look at Somalia, the more each of us should realize that we are as dependent upon the mercy of God and each other as any suffering Somali. This is a very hard lesson for the rich and powerful to learn, but Operation Restore Hope teaches us that no one is an island, we are all part of the whole.

We also cannot forget that "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." This concept is usually taken to refer to war, but it achieves a far truer and deeper meaning in this situation, when peace is brought to the hungry by means of bringing them food. .

The perfection of peace consists in establishing it in the heart of our neighbors by becoming peacemakers between them and God and between them and their fellows. We must pray that such peace may flow from Operation Restore Hope.

Cynics may say that such an objective has no place in a secular state; but we must remember that our national motto is "In God we trust." Let us then pray for our forces who ,are involved in this dangerous mission,. that they may go forth in the spirit of the beatitudes. Let us forget politics and simply support and pray for the success of Operation Restore Hope: The Editor

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 Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX (508) 675-7048

Send address changes to P.O. Box 7 or call telephone number above

PUBLISHER Most Rev. Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., PhD.

EDITOR

GENERAL MANAGER

Rev. John F. Moore

Rosemary Dussault ~5

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FALL RIVER

AGED RELIGlbUS SISTERS, BROTHERS AND PRIESTS WILL BE AIDED BY A SPECIAL' . .

COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND '

"Give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven." Matt. 19:21

What if the Second Coming were now?

By Father Kevin J. Harrington

Good and beautiful things endure in spite of what may be done to spoil them. Even though commercial abuse is rampant at Christmastime, there is a beauty and joy to this season that seems impossible to extinguish.

It is surely a good instinct that leads us to offer loving wishes and hopes to each other at Christmas.

With or without the fullness of Christian faith, all sense that something w'onderful is recalled during these days as human hearts reach out in goodwill, new hope, and peace. .

The exchange of Christmas pres~ ents reflects, however imperfectly, the divine gift of love incarnate, the gift of life which came to us when God gave his only Son to our world... . From the point of view of cold reason, the Christmas season seems to make little sense. If there are 365 days a year why is it that on only one ofthem do we give generously of ourselves? Perhaps human beings are inherently incapable of maintaining the intensity of the Christmas spirit all year long? Perhaps we need an excuse to be as kind and loving to others as others have been to us?

Sinful pride often prevents us from giving or receiving unconditional love, but gift-giving can break down such barriers and give us rarely highlighted insights into the better side of human nature.

If we look back on past Christ-

mases we can usually realize that the best ones were those when the time we spent with the ones we loved was more important than the gifts exchanged and that the most memorable 'gifts were not those we asked for but those which were total surprises.

At its best, gift-giving can reveal a touch of the wonderful, something beyond all calculation, something of love itself.

When we receive such a gift we exclaim, "Isn't it just like them!

Nobody else would have thought of it! They shouldn't have done it but isn't it marvelous'" A good giver knows what we really need even when we wouldn't dream of asking for it. the divine gift of God's only Son is something that we could never have dreamed of asking for.

How could cold reason fathom the Angel Gabriel begging Mary to allow the Soh of God to be conceived in her womb? How could reason do anything but falter before the Christmas scene: a God lying in the straw of a stable; a helpless newborn Creator in swaddling clothes; a baby born of a virgin mother?

Only with the grace of Christian faith can our hearts rejoice and our minds ponder these events and exclaim: "Isn't it just like the God and Father of our· Lord Jesus Christ, the God who is love, the prodigal Father who sends his Son into our far country to bring us

home." H,ow right, how clear and beautiful sounds the good news of the Gospel to the ear of Christian faith!

The holy season of Advent is short. Throughout it we are reminded of how few shopping days we have until Christmas. Traditionally Advent has been viewed as a time to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. How different would Advent be if we were really preparing for Christ's ultimate coming? With the same urgency that we prepare for Christmas, we should rehearse for his final coming.

Christ came to us first in our fragile flesh almost 20 centuries ago; he comes to us now when we love him, when we receive him in penance and communion, and when we open our arms to him in the least of his brethren.

If Christ were to come today, how would he find us? His first coming was overlooked by the innkeepers who were too preoccupied balancing their books. If Christ were to come again this Christmas season, not in swaddling clothes but in trailing clouds of glory, how ready would we be to greet him with joy?

Advent should not strike fear into our hearts but it should be a reminder to every Christian believer that the way we live now should be the way we would want to be living whenever Christ comes for us.

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confounded expectations Isaiah 35:1-6,10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 To understand Jesus' remark in today's gospel pericope, "Blest is the person who finds no stumbling block in me," we must put ourselves in John the Baptizer's place.

In prison. with no chance of being freed unless Yahweh rescues him, he reaches out to the only hope available.

As a member of the Dead Sea Scrolls community, John has spent his entire ministry encouraging people to prepare their lives for Yahweh's special intervention.

Now, after running afoul of Herod ~nd his wife. the prophet is badly In need of that intervention.

His quest to find out if this Galilean teacher is "He who is to come," is probably not an inquiry about Jesus' divinity. He simply seems to have an inkling that Jesus could be Yahweh's Anointed: the Messiah. If so, he has the power to free the Baptizer from his plight. . Jes.us responded to John's questIOn In words and images which every Ist century Jew would have understood. "Go back and report to John." he commands, "what you hear and see: the blind recover their sight, cripples walk, lepers are cured. the deaf hear, dead are raised to life. and the poor have the good news preached to them."

Seven centuries before John First Isaiah had spoken about a~ ideal age: a time when "the eyes of the blind will be opened .. the ears of the deaf be c1eared ... the lame will leap like a stag... the tongue of the dumb will sing." It is during this period of miracles. the prophet assures his people. that "God comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you."

Jesus' response implies the ideal age has arrived. The long awaited ~ay is. here. And. as far as the Baptizer IS concerned, it came at the most appr?priate time. Certainly Yahweh will use the occasion to free him.

Th~ only problem is that everyone 10 Matthew's community knows John was never released.

Herod was eventually tricked into beheading him.

The Lord's reply to John's disciples is a classic. "good news/ bad news" scenario.. He really is "He who is to come;" but IS not "He who is to come" in the way John is anticipating. He might raise the dead to life. but he doesn't step in

he

DAILY READfNGS Dec. 14: Nm 24:2-7, -1517; Ps 25:4-9; Mt 21:23-27 Dec. 15: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Ps 34:2-3,6-7,17-19:23; Mt 21:28-32 Dec. '16: Is 45:6-8,18,2125; Ps 85:9-14; lk 7:18-23 Dec. 17: Gn 49:2,8-10; Ps 72:3-4,7-8,17; Mt 1:1-17 Dec. 18: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1,12-13,18-19; Mt 1:18-24 Dec. 19: Jgs 13:2-7,24-25; Ps 71:3-6,16-17; lk 1:5-25 Dec. 20: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24

By FATHER ROGER KARBAN to prevent the martyrdom of his followers.

Jesus' earliest disciples must have found it very hard to understand why ~he person to whom they gave the title "Christ" did not embody all the attributes assigned to this ideal figure by the authors of the Hebre';V Scriptures. Though he embodied enough of them to merit the title, he certainly wasn't the person they had anticipated. No wonder Jes~s often commanded his followers to "Keep quiet!" when they referred to him in messianic t~rms. He wanted people to see him as he really was. and not just contrive qualities for him because of a title.

So if we proclaim Jesus to be the Messiah for whom the Jews had been looking, we're not completely correct. He freed them from their difficulties and problems. But since he didn't do it in ways they had expected, most Jews didn't follow him. They simply found a "stumbling block" instead of a Messiah.

Matthew's Jesus is responding to more than John. He's speaking to all those Christians who think there should be more to Jesus than there is; those who come to him with preconceived notions of who he is instead ofiaking time to discover the real person.

James believes our expectations will never be completely met until J~sus' Parousia. So he encourages hiS readers to be as patient as "the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord." Throughout the centuries those who had waited for the Messiah never received exactly what they had expected.

We who follow Jesus can certainly count on some predictability. But there are whole areas in which we have no idea where, or h.ow, he is leading us. It is espeCially at those times. and in those places, that we must intensify our efforts to follow him as he really is. and not just conform to an image of hi which we've conjured up.

l11

praye~BOX F or Children . From the lips of children and babes, the praise of all creation rises to you, 0 God of compassion and mercy. Give us the mind of Jes~s that we too may bless all children in our strong yet gentle care for them.

Set before us day after day the gracious love of the Mother of God that we may nurture and protect these little ones. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Vigil spotligh1ts runaways'; plight

NEW YORK (CNS) - Covenant House ministry' to homeless youth held simultarleous ca.ndlelight vigils in nine U.S. cities earlier this month to cali attention to the plight of the yoUng people it I shelters.

A Daughter of Charity, Sister Mary Rose McGeady, Cov,enant House president, led the vigil in New York. Simultaneous vigils took place in Los Angeles; Houston; New Orleans; Toronto; Anchorage, Alaska; IFort Lauderdale, Fla.; Newark, N.J.; and AtI lantic City, N.J. The New York observance was held in Times Squ~re, near the building known to television viewers for the lighted ball that drops each Dec. 31 to sign~1 the coming of the New Year. ' For half an houri hundre:ds of Covenant House supporter's I . and young people currently housed at the agency's nearby: shelter stood on a traffic island holding lit

can~les.

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St. St-ephen Priory Spiritual Life Center 20 Glen Street, Box 370 Dover, MA. 02030 Tel: 508-785-0124

December 18 - 20

Advent Retreat

December 31 - January I

New Year's Overnight

January 1-3

Quiet Prayer Weekend

January 15 - 17

Rediscovering the Feminine Soul (By Edwina Gately)

BOSTON

BOY CHOIR

Boston Archdiocesan Choir School at Saint Paul Church, Cambridge. Massachusens

.!l3roudlY announces the release of its new Christmas recording "tJ5 . Wut when they sing. they are not like other boys. They produce sounds ofsturrrrtng purity and vibrant beauty.

The listener realizes these boys are expertly trained. thoroughly professional musicians. "

I

Sister McGeady tqld participants that "it is our hope that as Wl~ hold our candles high, rhe light will serve as a beacon to our country to focus its attention on our homeless kids, kids who wit?out our. help may very well not survive."

Whil.e many were celebrating the holiday season, ~he said, hundreds of thousands of youth were sle.~ping on the stre~ts each night.

We must all work toward the day when even one Homeless kid is a statistic that is urtacceptable to us as a nation," she 'said ..

C?~enant~ouse sppporters who part~clpat~d Include1 onetime vicepresidential candidate and former member of Congress Geraldine Ferraro. But the bnly speakers besides Covenant House leaders were young people who told of how the agency had helped them I build new lives.

As the candles were lit, Sister McGeady led a pr~yer that God would enable all children walking in darkness to "find ~our lig:ht and be led to the warmth and security of those who care" i . I

K of C drive aids handicap~ed k.ids Knights of Columbus Father McSwiney Council 12525 of Hyannis recently condudted its annual Tootsie Roll Fund u>rive for Charity;chaired by Deputy Grand Knight Joseph StJele of South Yarmouth. The drivb netted $4,200 from the mid-Cape ~area.

As in past years, the funds from this ~nd' similar ~undraisers by more than 200 K. <;>f C. Councils statewide will be turned over to the Knigh~s ofColurPbus Charity Committee (K£Cq). This agency provides financial support and equipment needed I by 'physically and mentally han~icapped -children all over Massachusetts. Over the years, the K of C has provided over $1. 5 million i in grants for facilities' and equipment for the handicapped.

I Applications for local KCCC funds are processcld under state guidelines and mu~t be submitted in writing to Gran9 Knight John , McBa:ron, Fathyr McSwiney CounCil 2525, Knights of Columbus, P.O. Box 25, Hyannis 02601.

Often Te~pted "Those saints which God loves best, the devil tempts not the least."

- Robert Herrick i I

Anthony Tommasini Music Critic

Boston Globe -----------------()-ii-[)-E-ii---F-()-ii-~---------------------

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6

The Anchor Friday, Dec. II, 1992

By ANTOINETTE BOSCO

For someone like me, who grew up in the days when children were "seen but not heard," the holidays were.an impressionable time.

It was the season when suddenly we children seemed to become quite important.

Grownups would tell us stories

By FATHER JOHN J. DIETZEN

Q. After a very unhappy home life, I moved away from home and from church. To make matters worse, I married someone outside the church, who six months later left me penniless and pregnant.

Since this was 1973 and abortion was legal, I had one, not knowing I would be excommunicated.

Grandmother;s Christmas gift has lasted a lifetime about the birth of Jesus and ask what we wanted Santa Claus to bring. That was definitely a switch from usually being told to stay in another room while the grownups talked.

One of the first times I remember feeling very special was the Christmas when I was 7. That year my grandmother had taken the train from where she lived about 100 miles away to visit us.

This was a real treat. It was hard for her to get a way from her busy household. Five of her eight children were still at home, and my grandfather was ailing.

I was somewhat in awe of grandmother. She seemed to be such a central and important person to everyone in the family.

What was special about her visit was how she took notice of my sister Rosemary and myself. We were her only two grandchildren at the time.

During that visit, my grandmother let us into her life somewhat, like letting my sister and me brush her hair. It was very white even though she was only in her 50s.

She always had her knitting with her, and on this visit I wouldn't leave her side as the needles flew.

Instead of telling us to go play somewhere, it seemed she liked talking to me and Rosemary and showing off how the stitches turned into something solid'.

The day before she had to leave,

a few days before Christmas, grandmother decided to make Christmas cookies, the kind her mother used to make.

I watched as she mixed ingredients into a dough, then baked it into rich chewy cookies to be frosted. She explained that in Italian they were called "biscotti."

Then she told us about Christmas when she was a little girl in Italy. They were always so poor that her mother would have to save for a time to be able to buy' honey and oranges to make the Christmas cookies.

When grandmother finished the story, she began to sing. I had never heard her sing before. It was a beautiful. song that began "Tu Scendi Daile Stelle," ("You come

Abortion did not necessarily result in excommunication A year later I remarried; he is not Catholic, but is a good man. I now have three beautiful children and am trying to raise them Catholic.

The oldest will soon make his first communion. Now, when I take him to church, he wonders why I don't receive communion myself.

I don't know where else to turn.

I don't want to risk being excommunicated again.â&#x20AC;˘ think God has forgiven me, and nothing would make me happier than to walk up to communion the day my son has his first. Is there any help you can give me? (l1Iinois) A. First let's clear up the excommunication bit. Abortion is a

serious wrong, but for probably more than one reason, which we cannot discuss here, you were not excommunicated when you had yours.

Nor is excommunication involved in any action you might contemplate now about getting back to the sacraments.

It is unfortunate that you have been away from communion for. so long, since from what you told me nothing is holding you back.

All you need to do is go to a priest in your area, explain your situation and ask him to lead you through step by step.

Your marriage to your second husband will need to be validated in the Catholic Church. If he was

not married before he married you, preparation for that will be simple and brief.

If he was married before, some marriage process will be required.

Your priest will explain.

Other than that, all you need to do is receive the sacrament of penance and start going to communion.

I hope you will do this very soon.

Q. The priest at our church washes his hands at the altar after communion. Why don't our communion ministers do the same?

(Pennsylvania) A. There is no general rule that requires priests, or any other ministers, to. wash their hands after communion.

Divorced parents have problems By Dr. JAMES & MARY KENNY Dear Mary: I have been divorced seven years. We have one child, Jeff, 13. Jeff and I lived alone for four years. Then I remarried a man with two children.

The step-family did not work out. Jeff was picked on, he resented every direction anyone gave him and his behavior at school became a problem.

Finally we gave custody to his father, and Jeff went to live in a neighboring state. I had regular

down from the stars"). I had never heard that carol.

I asked where she learned it. She smiled and explained it was a Christmas carol the Italians of her hometown sang - a carol her mother had taught her. t cried when my grandmother had to leave. She never really knew the impression her visit made on me.

The attention she ga ve, the tales she told, the cookies she made, the carol she sa'ng - they all became a gift I would never lose.

In that visit my grandmother gave me heritage and a sense that my lifeline was securely tied to Catholic faith. That visit came permanently gift-wrapped - with love. "

visitation but was not going to he a the task of separating from the "Disney World Mom. " family of origin and establishing I expected him to clean his room an identity of their own. and help wifh chores when he .

Regardless of the marital situation of the parents, 13 is a difficult visited. His dad took him skiing often, even though he got straight age for many parents and children.

Ds 0!1 his report card.

You have rightly identified the Now Jeff does not wantto come tendency of some divorced parents for visits. Last time I talked to to win over the child by constant Jeff's father about visitation, I told indulgence. The other parent is him I was disgusted with both of then seen as the heavy. them and hung up. Two months The problem in your approach, have gone by and I have heard I believe, is that you were deternothing. mined to do nothing on his visits to show Jeff he is special.

I am so angry and hurt. I miss Of course Jeff is special to you.

Jeff so much, but I don't think he . loves or misses me.

Of course his visits are a cause fo.r What can I do to make Jeff want celebration. All parents in all marto visit again? (Massachusetts) ital conditions face the same chalYou are in a difficult situation, lenge: to avoid overindulgence and compounded because Jeff is 13. It enforce discipline while letting the child know he is very special. is an in-between age, too old for childhood, to young for adult acWhat can you do to re-establish tivities. Young teens are beginning your relationship with Jeff?

~ith

Some priests do it regularly as a matter of personal devotion, but it is not in the. presecribed rubrics for the Mass.

Such washi~g is only indicated when the priest is aware that a particle of the host is sticking to his hands after breaking the host or giving communion and washing is necessary to remove the particle (General Instruction of the Roman Missal n. 237).

A free brochure answering questions about the Eucharist is available by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Holy Trinity Church, . 704 N. Main St., Bloomington, 111.

61701. Questions for this column should be sent to the same address.

13-year-old

I) Do not compare your parenting with that of your ex-spouse.

Do not tell your ex-spouse how to parent. You cannot control your ex-spouse. If you make your choices in reaction to his, you are letting him decide howyou will parent.

2) Choose a special occasion, a birthday (his or yours), a holiday (Arbor Day, Mexican Independence Day), and invite Jeff to share it. The occasion is an excuse for treating Jeff as special. Plan special food or an outing.

3) Since there has been difficulty in the step-family, consider a weekend for the two of you away from the family. You might invite Jeff to stay with you in another town, in a motel or perhaps with your relatives.

4) If Jeff should decide to come to your home for a weekend, be

tactful about enforcing chores. If the other children are helping with kitchen duties or outdoor jobs, you might invite Jeffto pitch in. A chore sched ule would be appropriate should he stay for the summer.

However, when you have only two days, do not spend them in a 'power struggle trying to force him to work. .5) If Jeff should refuse to come, be patient. Continue to write, call and communicate to him that you love him and that he is special.

Thirteen is a difficult time, but Jeff will change as he grows older.

You cannot make him want to visit. You can remain open to him and welcome him always.

Reader questions on family Iiving or child care to be answered in print are invited by The Kennys; 219 W. Harrison St.; Rensselaer, IN 47978.

Christmas ornaments embody our family history By DOLORES CURRAN

, ,,

Last December the comic strip Crankshaft depicted the family unpackaging Christmas tree ornaments. Crankshaft, the quintessential grump, listened with a dour expression as his daughter explained to his grandchildren, "I remember this ornament because Grandpa got mad at Grandma for paying too much for it," and "We got this one the time Grandpa had . a fight with ..." and "Grandpa was grouchy the year we got this one because ..."

While most of us do not attach in the same place every year and negative memories to our tree orna- we can't have dinner with our ments, we do .tend to use them to loved ones, but we can hang the recall past Christmases. They're a, same ornaments on a tree whergreat opportunity to retell the fam- ever we are," one told me. "They ily story and to carryon tradition. give us a sense of belonging."

When our children were young, Some of my favorite ornaments they loved hearing how a little are not the prettiest in the box.

When our kids were little, we glass bird, chipped and scratched as it was, hung on my grandpar- made a different ornament annuents' tree. ally which they gave as gifts to Now, as young adults, they dec- teachers and relatives. One year orate the tree and w~ enjoy hearing they made little walnut shell cribs them reminisce. "Remember the and another, they made cookie year we made these?" and "We got cutter clay ornaments which I baked this on our trip to Mexico." I and they painted. notice that they tend to ignore the Some oftheir work was shoddy, shiny meaningless ornaments and some simply awful. They chose the hang the ones that hold memories. most garish colors and used the Military families who move glue too liberally. Most of the around a lot tell me that Christmas ornaments were crooked when they tree ornaments are essential. "We hung on the tree, but they thought can't go to Mass at the same time they were beautiful and so did we.

As they got older and more coordinated, I began saving bits of yarn, gold buttons, popsicle sticks and the like throughout the year.

We set up a table in the family room - well covered with newspapers - and they created their own designs. Some were pretty ingenious and represented their childhood interests at the time.

So, we have ornaments: Snow White, soccer ball, and even GI Joe ornaments, which pained this pacifist mother at the time but brings chuckles today. "Remember when Dan made this?" our daughter said last year. "He had the soldier pointing the gun at the baby Jesus because he was protecting him."

When our children become settled, they will inherit their handiwork for their own trees and I sus-

pect they will share stories of each ornament with their own children who will listen in delight. There will be no problem in deciding which ornament belongs to whom.

Like God, they know their own.

A few years ago our neighbors moved and gave us a box of beautiful expensive matching ornaments. We were pleased and envisioned a lovely coordinated tree, finally.

But we never used them. They didn't hold any memories for us.

They belonged to someone else.

After storing them a few years, we gave them away. Our tree is like our family. It isn't perfect, but it's ours.

Sweet Fruit "Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet."-Jean Jacques Rousseau

I

Eucharist~c palrley

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Dec. I 1,1992

7

set for ~eviJlle

I MEMBERS OF the Jewish Community of Fall River welcome Bishop O'Malley to the city at a recent meeting. From left are Rabbi William E. Kaufman of Temple Beth-EI, Dr. Irving Fradkin, Bishop O'Malley, Cantor Richard Wolberg of Temple Beth-EI, and Helen Babin, executive director of the United Jewish Appeal/Jewish Community Council. (Hickey photo)

SEVILLE, Spain (CNS) - An international grou~ of pilgrims will Converge on Seville next June for the 42nd Internati~>nal Eucharistic Congress. Since 800 Europeans attended the first ~ucharistic congress in Lille, France, in 1881, the gatherings have ~een held regularly around the world.

Several congresses have marked significant historic events, including the 1908 gathefing in London. the first time a' pa'pal representative officially visite,:! England since the ~efo~mation'l and the 1964 meetmg m BomQay. India. the first congress held in a nation with such a small percentage of Catholics. That meeting attracted 20 cardinals, several ~undred bishops and more than 30.000 parti,:ipants.

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Reasons comnlonly cited for young adults' dwindling involvement in parish life ihclude a general decline in Sund~y Mass, attendance in the church1since the Second Vatican Council,: postponing of marriage to a later age and anger at church teaching on birth control, abortion and the role of , women in the chutch.

We of the Jewish community are grateful to God for this opporMs. DeVries saio her office tries tunity to meet with Bishop Sean O'Malley of the Fall River dioto take an understa:nding approach cese. We are pleased to have a man of your high moral character with sensitive issues such as aborand humility as bishop. tion and birth coritrol. "We try to We are impressed with your interest in comparative religion and get them to loo~ at the values interfaith. May we gain insight into your faith and may you derive beneath the issues, what's underfrom us a knowledge of our faith. Together let us realize that in neath the teaching - respect for God's house there are many mansions. life," she said.

I Let us together create an atmosphere of mutual respect and The office is tied closdy to a tolerance of diverse religious and ethnic groups in Fall River. Let parish, and duringithe week young us work together for the greater glory of God. adults volunteer Ithere to tutor inner-city student~ and working at homeless shelters, On Sundays. they attend Mass.

"There's such al sense of family and belonging," s,aid Ms. Doyle.

"It's the differencq between attenCHICAGO (CNS) - It has a by a dinner dance, monthly Masses ding Mass and fetjling at bome." mailing list of over 16,000 young followed by coffee and rolls and One self-admitted shortcoming adults, has drawn on the faith regularly scheduled support groups of the young adJlt events is the perspective of Chicago Bears coach such as one for adult children of absence of minorities. "'We do Mike Ditka and is considered such alcoholics. struggle with the Rresence of Afria success that some officers in the Some programs have drawn can-Americans a~d Hispanics."

U.S. Army are planning to copy its hundreds of participants. A few said Father Cusick. "That shows methods. years ago a Focus event with Ditka how fragmented by race the city is It is the Young Adult Ministry as keynote speaker drew 950, and and how fragmel1ted the church Office, an agency in the Chicago this year 800 attended. Some 700 is."

Archdiocese that has connected came to a Mass celebrated by Chithousands of Catholics in their 20s cago Cardinal Joseph L. BernarRegarding Sin and 30s to each other and the' din to close this summer's lecture "He that falls irtto sin is a man; church through programs that series. that grieves at it, I is a saint; that appeal to their social and spiritual Such success has not gone unboasteth of it, is a devil."-Thomas needs. noticed.

Fuller The programs even attract peoOther dioceses call the Chicago ple beyond the Chicago archdiooffice for advice on reviving their cese and beyond the Catholic waning young adult programs, and Church to include Lutherans and U.S. Army chaplains recently asked Episcopalians. for assistance in designing proThe office's success belies a ten- grams for young adult Catholics in dency of young adults to avoid the the military. church. Many parishes count few "Earlier on, I would have never active single adults. believed we would do as much It allows its constituents to disreligious programming," said Facuss and practice their faith alongther John Cusick, the office's side their peers. Generally single director. The stereotype is that and college-educated, the young "young adults and the institutional adults find a spiritual camaraderie church are like oil and water," but, they say they do not find elsewhere. he said, there is "a tremendous hunger for spiritual interpretations "The name of the group of everyday life." young adults - pretty much says Programming is geared toward it all," Ray Chavez, 29, told The New World, Chicago's archdioce- interests of young adults, accordsan newspaper. "We come from ing to Kate DeVries, associate the same mental frame. It's good director. The tWo most important to be around people with the same issues are relationships and work.

"What we teach and preach is how interests," he added.

Michelle Doyle; 35, is an avid our faith is a part of all parts of our volunteer for young adult events. lives." One comment she hears "I found an incredibly nice group repeatedly is, '" can;t believe I would enjoy this, it's Iiot churchy." of people doing that," she said.

Many young adults say they feel For the most part, events run by the office are religious-based. There left out in their own parish. They are retreats, a sum_mer lecture ser- often see parish events and miniies called "Theology on Tap," a stries structured around married one-day "Focus" seminar followed couples with children.

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NOTICE PARISHES OR BUSINESSES wishing to place greetings, Mass schedules or announcements of holiday festivities in the Christmas issues of The Anchor, to be published Friday, December 18 and December 25

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Father Viveiros attends Vatican conference on needs of disabled Pope John Paul II called for removing cultural, social and architectural barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fUlly participating in community life.

He said the disabled want to play an active role in the family, society and the church - and must be given every opportunity to do so.

The pope spoke at the end of a Nov. 19-21 conference on disabilities, sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers. The unprecedented meeting brought some 7,000 experts to the Vatican, many themselves disabled.

The conference theme, "Your Members Are the Body of Christ," explored the medical and cultural challenges facing the world's estimated 500 million disabled.

It was hosted by Cardinal Fiorenzo Angelini, president of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, and among those in attendance were Nobel Prize winners, health care professionals, scientists, theologians and pastoral care workers.

Father Joseph Viveiros, director of the Diocesan Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities, was a delegate from the Fall River diocese. His account of the conference follows.

Working for Inclusion The purpose of the conference was to bring together disabled people and professionals, from all walks of life to analyze the causes of disabilities, study preventive and curative therapies, and deal 'with the social, moral, political and religious problems faced in working for inclusion of the disabled in society.

Although the conference was attended by people from all over the world, delegates could hear the speakers in their own language through the use of audio headphones like those used at the United Nations.

On a large screen near the speakers, interpreters signed each talk, a valuable aid, since many delegates were partially or totally hearing impaired. It was amusing to see that on the screen, the interpreter filled three-quarters of the space, with the speaker ina small upper corner.

Signing appeared to be in a new international system in use for a number of years in Europe.

Speakers' topics ranged from causes and treatments of disabilities to inclusion of the disabled in all areas of life and were considered from medical, political, social, moral and religious perspectives.

Presenters included Nobel Prize winners in medicine Professors Renato Dulbecco, Julius Axelrod; Thomas Weller and Joseph E. Murray. Others were Dr. Antonia Novello, U.S. Surgeon General; Hon. Louis Sullivan, U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Resources; Mouna Hraoui, first lady of Lebanon; and Queen Silvia of Sweden.

Perhaps the most inspiring presentations were given by Queen Silvia and Mrs. Hraoui, who spoke of their own involvements in disability issues. The queen discussed the courage and conviction of disabled persons she had come to know through her work with Special Olympics. Mrs. Hraoui noted that the disabled population is

increasing in her country due to the ravages of war.

Both women demonstrated dedication, esteem, respect and love for the disabled in their countries, and each has spent much time establishing programs to better their lives.

The conference culminated with a surprise visit from Pope John Paul II, who called to mind the five million people in the world living with physical and psychological disabilities, emphasizing that their problems are compounded in underdeveloped nations and wartorn countries. He warned that "socialization and too often a strong material orientation of society tend to downplay or ignore the needs of the disabled."

The pontiff reminded delegates that although solutions may have been found to some problems, "much still remains to be done. We must do all that is possible to call the disabled to a more active role into society and the Church."

Speaking on the rights of the disabled, the Holy Father called to mind the words of St. Paul: "when one member suffers, all the mem- . bers suffer."

"Every individual has rights," he declared, "the disabled as well, [although] often their rights may be overlooked or even denied."

He asked the family, the state and the Church to make special contributions so that the handicapped and the disabled may ~ake a more active part in society and the Church "which are the natural places for' their maturation and-growth."

The pope then gave credit and thanks to the countless numbers of people from all walks of life "who volunteer, give their time, resources and services to the needs of the disabled. It is a personal witness of the love of Christ."

For me the most fulfilling part of the conference was watching Pope John Paul II walking among the disabled. The joy and - the warmth that emanated from them as the pope joked and shook hands with them and blessed them will . remain with me for years to come.

Other highlights Catholic News Service reported 'that the conference opened with a speech by a longtime papal friend, Polish Cardinal Andrzej M. Deskur, who has used a wheelchair since suffering a stroke in 1978.

The cardinal said experience shows that the talents of a disabled person are brought out by physical and spiritual contact with the rest of the community.

But this kind of contact can be difficult in a world that "exalts superefficiency and celebrates the triumph of the healthy and beautiful body," he said.

Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua of Philadelphia, the only American prelate to address the meeting, called persons with disabilities "prophets in our midst" who speak against a false religion of"perpetual youth and beauty."

He said these prophetic voices are often not heeded, because people "find it easier to isolate and ignore those whose experiences confront the myth that we have control over our lives and our destiny." .

In valuing those with disabilities, Cardinal Bevilacqua said, "We need look no further than the

example of Jesus himself, who sought the company of those whom the society of his own day often ignored and rejected."

"His healing of their bodies was symbolic of the spritual healing of which all of us are in need," he added.

The cardinal called the Americans with Disabilities Act "perhaps the most far-reaching legislation ever passed guaranteeing civil rights to 43 million disabled Americans."

The act requires public and commercial entities to make their facilities accessible to people with disabilities.

He said the process of making churches accommodate those with disabilities will cost money. But he said, "mere cost must never be the exclusive consideration."

At a news conference, Cardinal F. Angelini noted that 85 percent of the disabled today are found in the Third World. Many of them are afflicted by malnutrition, poor hygienic conditions, pollution and war, he said. Increasingly, the victims are babies, the elderly and "the weakest and most vulnerable" in society, he said.

The cardinal said the church wants to make clear that the disabled do not represent "useless lives" but are a valuable part of humanity.

In many Third World countries

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F ATHER JOSEPH VIVEIROS anoints a youngster during a 1984 service for the disabled as Sister Kathy Murphy, OP, assists. (Torchia photo) where the disabled represent up to 20 percent of the population, the church continues to provide the only substantial assistance, he said.

Deborah McFadden, director of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said the Vatican-sponsored conference was important because it highlighted the value of people who are often "pushed aside."

"The Vatican is saying, 'we don't want these people hidden any longer. We want them to be full participants in life and we want to appreciate their qualities and gifts,''' she said.

The proceedings of the international conference will be available

by May 1993. Copies may be reserved by writing to: Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, 00120Vatican City.

Disabled. delegate. overcome~ hurdles

VATICAN CITY(CNS)- For Mary Jane Owen, addressing a Vatican conference on the disabled was easy - the hard part was getting there.

Ms. Owen, executive director of the National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities, spent several days dismantling the kinds of cultural and physical barriers that represent a cont.inual challenge for the disabled.

At times, it was a steep Vatican stairway. Or a bathroom door in the papal audience hall that was just a little too narrow. Or a unique Vatican sidewal~ drain that can stop a wheelchair in its tracks.

In the end, of course, she made it - by forcing accommodations, inventing solutions and imposing one of her mottos: "If you want access, you've got to move out and _ expect it."

Blind, partly deaf and a wheelchair-user, Ms. Owen had herfirst problem when she was told there路 was no in-flight mobile chair on the trans-Atlantic flight to Rome.

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"T.his was dangerous.:This was ,She. informe'd"the aidine "in:,a' inSUlting," she said, but despite friendly way" that this would mean misgivings she made the climb. having to crawl to the rest room.

Another American had to be carEventually, a chair was found and ried up, however, because his chair her seat was moved next to the bathroom. "It turned out to be didn't fit the runners.

Once the meeting began in the absolutely beautiful," she said.

Paul VI Audience Hall, Ms. Owen After landing in Rome, she was met by European health care vol- and others in wheelchairs were unteers who "probably were not forced to ride to portable toilets used to disabled people who run outside the building: the bathroom their own lives." Because of a lack doors inside were just a little too narrow. of vans, she was kept waiting at the That wasn't bad, except for the airport for two hou~s and told: narrow drainage trench in the Vat"Wait: Sit." ican sidewalks. If you're walking, " "It was as if they were talking to a dog. And I don't sit well," she you step over it; if you're in a wheelchair, your wheel can catch said. At ~ne po\nt, she threatened - like Ms. Owen's did. Her foot to call herself a cab, finally im'pressing upon her assistants th~t got caught and she twisted her ankle. The first-aid station had she "wanted to get moving." A few days later, they understood each just closed for lunch, and she was scheduled to give her speech in a other better and were able to laugh few minutes. about the episode.

Eventually, she found a woman Ms. Owen discovered that her willing to tape her ankle. "I didn't hotel bathroom was too narrow for her wheelchair. So she found a do it by screaming, or by saying desk chair with metal toes and "Y ou owe me,' but by engaging her in solving a problem." used that to slide in and out of the Ms. Owen's speech, as it turned facilities. out, was one of the best-received at She adapted to Rome's chaotic the conference. Part of her mespace, finding accessible restaurants and removing her bag from the sage was that because our bodies are "fragile earthen vessels," disback of her wheelchair to foil would-be purse-snatchers. Her abilities should be considered a chair was "bounced" up a flight of normal outcome of living. Once stairs so she could attend break- people understand this, prejudice fast with the U.S. ambassador to and fear is replaced by acceptance the Vatican, whose elevator was and cooperation.

Ms. Owen said that despite the too narrow. practical hurdles. she found that "I will bounce up stairs on my most people in Rome and at the behind, to get where I need to go," Vatican "want to make things she said. work."

She said she was angriest when She even had a little time to sit she went to pick up her credentials for the Vatican conference. The in St. Peter's Square. A former office of the Pontifical Council for artist, she said she'd remembered Pastoral Assistance to Health Care slides of the square and the basilWorkers, which sponsored the con- ica and so was able to picture the ference, had equipped its steep scene in her mind - though the steps with metal tracks for wheel- pigeons landing on her feet were "really obnoxious." , chairs.

Firemen offer safety tips Concerned about fire safety in connection with winter heating methods, the Fa\! River fire department offers the following operating suggestions: Wood stove and fireplaces: Be sure stoves and fireplaces are properly installed by qualified personnel. If in doubt, consult your local building inspector.

Wood stoves should be Underwriters' Laboratories tested; chimneys should be inspected annually and cleaned if necessary.

-Flammable liquids should never be used to start or accelerate a fire; a glass or metal screen should be kept in front of the fireplace; do not use large amounts of paper to start a fire; keep flammable materials off mantelpieces and away from other areas near the fireplace.

-Never burn charcoal indoors; it can generate lethal amounts of carbon monoxide. Make sure fireplace fires are out before going to bed and never close a damper if ashes are still hot; if the fire restarts, it can force carbon monoxide into the house.

-If synthetic logs are used, FOLLOW PACKAGE DIRECTIONS EXACTLY. Never break a log apart or use more than one log at a time.

-If you purchase a secondhand heating appliance, be sure it is tested for defects.

Gas or oil furnaces: Schedule regular inspections by qualified specialists; be sure all controls and emergency shutoffs are in good condition; leave repairs to professionals.

-Inspect walls and ceiling near furnace and along chimney linc::If walls are hot or discolored, additional pipe insulation or clearance may be required.

-Check flue pipes and pipe seams. Are they well supported?

Free of holes and cracks? Soot

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Texas priest wears many

Immigrants' nationalities may change, but hopes don't, says lawyer WASHINGTON (CNS) - Fresh from passing the bar exam in 1990, Jacqueline Rishty went to work as an immigration lawyer with Associated Catholic Charities for the Washington archdiocese and inherited a case load of 150 clients.

Two years later, many of Ms. Rishty's original c1i'ents still have their cases pending, and her client list has grown to 200.

"We don't lack for a big case load," Ms. Rishty told Catholic News Service.

The nationalities of people seeking political asylum have changed during her tenure in the office.

"Central America used to be a big source," Ms. Rishty said. "But with the different political groups taking over, we're seeing people from different countries in Africa" seeking asylum.

"And that can change two years from now."

Ms. Rishty's work was featured in "And Justice for All'!". a public television documentary aired in five Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia.

"I wish it were really easy to help them [undocumented aliens] with the INS," the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Ms. Rishty said on the program.

"The federal government is like every other bureaucracy. Each individual has to file 10 papers to get what they want."

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-Never try to thaw frozen water New Haven Medical center.

Loreto, Lourdes, Milan, Monte Cassino, Mount pipes with a blow torch or other l"'~"'\ll'~")r- .,...................L Carmel, Nazareth, Nevers, Nile Cruise, PaThe daughter ofl Henry C. open flame. Use hot water or aU L r~=~ dre Pio, Padua, Paris, Santarem, Siena, lableddevice such as a handheld· and Dolores Rodrigues of ~~~~ Venice and more A priest accompanies each trip as a Tour New Bedford, she lis a 1981 dryer for thawing.

-If windows are to be used as graduate of Bishop Stang Chaplain emergency exits, practice using High School, North DartJoin the thousands of satisfied travelers who go each year with them and be sure they open easily.

MODERN PILGRIMAGES, America's largest and most e>eperlenced -If there is a fire hydrant near mouth, and a 1985 graduate your home you can assist the fire of Brown U nivers~ty, where arranger of Catholic interest tours. Group organizers travel free. department by keeping it clear of she received her medical deFOR COLORFUL NEW 1992/93 BROCHURE, CALL NOW (TOLL·FREE) snow so that it can be located gree in 1988. : lowest Prices 1·800 ~ 662·3700 easily.

Weekly ______ ~..,.~~ I,,;;:~~~ -Never place electrical heaters.

Departures near any combustible materials.

MODE:RN P1LGRlM.4G€', INC. -Be sure every level of your home has a working smoke detech~ts tor and check monthly.

I -Practice home fire escape plans SAN ANGELO, T~xas (CNS) with family members often.

- How many hats can one priest CHRISTMAS GIFT" WNW Note: Use of unvented ·kerosene· . wear? . . I . space heating equipment is prohiIn October Father IMauricc: J. bited in the state of Massachusetts.

FOR Voity became pastor pf two par- . ishes in the San Angelo diocl~se, **** .If you have other questions or which brings to four th~ number of "THE PERSON WITH EVERYTHING" need advice on home fire safety, parish communities under his care. contact your local fire department.

But he also is edito~l- and the entire editorial staff - of the West Texas Angelus,the diocesan newspaper; diocesan com~unications director; dean of the ~an Angelo deanery; and associate judicial vicar of the diocese.

I Ms. Rishty told CNS that re$20.00 EACH According to Msgr. Larry J. quests for political asylum take Droll, who heads th'~ dioce:,e's from one to four years to process.

She said getting legal residency Office of Alternate Mihistries, the papers can take eight to 10 years appointments illustrate: the current - unless the applicant is the spouse ·situatiori in the San Angelo dioA DRAWING EVERY DAY RANGING· FROM of an alien, in which case the wait . cese,'where there are 40 available for 49 parishes ~nd sev(:ral pastors is only one year. $20 - $50:- $100 TO $500 : She praised her clients on the missions.

To deal with the priest shor"YOUR GIFT WILL HELP SUPPORT program. "Y ou find that a lot of tages, neighboring parishes have people have a good work ethic THE STUDENTS' EDUCATION" AT strong family ties, an extended clustered together and parishes without a resident pastor either do family," Ms. Rishty said. without a resident staff or they are She also lamented that she could served by pastoral coordinators or not help everybody. "There's a associates.

35 KEARSARGE STREET lack of attorneys, a lack of paraIn the San Angelo diocese, two NEW BEDFORD, MA 02745 legals," she said. "A lot of people nuns administer parishes as pasTO ORDER: don't realize they can be helped. toral coordinators and 'seven nuns Please Mail Check & Name & Address They are afraid [the lawyers are] and two permanent d'eacons are going to turn them in to the immi- pastoral associates in their parishes.

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Ms. Rishty told CNS that since her work is funded by an arm of Maryland Legal Services, there is an income limit to determine who can be helped. If turned down, immigrants "don't have enough resources and don't know how to go to different groups" for help, she said.

She said she was "fortunate" her success rate for clients is "like 99.9 percent."

"I always wanted to do international human rights, and this is the most tangible way to do it in the United States," Ms. Rishty said.

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. II, 1992

A t diocesan health facilities

Residents welcome Bishop 0 'Malley By chfis Allen Residents of the diocesan nursing homes greeted the appointment of Bishop Sean O'Malley to our diocese with keen interest.

Many offered prayers and special intentions for the new bishop, and enjoyed the splendor of his Aug. II installation ceremony on the large-screen televisions available in the homes. They also toasted him in absentia at receptions of punch and pastries.

So they were particularly pleased to learn that they'd have the chance to meet Bishop Sean in person during his visits to all four homes for annual board meetings, scheduled for October, November and December.

As Bishop O'Malley walked through Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River after the first of th' meetings, he greeted people in sitting rooms, along the halls, and in their own rooms.

A small sample of the many comments that were heard' amid the handshakes, embraces" kisses and blessings: Waiting outside her room, Helene Bowler said, "this is the first time I've met a bishop. I want to think of something really special to say 'to him: "I shall say how delighted I am to meet you, Bishop Sean."

The bishop protested as Sam Perry struggled out of his seat to greet him.

"N 0, you've come into my home to greet me, and I should stand to greet you," was Mr. Perry's dignified reply.

"I met you downstairs in the solarium," said Annette Van, "but

now I want you to see my home." qpening the door to her room, Mrs. Van pointed out pictures of Pope John Paul and St. Anne, and said she prayed to them daily.

"Please ask them to remember the diocese of Fall River," was the bishop's request.

Although the actual visit to the 294 residents of the Memorial Home is over now, the feeling of contentment lingers.

"I'm 93 years old," said Anita Lannon. "And in my long life I've never met a bishop before. I was thrilled. And to think that he came to me, here in my home, and held my hand," she added with a smile.

Holiday Happenings.

A number of special holiday events are planned at each of the four facilities. Among them: At Catholic Memorial Home, a Dec. 20 holiday celebration will include music, refreshments and a visit from Santa. Residents' families are invited.

At Marian Manor, Breakfast with Santa Dec. 12 and a Dec. 24 Christmas party for residents and families.

At Madonna Manor, today's afternoon concert will feature a karaoke show and sing-along of Christmas favorites. The a'nnual Christmas party was held Dec. 4.

Visits can be.lifesaving We are entering upon the most joyous season of the year - a time offamily gathering, of sharing and gift giving as we prepare to celebrate the coming of God's greatest gift to the world: his only Son. The joys of Christmas and New Year's are not universal. however.

For those who live alone, particularly the elderly, the season is all too often a time of loneliness and depression. Suicides increase among older Americans during the holidays.

Human contact is essential now, as old friends move into retirement homes orbecome homebound and unable to continue traditions like the exchange of Christmas cards. Personal visits are needed most, but greeting cards do restore old memories.

Regular calls on elderly friends are needed throughout the year, of course, not just during the holiday season. Such personal contacts bring joy and combat depression, but they have other important benefits.

Regular visits can uncover signs 'dd '11 d h 0 f some h I s, an 路 en IS' 'd It ey can I even UICI b h daf tenden. hsaveId Ives. cles s ou e watc e or, especially among white males over 65.

They have a suicide rate four times the national average.

Several signs should be watched for, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute: fear of going to a nursing home, for example, or a history of recent losses, illness or deep pain, and marked loneliness and social isolation.

When older persons decide on suicide, the agency said, they are usually more successful than young people because they usually choose

they tend to make fewer suicide By threats, and they need careful observation.

Even more pervasive is the BERNARD problem of alcohol and the misuse of prescription drugs among the elderly. Some observers call it a CASSERLY life-threatening epidemic. Some 70 percent of all older people in hospitals and up to 50 percent of all nursing home residents have alcoand forgetfulness could be normal hoi-related problems. signs of aging. What is the best Most older Americans drink at way to deal with the problem? home, however, to avoid the high Hanley-Hazelden has written a cost of liquor in bars and the booklet designed to answer your danger of driving at night, accordquestions. Called "H ow to Talk ing to the Hanley-Hazelden CenTo an Older Person Who Has a terat St. Mary's, West Palm Beach, Problem With Alcohol or MedicaFL. Therefore, their drinking is tions," it is available free on request. secret. ' S i m p l y call 1-800-257-7800.

"If they live alone," a center What if you think your drinking publication says, "no one may friend is too old to change his habnotice when they pass out in front its? It may take longer, the Center of the TV. And if someone comes explains, but "Older people have to visit unexpectedly, they may use the highest recovery rate of all age the excuse of ill health to avoid groups ....a key factor in the recovanswering the door." ery of older people is the concern Some doctors prescribe small and involvement of family and amounts of alcohol to help older friends." patients sleep better, the Center Note the importance of personal says. "However, a physician may contact - which is how you disnot realize that an older person covered the problem in the first predisposed to alcoholism can't stop at one drink" place. If your friend needs in. patient care, the booklet suggests Because of changes in metabo- that you "promise to watch the lism that come with age, "drinking house, water the plants and handle two or three beers at age 65 can the bills if needed." have the same effect as 10 or 12 beers at age 20."

It's not pleasant to talk about The mix of alcohol and pres- suicide, alcoholism and drug probcription drugs can be particularly lems as we move into what is for lethal, the Center warns us, "since many the happiest time of the the alcohol can quadruple the effec.t year. If we are serious about visitof a drug." ing old friends now living alone, Perhaps you are already visiting however, it is good to know what a friend you suspect may be having steps we can take to make their a problem with alcohol or excess lives more pleasant, or even save

AtOurLady~Ha"~c~ldren' _m~o_re~k_t_ha_l_m~e_th_o_d_s_._U_路n_l_ik_e~y_o_u_t_h_,~~m_e~d_i_c_~_i_o~n~~_a~lt~h~O_u~g~h~s~h_a~k~y~h~a_n~d_s~_t_h_e_m~i_f_th_e~n_e_ed~a_r_is_e_s.~~~~_

from the Wood School in Fairhaven will perform a bell ringers' concert Dec. 18 and a Christmas party for residents and families will be held Dec. 20. from the Fall 1992 CareGiver. newsletter of the diocesan health . facilities

"FATHER" CHRISTMAS: Franciscan Father Declan Madden of Denver hears the Christmas wishes of Adam Baca.

A c~aplain at Francis Heights, an archdiocesan housing complex for the elderly,路Father. Madden has impersonated Santa for 42 Christmases. (eNS photo)

Visions of others show way to heaven Antoinette Bosco Never is the reality of the communion of saints so vivid as when you are in the presence of someone who is dying or feel a closeness to someone who died.

So many people have experienced how a parent on his or her death bed suddenly became radiant, as if seeing the face of someone who 'had died before.

I shall never forget my father's "yes" as I saw him suddenly glowing after I asked if he had seen his mother and father.

MallY people who have had communication with a departing or departed love one hesitate to talk about this. If they do, they will probably want to emphasize they have not taken leave of their senses.

They are likely to do this because somehow many of us have become so jaded it is hard for us to believe in this kind of communication.

Recently I had quite an encounter with Gloria, a woman I have known since we were both in fifth grade together in Catholic school.

W'e hadn't seen each other more than a few times for the past 20, years or more.

Gloria told me how her faith was her strength, and her devotion to Mary was her consolation. She related an experience she had a year or so after her son was killed in a car accident in 1972.

She Was praying in church when suddenly she was surrounded by a bright light. She felt that she was outdoors, and then suddenly she had a sense ofjoy so powerful that to this day she can hardly talk about it. She believes it was the assurance that her son was with God.

Gloria asked me not to think that it was merely her imagination.

She didn't have to worry. I believed her.

Her experience is rare and a grace from God, but I have read of others throughout history who had this experience of the light which comes from God and changes their lives forever. We d.o not know why God selects certain people for this gift but my guess is that it is to let all of us know that earth is not too far from heaven.

My sister Loretta, who works with AIDS patients, was caring during his last hours for a young man she had grown to love. But the young man did not leave this earth alone. He talked about the "boy" who was with him.

Loretta accepted his experience

and aided him in his communication with this boy she could not see but suspected was the patient's guardian angel. During the patient's last moments, he extended his hand to the unseen boy. Somehow Loretta knew that when that young man left this world he was not alone.

Truly, there is no death, only transformation. And while the dead do not come back to us in human form to tell us about the world beyond, there is evidence they come back in other forms.

God, for whatever wise reason chooses not to bring these vision~ to all of us. But the message is there for all of us. .~, The communion of saints, a doctrine of the church, is a vivid truth - and the evidence of it is all around us.

Gifts for the elderly Is there a senior citizen on your Christmas gift list? The following suggestions may be enjoyed, especially by a nursing home resident: A magazine subscription compatible with the person's tastes and interests.

Large print books.

Photographs' of family and friends attractively framed or assembled in albums.

A radio with earphones, a'radiocas~ette player or TV. -, Silk f1'owers to brighten room all year. .

Sweaters, socks, underwear, pajamas, robes, nightgowns, slipper socks that are machine washable and dryable. .

Shaving cream, aftershave, den-

a

tal products, makf;up, and skin cremes, preferably mild hypoallergenic or gentle baby products.

Jewelry.

To,seniors living at home, you can give the gift of time by - Driving homebound or infirm' elders to church, stores, hospitals or doctors~ appointments.

- Phoning or visiting such neighbors, offering to help with , light hou,sekeeping, minor repairs, snow removal, 'garden care or errands.

- Establishing neighborhood \yatch programs., , ' To volunteer or to not'ify authorities about 'someone who needs help, call your I'o'cal council on aging.

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. II, 1992

Anglicans mull move to Rome LONDON (CNS) - Catholic bishops in England said in a statement that they would consider a suggestion by an Anglican bishop that the pope establish a personal prelature for members of the Church of England unable to accept women priests.

The bishops said they had had a preliminary discussion on the proposal and would consider "all aspects of this delicate and complex matter, necessarily involving consultation with the Holy See." Their statement was issued by Bishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Arundel and Brighton, chairman of the bishops' committee for Christian unity and Catholic cochairman ofthe Second AnglicanRoman Catholic International Commission.

Bishop Graham Leonard, former Anglican bishop of London, said he had discussed his proposal with a "high-placed member of the Catholic Church" who told him the move "would not receive the cold shoulder."

Writing in the Catholic Herald after the Church of England's synod voted to allow ordination of women, Bishop Leonard said Anglican traditionalists would approach Rome "as suppliants and without presumption, asking if a way could be found for us somehow to preserve our Anglican identity while being in communion with the See of Peter."

"I would want to stress that we are not asking for recognition to continue an Anglican ministry, but路 as those who have accepted the magisterium and are in communion with the Holy See," said Bishop Leonard.

"We can only hope and pray that the Vatican and the hierarchy here in England will give sympathetic consideration to any possibility of a way forward," he said.

A personal prelature is a church jurisdiction without geographic boundaries, erected by the Holy See to carry out particular pastoral initiatives without infringing on the rights of local bishops. The only personal prelature that now exists is Opus Dei. Bishop Leonard said he recognized that the issue of Anglican orders could cause a problem. In 1896, Pope Leo XIII declared Anglican orders null and void.

However, Bishop Leonard said that "responsible people in the Roman Catholic Church" had suggested that while the 1896 papal bull applied to the situation then, subsequent developments within the church could warrant a different response.

Vatican Cautious Meanwhile in Rome, Cardinal Edward I. Cassidy, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said the Catholic Church will seriously consider requests for membership from former Anglican priests or bishops disgruntled with their church, but it will not encourage them to switch denominations.

"We're not in the business of dividing churches; we're trying to unite them," said the cardinal.

But "we obviously would have to take it seriously" if individuals or groups request membership in the Roman Catholic Church, he said.

In an interview with the Catholic magazine II Sabato, Cardinal Cassidy said that although the Catholic Church was being cautious, "it would be wrong to give the im-

11

Marian Medalists listed Continued from Page One Ann (Alex) Patterson, St. Joan of Are, Orleans; Ms. Roberta Smolinski. St. Margaret's, Buzzards Bay; Herbert I. Sullivan. St. Elizabeth Seton. No. Falmouth; Mrs. Rita Swenson. St. Pius Tenth, So. Yarmouth: George E. Towers, St. John the Evangelist.

Pocasset.

COCHAIRMEN Leonard Nicolan and Mrs. Andrew W. Mikita guarantee an enjoyable evening to thej hundreds expected to attend the annual Bishop's Ball.

I

Hospitality committee Iheald named for Bishop's Ball Father Daniel L. Freitas, director of the 38th annual Bishop's Charity Ball to be held Jan. 15 at White's of Westport, has announced that Mrs. Michael J. McMahon of St. Mary's Cathedral parish, Fal River, will head the ball's hospitality committee. Assisting her will be Mrs. Richard M. Paulson of Immaculate Conception parish, Taunton.

Committee members are: Attleboro area: Mrs. George Bauza, Mrs. Albert Jackson, Ms. Katherine L. Lancisi; Cape and Islands: Miss Margaret Everard, .

Mrs. Joseph Mazzuchelli.

Fall River: Mrs. Aubrey M. Armstrong, Mrs. Raymond Boulay, Mrs. Roger Dube, Miss Rost;mary Ferreira, Mrs. Eugene Gagnon, Mrs. Anthony J. Geary, Mrs. Raymond Lavoie, Mrs. ManuelT. Nogueira.

New Bedford: Mrs. Theodore Calnan, Mrs. Clarence Dutra, Miss Theresa Lewis, Mrs. Walter Galvin, Miss. Helen Stager; Taunton: Mrs. Edward S. Franco, Mrs. Albert Maitoza, Miss Mary Vieira.

V. Vincent Gerardi of New Bedford is ushers' coordinator. He is assisted by Cape and Islands: Frank Miller; Fall River: Michael Arruda, Robert Auclair, Raymond Beausoleil, Raymond Boulay, Henry Desmond, Abel Ferreira, Joseph Gromada, Raymond Lavoie, Antone Pacheco, John Sullivan, Honore Vaillancourt, Roger Vezina, Fred Vitulo.

New Bedford: Victor F. Rebello; Taunton: Horace Costa, Emil 11I11I11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111I111111111111

pression that we are not interested.'

The ordination of women and other concerns which have led some Anglicans to consider becoming Roman Catholic "are not problems of secondary importance."

"It is a decision which regards basic questions of faith, a reaction to something which deeply touches church tradition," the cardinal said.

The cardinal told II Sabato that based on past experience offormer Anglican priests joining the Roman Catholic Church, the acceptance of dissatisfied members of the Church of England would not harm the ecumenical dialogue.

"Besides, it should be emphasized that we did not provoke the current problem; it took place within the Anglican communion."

J.

New Bedford Deanery Mrs. Catherine V. (Roy) Andrews, St. Anthony, Mattapoisett; Mrs. Helene(Edouard) Bertrand, St. Joseph; Anthony Blanchard, St. Joseph, Fairhaven; Mrs. Helena (Edward) Bobrowiecki, O. L. of Perpetual Help; John Brown, St. Mary, So. Dartmouth; Mrs. Barbara T. (Joseph) Brunette, Holy Name.

William B. Collins, St. John Neumann, East Freetown; Mrs. Sheila A. (Herman) Couto, St. Julie Billiart, No. Dartmouth; Mrs. Rose-Marie(Umberto) Cruz, St. Anne; Mrs. Lillian (Armand) DeManche, St. Mary, Fairhaven; Mrs. Muriel (Roger) Denault, Sacred Heart; Abilio Fernandes, Immaculate Conception.

Vincent Fernandes, O.L. Mount Carmel; J. Roger Forest, St. George, Westport; Mrs. Lucia (Pantaleone) Grande, St. Francis Assisi; John B. Grenda, St. Patrick, Wareham; Mrs. Yvette (Ovila) Hebert. St. Francis

Osiecki, Richard Paulson, Charles Pine.

Persons or organi~ations wishing to be listed in the Ball souvenir booklet are asked to dontact members of the ball comniittee, the St. Continued from Page One Vincent de Paul SoCiety or the are collaborating with munities Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Listings.ma~ also be sent others to care for their elderly, in to Bishop's Charityl Ball head- several cities forming consortiums quarters, 410 Highland Ave., P.O. . committed to improving care by such means as developing clearBox 1470, FilII Riv~r 02722; tel. inghouses for services and provid676-8943 or 676-3200. ing education on health care issues.

In the past, religious men and women traditionally worked for stipends as small as $100 per month Continued from rage One that barely covered living expenses.

Office of Readings, rrtentaI prayer And always, communities used as -7:00 a.m. - Mas~, thanksgiv- much of their resources as possible to fund their ministries --...: minising, spiritual reading I tries which have become increas-11:30 a.m. - Corifessions ingly expensive as the years have -12: 10 p.m. - MasS, Exposition passed. of the Blessed Sacrament (until The sti pend system did not allow after evening Benediction), and midday prayer I I -2:00 p.m. to Continued from Page One 3:30 p.m. - Con~essions ment of this nation to protect the -4:30 p.m. - Menfal prayt:r' weak, the vulnerable and the power-5:00 p.m. - Evening prayer less... 路 Headlined "'Cri de Coeur' - A -5:30 p.m. - Ros~ry, Litany of Our Lady, devotiortal prayers, Cry of the Heart," the letter drew a parellel on opposition to abortion Benediction i to Clinton's objections to the Viet-6:30 p.m. - Chapel doors nam War. closed I "Earlier in life, with anguish and Sunday schedule: from the depths of conscience, you -5:45 a.m. - C~apel doors objected to the war in Vietnam," it said. "So, today, we from the opened I -5:50 a.m. - Morning prayers, depths of conscience oppose the war on the unborn which daily Office of Readings I I takes a toll of 4,000 tiny human -7:30 a.m. - Mas~ lives."

-9:00 a.m. - Mass

Xavier, Acushnet; Mrs. Katherine (Sidney) Jenkinson, St. Mary; Mrs. Joyce (Charles) Jodoin, St. Theresa.

Ms. Dorothy Lopes, O.L. of the Assumption; Ramiro Lopes, St. John the Baptist; Miss Dolores L. Masse, St. Anthony of Padua; Mrs. Marcia (Anibal) Medeiros, O.L. of Fatima; Chester Nietupski, St. Hedwig.

Mrs. Virginia Routhier, St. John the Baptist, Westport; Robert V. Tessier, St. Lawrence; Ernest Weber, St. Rita, Marion; Mrs. Mary (Vincent) Moriarty Worden, St. James; Alfred Zawisza, St. Casimir.

Taunton Deanery Mrs. Michele (James) Azevedo, Holy Cross, So. Easton; FrankJ. Bartos, St. Joseph, No. Dighton; John R. Correia, Immaculate Conception; Mrs. Coralie (Edwin) De Brum, Holy Family, East Taunton; Theodore Dykas, O.L. Holy Rosary; Mrs. Helen Elaine (Kenneth) Flanagan, Immaculate Conception N. Easton.

Normand Lehouillier, St. Jacques; Angelo Medeiros, O.L. of Lourdes; Miss Barbara R. O'Brien, St. Ann, Raynham; Edward L. Pryor, St. Paul; Charles J. Silvia, St. Anthony; Mrs. Prudence (Perry) D. Smith, Sacred Heart. .

Mrs. Alice E. Souza, St. Peter, Dighton; Mrs. Mary (Charles) Veloze, St. Joseph.

For aged religious

Chapel qpelils

for retirement provisions and until 1972 religious were excluded from the Social Security system. ."We aren't out of the woods yet," Sister Hudon said, "but when I see how congregations are addressing their retirement needs while continuing, as they always have, to fund their ministries, I realize how very much a lot of faith and a little gener'osity can do."

It is the hope of her office that Catholics across the nation, especially those who have benefited from the ministries of religious men and women, will also manifest their faith and generosity this weekend.

"Cri de Coeur"

I

-10:00 a.m. - Ohapel doors closed 1 In other notes on qhapel activities, Father Francis said that chapel office hours be from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 tol4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and that outside scheduled hotirs confession is available at any ti~e during the office hours by soun4ing a buzzer to be found at the co'nfessional in the rear of the chapet A perpetual noveda to St. Anthony of Padua wil) take place each Tuesday after' Masses and during evening dev6tional prayers. A similar noven~ to St. Jude the Apostle will takd place at the same times each Thursday.

will

It specifically asked Clinton not to resume a federal subsidy of abortion for poor women.

"It would indeed create a moral crisis 'if citizens~ against deeply held moral and religious beliefs, were forced to subsidize with federal tax dollars the wanton destruction of defenseless unborn human beings," it said.

"We believe the 'ourselves and our posterity; to which the preamble of the constitution speaks, specifically includes, along with those of us already born, those not yet born," it concluded. "In their name, we cry out."

Nuns' bodies returned

Continued from Page One wall," Gurney said the reports Charles Gurney, spokesman indicated. from the State Department's Office He said the evidence at the conof West African Affairs, told Cathvent scene supported an earlier olic News Service Nov. 30 that report that said the nuns were shot diplomats and Catholic priests by a National Patriotic Front soltogether with the West African dier who had stolen the convent's Peacekeeping Force found the revehicle. covered bodies at the nuns' conHe said the final verification of vent outside Liberia's war-torn capital of Monrovia. At the time the nuns' identities would only of the killing, the area was con- . take place after their bodies were trolled by members of Charles returned to the United States.

Taylor's rebel National Patriotic "It's been over a month and Front of Liberia. their bodies have started to de"Two of the bodies were found compose because they were exposed in the convent; one was outside the to the weather," he said.

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THE ANCHOR---':Diocese of Fall River":'-'Fri., Dec. II, 1992

African-Americans need own rite, say liturgists WASHINGTON (CNS) ...,- An African-Amedcan rite within the Catholic Church is needed for evangelization a'rid to stem the flow of blacks from the church, said black liturgists on 'an teleconference panel.

"There is no topic more hotly discussed in the Roman Catholic Church today than evangelization," said Sister of the Blessed Sacrament Mary' Roger Thibodeaux, director of her order's evangelization center in Bensalem, Pa. But without an African-American rite, she said" "how can we reach out to different people if we cannot keep our own membership?"

She commented during a Dec. 3 teleconference" An African-American Rite?" sponsored by the National Pastoral Life Center. The teleconference was beamed to dioceses across the country by the, Catholic Telecommunications Network of America.

Panelist Precious Blood Father Clarence Williams, director of the Detroit-based Black Catholic Televangelization Network, said the validity test for any proposed rite was "what will it do to help the evangelization."

"There's some 'juice' in the community" for an African~American rite, said panelist Msgr. Raymond East of St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Washington. "Juice" is a slang term for power or influence.

"It's not time for debate" any longer, he said. "For a significant number of African-American, black Catholics, they've already answered the question by joining the African-American Catholic Congregation." , That congregation was formed in 1989 by St. Teresa of Avila's former pastor, Father George Stallings, who has since taken on the title of archbishop in the breakaway church. Msgr. East estimated that 1,100 St. Teresa of Avila parishi,oners followed, Arch~ bishop Stallings to the new church.

While Archbishop Stallings brought the issue to national prominence, "we'Ve been doing this since

1976" in black parishes, Msgr.

East said. "It's not as if we began yesterday."

While some black Catholics are satisfied with allowable adaptations ofthe Roman Rite, it is not enough for others, Msgr: East said.

He told of a young woman from his parish who had studied religious education but recently left for a denomination with "a little bit more progressive African consciousness."

The "young black intelligentsia" want an African-American rite to better express their faith, Msgr.

East added. "If they don't find it here, they seek it someplace else."

Auxiliary Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Chicago, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on the Liturgy and a panelist, said, "We are a: people who are continue ally struggling with the church's diversity." Bishop Gregory later took note of the fact that many predominantly' black parishes are pastored by white priests.

While an African-American rite could pose a challenge to both white priests and their black parishioners, the priests "come into our communities because they love the church. They may not have all the necessary skills, but if they come with an open heart," Bishop Gregory said, "they will be successful."

Father Williams, speaking of a proposed study that would document the need for an AfricanAmerican rite, said with such a study "we can begin to name the rocks we're stumbling over."

Cros~-cultural ministry can be one of those rocks, he said. "If you're not trained to do that, you can mis-minister," he said. "That happens in a lot of African-Ameri- ' can parishes."

Bishop Gregory also alluded to the problem. "I don't know of any bishops who aren't happy to have African-Ame.rican Catholics in their dioceses," he said. "I do know a lot of bishops who don't know what to do with, for, and in dialogue with African-American Catholics."

A VATICAN路APPROVED article disparaging animals was basically for the birds, said indignant Italian followers of St. Francis of Assisi. (eNS/ Reuters photo)

Animal rights mak,e fur fly at Vatican

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -,St. Francis of Assisi, who conversed with the birds, might have gotten an earful this fall at the Vatican.

In a case of theology vs. zoology, it seemed the church hierarchy had declared open season on animal rights.

First came a Vatican-approved article in a Jesuit journal asserting not only that humans are better than God's other creatures, but that animals are basically selfish and incapable of loving.

The magazine, La Civilta Cat e tolica, warned of a tendency to exalt animal rights at the cost of human dignity, Italy's "animalists" bit back: the Jesuit's thinking was "deliberately retro" and aimed at legitimizing use of animals for "experimentation and pleasure," they said.

"Instead, we should be following animals' example. They are loyal, unwasteful, rational and above all considerate to their own - something humans are not," said Fulco Pratesi, a Green Party deputy in the Italian Parliament.

Stories of altruistic animals popped up in the Italian press, including a moving tale of two mice who always traveled together, tethered by a piece ofstraw held in their mouths. One turned out to be blind, An' indignant priest suggested sending a cat to every Jesuit. ,Brother Renato Moretti, head of a fledgling, Franciscan "fourth order" in Italy; joined the verbal fray, saying Jesuits had "forgotten that our Lord Jesus chose to be born between an ox an4 adonkey."

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The should take from the final docuHe said,Jhe Jesuits were promfinal document of the Latin Amer- ment "what is most useful and oting a '~realheresy" in denying ican bishops' 1992 meeting may be urgent in the' particular situation that animals can love and "disav:..: used as a guide for diocesan o~, of the 'diocese." owing the great alliance ~t;tween national pastoral plans, PopeJl:lhri :~"';As~;~ evi~ent, the conclusions God and all creation" as preached Paul II said in a letter authorizing of the SaMo Domingo conference by St. Frands. . ~he document's publication.' must be'a'nalyzed in the light of the A few days later'environmenta:I, The 79-page dbcume,nt, was., magis"terium ofthe\iniversal church isis disturbed a "hunters' 'Mass" written during the October Fourth and must be enacted in fidelity to being celebrated in Milan's cathGeneral. Conference of'the Latin >the existing, can'onical discipline," edral. They said it was ti me to end American Episcopate: . ':~".' . the papal letter said. the annual liturgy,in honor of St..

Titled "New Evangelization, The pope said that where there,.' Hupert, patrqn saint of hunter~, Human Development,'Christian who in the eighth century was said Culture," it reaffirmed ~the' Latin' is consensus among bisoops, the docto see a crucifix betw'een the horns ument's recommendations could American bishops' "preferential. be used as the. basis for路 national of a stag while out stalking supper. option for tifepoor" and called for pa,stora'I,'plans,'Kslong asthe id~n~ Most theologians wisely stayed a 路new evangelizatioii ,ihat would help laypeople confront the region;s tity Of each diocese and the autho.r- out of the debate, content to watch the fur fly.

Ity of,each bishop is resp"ected. social problems.

But just as the quarrel was subVatican spokes'man Joaquin siding, the church's new universal The bishops participating in the. meeting called' for new pastoral Navarro-Valls told reporters that catechism came out - and with it planning to address the growing the Vatican made only small seman- a ringing endorsement of what the urhanization of the continent, the tic corrections in the text. book of Genesis called humans' deterioration of the environment, "dominion .', over all the living the need for ecumenical dialogue; things," Branches and the equal dignity of women.

While allowing that animals were "There are some vices which In his letter the pope said that only keep hold on us through "creatures of God," the catechism after "the necessary discernment" other ones, and if we take the said it was perfectly legitimate to each diocesan bishop with his trunk away they come off like the make use of them for food, clopriests and others in the diocese branches."- Blaise Pascal thing and labor.

Latin bishops' paper gets Vatican OK -

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It said animals should not be made to suffer uselessly, but could be used for medical experiments "within reasonable limits." After all, such experiments help save human lives.

And pet-lovers, take note: "One can love animals, but one should not divert to them affection that is due only to people."

Lest there be any doubt about humans' place at the top of the creation hierarchy, the catechism cited Christ's words to his disciples, that they were "worth more than many sparrows," and his remark to the Pharisees: "H ow much more valuable a person is than a sheep."

Great bleating followed. The president of Italy's League for Animal Rights, Laura Girardello, said the catechism was trying to plunge the human race back into "profound' ignorance; arrogance' , and domination over other living beings."

Many believe the Vatican's concern has little to do with pets, fur coats or blind mice. Instead, the church isworried about an erosion of ethical principles on which "human" rights are based.

The Jesuits' article warned against a modern school of thought ' that claims equal rights between animals' and humans. This risks devaluing human life - for example, when human embryos are con-' sidered fair game for experimentation, it said. ' What the Vatican fears most was illustrated in an article by Italian ph,ilosopher Gilb~rto Cor,bellini, published alongside a drawing of a donkey in,the pose of":fhe Thinker." In a stinging critique of the church position, Corbellini said the late'st biological studies have "deiegitimized tbe th~plogical.anp philosophical suppositions about the'dignity of the human person.", Recent di~coveries about cognitive ilnd'communicative ab\litie~, of an,imals demonstrate that they "think and ~uffer as we do" --;- thus "

raising the ethical question of equal rights, he said.

Pope John Paul II, rumored among animal rights activists to have brought a cat to the Vatican from Poland, has a quite different view. He recently spoke to a group of ecology-minded Franciscans, emphasizing the human being's place of privilege at the center of creation, While the pope once suggested that animal experimentation be diminished, he has based much of his moral teaching on the specific value of the human person.

But no doubt aware of the current debate, the pope delighted animal lovers when he petted a Seeing Eye dog at his general audience. The dog had sat politely in the front row through the 90minute ceremony without a bark.

The pope would be wise to keep a watch out his apartment window in coming weeks, too: to protest the catechism, Brother Moretti plans a gathering of all creatures great and small - plus a few plants - in St. Peter's Square. He hopes for a papal blessing.

Peace reached ROME (CNS) - Mozambican government and guerrilla leaders signed a peace accord calling for an end to 16' years of civil war and opening the way for massive foreign assistance to one of Africa's poorest countries. The treaty, signed in Rome, was' mediated by Catholic offi'cials and praised by Pope John Paul II as a positive step for a stable peace throughout southern Africa'. The accord calls for'a ceaseefire and implementation by' 'the Mozambican parliament' of agreed' upori' measures leading to multiparty elections'within on~ year,: It also provides for a restructuring 'of the military and national security forces to keep them from, being a tool of the government.

Can't concentrate? Anxious?

Falling asleep at the wheel? You may be among the 40 percent of Americans who don't get adequate rest.

Relaxation requires the same serious effort given your career and social life, writes Judi Bailey in December's St. Anthony Messenger, a national Catholic family magazine. Her article, "Equal Time for Rest," tells how to identify and curb rest-deprivation. The first step, suggests Bailey, is to schedule daily "down time."

"A great number of people think they're wasting time when they rest," says Victoria Codispoti, M.D., Akron, Ohio, psychiatrist who treats sleep disorders. She told S1. Anthony Messenger that "many don't understand that the body truly needs a shut-down period every day."

Don't downplay the necessity of rest, cautions Dr. Codispoti, even if you work an odd shift. "No matter what hours they work, [people) still need the same amount of sleep," she says, warning the lack of sleep triggers a biochemical imbalance in the brain which can cause biological depression. Memory impairment, indecisiveness and lack of concentration are among mental side effects, while emotional results include irritability, melancholy and self-dissatisfaction.

Each year 10 million Americans seek medical help for such fatiguerelated symptoms. But Bailey lists some more basic and less expensive ways to rejuvenate: Redefine your concept of rest.

Rest is not a "lack oP' work or activity; it's an action in and of itself. "Sleep is a biological function of the body," notes Dr. Codispoti. "Take it seriously."

Give yourself permission to take a break. Literally tell yourself, "0. K., that's enough for one day.

Time to rest now."

Listen to your body. Pay attention to physical signs like aches and weariness. "If you wake up tired or are tired throughout the day," Dr. Codispoti explains. "you're not getting enough "rest, or it's of poor quality."

Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.' Revive Sundays 'as days of leisure. Take time' for yourself, your family and your God. ' Reduce your workload. Schedule an occasional three-day weekend, and delegate the bill- or report-writing, housecleaning, child care and lawn maintenance.

Indulge in a nap. Don't worry about being lazy; a nap's restorative powers will enable you to get more from your work and leisure time.

Pray. Scripture tells us, "Be still and know that I am God." Read from the New Testament, reflect on the Psalms or simply enjoy the silence of prayer. .

Trust God. Instead of paying for your worries in lost sleep and peace of mind, lean on God. As Proverbs 3:5 advises, "On your own intelligence rely not."

Create personal rest stops. Meditate, pray, watch TV, listen to music, take a walk outdoors.

Whatever form a relaxation takes, find a way to unburden your mind and body.

Monitor your physical health.

Substitute energizing foods-complex carbohydrates, fresh fruits, plenty of water-for foods high in fat, sugar or caffeine. Reduce tension through regular, moderate exercise.

If after trying these methods you're still not getting enough rest, consult with a doctor or counselor, concludes Bai'ley-'-'-and,take a cue from Psalm 46, remembering that "God is our refuge and our strength."

Questions still arise from Baby Theresa case WASHINGTON (CNS) - .A national pro-life official praised the effect of a Florida Supreme Court ruling that a baby born with a severely malformed brain cannot be declared dead in order to donate the organs for transplants.

But Burke Balch, state legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee, said the reasoning behind the Nov. 12 court decision was questionable because it implied that findings on whether a baby is legally dead "should be based on what certain prestigious organizations think."

The ruling by Florida's highest court in the case of Theresa Ann Campo Pearson left intact the state law which says that death occurs when "there is an irreversible cessation of the functioning of the entire brain, including the brain stem."

"We find no basis to expand the common law to equate anencephaly with death," Justice Gerald Kogan said in the majority opinion.

Anencephalic children like Baby Theresa are born with only part of the brain stem, which keeps heart and lungs going. Baby Theresa, born in March 1992, lived for 10 days.

Balch said the Florida Supreme Court ruling cited medical journals, the American Bar Association and the President's Com is-

sion on Bio-Ethics in concluding that no consensus exists on whether anencephalic child.ren are alive or dead. By implying that the court would accept whatever consensus is eventually achieved, it gives "incredible ppwer to a few doctors and lawyers," Balch added.

The court case was initiated by Baby Theresa's parents, Laura Campo and Justin Pearson, who had asked that their daughter be declared legally dead so that her orga'ns could be transplanted before deterioration set in. The legal battle continued after the child's death.

Balch said the prospects for successful organ transplants from an anencephalic baby are "quite minimal." But even if prospects were better, he opposed any efforts in the courts or state legislatures to allow such infants to be declared dead for their organs. ~That would breach a barrier, create a precedent that would then be used to exclude more and more people with less and less serious mental disabilities from the human community," he said.

The Florida Catholic Conference, American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Life and the National Legal Center for the Medically Dependent and Disabled were among organizations that filed briefs in the case.

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~~E ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 1,1, 1992,

Holiday advice fof th-e.restless

Lebanon could turn Muslim, he warns

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FROM TOP, tv10ther M. Bernadette Meehan, Sisters I M. Andrew Gannon and M• I Peter Lelashus rec€(ntly ce:lebrated jubilees as Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne. The cpmmunity cares fbI' incurable cancer patient~ at seven homes across the dation ineluding Rose Hawthorne Lathrop Home in Fal~ River.

Mother Bernadbtte, who has twice served as mother general of the Hawthorne community, marked her 60th year in religious lif~. A native of Philadelphia, shelhas worked in homes in Clev,eland a.nd Philadelphia and at the motherhouse in H~wthorne, NY. : Sister Andrew, a goldenjubilarian, is from Seneca Falls, NY. She holds degrees in bacteriology and pha~macol()gy and serves at St. Rose Home I in Manhattan.

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) Ending the division of political power between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon might lead to transforming the Mideast country into a Muslim state, warned Maronite Bishop Bechara Rai of Jbeil, Lebanon.

Efforts are being made to reform the system, which is threatened by the presence of foreign troops on Lebanese soil, he said in a recent Vatican Radio interview.

Israel occupies a tiny strip of southern Lebanon, while Syrian troops are stationed in much of the rest of the country.

The political system has been in force since 1943 and assigns specific government offices to the 17 different Christian and Muslim religious groups. It provides the basis for forming a national community which respects religious freedom, the bishop said.

Under the system the presidency is reserved for Maronite Catholics, the prime minister's job belongs to Sunni Muslims and the president of the House of Deputies is a Shiite Muslim, he said.

The system also assigns ministries and representation in congress and in the military according to religious denomination.

"It is a communitarian system and not a political system composed of many parities," he said.

"I think this is unique in the world, especially in the East where in the countries ofthe Arab League and Muslim countries the state religion is Islam," said Bishop Rai. The Lebanese system "accepts absolute freedom of conscience and thus respects all confessions and guarantees their rights," .he said.

Abolishing this "is dangerous" because it c,:ould mean "turning over power to just the Muslims for whom the state and religion are the same thing," he said.

A main reason for the 16-year civil war that ravaged Lebanon from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s was Muslim demands for a redistribution of political power in their favor. Muslims said that they now formed the majority of the population.

Christians formed the majority when the system was developed.

Lebanon is the only Mideast

country with a significant Christian population that exercises strong po.litical power and influence on national life.'

Dec. 13 1972. Rev. Reginald Theriault.

O.P .. St. Anne's Dominican Priory.

Fall River , 1991. Rev. Adrien L. Francoeur.

M.S., La.Salette Shrine. Attleboro Dec. 14 1970, Rev. Msgr.JohnJ. Hayes.

Pastor, Holy Name. New Bedford Dec. 15 1942. Rev. Mortimer Downing.

Pastor, 51. Francis Xavier. Hyannis

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Have' b'ear... will travel

By Marcie Hickey Second-graders in Dorothy Dube's class at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, New Bedford, want to see the world.

They have curiosity, purpose, enthusiasm and, most importantly, a map. However, other practical considerations aside, they might not be home for dinner.

So they sent an emissary: a stalwart traveler who has flown to Chicago, navigated the Mississippi in a paddle boat, vacationed in Hawaii and Sao Paulo, and posed for pictures in New Bedford, Illinois.

He is two feet tall, has brown hair and eyes, and carries an Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School passport.

H is name is Cristovao, and he is' a teddy bear.

"Bear"ing letters and photos from Ms. Dube's students, Cristovao will spend the !1ext 10 months traveling by land, sea and air and collecting notes of goodwill and interesting' mementos while the children follow his route on a large world map.

Ms. Dube introduced the furry fellow to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in October when the secondgraders :were to make a presentation at a school wide observance of the quincentennial of Christopher Columbus: first voyage.

The daylong program included songs and plays about Columb.us by other classes in the school auditorium, ,where the eighth grade. had laid out the size of the Santa Maria with string on the floor. The 23 second-graders told their schoolmates that they would send Cristovao around the world to acquire pen pals and learn about geog-, raphy.

The idea for the project came from a newspaper article Ms. Dube's mother, 'Edna, read about a similar effort by a Rhode Island school. When Dorothy mentioned her plans to Fall River jeweler Manuel Almeida, he and his wife Ernestina offered to donate a teddy bear to Mt. Carmel and thus Cristovao - ' named in Portuguese for that other famous explorer - was born last August. . '

The bear was outfitted in a jumpsuit converted from a Mt. Carmel gym t-shirt, and Almeida engraved his name on a bracelet for his arm. Given a hat, knapsack, and his passport, the school's envoy was ready to venture out into the world.

Cristovao carries a journal to record his travels and messages from those he meets, and his backpack is rapidly accumulating interesting mementos from far away places. It also holds letters to the world from his Our Lady of Mt.

flight wings for Ms. Dube's students.

"They couldn't do enough because they knew it was for children," she said. A flight attendant noted the bear was well-behaved, "but he sure drinks a lot of Cokes!"

The teddy's Illinois tour began' in Woodridge with the Illinois branch of the Dube family. Subsequent stops were in bear haven Paw Paw and on Rock Island, reached by Mississippi River paddleboat. An accommodating crew member fulfilled Ms. Dube's request for a bottle of river water, explaining he was sympathetic to the project because he once had a teacher who loved to collect rocks.

Oil Oct. 13, Cristovao visited a second grade class at Meadowview School in Woodridge, where the students drew pictures and wrote letters to their Mt. Carmel School counterparts.

The trip was completed with a brief stop in New Bedford, Illinois, population 10 (give or take a few).

"We took a left at a corn field and drove for three rriiles," said Ms. Dube. "All of a sudden there were' 10 houses, one street. There was j no store, just a post office, and the , Cristovao and his school;s for'sale!" worldly possessions Why? "We figured everyone must've grown up!'" she said.

Edna Dube posed with CristoCarmel family, including Nicole vao at the post office of New BedMedeiros. The second-grader w~ote ford 61346 ,for a photo to bring Fall River. "There is a bear com- back to their friends in New Beding as you can see. Of course it is a fore! 02744. , teddy bear. It is friendly. How is it The return flight to Boston out there? Do you like being there?" brought more autographs from Ms. Dube said the 'class will the flight crew as well as promises write to anyone who responds to for future letters from passengers their letters. from Seattle, W A, and St. Louis, Cristovao's first adve'1turecom- MO. menced appropriately on Colum" Ms. Dube began a scrapbook of bus Day week'end, 'when Doroiliy Cristovao's memorabilia, and the and her mother visited her brother Mt. Carme'l s~cond-graders were Oscar in Illinois: , glad to have their ,bear back Not a few heads were 'turned on though they knew he'd soon ,be off United Airlines flight 235 to Chi- again. Accordingly, the class threw cago at the sight' of the plump Cristovao a going-away party atfurry passenger occupying one Of tended by both students and a the seats. Cristovao soon had a legion of Cristovao's stuffed kin. host of admirers among the flight "One child gave Cristovao a hug crew, who became 'the first to and didn't want to let go," said Ms. autograph the travel journal. They Dube. "But they know he has to authenticated the experience with' leave if they are going tg learn" a prin,tout of the flight plan and about the world outside.

In preparation, the students have posted a, world map to consult each time Cristovao heads for a faraway, land.' His' first international destination was'SaoPlloulo: Brazil, which he visited la,st month with Octavia,Baptis~a, a flight at,tendant who has family members in Espirito Santo parish she also, brought him to Hawaii, Los Angele's and Washington D.C. Next week another chaperone will bring the bear to Puerto Rico until Jan. 3.

The class,hopes to add the Azores to Cristovao's itinerary early next year. Almeida is arranging the trip through his brother, a priest who teaches at a seminary on the Azorean island of San Miguel.

A lot of M t. Carmel children and their relatives on the other side of the Atlantic are eagerly awaiting such a visit, said Ms. ,Dube.

She also hopes to secure a berth for Cristovao on a 55-hour aroundthe-world flight United Airlines has scheduled next year as part of Columbus quincentennial observances.

And after that? Cristovao is MT. CARMEL second-graders (from left) Lance Avila, very flexible. He travels light, isn't Ryan Alcaidinho, and Krystina Dos Santos, her mother Celia fussy about accommodations, and Dos Santos, and Deacon Paul Macedo point out a destination doesn't get airsick. Ms. Dube hopes of Cristovao on their world map. to keep him on the move at least

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EDNA DUDE and Cristovao in New Bedford, Ill. until next October, bringing the world to her students' doorstep.

"I don't think they realize how

big the world really is," she said.

"It's a lesson that's still to come.

And that's the fun part!"

DOROTHY DUDE and students decorate a school hallway with information about their traveling teddy bear.

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in our schools Bishop Connolly High School Outstanding students were recently honored at an awards ceremony at Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River. The following awards were given: Christmas Card Design Award to the top three artists who presented designs for the school's 1992 Christmas card. They are Thomas Ferreira, first place; Catherine Carroll, second; and Alison Subin, third.

Xerox Award for achievement in history to Sarah Anne Ryder.

Principal's Awards for vol unteerism to David Silva, Luke Methot, Tanya Paquette and Pauline Pacheco.

Spotlight Program Awards to the participants in the program offered by V Mass- Dartmout h: David Silva, Tonya DeMelo,Teresa Carreiro.

Certificates from the Massachusetts Bar Association to members of the Connolly law team who participated in a mock trial competition: Tanya Paquette, Monica Sylvia, Kristen Neves, Joe Mendes, Shawn Levesque, Tara Gauthier.

Bausch and Lomb Science Award to Stephanie Schuller.

Holy Cross Book Award to Catherine Torphy.

Harvard Book Award to David Silva.

21st Century Book Award for achievement in English to Eric Canedy, Maximiano Ferreira and Daniel Rego.

Physical education teacher Anthony Presto has announced the winners of the fifth annual Larry Bird Basketball Shootout: Frank Hill and Richard Sisson, fresh-

man! sophomore division I; Andre Fernandes and Mike Silva, freshman/sophomore division II; Joe Librera and Adam Hayden, junior! senior division I; Jim Damiano and Chris Jusseaume,junior!senior division II; Melissa Pilotte and Jaime Rebello, girls' division.

The two-on-two basketball tournament was held after school from the end of October through Thanksgiving break. Winners received Celtics trophies and runners-up received cases of soda.

The ski race team will take training trips to Wildcat Mountain Dec. II to 13, to Sugarloaf or Sunday River Jan. 8 to 10, and to Jackson Hole, WY, during February vacation. Race dates at Wachusetts Mountain are Jan. 15 and 22 (giant slalom), Jan. 29 (slalom) and Feb. 5 and 26 (giant slalom).

Jarrod Womble is captain and Peter Waluk is assistant captain for the boys' team; Jennifer Azevedo and Elizabeth Sisson are captain and assistant, respectively, for the girls' team. George Angelo is the faculty coordinator.

John McDonald, Colleen Smith, Jarod Womble and Peter Waluk participated in the V.S. Ski Coaches Association Alpine Pre-Course at the Sunday River Ski Resort.

1988 grad uate Geoff King had been named assistant hockey coach at North Adams State College. He is a 1992 graduate of American International College in Springfield, where he was a goaltender and received a merit medal for excellence in academics and athletics and theHenry Butova Memorial Leadership Award for ice hockey.

Bishop Feehan High School 200 students at Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro, participated in a fast day Nov. 20 as a demonstration of solidarity with the starving peoples of the world, especially those in Somalia. Eating a lunch of broth, crackers and water, students do'nated their usual

lu'nch money-a total of $250-to the Attleboro Council of Churches' soup kitchen in the name of Bishop O'Malley.

850 inquirers attended Feehan's open house last month, which included a tour of the school and opportunities to meet with faculty

BISHOP SEAN O'MALLEY celebrates a Thanksgiving Mass Nov. 25 during his first pastoral visit to Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro~ .Following the liturgy the bishop was presented with tokens of appreciatiqn from the student body, including a $250 donation in the bishop's name to the.Attleboro Council of Churches~ soup kitchen. 'Pictured, from left: senior Ryan Mooney, Msgr. John J. Oliveira, bishoPl Feehan . chaplain Father David Costa.

Students also conducted a schoolwide Thanksgiving basket project, through which 40 baskets of turkey and trimmings were distributed to the needy.

representatives from all depa.rtments. Coaches, moderators and students assembled in the cafeteria to give information on Jthletic and extracurricular activities.

Student council president Ri,ehard Yngve was mastdr. of ceremonies for the event, ~hich also included presentations by the school chorus and ban~ and a discussion of "A Teacher:'s Perspective" by social studi!es teacher Joseph Gilmartin.

I The Feehan debate team participated in a Nov. 12 meet at New Bedford High School. The results ~' follow: Varsity affirmative: eigh O'Mara and Amy Dwyer de eated Foxboro and New Bedford.

Dana Smith and Tracy Smith defeated New Bedford. Michael Gualtieri and ColIee~ Fanning defeate? Tabor..

I ' Varsity negative: Nita Patel and Kristen Saintdon defeated Somerset. Michael Larocque and .Jeff Gomes defeated Tabor~nd Somerset. William Hogan land Ja:son Martel defeated Norton. Joshua Orsini and Craig Gebdreau defeated Foxboro. : Novice affirmativ~: Jenniifer Zadronzy and Leslie I Leach defeated two New Bedford teams.

Stephen Rose and Jebnifer l.angley defeated Somerset and Foxboro. !

Novice negative: Jason Collins and Christine Rose defdated Somerset. Feehan also won se~eral rounds I by forfeit.

Foreign language department members Linda Ausiello, Knren Brennan, Leonard Ca~bra, Diiane Crane and Joan Drobpis attended the Massachusetts F~reign Language Association's recent annual conference in Sturbri1ge.

Dominican A!cadelny Students at Dominican Academy, FalI River, collected food items for the Rocking Horse restaurant in Fall River fbr its annual Thanksgiving dinner fbr the needy.

Also, kindergarteniers, dressed as pilgrims and Native Americans, brought fruit baskets and cards to the Dominican sistenl who live in the infirmary above I the school.

The children also sang for the sisters.

I During Advent students are collecting food, clothing ilOd personal items for the needy. Each c1as~; has chosen a specific ite1 - such as tpothpaste, deodora,nt, diapers, bottles or coloring !;looks --' to donate. Sister Irene Comeau, SSJ, hea~s the drive.

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Eighth-graders received elass rings at a liturgy cJlebrated by Father Jack Oliveira o(St. Anthony of Padua parish, Fall' River. The eighth graders' "little fisters" from the kindergarten clars presented each recipient's ring and a rose.

Seventh- and eight&-graders are attending a performance of "A Christmas Carol" at' the Trinity Repertory Theater ill Providence today. . i

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St. Francis Xavier School, Acushnet, will hold Atlvent assemblies at 8:45 a.m. Dec.iJ4 and 21. A Christmas program :will be held Dec. 18, with a holid~y dance for grades 6 to 8 taking place 7 to 10 that evening.

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Goodness is $imple "Goodness is som¢thing so simple: Always live for others, never to seek one's own a1vantage." Dag Hammarskjold

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. II, 1992 â&#x20AC;˘

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BROWNIE TROOP 1168 of St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro, makes a Thanksgiving visit to retired Holy Union sisters at St. Mary's Convent in North Attleboro. The troop is directed by Sister Doris Desrosiers and Donna Lane.

College teachers key in students' moral development, says priest WASHINGTON (CNS) - College educators are not making the grade if they are not helping students in their moral development, a university administrator said in a recent lecture.

Marianist Father James Heft, provost at the University of Dayton in Ohio, gave students overall a good mark for returning to traditional values, but he sa:id teachers were responsible for making sure this trend continued.

"More students seem to want to prepare for jobs that will make a social contribution, and not only high paying," said Father Heft in the 10th annual Seton-Neumann Lecture, sponsored jointly by the U.S. Catholic Conference's Department of Education and Committee on Education.

Father Heft said he was encouraged by recent survey results which showed that an increasing number of students are volunteering, following the example of people they see as role models.

"Students have heroes again," he said "not just rock stars, sports stars and entertainers, but 'also

Coyle-Cassidy

self-sacrificing figures such as Martin Luther KingJr. or Mother Teresa."

The priest also spoke of a curriculum reform movement underway for 20 years that is gaining momentum and that seeks to raise ethical questions "inherent in many disciplines."

The movement, he said, has stressed the need for humanities courses, and campuses are offering courses on protecting and sustaining the environment. He also noted that universities are now required to provide information about alcohol reduction programs, anti-drug laws and campus crime and safety.

He said responsibility for continuing moral development rests primarily on teachers. "Teachers and professors cannot afford to be merely impersonal conveyors of knowledge or even disinterested developers of critical thinking," he said.

He also told them to encourage study habits which form discipline and an ability to focus.

"Our young people need to learn better how to study, for a loving heart, even a converted one,joined to an empty head, leaves us with a well-intentioned but ignorant Christian," he said.

Father Heft also urged educators to recommend solitude and prayer to their students. "Unless we . develop this spiritual depth grounded in prayer, the moral development we want to see in our youth will be shallow," he said.

Once again this winter, CoyleCassidy High School, Taunton, is joining Boston's Pine Street Inn in its annual "Adopt-A-Bed" campaign.

"Adopt-A-Bed" buttons will be available through tomorrow at two local banks and a credit union.

A $10 donation "adopts" a bed for a night for a homeless man or woman during the cold winter months. ' .

The Pine Street Inn offers the basics to those seeking shelter: a DENVER (CNS)~ More than warm and clean bed for the night; a hot meal, health care, and hope. 18,000 registration packets for Through this program, thousands World Youth Day 1993 :- set for of men and women have been able next August in Denver - hilVe to get off the streets and into the been mailed to parishes, schools safety and comfort of one of the and dioceses around the country.

Registration deadline is March 15 Inn's four shelters. ' This year, a portion of the pro- for the international gathering of ceeds of "Adopt-A-Bed" will go Catholic young people with Pope directly to Taunton's own shelter, John Paul II. Paul Henderson, director of programming for World the St. Francis Samaritan House.

For information on this pro- Youth Day 1993, said the event is gram, contact Anthony S. Nunes aimed at the 13-to-39 age group. 'at Coyle-Cassidy High 'School, "Words in English often carry a different meaning in other lan823-6164.

The concert band, jazz band guages, and vice versa," he said. and chorus will perform both new "For example. 'youth' in Europe and traditional holiday selections " means 'young adults' and in the at a Christmas concert 7 p.m. Dec. Vnited States people tend to think' , of 'youth' as teenagers.

16 at the school.

Youth day kits sent

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,BISHOP. CONNOLLY' .... , .' ",ST, MARYNORTON. of'Fali River":":Fri",Dec.路' ~ 路1.99:2: .. :.CATH~DR,AL C.AMP, . . ' . . .' , E. FREETOWN Pro-Life committee will collect HIGH SCHOOL, FR Kingdom of God prayer group clothing and diapers for a baby and A makeup entrance exam wiII be retreat Dec. II to 13. St. John Evanheld 8 a.m. to noon tomorrow; pretoddler shower at Masses Dec. 19 gelist, Pocasset, confirmation retreat and 20. registration is not req uired.

Dec. 12. St. Francis Xavier, AcushSACRED HEARTS RETREAT ST. PATRICK, WAREHAM net, eighth grade retreat Dec. 13.

CENTER, WAREHAM Advent family penance service 7 ST. LOUIS de FRANCE, , Christmas open house 4 to 6 p.m. p.m. Dec. 14.

SWANSEA Dec. 20; will include hot chocolate, Celebration of the 0 Antiphons HOLY NAME, FR caroling, yule log, viewing of decoending with Benediction 7:30 toChristmas open house and tree rations including five Christmas night; all welcome. trimming 6 p.m. Dec. 18.

LaSALETTE CENtER, trees.

ST. JULIE BILLIART, ATTLEBORO N. DARTMOUTH ST. PIUS X, S. YARMOUTH Jesse Tree Family Retreat Dec. 18 , __ Advent penance service 7 p.m.'

Annual bilingual Mass for Spanto 20; reflection on the true meaning Dec. 16. ish-speaking community 7 tonight in of Christ's birth. '''Twas the Week observance of feast of Our Lady of ST. THOMAS MORE, After Christmas" celebration Dec. Guadalupe. Reception hosted by SOMERSET 26 to 31 will involve carrying on the Hispanic community will follow in Advent reconciliation service 7 celebration of Christmas with daily religious education center. p.m. Dec. 14.

Mass, rosary, sitting and singing St. Vincent's Home, Fall River, the State House in Boston Nov. 4 ST. MARY, SEEKONK ST. PATRICK, FALMOUTH around the tree and sharing faith has introduced a Caregivers' Pro- at the invitation of Rep. Ed LamBlood drive Dec. 17.

"Come Home for Christmas" proand stories at the dinner table. Pargram will include evening prayer gram that invites families to open bert of Fall River, who explained ticipants may attend as much of the WIDOWED SUPPORT, CAPE service 7 tonight (concluding day of their homes to children from the the duties of the legislature and Monthly support group meeting program as they would like and are exposition and adoration of Blessed facility. will be 1 p.m. Dec. 27 at a Hyannis asked to bring a favorite recipe, how a bill becomes a law. The trip Sacrament) and reconciliation servChristmas card and story, and music.

The program aims to provide 'was organized by special educarestaurant. Information: 477-2416. ice 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16.

New Year's Retreat Jan. 8 to 10. family experiences for the 25' pertion facilitator Martha Ann EdST. BERNARD, ASSONET Information: 222-8530.

O.L. VICTORY, CENTERVILLE cent of children at St. Vincent's minster.

Holy hour with Advent reflections Saints and Singers concert 7 p.m. Dec. 17. who have no place to go for weekThe Cronin boys have begun a IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, "Christmas People" 3 p.m. Sunday. ends, holidays or vacations. . recycling program to collect used TAUNTON MCFL "For the children, the primary office paper, newspapers and cans, Month's mind Mass for Father . . . . 234 Second Street Cape Cod chapter of MassachuWilliam H. O'Reilly 7 p.m. Dec. 15. goal of the Caregivers' Program is picking them up weekly from class. . . Fall River, MA 02721 setts Citizens for Life wiII meet 7 to ensure that each of them spends rooms and cottages and storing p. m. Dec. 15, meeting room of Stop O.L. CAPE, BREWSTER ~ Web Offset quality time in a family setting them in the campus barn until they _ _ _ Newspapers Christmas Cantata, "The First and Shop, Independence Drive, Rt. during their stay here. For the can go to a recycling center.

132, Hyannis. All invited.

Light" by Tom Fettke, 4 p.m. Dec. ~ Printing & Mailing caregivers, the program is an opOther projects include a school 20. Church choir will sing under IIiIIIiiIIIiI (508) 679-5262 S~JOSEPH,TAUNTON portunity to explore what it means newspaper and a sports math club, direction of Joyce O'Neil, with orAdvent vespers 4 p.m. Sunday.

Now! to open your home to a child in ganist Mary Knaus and narrator in which the boys work with statisShawn Dahlstrom. Parish children New Computerized Mailing need," said program coordinator tics associated with famous athCHRIST THE KING, MASHPEE will enact a tableau.

Jeff Chace.

The parish choir will join with the letes.

First 'Class Lower CapeUltreya Christmas Second Class Repertory Orchestra of the Greater There are three levels of involveThe St. Vincent's Saints CYO potluck supper 6:30 tonight, parish First Class Presort Carrier Route Coding Boston Youth Symphony Orchesment open to caregivers accepted. basketball team has begun another center. Those attending should bring tras for a Sounds of Christmas conin the program. Following suc- season under coach Chuck Walker Third Class Bulk Rate Zip Code Sorting wrapped Christmas ornament for cert 7 p.m. Sunday, church. Refreshcessful on-campus visits, caregiv- and assistants John Regan and Third Class Non Profit List Maintenance swap. Volunteers needed to donate ments wiII follow in parish hall. ers may take a child for two- to Jim Quinn. The team competes food, cook and drive guests to the Nonperishable food donations reALL TO USPS SPECIFICATIONS three-hour. off-campus visits on with local parish teams and finChristmas din!1er to be held in parquested for Christmas baskets. InforCheshire labeling on Kirk-Rudy 4-up weekends, holidays or vacations. ish center. ished second in its division last mation: 477-7140. labeler. And Pressure Sensitive Labeling Some caregivers may choose to year.

ST. FRANCIS XA VIER, ST. ANNE, FR host a child overnight oron weekInserting, collating, folding.

- Big Brothers and Sisters ACUSHNET St. Anne novena service 3 p.m. ends on a regular basis until the metering, sealing. sorting, addressing, Healing Mass 7 p.m. Dec. 14 celeSunday, shrine, followed by healing Students in Bishop Connolly child is permanently placed in a sacking, completing USPS forms, < brated by Fathers Gabriel Healy and service until 5 p.m. including BeneHigh School's community service family setting. direct delivery to Post Office Raphael Flammia, SS.Cc. School diction and Exposition of Blessed program are now serving as big , .. Printing . .. We Do It All! principal Joanne Riley will be A third level of involvement Sacrament. Music by Joseph and brothers and sisters to McAuley awarded St. Francis Xavier Medal Tina Dibiase, directors of musical would be foster parenting or adopCall for Details (508) 679-5262 Unit children, ages 6 to 10. The at 9:30 a.m.

Mass Sunday. group Rays of Sunshine. tion. For information contact students come each afternoon durChace at 679-8511 ext. 318. Inter- inga structured recreation period views of potential caregivers will to play with the children and then begin in January. stay for supper.

Sarah Whitford, McAuley assisActivities tant cottage manager, noted that some of the children have no one Boys from the Sweeney Unit (ages 10 to 13) and the Cronin Unit else to visit them, and the teen(ages 13 to 16) were among the agers "provide a bit of novelty, a breath of fresh air for them. They first students in Fall River to benehelp us give our kids the individual fit from an,educational outreach attention they need." program offered by ,Project Aware, In return, the experience offers a Fall River HIV / AIDS testing students from the Fall River high and support service. school "increased sensitivity to soCourtland Roach, Project Aware cial issues, particularly those of counselor, spoke at St. Vincent's single parents, and the enormous on three consecutive Thursdays as problems some children in our part ofa three-month unit on society have to overcome before AIDS taught by Michael Melithey can lead full productive lives." kian, St. Vincent's physical and health education teacher. ....Crom the Fall 1992 Provider, Twelve Cronin Unit boys toured newsletter of St. Vincent's Home

Iteering pOint,

St. Vincent's Home begins Caregivers' Program

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U,S. AID is too late for 12-year-old Medina Isaaq, whose father closes her eyes after her death from starvation in Somalia. (eNS/ World Vision photo)

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