12.22.06

Bishop Coleman's Christmas Message Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, During the Christmas season, we find our hearts filled with joy by路 many things, including the beautiful decorations, the cheerful music and the spirit of goodwill that abounds in the works of charity so common at this time of year. The most profound joy, however, always ..-::

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comes from thinking of that Divine Baby in the manger, who Was born to save us. When we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate the Incarnation, the mystery that God became m~n, and we ponder with wonder that "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." On 1:14) Turn to page three - Message

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The Anchor $;

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DECEMBER

22, 2006

Christmas Masses to be broadcast on TV

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FALL RIVER -Bishop George

W. Coleman will be the principal celebrant and homilist of a Christmas Mass to be aired on ABC Channel 6 (WLNE-TV) on Christmas morning from 9 to 10. It will be a delayed broadcast of the Christmas Vigil Mass celebrated at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River. Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Coleman will be Father Paul Bernier, who is rector of the cathedral.

The Portuguese Channel will air Christmas Mass in Portuguese at 7 p.m. Christmas night. That broadcast will be an airing of the Christmas Midnight Mass celebrated at Santo Christo Church in FalI River.

Father Gastao Oliveira and Father Brian Albino, pastor and parochial vicar, respectively, of Santo Christo Parish, will concelebrate the liturgy.

The Portuguese Channel is carried on most cable television systems in the area.

BLANKET COVERAGE - Kid to Kid Program at the Vacation Bible School at St. Ann's Parish in Raynham celebrate a "Fiesta" wherein children helped other children obtain school supplies, this year by adding colorful fringes to soft blankets they sent to the Fall River Diocesan Mission in Guaimaca, Honduras. The blankets carried the Spanish message "Jesus Ti Ama," which means "Jesus Loves You." Teacher Claire De Luca spearheaded the endeavor.

A hug for the Missions Reaching out with Jesus' love to the suffering poor this Christmas A hug. What other gesture shows love more?

How many children in our lives give us a hug when we'll ask for one - or when they know we need one? How many times have we reached out to a child or grandchild, niece or nephew, with an embrace?

Sometimes a hugjustreinforces the love between us, no matter our age, reminding us always of the all-embracing love of God. Lots of love is needed for the children in the care of Sister Maria Consiglia in the Philippines. "A human sea of children swells along the city streets," says this missionary Sister.

The phenomenon of street children in the Philippines worsened considerably in the 1980s when the country was plunged into an economic crisis, notes FILLES news agency. According to UNESCO, the Philippines has at least 1.5 million street children, most of them in Manila, but the number continues to grow. These children, abandoned and alone by various circumstances, live on the streets, without food, without shelter - sometimes without hope and love as well.

Sister Maria and those who work with her, along with Catholic parishes in the area, reach out to these little ones, offering them something to eat, finding them homes, and even helping them to get an education.

"The children cannot go to school because there is no one to pay the fees, so they stay on the streets," Sister Maria explains. "If you look in their eyes, you cannot

remain indifferent. The help we oflove of Jesus to the children and fer is but a drop in the ocean. For all in the Missions who are abanthe rest we entrust them to the doned and alone? Will you support Lord." the service of Religious Sisters and For herself, she adds, "Each of Brothers, priests and lay catechists, these children I would like to hug as well as local mission parishes? in a warm embrace."

Through your prayers and your fiA continent away, in the nancial help to the Society for the troubled Sudan, missionary Father Propagation of the Faith, you can, Jim Comino, like Sister Maria, is as Sister Maria would say, "hug in all too familiar with the plight of a warm embrace" someone in the suffering and the poor. For the need. You can also send a message past several years, he has been in of hope to someone who feels charge of a youth formation cenabandoned or alone in their sufferter in Khartoum. But he has also ing. been a presence of the Lord in the Above all, prayers are crucial refugee camps, where more than for the missions. This Christmas, one million persons fleeing from . let us join in prayer with Catholics war-torn southern Sudan have worldwide in gratitude for the come to find help - and hope. greatest of his gifts to us, His Son. "We saw a mother searching In prayer, we also ask the Lord to desperately for her little girl," he keep us always in his care and to recalls of one camp experience.. offer his light, hope and peace to a 'They were hungry and she left her world so in need ofhim. Thank you daughter in what she thought was a and may the Lord grant to you and safe place to go to one of the places to those you love many blessings where grain was being distributed. this Christmas. .

When she returned with the food This Christmas, will you reach the little girl had disappeared." out - through the loving arms of Along with the Catholic Sisters a Religious Sister - and offer the serving in local parishes, Father love of Jesus to children and all in Jim reaches out to help - to try to the missions who are abandoned reunite families, to provide conand alone? Will you support the crete materials assistance, to offer service of Religious Sisters that a listening ear. "Giving these offer such help - and hope people a place to sleep, medicines through the Society for the Propaand food involves personal risk," gation of the Faith? he explains. "But we cannot abanTo help the missions, contact don them."

Msgr. John]. Oliveira, diocesan diThis Christmas, will you reach rector of the Society for the Propaout - through the loving arms of gation of the Faith, 106 Illinois Sister Maria and Father Jim, and Street, New Bedford, MA 02745. TeL so many others like them through508-995-6168. Email address: out the Missions - and offer the propoffaithnb@verizon.net.

A SPECIAL DAY - Bishop George W. Coleman processes into a Mass at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet on December 3. The Mass commemorated the 100th anniversary of the parish.

CHRISTMAS GET-TOGETHER - Members of the diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee recently met with Bishop George W. Coleman for a holiday luncheon at the Quequechan Club in Fall River. From left: Doug Rodrigues, Father David A. Andrade, the bishop, and Barbara Britto. (AnchorlGordon photo)

$ The Anchor

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 50, No. 49

Member: Catholic Press Association. Catholic News Service

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

Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address 0' POBUSHER • Most Reverend George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerfandry@anchomews.org i EDITOR David e, Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org .

NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jlmdunbar@anchornews.org REPORTER Mike Gordon mlkegordon@anchornews.org !

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Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherrogerlandry@anchomews.org POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722. lHEANCHOR (USPS-54S-<l2O) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass.

DECEMBER

22, 2006

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The Anchor ,

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Lawsuit names Bay路 State legislators who failed to vote on marriage amendment Ten legislators representing communities within the Fall RiVer Diocese are included

By DEACON JAMES N.

DUNBAR

''We're in big trouble if the indi- Turner of Dennis. viduals who have sworn to uphold the Senators named included: Joan Constitution can willfully ignore it Menard of Somerset and Mark with impunity once in office. Holding Montigny of New Bedford. elected office does not mean you're Excluded from the federal lawsuit above the law," Lavy asserted. are the 79 lawmakers, who on NovemHe was referring to constitutional ber 9 voted against a recess aild faconventions last July and November, vored taking a vote on the amendment. at which lawmakers recessed rather Locally, they include: than take a vote. A total 50 votes are Representatives Robert Correia of needed in the current legislative assem- Fall River, Susan W. Gifford of bly - which ends January 3 - as Wareham, Shirley A. Gomes ofSouth well as another 50 vote in the 2007 Harwich, Robert M. Koczera of New assembly to get the petition to state Bedford, John A. Lepper ofAttleboro, voters on the 2008 election ballot.

Jeffrey D. Perry of East Sandwich, The proposed amendment to the Elizabeth A. Poirier of North state constitution reads: ''When recog- Attleboro, John F. Quinn of nizing marriages entered into after the Dartmouth, Michael 1. Rodrigues of adoption of this amendment by the Westport, David B. Sullivan of Fall people, the Commonwealth and its River, and Philip Travis of Rehoboth; political subdivisions shall define mar- as well as Senators Robert O'Leary riage only as the union of one man of Barnstable and Mark Pacheco of and one woman."

Taunton.

Among the 109 defendants named The plaintiffs bringing the suit inin the legal action are members of the clude VoteOnMarriage.org, the ballot Massachusetts House and Senate rep- question committee that promoted the resenting districts that fall within the .initiative amendment in an effort to Fall River Diocese who voted to recess rather than take up the constitutional amendment on November 9.

They include: Representatives: Demetrius Atsalis of Barnstable, Antonio F. D. Cabral of New Bedford, Stephen R. Canessa of Lakeville, Patricia Haddad ofSomerset, Matthew Patrick of Falmouth, William M. Straus of Mattapoisett, Eric T. Turkington ofFalmouth, and Geon H.

WORCESTER - A federal lawsuit alleging 109 Massachusetts lawmakers including House Speaker Salvatore F. Dimasi acted illegally on November 9 by ignoring their duty to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to marriage to go before the Commonwealth's voters, was filed December 13, in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts by Allied Defense Fund attorneys.

ADF is a legal alliance defending the right to hear and speak the truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation In essence, the suit looks to recover more than $500,000 in damages ')ointly and severally" from the respondents; for the court to declare their reluctance to vote violated the U.S. Constitution; and to order them to vote on the petition.

Interestingly, the suit also asks the court to rule the respondents "have waived their ability to oppose the initiative in the 2006 constitutional convention and imputing to each ... a vote in favor of the initiative." ''Elected officials should be held accountable when they deliberately violate the law," saidADF seniorcounsel Glen Lavy, who filed the lawsuit and seeks a jury trial on behalf of Massachusetts voters in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Central Division at Worcester.

Message

restore state recognitioll of marriage in Massachusetts by defining it as the union of one man and one woman.

Other plaintiffs inclu~ Kristian M. Mineau, president of tlie Massachusetts Family Institute; Roberto S. Miranda, chairman of VoteOnMarriage.org, arid its treasurer Robert H. Bradley; as well as Mark w., and Shari L. Worthington; George A. Kohl; Michael P., 'and Jane M. Burdzel; and James C., and Debra A. Gillette, all ofWorcester They allege that the respondent legislators "have deliberately deprived the plaintiffs of their constitutional rights by refusing to fulfill theJ absolute nondiscretionary duty to vote" on the initiative petition; and that the defendants "have interfered with and deprived the plaintiffs oftheir rights to free speech, to petition the government to vote, and to due process of law."

Supporters of the amendment to change the state constitlltion are seeking the monetary damages in connection with the preparatiop and promul1

gation costs of their initiative petition beginning in 2005 - including getting signatures of 170,000 certified vpters - in hopes of getting the amendment passed at a constitutional convention, reported Kris Mineau, one of the plaintiffs. ''The decision to bring legal action was made in November after legislator for the second time failed to take up the amendment. It was one of the options we looked at. November 9 sealed the deal," he told The Anchor.

"We anticipate the 109 will be served papers next week and they have 20 days to respond," Mineau said. ''It probably will not be until late .

January when we see anything done in court."

He also he expects that the state's attorney general will represent those legislators named in the lawsuit.

"Because the legislators didn't act to vote against the amendment, we're concluding that they were in favor of it, and so we're asking the court to make that judgment too," he added.

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IlWe cannot dirJct the wind, hut we can adjust the sails."

Continued from page one

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Part of the mystery of Christmas is that God was born among us so quietly and peacefully, seemingly without changing the world.

This calm and tranquil entrance ofGod into our world was prophesied in the Old Testament by the author of the Book of Wisdom: "For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, your all powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne" (Wis 18:14-15). .

The effect of the Incarnation, however, was tremendous, for it ultimately brought about our redemption. As the Church prays in the Liturgy of the Hours, "0 marvelous exchange! Man's Creator has become man, born of a virgin. We have been made sharers in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity" (Antiphon 1 of Evening Prayer for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the Octave of Christmas).

The gift of Christmas, then, is the gift of God's very' self, his only-begotten Son, who offers us a share in his divine life. Still today, two millennia after the Incarnation, this divine life is offered to us through the Church

and its sacraments. The more we avail ourselves of this divine life, especially in the worthy and frequent reception of holy Communion and the sacrament ofreconciliation, the more we take advantage of the gift of Christmas, and the more we become sharers in the divinity of Christ.

This Christmas, let us make our own the words of the shepherds in the fields, who were keeping watch over their flocks by night: "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us" (Lk2:15). In our hearts and in our prayer, let us all go to Bethlehem to contemplate the Word made flesh, lying in the poverty and peacefulness of the manger. Let us turn our hearts evermore to the Christ Child and commit ourselves to following him with true fidelity and perseverance.

With prayers to the Divine Messiah, that your hearts be filled with the love and joy of Christmas, I am Sincerely yours in the Lord,

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THE CHURCH IN THE

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DECEMBER

22, 2006

Embryos and abortion: Pro-Life agenda has a year of highs, lows

By NANCY FRAZIER O'BRIEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON - It was a year in which President George W. Bush used the first veto of his nearly sixyear presidency to strike down legislation that would have expanded federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research.

But it was also a year when Missouri voters "lost a significant battle for the protection of human life," as the state's Catholic bishops put it, by approving a ballot question that would permit any stem-cell research allowed under federal law - to the point of allowing human cloning, its opponents said.

It was a year when the South Dakota Legislature passed the nation's first state law to ban nearly all abortions since the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade legalized abortion virtually on demand. But voters in the state overturned the law later in the year.

It was a year that offered hope that the partial-birth abortion procedure might one day be permanently banned in the United States, as the Supreme Court considered arguments against it. But it was also a year when abortifacient drugs such as the French abortion pill RU-486 and the Plan B "morning-after pill" gained wider usage, despite concerns about their risks to women's health.

The year 2006 brought highs and lows to those in the Pro-Life community working against abortion, stem-cell research involving the destruction of human embryos, the death penalty and other threats to human life.

When Bush vetoed the Stem-Cell Research Enhancement Act July 19, he said the expansion of stem-cell research that kills human embryos would present "a conflict between science and ethics that can only do harm to both and to our nation as a whole."

Among the Catholic leaders praising Bush's action was Supreme

Knight Carl A. Anderson of the Knights of Columbus, who said the stem-cell bill was "eminently worthy of President Bush's first veto."

In a message for Respect Life Sunday, October 1, Cardinal Wtlliam H. Keeler of Baltimore said signs of progress in the Pro-Life effort included the "enthusiastic involvement in Pro-Life education and activism" by young people and the growing number of them "committed to living chastely until marriage, a trend that has contributed substantially to the continuing decline in abortions:' The cardinal, chairman ofthe U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-LifeActivities, also cited growing public sentiment against "the policy ofvirtually unlimited abortion," and especially against partial-birth abortion, and "increased opposition, particularly among committed Catholics, to the use of the death penalty."

But he said negative developments included FDA approval of RU-486 and of over-the-counter sales of Plan B, as well as the "exaggerated or even fraudulent claims" made by proponents of embryonic stem-cell research.

More disappointments came in November, when Missouri voters, by a narrow margin, approved a constitutional amendment expanding embryonic stem-cell research in the state and South Dakota voters repealed a law banning most abortions there.

Voters also defeated measures in Oregon and California that would have required parental notification before a minor's abortion, and approved an advisory referendum in Wisconsin that could lead to the reinstatement of the death penalty in that state.

The day after the election, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the appeals of two lower court rulings that found the 2003 Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act to be unconstitutional because it does not include provisions allowing its use to protect a woman's health.

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Father Jose Luis Guerrero, vice postulator for the cause of Guadalupe visionaiy St. Juan Diego, greets Nora Rivera at St. Mary Parish in East Chicago, Ind., recently. Father Guerrero spoke at the church about the saint and Our Lady of Guadalupe and their impact on the world. (CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Northwest Indiana Catholic)

A GOOD CAUSE -

Vice postulator says St. Juan Diego a saint for all people, for all times

By STEVE EUVINO CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Through Mary, he added, "God Diego, baptized in 1524, was a Christian, but he was also a native spoke to them as family. God sent EAST CHICAGO, Ind. - For\,..-' of Mexico and could not deny his a mother to evangelize us."

As the first indigenous saint of Father Jose Luis Guerrero, the 2002 heritage.

"He could 'not reject who he was, the Americas, Juan Diego shows canonization of St. Juan Diego is but (his Christian faith) did lead him that "Indians as a whole were cathe "fulfillment of my life."

The vice postulator for Juan to love God and love the truth about pable of receiving the faith of Our Diego's sainthood cause, Father God," Father Guerrero said through Lord."

Under Spanish rule, Indians Guerrero said the late Pope John an interpreter.

Paul II's canonization of the That truth - that God became were viewed as "demons," Father Guadalupe visionary is "the most man - was new to Juan Diego and Guerrero said.

God could have ever given me in "changed his whole vision of God Today Our Lady of this life."

Guadalupe is not only revered by Mexicans but also Father' Guerrero, who Today Our Lady of Guadalupe is honored as patroness of the studied Juan Diego's life for 23 of his 45 years as a priest, not only revered by Mexicans but Americas. Wearing an Azspoke on the saint and Our also honored as patroness of the tec maternity belt, she is Lady of Guadalupe recently Americas. Wearing an Aztec mater- also the patroness of the at St. Mary Parish in East nity belt, she is also the patroness unborn.

Similarly, Juan Diego has Chicago. of the unborn. an appeal for all peoples, FaFather Guerrero, who rether Guerrero said. "He is sides in Mexico City at the Basilica ofOur Lady of Guadalupe, and man, that God became one of teaching us the ways of liberating us from any problems or enmity," spoke about Juan Diego, the image us," the priest said. of Our Lady on the tilma (cloak), Juan Diego was also a man of his he said.

Father Guerrero, who spent and the impact of Mary on the time, which was only 40 years after spread of Catholicism throughout the arrival of Columbus in the New 1982-86 in Rome working for Juan Diego's sainthood cause and putthe world.

World.

Like the life of St. Joseph, little Father Guerrero likened Juan ting it before the Congregation for is known about the life of Juan Di- Diego to Moses. While God called Saints' Causes, said Pope John Paul ego, said Father Guerrero. He was upon the Old Testament figure to considered the first Indian saint "an a member ofthe Chichimeca people lead his people out of slavery in example for all of us - the whole from the northern part of Mexico Egypt, Juan Diego was called to world."

The 71-year-old priest noted that City, possibly a prince, though a bring a rebirth to his people and to poor one. He was 57 at the time of unite the three major groups: Span- after the apparitions Juan Diego the apparitions in 1531 and died at iards, Indians and mestizos (the mix spent his remaining years caring for his uncle and then preaching. of the first two groups). age 74.

Living as a consecrated hermit However, while Moses used What people know today about at the si~e of the current basilica, Juan Diego, Father Guerrero said, plagues and locusts to free his people, Father Guerrero said, Juan Juan Diego preached the message is that he was a holy person.

Speaking in Spanish, Father Diego used love - the love of a of Our Lady of Guadalupe. That Guerrero said, "He is alive and he mother. Mexico is a maternal coun- message, Father Guerrero said, is is a saint," adding that all the faith- try, he said, and "motherly love is "the Gospel itself- God's love for all mankind." ful are saints through baptism. Juan very important."

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22, 2006 '

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NEWS FROM THE VATICAN

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Pope, Israelis air problems of Christians in the' Holy' Land I .

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~HOTO OP - A nun takes a picture as workers erect a Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The tree, which is donated from a different part of Europe each year, came from the forests·of Calabria in southern Italy. (CNS photolTony Gentile, Reuters)

Papal peace message stresses ·human ,rights ~ven when ~errorism strikes·

By CINDY WOODEN

avoid involving the civilian popu c lation "was largely ignored."

VATICAN CITY -Even when' "The heart-rending situation in faced with a potential terrorist at- Lebanon and the new shape of contack or in the midst of war, basic flicts; especially since the terrorist human rights must be respected, threat unleashed completely new I .

Pope Benedict XVI'said in his forms of violence, demand that the message for World Peace Day international community reaffirm 2007. ' international h~manitarian law and "Peace is based o,n respect for apply it to all present-day situathe rights of all," the pope said in tions of armed conflict," the pope . his messag'e for th~ January 1 com- said. memoration. .' \Vhile recognizing the diffiThe.message, "The Human Per- culties posed by theJhreat of terson, the Heart of.Peace," was sent rorism) Pope Benedict said counto heads of state aroundthe world tries must conduct "a profound and was released December 12 at reflection on the ethical limits rea Vatican press conference. stricting the use of modern methThe pope's mess'age'included ods of guaranteeing internal sepr~yers for peace in war-tom coun- . curity." tries, such as Lebanon; special In his message, Pope Benedict concern for child victims of vio- also called for "a vision of the lence; a condemnation of contin- person untainted by idt:ological ued nuclear proliferation; and con- and cultural prejudices or by pocern over the potential for violent litical. 'and economic interests conflicts over energy resources. which can instill hatred and vioThe basis Of any hope for peace, lence." the pope said, is a recognition that And he urged members·ofrelieach human person is created in gious communities and their leadthe image and likeness of God and, ers to renew their commitment to therefore, endowed with a dignity dialogue and to denouncing "conand with rights that cannot be ceptions of God th~t would encourusurped by anyone. age intolerance and recourse to Most countries around the violepce against others." :-vorld have adopted the tenets of "War in God's name is never international 'humanitarian law; , ac~eptable," the pope said. 'recognizing that it applies in situThroughout the document, ations of conflict as well as in Pope Benedict called for a univerpeacetime, he ~aid. sal recognition that basic human "Unfortunately, to say nothing rights are God-given or natural; of past cases, thi.s has not been con- when an individual or a society sistently implemented in certain decides it can determine who will recent situations of war," he said. . enjoy which rights, both human Specifically citing the July war dignity and peace are threatened, in Lebanon between Hezbollah he said. militias and Israel, Pope Benedict . The pope also condemned as a said. the duty to protect, assist and violatio~ ofhuman dignity, and' a CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

threat to peace, situations in which individuals are not free to practice their religious faith, either because a national regime imposes one religion on its residepts or because a "systematic cultur~r denigration of religious beliefs" encourages people to hIde their faith or limits their ability to express religious beliefs in public. . "There can be no .illusion of a secure p.eace until" these forms of discrimination are also overcome, since they injure the personal dignity impressed by the creator upon. every human being;" Pope Benedict said.

VATICAN CITY (CN;S) - Meeting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Pope Benedict ,XVI raised questions regarding' the situation of the dwindling Catholic pbpulation in the Holy' Land, indluding in Bethlehem, the Vatican said.

The Vatican'said the pope voiced his concerns particularly ih light ofthe approachingcelebrationdrChristmas.

The pope and prime Jumster met for 26 minutes December 13 in a small meeting room' in the back of the Vatican's aUdien~e hjlll.. .

Bethlehem Mayor Vic;~or Batarseh told a press conference Jarlier that a serious drop in Christian tourism to his town, emigration and lsrael's erec. oon of a securitY fence cptting many Bethlehem residents off from jobs in nearby Jerusalem were having a disastrous impact on Bethl~hem andjts residents. !

Oded Ben-Hur, the Israeli ambasI sador to the Vatican, told Catholic News Service that'the pope spoke about "the difficult situation of the Christian community in Bethlehem." ''The prime minister promised to do everything possible to alleviate'" •the community's suffering and to ease .

Christians' access to Bethlehem over .th.e .Christmas hOlidaYS'I!i the ambassador said.· The Vatican's statement also said. the pope and prime minister spoke about peace in the Middle East. . Ben-Hur said PopbBenedict thanked the prime' Iriinister for, Israeli's declaration of !:a cease-fire with Palestinian militias, although Ben-Hur said the prime ~nister said it is getting more and more difficult II "to withhold reactions'ii to missiles being launched into Israel.from Gaza.

Ben-Hur said that when Olmert renewed a government Invitation for 1

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the pope to visit Israel, the pope said he really wanted to make such a trip, but was looking for "a moment of calm."

"The prime minister told him, 'You can bring the calm,'" the ambassador said.

Pope Benedict and Olmert met as Vatican and Israeli government representatives were scheduled to meet in Jerusalem to continue on:again, off-again negotiations regarding the . legal and tax status. of the Catholic Church and its institutions in Israel. ' Ben-Hur said Olmert told the pope he had instructed the Israeli negotiators "to make every effort to finalize the agreements:' The mee~g also came one day after the Vatican issued a strong statement in opposition to the Iranian government's recent conference questj.oning whether the Holocaust took place.

Telling the pope he was "the world's most revered moral voice," Olmert asked the pope to denounce anti-Semitism in general and the Iran conference specifically, Ben-Hur said. .

Pope Benedict told the prime minister the Vatican had issued a statement December 12, but said he was willing to add to the statement or clarify it if the prime minister felt it would make the Vatican's position even more clear, the ambassadorsaid.

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Preparing to embrace Emmanuel

DECEMBER

the living word

22, 2006

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The whole season ofAdvent is a lesson in preparation. As we listen to'the prophets, we mark the centuries of advance work God did to get the people of FLOR FRONDOSO AND Israel ready to expect, recognize and embrace the Messiah. When we enBOGDAN OGOREK, DRESSED counter John the Baptist, we witness a double divine preparation: Johti's first AS MARY AND JOSEPH, task as precursor was to point out the Messiah in the womb; his second was LEAVE HOLY 'NAME CATHEas a prophetic bulldozer, chosen to make a straight path to the hearts of his DRAL IN CHICAGO DURING chosen people, leveling the mountains of their pride and filling in the valleys of their shallow spirituality and fidelity. When we hear the various readings ANNUAL CHRISTMAS about the end times at the beginning of the season:we recall that all of life is "POSADA" DECEMBER 17. essentially an advent for Christ's second coming, for which Christ himself, ' THE" POSADA," A TRADIthe Apostles, their successors and the saints throughout the centuries have TIoNAL CHRISTMAS FESTIVworked to get us ready, so that, we might be 'awake and alert to embrace the ITY IN THE SPANISH CULBridegroom when-he comes again. , TURE, IS MARKED BY A The chief lesson God teaches us in Advent is that we need to be prepared in order to be ready to embrace Christ when he appears. The U.S. bishops CANDLELIGHT PROCESSION~ have applied this lesson of preparation to the most immediate and frequent (CNS PHOTO/KAREN encounter any of us has with Christ.

CALLAWAY) In their November document "Happy Are Those Who Are Called To His "THE ANGEL'SAID TO Supper: On Preparing to Receive Christ Worthily In The Eucharist," our shepTHEM; ~Do NOT BEAFRAID; herds have called our attention to the real presence of Cht1st in the Eucharist: FOR BEHOLD, I PROCLAIM the Jesus we adore and receive in the Eucharist is the same one the shepherds adored in the manger and who will come on the clouds of heaven to separate TO YOU GOOD NEWS OF eternally'the slieep from the goats. Only the appeaiances, are different. In GREAT JOY THAT WILL BE Bethlehem; the Son ofGod took on the humble appearance of a baby wrapped FOR ALL PEOPLE. FOR in swaddling clothes. In the Eucharist, he assumes the even humbler appearTODAY IN THE ~ITY OF ances of bread and wine. , DAVID A SAVIOR HAS BEEN In order that we not respond to his arrival in mystery as the ancient innBORN'" (LUKE 1:10-11). keepers did in history or those whom Christ says will be caught off-guard when he comes in majesty, the bishops say we' need to prepare well. In the second half of their document, they give very practical advice about how to do so.

They begin with the traditional distinction between ''remote'' and "proxi" . mate" preparation. The first, they say, has to do with "how we live our ChrisIn the Incarnation, God initi.ated ... who is the refulgence of his I remember when I was young, tian lives every day,", and the second with "how we come to and participate in . ~ the days before Christmas glory, the very imprint of his the full revelation of his plan of the Eucharistic liturgy itself." salvation. For centuries, the being, and who susta!n~ all things dwindled, how anxious I was to Our remote preparation, analogous to the preparation of the Jews for cen- reach the great day, my favorite by his mighty word" (Heb 1:1-3). prophets "searched and inquired turies awaiting the coming ofthe Messiah, involves three things: regUlar prayer day of the year. Like abroken Each day, in the official prayer about this salvation, investigating and Scripture reading; faithfui and loving fulfillment of the duties .and re- record, I would'trequently and the time and circumstances that the of the C~urch, we recall the sponsibilities of our stat~ in life; .and daily repentance of sin and regular par- repeatedly ask my m6ther, "How fulfillment of God's promise in the Spirit of Christ within them . ticipation in the sacrament of penance. All of these keep us in communion many days are left before Christfullness Of time, when we recite indicated," exploring "things into with Christ and foment our hunger to receive him. which angels longed to look". (1 the canticl~ of Zechariah at mas?" Even ~ a child, I sensed Our proximate preparation, the bishops Write, includes several elements. that something momentous was.

Pet 1:.JQ-12). But this plan was not Morning Prayer, and the canticle The first is prayerful recollection. They encourage us to arrive early at Mass closing in .upon us, something of Mary, at Evening Prayer. At the manifested fully until the coming so that we might enter into a "reverent silence" that will help us to eliminate more than the excitement of Christ among us. St. Paul naming of his son, the herald of 'distractions and focus more easily on the great mystery aboiIt to be celebrated. of presents and school . .the messiah, Ze~hariah Such silent prayer allows us to remember'that we are ~eeting God and with vacation. What I awaited 'proclaimed, "Blessed be him ent~ring the upper room, climbing onto the cross,and rising within the with such longing was the the Lord" the God of empty tomb. ' .

Israel; he has come to his celebration of the fullness . The bishops then describe the Eucharistic fast as an essential element of of time, when God was people and set them free. , our proximate preparation. This requirement of refraining from food and . born among us. ... Through his holy drink (except for water and medicines) for at least onb hour prior to receiving prophets he promised of St. Paul tells us, ''when holy Co~union "demonstrates reverence and respect for the Body and, the fullness of time had old that he would save us Blood of Christ" and ''teaches us'to hunger for Jesus in holy Communion." A come, God sent his Son, ... He promised to show fast longer than an hour, like the midnight fast-of earlier days, by the same born of a woman" (Gal mercy to our fathers and to principle may help us to hunger fOf Jesus even more. remember his holy covenant" (Lk .writes, "In all wisdom and insight, 4:4). The "fullness of time," then, The bishops next merition that we prepare or fail to prepare for this en- refers to those sacred days of the 'I :68, 70, 72). And at the visitation he has made known to us the counter with Christ by how we dress. ''We should come to the sacred liturgy Incarnation, when God assumed with St. Elizabeth, Our Lady mystery of his will in accord with appropriately dressed, .'.. .wearing clothes that reflect O\lf reverence for God oUr human nature and entered th~ his favor that he set forth in him as rejoiced, "My soul'proclaims the and that manifest our respect for the dignity of the liturgy and for one an- realm of his creation to sanctify it greatness of the Lord, my spirit' a plan for the fullness of time, to rejoices in God my Savior ... he other." We dress wei' for persons and events we consider important, like and redeem it. "In the fullness .of sum up all things in Christ, in weddings or meeting a dignitary. The Mass is the wedding feast of the lamb time, chosen in the unfathomable has come to the help of his servant heaven and on earth" (Eph 1:8Israel, for he ,has, remembered his in which we meet the king of kings (or more appropriately, are married to depths of God's wisdom, the Son 10). It was in the fullness of time, him as his bride) and how we dress is a sign of the extent to which we recog- . of God took for himself our , promise of mercy, the promise 'he the time of the Incarnation, that these truths. .

God fully-revealed his plan to save made to our fathers, to Abraham conimon humanity in order to' Finally, the bishops describe what would be called "immediate prepara- reconcile it with its creator" (Pope and his children fore~er" (Lk 1:46the human race. tion," how to pray better the various parts of the Mass and unite them to the St. Leo the Great, Office of .

At christmas, we also celebrate 47,54-55). loving embrace of Christ in holy Communion. The penitential rite, the lit- Readirigs for Christmas Day). ' When we celebrate Christmas, the time when God's promises urgy of the word, the Eucharistic Prayer, the Our Father, the Sign of Peace, we can put into the deep by This fullness of time began, of , were fulfilled. Through the the reverential bow of the head before receiving the Lord, and the period of course, with the Annunciation and remembering that we are celebratprophets, God had promised to silentthanksgiving after Communion are all means to help us to prepare to路 .the birth of Christ. So, at Christing the fullness of time, the time send a savior: "Therefore the Lord receive the Lord full of purity, gratitude and joy like Mary and Joseph, the mas, we celebrate the fullness of when God kept his ancient himself will give you this sign: the shepherds and Magi. virgin shall be with child, and bear promise and revealed his saving .time, that blessed time 2,000 years The bishops state simply that ''because the celebration of the Eucharist is ago, when "the Word became flesh a son, and shall name him . plan, the time full of consolation and hope, the time when God the source and su~t of the entire Christian life, nothing 'is more important and dwelt ainong us" (In 1:14).

Immanuel" (Is 7:14). And this . himself came into our world to live 'than participating in the Mass with our whole hearts and minds and bodies." What we celebrate at Christmas is promise was fulfilled on that As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, the bishops help us to the-most sacred time in human , blessed night in Bethlehem. "In with us and to save us. , remember that the best way to prepare to celebrate the birth of the Word history, the inauguration of the Father Pignato is chaplain at times past, God spoke in partial made flesh and be ready for his second coming is to receive him in the Eu- climax of salvation history, and the and various ways to our ancestors Bishop Stang High School in charistwith the type oflove we would have in Bethlehem or hope to when he beginning of the turning point in North Dartmouth and is secretary through the prophets; in these last comes again. days, he spoke to us through a son, to J8ishop George wv. Coleman. the history of the world.

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The fullness of time

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DECEMBER

22, 2006

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The Anchor ,

Christmas visitors On the first Sunday of Advent, the wreath is prominent in the sanctuary. The youth group made it from cypress branches they collected in the woods not far from church and decorated it with candles of the traditional colors used here: green (hope), blue' (Blessed Mother), red Goy), white (purity). We blessed the wreath and the Mass continued as usual, until the homily.

The message for the first part of Advent is simple: Prepare, for Christ is coming! While preaching this simple message, I see that two little "street children," "nifios de La calle," appear at the main entrance of the church barefooted in their tattered clothes. Although the folks can't see them and are listening to the message, within a few moments that would change completely as the two children slowly make their way down the center aisle. Manuel, seven years old, and his four-year-old sister, Daniela, each carrying an orange that Sister Gloria had given them

earlier, seem oblivious to the fact that they are in a church full of people.

Being the older brother, Manuel is pointing out the Stations of the Cross as they walk down the aisle. They arrive at the front pew and he points to the large crucifix above the altar, then

he looks over to me, smiles and waves. Manuel is a regular visitor to the rectory, sometimes for a visit, other times asking for food, clothes or candy.

With everyone's attention, including mine, fixed on the arrival of the children, the connection with the readings becomes clear: while we wait for the second coming of Christ, we must be alert to his coming among us today. The two children

come as reminders that we can not be idle as we wait; we must reach out and do our part to pardon, care for, and love, our brothers and sisters. Even amidst the poverty, the folks here have a keen sense of compassion.

During the offertory of the Mass, I have a great vantage point from which to see such a gesture. An elderly gentleman seated on one of the side benches, rises and slowly makes his way to the collectors who are passing the basket. His simple offering is rolled up in one hand. As he passes the two children, he gives each of them a bill. It's only one Lempira, or about 20 cents, but to the children it's a big gift. Manuel and Daniela exchange a look of surprise, with their eyes as wide as their smiles.

They crumple the money in their hands and sit quietly through the rest of Mass. Although it's only the first week of Advent, Christmas has come early to these two little children. The sad part is that for them the basic life necessities

'Come and know me better, man' We did it. We're done.

Christmas shopping? Nah. That never gets done. My peeps and I just finished our yearly tradition of watching our favorite Christmas movies - one a night just before Christmas arrives.

The flicks are as varied as can be, but one common theme emerges - that Christmas is a time for family, friends and expressing love for all mankind. I need to be reminded of that once in a while.

In a case of art imitating life, in each movie God sends one of his worker bees to straighten out someone's crooked path. Jimmy Stewart has Clarence the angel in "It's a Wonderful Life." In "A Christmas Story," Darren McGavin has his movie son Ralphie Parker to remind him to view Christmas through a child's eye ... even if there's a danger of shooting it out.

In a more contemporary classic, James Caan is prodded in the right direction by an oversized, sugar-sated, wideeyed elf named Buddy in the wonderful production "Elf." And what would Christmas be without watching one of a plethora of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"? Time and time again, old Ebenezer Scrooge, portrayed by the likes of Alastair Sim, Albert Finney, Scrooge McDuck, Michael

Caine, Mr. Magoo, and Bill Murray, realizes the errors of his ways through the efforts of a host of ghosts. But it's the Ghost of Christmas Present who teaches Ebbie what Christmas is and can be. By imploring Scrooge to "Come and know me better, man," the jolly spirit

unlocks the door to true joy and happiness, not with material goods, but by simply sipping "the milk of human kindness."

Such an elixir is the milk of human kindness. Not just in the movies. Just a few days ago I got a taste of the sweet beverage. Emilie and I recently set off on our customary Saturday routine. Saturday mornings are hoop days. Being a one-horse family, and with Denise taking the horse to work, we walked over to the Catholic Memorial Home to catch the bus to take us to the CYO hall downtown.

While waiting for our carriage to arrive, an old gent, well into his 70s, walked out of the home. He asked if we were waiting for the bus. I a.nswered in the affirmative, and without

hesitation he sa:~fil, "Come on, I'll give you a ride there."

I was taken aback by this random act of kindness, but I didn't hesitate to accept the offer either. I looked at Emmie and said, "Let's go."

We walked to the worker bee's car. It was a big old Buick or Oldsmobile. Our driver had to clear out a space in the back seat for Emilie to sit, and then he swiped aside newspapers for me to sit shotgun. I felt right at home. I think Emilie did too.

"My name is John," said our newfound friend, holding out his hand. I shook the gent's hand and introduced us. While waiting for the car to warm up, I glanced at John. He reminded me of sOIpeone. He was as unpretentious as his name. There was no suit and tie. Rather he wore work clothes like someone would if they were toiling in the yard or in the garage. On his head sat a cap that looked like it was a part of him.

That's when it hit me. He reminded me of my grandfathers. I never really knew one of my peperes. He died before I got to know him, but I've seen pictures and heard stories about him, and John was he. I hadn't seen my other grandfather since he passed away more than 30 years ago, but I knew him well.

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are like Christmas gifts.

After Communion, Manuel and his sister leave through the side door near the altar. As I begin the closing prayer, the two of ], them return and step up to the presider's chair where Manuel starts tugging on my vestment, "Padre! Padre!" The rest of the church responds by:;telling the children to be quied but they won't hear it. "Pad':~, the side

gate is locked and we want to leave to buy some food," showing the money he has in his hand. I can't help but laugh, and tell one of the servers to open the gate for the kids. As they walk off the altar, Manuel turns and says loudly so all can hear, "... and we're leaving the oranges in the bench, make sure that no one takes them!" www.HonduranMission.org

THE FACES OF CHRISTMAS - Father Craig Pregana sits with seven-year-old Ml1lnuel and his four-year-old sister Daniela following a recent Mass::in Guaimaca. The brother and sister each clutch a single Lempira, .worth about 20 cents. The money was donated by a parishioner during the Mass. The youngsters used it to buy food.

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John was he also.

From John's rear view mirror hung rosary beads. On his dashboard sat a bobble hula dancer from Bermuda. Classic grandfather materlal. John and I chatted from the tilme we pulled away from the home until we arrived at our destination.

We talked about cars - his car in particular. It looked like a tank, yet ran like Mercedes.

He told me he didil't want to get a new one because his "had a real frame," as opposed to the newer models. He :used his steed to haul around his!lt7-foot boat.

We talked about fishing. We talked about global warming.

We talked about how we used to skate on the local ponds all winter. We talked about ice fishing and ice boAting and how people don't get much opportunity to do either any more. We talked about how kids today don't know how to "play." John said today's activities are too structured. There's organized soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis. No room for the imagination any more. We talked about his wife, whom he was visiting when we ~et.

I felt like I was' sitting with my grandfathers the whole time.

It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in more than three Ii

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decades. It felt so good.

As we neared the CYO hall on Anawan Street John wanted to make sure exactly where it was. "I haven't been there in 60 years," he said. I told him it hasn't changed a bit. We both chuckled, and I added; "That's not a bad thing."

We exchanged Christmas wishes and I thanked him for his kindness and his company. He told me to do the same thing for someone else if the occasion arose. As we got out of the old tank, John said, "Emilie, get a basket for me."

Emmie didn't get a basket that day, but she did say the next one she scores, she'll offer as a prayer for John's intentions.

Christmas came early for me this year - while waiting for a bus. John invited me to "come and know him better, man." And because I did, I was reminded of family and friends and sharing the milk of human kindness. My pepere for a day made the season much brighter.

I wish all of you and your loved ones a very blessed Christmas and a happy, holy New Year. And may all of you drink freely of the milk of human kindness. davejolivet@anchornews.org

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DECEMBER

22, 2006

Capturing the Spirit of Christmas Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? Well, if not, you better get ready - time is just about out. In these last few days of "getting ready," we can become quite weary as we approach what should be a time of peace, joy and hope. It is so easy to fall victim to all the "doings" of the season.

And yes, unfortunately, I have already heard one person say, "I can't wait until Christmas is over."

So are you in the Christmas spirit yet? What is the Christmas spirit anyway? It is not easy to define because Christmas means different things for different people. Store managers at the mall define Christmas spirit in terms of high sales; weather forecasters tell us snow will get us into the "Christmas spirit. Music lovers tell us to get out those Christmas CD's to get into the spirit. And you know Christmas is near when

the fruitcakes start appearing at done," but all too often we live the door ... and I don't mean your "My Kingdom Come, My Will be neighbors. done." Mary reminds us that So how do we define ChristChristmas is all about faith in God mas spirit? I suggest on this last who became one with us so that day ofAdvent we turn to the we could become one with God. woman ofAdvent: Mary, Our In her joy: In today's Gospel, Blessed Mother, who embodies the Christrilas omily of the Weel< spirit in three ways: in her faith, in her joy, and in her compassion for others.

Fourth Sunday In her faith: We would-'--of Advent not be celebrating anything this week if it

By Magr.

Stephen J. Avila had not been for the faith of Mary which enabled her to say yes to God's plan. Her Luke tells us that Mary, canying singular focus was God: and an within her "the Word made flesh," ardent desire to make his will proceeds in haste to see her cousin Elizabeth. How often do we see an hers. So many things can distract us from placing God and his holy expectant mother and say: "Isn't will at the center of our lives. In she glowing with joy?" Well, I am the Our Father we pray, ''Thy confident that Mary glowed with a Kingdom come, Thy will be sense of profound joy as the Spirit

of God radiated from this precious vessel chosen by God. How about us? Are we people ofjoy, living as men and women who have been redeemed by Christ? Sometimes when I look around at people, even in church, I feel like saying "if you're happy, would please inform your face?" We don't always look joy-filled because we are just so filled with many life distractions.

Would others define you as a person ofjoy?

Finally, Mary shows us the Christmas spirit in her compassion for others. She teaches us that the true spirit of Christmas is reaching out to others. In spite of all that Mary is experiencing at this time in her life, she reaches out to her elder cousin Elizabeth, who was also with child, to lend support to her. No

doubt Mary's presence and help was very much appreciated and welcomed. And isn't that what the spirit of Christmas is: the little things that we do to help someone less fortunate than ourselves, to brighten the life of a child, or an elderly person, or someone alone.

Yes, the spirit of Christmas, simply put, is the spirit of Mary.

Now while it might be too late now to write another card or buy another gift, it is never too late to capture the spirit of Christmas, When you approach the altar to receive the Eucharist today, open your hearts and prepare a place for Christ to be born anew in you.

For that is the only gift that Jesus asks of us.

Msgr. Avila is pastor ofSt. Mary's Parish in Mansfield and diocesan director ofthe Television Apostolate.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat, Dec 23, Mal 3:1-4,23-24; Ps 25:4bc-5ab,8-1O,14; Lk 1:57-66. Sun, Dec 24, Fourth Sunday of Advent, Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3,15-16,18-19; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45.

Vigil of Christmas, Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5,16-17,27,29; Acts 13:16-17,22-25; Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25. Mon, Dec 25, (Midnight) Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3,11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14. (Dawn) Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1,6,11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20. (Day) Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; In 1:1-18 or 1:1-5,9-14. Thes, Dec 26, Stephen, First Martyr, Acts 6:8-10;7:54-59; Ps 31:3-4,6-8,17-21; Mt 10: 17-22. Wed, Dec 27, John, Apostle, Evangelist, 1 In 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2,5-6,11-12; In 20:2-8. Thurs, Dec 28, The Holy Innocents, Martyrs, 1 In 1:5-2:2; Ps 124:2-5,7b-8; Mt 2: 13-18. Fri, Dec 29, 1 In 2:3-11; Ps 96: 13,5b-6; Lk 2:22-35. Sat, Dec 30, 1 In 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40. Sun, Dec 31, The Holy Family ofJesus, Mary and Joseph, Sir 3:2-6,12-14; Ps 128:1-5; Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17; Lk 2:41-52. Mon, Jan I, The Blessed Vrrgin Mary, The Mother of God, Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3,5-6,8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21. Thes, Jan 2,1 In 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; In 1:19-28. Wed, Jan 3,1 In 2:29-3:6; Ps 98:1-3,6; In 1:29-34. Thurs, Jan 4, 1 In 3:7-10; Ps 98:1,7-9; In 1:35-42. Fri, Jan 5, 1 In 3:11-21; Ps 100:1-5; In 1:43-51.

Books for Christmas The past year has seen the publication of any number of books I've wanted to write about, but didn't. Here they are, as suggestions for Christmas gifts that will provoke thought and give pleasure throughout the new year.

Michael Burleigh, ''Earthly Powers: The Clash of Religion and Politics in Europe, from the French Revolution to the Great War" (HarperCollins): Beginning with his monumental study of "German National Socialism, The Third Reich: A New History," British historian Michael Burleigh has been restoring religious (and pseudo-religious) passions and convictions to their rightful place in the study of modem history.

"Earthly Powers" is a great, sprawling smorgasbord of a book, showing how the emergence of the modem state in Europe, and its

displacement of religion from public life, opened the door to a variety of fanaticisms that laid the cultural foundations for the totalitarianisms of the 20th century (which Burleigh explores in depth in a follow-on volume, "Sacred Causes: The Clash of Religion and Politics from the Great War to the War on Terror," to be published in the U.S. in March 2007. Demanding but richly rewarding reading, and likely to change the way reasonable people think about the past 200 years.

Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), "Christianity and the Cris~ of Cultures" (Ignatius Press): Here is the Pope's most succinct formulation of his

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proposal for a cultural renewal of the West - "Even the one who does not succeed in finding the path to accepting the existence of God ought nevertheless to try and

direct his life ...a s if God did indeed exist." Former Italian Senate president Marcello Pera, himself a nonbeliever, comments in a fine Introduction, ''This proposal should be accepted, this challenge accepted, for one basic reason: because the one outside the Church who acts as if God did indeed exist becomes more responsible in moral terms. He will no longer say that an embryo is a 'thing' or a 'lump of cells' or 'genetic material.' He will no longer say that the elimination of

an embryo or a fetus does not infringe any rights. He will no longer say that a desire that can be satisfied by some technical means is automatically a right that should be claimed and granted ... He will no longer act like half a man, one lacerated and divided."

Like the 2005 volume, "Without Roots" (Basic Books), the Ratzinger/ Pera dialogue in "Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures" opens a window into one of the most important, and hopeful, conversations underway today.

Mary Habeck, ''Knowing the Enemy: Jihadist Ideology and the War on Terror" (Yale University Press), and Lawrence Wright, "The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11" ÂŤ(Knopf): Habeck's book is the best single introduction to the ideas that drive jihadist Islam; Wright's is a brilliant piece of reportage, showing how the ideas Habeck analyzes shaped and

Our Lady of Fatima to Sister Lucia, Blessed Jacinta and Blessed Francisco July 13, 1917 "I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace. If not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world. In Portugal, the dogma of the Faith will always be preserved, etc."

Paid advenisement

misshaped the men who made 9/ 11 possible, ideologically and operationally. If you don't understand how an Egyptian intellectual's unhappy experjence of a church social in Greeley, .

Colorado, in the late 1940s eventually led to the deaths of some 3,000 people on September 11,2001, you should: and Wright tells the story masterfully. Both books are must reads for any friends you have in government Habeck's, to explain precisely what it is we're fighting, conceptually; Wright's, as among many other things a chilling cautionary tale of governmental incapacity.

Eliztzbeth Kantor, ''The Politically Incorrect Guide to English and American Literature" (Regnery): Dr. Kantor takes no prisoners in this romp through the madnesses of contemporary literary theory - which is, at the same time, a fine introduction to what we used to call the literary "canon." A couple of her characteristically bracing claims - "most great literature was, in fact, written by dead white males" and "Jane Austen was a fan, not a critic, of 'patriarchy'" - suggest why Elizabeth Kantor need not apply for a faculty position at most of U.S. News & World Repon's toptier colleges. But that's all the more reason to read and enjoy her book, and to give it to your favorite high school senior or college freshman.

George Weigel is a senior fellow ofthe Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

DECEMBER

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22, 2006

A child is born Sunday 22 December 2006 Homeport - Fourth Sunday of Advent I just finished the Sunday afternoon baptisms. I have no idea how many thousands of babies I've baptized over the years. When I retire, I'll go around and count the number of times my name is entered in the various parish baptismal records. There were four more to add to the list today. There are just so many babies here; we have to schedule

them weekly instead of monthly.

Looking at the past 12 months, these would be babies numbered

64,65,66 and 67. In the Village, you need to take a number and get in line. Next!

One toddler in the assembly

today in particular caught my eye. You couldn't miss him. He was about two years old, I would say, and he had come to attend the baptism of his newborn cousin. This was one active two-year-old, with " his curly hair and pale " blue suit (with matching shoes, I might add). This kid was into everything - just as any healthy two-year-old should be. I tried to catch him once as he ran past, but he escaped - just too quick for me. He laughed and kept on

A new dawning for Catholic schools This is the eighth and final column in a series on Catholic education.

Over the last several weeks I have explored the idea that all Catholic kids deserve a thoroughly and authentically Catholic education. The focus has been on what individual families can do to ensure this happens, regardless of the types of schools their children attend. Here I'll expand my focus to the entire Catholic community because, like sunrise after a dark night, a beautiful possibility has arisen in my mind.

This dawning thought is simply that giving Catholic kids a Catholic education is not only the responsibility of individual families, but of the entire Catholic community. A brighter possibility even yet is that educating our children in the ways of the faith will benefit not only individual families, but also entire parish families. And the brightest possibility of all: Renewing our communal commitment to Catholic education could be the key to revitalizing the heart of Catholicism in the entire Diocese of Fall River.

Now, you may think that I am a dreamer, that to suggest a dawning of spiritual renewal is naIve in light of the harsh reality that Catholic churches are closing all around us. You may think that the sunny days of affordable Catholic schools have already hopelessly faded away.

But I am not dreaming. I am wide-awake with the hope of a "new springtime of evangelization" as Pope John Paul II referred to the great possibilities awaiting the Church in the third millennium. In his 1990 encyclical, Redemptoris Missio he wrote, "I wish to invite the Church to renew her missionary

commitment. For missionary activity renews the Church, revitalizes faith and Christian identity, and offers fresh enthusiasm and new incentive.

Faith is strengthened when it is given to others!" If I am but a dreamer in proposing that the key to wholesale renewal of the

bishops' councils, and I still be viewed as dreamers, let me reveal that about 2,000 miles southeast of here some visionary Catholics have made the dream of community revitalization through Catholic schooling a reality. Not only have the 120,000 Catholics of the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas provided tuitionfree Catholic schools for all children of active parishioners since 1993, approximately 70 percent attend Mass weekly, and 100 percent of the families with children in the schools are active in parish life. I promise, I am not making this up. In the county that contains the City of Wichita, the median family income is slightly less than that of Bristol County, Mass. There are 91 parishes with 10,600 students enrolled at 61 schools in the diocese. How does this compare with the Diocese of Fall River?

Catholics in our diocese number approximately 357,000. We have 96 parishes with 8,700 students in 32 schools. By the numbers, we should be able to supply three times as many students with tuition-free Catholic educations as Wichita can.

The example of Wichita Catholics should make us all dreamers. It should challenge us New England Catholics to ask ourselves, "If they can do it, why can't we?" If a missionarystyle commitment to giving all Catholic kids a Catholic school education were the key to revitalizing the faith life of our diocese, here's my final question, "What would we be willing to do, as individuals and as a community, to bring about this "new springtime?"

Heidi is an author, photographer, andfull-time mother.

She and her husband raise their five children in Falmouth. homegrownfaith@yahoo.com.

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faith in our diocese could be our communal recommitment to giving all Catholic kids a Catholic education, then let me dream with John Paul the Great who invites us to experience renewal through missionary zeal, self-discipline, and community giving.

Let me also dream with the United States, Roman Catholic bishops of the late 1800s who dreamed big enough to decree that every Catholic Church in the land should have a parish school. They took on this Goliath-sized task because they believed that educating the immigrant Catholic population was the way to preserve the faith and to help their flock survive in America. Have our ideals for our children changed so much since I 880s? The current U.S. bishops do not think so. In 2005 they renewed their commitment to the Catholic educational ideals by saying that, ''The burden of supporting our Catholic schools can no longer be placed exclusively on the individual parishes that have schools and on parents who pay tuition. The future of Catholic school education depends on the entire Catholic community."

Should the Pope, several

going down the aisle, hoping I would give chase. "What fun!" he thought.

"Do you now who this little boy is?" asked his mother. "No sorry. I don't." "Yes y~u do. Yo~ baptized him." "I did?" "Yes, at the hospital. The hospital in Rhode Island. Do you remember?" Certainly I remembered. I remembered very well indeed.

How could I ever forget?

Here's the story. One day I received a phone call from a parishioner. She told me that her sister, who lived in another city, had just given birth td a little boy. The baby was not expected to live. Could I come to Children's Hospital in Providence and baptize him?

Now, in such an emergency, you don't have to be ordained to perform a baptism. Anurse, grandparent, a Sister-chaplain or just about anyone else can do it.

You just pour the water and say "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." If the baby survives, you later arrange to come to the church for the rest of the ceremony.

I explained this over the telephone. "We know," re. sponded the baby's aJnt. Seems there was more to the. story.

Seems that at the tim~ the child's family did not have a church affiliation. They had faith, but not much practice. By chance, or maybe not, the family had been at Mass here once or twice.

When they were in distress with a dying baby, they remembered this faith community. "Will the baby be raised in the Faith," I asked. "Yes, if he survives," came the answer. "I'll be right there," I assured.

Off I went to Providence. I found the baby in the neonatal intensive care unit. He was not doing well at all. He was in an incubator. He was very premature and so small he would fit in the palm of my hand. He had several life-threatening physical issues.

I was surprised when I entered the unit. The room was filled with rows of incubators, but I found his easily. It was bedeck with flowers and blue bunting. His family stood all

around it. The nurses had decorated for the occasion.

"This is wonderful," I said to myself. "The nurses here are the best."

I reached into the crib, poured the water, it was sterile, and said the words of baptism. It was a very real celebration in a very sad situation. Although bitter-sweet, the occasion was a grace-filled sacrament. Amazing grace. Then I laughed out loud. I couldn't help it. When I poured the water of baptism, the little guy shivered from head to toe.

Then he took a couple of good swipes at me. I guess the water was a little too cool. I thought to myself, "This one's a fighter. He just might make it."

I never heard any more. We priests seldom do. I often wondered if the little fellow had survived. Probably not - he was so very, very frail.

Well, you guessed it. This two-year-old running up and down the aisle was himself in person, they told me. His mother said the boy had spent eight months in the hospital after his birth and still needed a tracheotomy and a feeding tube - and little eyeglasses - but he was doing just fine, now, thanks be to God. I found this very difficult to believe. "Oh, ye of little faith."

One of his uncles swooped him up as he whizzed past. The boy laughed and took a good swing at his uncle. "That's him," I shouted in amazement. So, it's true. The two of us have met again. Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice!

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Bernard Parish, Assonet.

Comments are welcome at StBernardAssonet@aol.com.

Previous columns are available at www.StBernardAssonet.org.

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The Anchor ,

No white hat needed for this champion of the people

By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR

banks other than your own, on the boOks. It happened REHOBarH - Days before winding up 48-years 18 years ago and is more important today when there of prolific public service - 24 of them representing are ATM machines everywhere for people to use, and constituents in Seekonk, Rehoboth, Swansea and the legislation keeps today's surcharges low."

Norton - state Rep. Philip Travis took time from his Travis can point to millions of dollars in roadway hectic schedule to chat with The Anchor. projects and bridges and reconstructions in his district "It's been a good run, and there have been ups and having been accomplished or at near-eompletion, and downs, but I have had a marvelous time and I can leave many parks and open areas for public use during his with my head held high knowing I've always tried to legislative watch. do the right thing," said Travis, a Democrat, who chose What's unusual is that Travis has never held a fundnot to seek reelection in last November's general elec- raiser in his district. "I never asked a person for a doltions. lar," he said. Votes, not money, win elections. The most Recognized internationally as a crusader for tradi- I ever raised was $10,000 and it came from friends, tional marriage and statewide as a major player and and it was only when I had an opponent." faithful proponent ofa current, proposed Bay State conHow to sum it all up? ''I feel any success I had should stitutional amendment really be attributed to % that would define marGod," Travis said canriage as the union of one • -~" '~~ /:.. _. didly. "My premise in life man and one woman, .-;-> and politics are the same ' . _ ,'. ~,. that there are two imTravis said he still hopes a needed vote would . :;~ltiijl portant things, first my salcome at a recessed con( ."'::: ~., •",: . '~~ , ,,', . ' ~'vation; then trying to figstitutional convention set ure out what God's will is for January 2, a day before he for me and follow up on that." leaves office.

He also said that having a ''Without doubt, this vote, party affiliation symbol like which we should take and will "D" or "R" after one's name take, is the most important doesn't matter. "Once you're vote of my career and I'm elected, you have to work with ready to vote and in the affirthe people who are there, inmative," a confident Travis .~ eluding Democrat and Republican governors to get anything said of the citizens' initiative petition that has twice been done for the people you repsidestepped by other lawmakresent." ers at constitutional convenLast year he talked with his tions in July and November. family about leaving the leg"But whether it succeeds islature and the future. "I'm this time or not, what'simpor66, but not ready to retire, so tant is legislators must realize I'm going into a new dimenthey have an obligation to take sion and will.4o new things:' PHIL TRAVIS the Swansea resident said. it up for a vote:' said Travis, With an MBA from Bryant College~ Travis has been who in recent years authored or sparked two other measures to reverse the trend of gay unions and keep tradi- teaching government and economics part-time as an tional marriage laws in the state, only to see them killed adjunct professor at Massassoit Community College procedurally at a convention without a vote. in Brockton, and said he will increase his schedule of "But because marriage is not a civil right but a natu- courses there. rat union of a man and women in God's eyes, we have Married for 44 years to Susan Travis, they are the to believe God will, in his good time, return it to its parents of three, adult children with families of their proper place in our society, and we have to pray for that own. "My wife and I will do more traveling and more too:' said Travis, who grew up in St. Joseph's Parish in bird watching," Travis reported.

Fall River's north end, and acknowledges he is "proud Although he received many tributes from colleagues to be a Christian" and attends various churches. at a recent testimonial, two colleagues who called him His stance, he said, "has brought me the label of "a good friend," eagerly talked about him to The An'the most bigoted legislator in the history of Massa- chor. chusetts.'''

Rep. Elizabeth A. "Betty" Poirier, who, since June He said he has "enjoyed immensely" working along1999 has represented Attleboro, North Attleboro and side bishops ineluding Bishop GeorgeW. Coleman and Mansfield, said, "We will certainly miss Phil Travis's Boston Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley in promoting the voice and vote in the House. The first thing one notices marriage amendment. is that Phil is a consummate gentleman. He's also a After graduating from Case High School in Swansea wonderful, devoted family man, and an amazing legisand the former Durfee Tech, now UMass-Dartmouth, lator and represents his constituency so well. But beTravis served 24 years in public service and was a yond that, his concerns are for all the issues that affect banker for 18 years at FIrst Federal Savings and Loan everyone in the Commonwealth. He is known as a dein Fall River before being elected in 1983 to represent bater and is on the House floor speaking on almost the fourth Bristol District in the state legislature, where . every issue." he's served 12 terms.

Although she's a Republican, Poirier said, ''I.ike so • While he will be long remembered for his talented many others I admire him for many reasons and also assertiveness in fostering the ~age amendment, it because he is knowledgeable, uses his banking backisn't the only issue on which he has been a forceful and ground so effectively, and no matter what, is also very innovative leader. respectful."

As former chairman of the House Committee on "Phil has always been a man of individual characBanks and Banking, Travis brought his financial ex- ter who is willing to put his deeds and actions in line pertise to the fore and gained thousands of friends and with his words:' said Rep. Robert Correia ofFall River. supporters statewide because of his forthright stance ''And let's not talk about what a good guy he was, but on things affecting young and old. rather, what a good guy he is."

He was key to writing and obtaining what is known Correia, who has long served and fought alongas reverse mortgage legislation for homeowners in side Travis on many issues important to area commuMassachusetts, a concept now extensively used nation- nities and the Commonwealth, said, "Phil has been wide that benefits homeowners in their retirement years. an activist, and is willing to fight for what he believes He also wrote a little known but beneficial statute in. We need more courageous people in our society that in Massachusetts protects mortgages in trouble from and government. He certainly sets an example for othforeclosure, allowing rewriting of the mortgage with- ers." out refinancing and cost of recording, and extending "One might feel at times he or she is fighting alone, the mortgage to 35 years. and sometimes we have to do that," Correia said. "But Travis was also instrumental in legislation he said Phil wasn't ever afraid to stand up and speak out on "seems negative but really saves money, in that it ap- justice issues and follow up his words with action, even proved keeping charges for using ATM machines at when he was alone. And he never backed down."

7.

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LOFTY GIFT - Pictured is a preliminary artistic design of a mosaic for the Incarnation Dome bearing the Knights of Columbus name in honor of the fraternal organization's $1 million gift to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. (CNS photo/courtesy of National Shrine/Rambusch Decorating Co.)

National shrine receives $1 million 'from Knights for new dome project WASHINGTON (CNS) - The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington has received a $1 million gift from the Knights of Columbus for the creation and installation of a mosaic depicting scenes associated with the Incarnation in the ceiling dome above the south nave of the shrine's upper church.

The dome, the second part of a three-part project, will be known as the Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome. Its 3,780-squarefoot mosaic will include artistic renderings of the Annunciation, the Nativity, the wedding feast at Cana and the Transfiguration.

The first part of the shrine's dome project was the Rel:iemption Dome, located above the shrine's center aisle. It was dedicated November 16.

In a recent statement Msgr.

Walter R. Rossi, shrine rector, said the Knights' gift for the new dome was just the latest in the fraternal order's long association with the shrine. All of the Knights' donations illustrate their dedication "to this patronal church of the United States and their devotion to the mother of God," he said.

The Knights' contributions include a $1 million donation in 1959 for construction of the shrine's bell tower. The tower's carillon of 56 bells is also a gift of the Knights. In the 1980s, the organization established an usher ministry, which it staffs and continues to fund.

During the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, the Knights conducted the largest pilgrimage to be hosted

by the shrine. The event drew 12,000 Knights and their family members from across North America and the Philippines. The Knights also sponsored eucharistic congresses there in 2001 and 2003.

In his announcement of the $1 million gift, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said: "The Knights have the highest regard for the national shrine as the pre-eminent Marian shrine and pilgrimage site in the United States. This gift reaffirms our long-standing relationship with the shrine and will add to the beauty and distinction of its sacred art."

The mosaic for the Incarnation Dome will be comprised of approximately 2.4 million tiles. It will be fabricated by Travisanutto Mosaics of Spilimbergo, Italy, with Rugo Stone of Lorton, Va., as the project's general contractor. Artist Leandro Miguel Velasco is designing the artwork, with New Yorkbased Rambush Decorating Co. providing the artistic direction and oversight.

The Redemption Dome mosaic was the first to be installed in the upper church in 35 years. The 3,780-square-foot artwork depicts four redemptive acts of Jesus: the' temptation in the desert, the crucifixion, the descent into hell and Christ's resurrection from the dead.

Each of the dome's four corners has a mosaic of a significant person from the \?iblical accounts of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus: Lazarus, Simon of Cyrene, Joseph of Arimathea and Mary Magdalene.

I

DECEMBER

,

22, 2006

The Anchor , Trade bill Cdr Haiti hailed as trigger ~ turnlllg around Its · economy J.or •

II

I

WASHINGTON (CNS) - A trade preference bill included in one of the last bits of legisla~~n passed before the end of the 109thII congressional session December ~ is being hailed as having the potential to help start a turnaround in the ~edraggled ' economy of the Caribbead nation of ·· II H attJ..

I In a late-night vote tpe Senate passed a bill that will give lIaiti dutyII free access to U.S. markets for products that include materials btade from beyond the U.S. or the ctaribbean.

The bill also included prJvisions to normalize trade relations rith Vietnam and extend trade benefits to four I Andean nations and sub-Saharan Africa.

Ii Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando, Fla., chairman ofth¢U.S. bish'.

II • 1 ops , C ommlttee on I nt~rnatJ.ona Policy, said the break on tilriffs "will go a long way toward helping Haiti in its present crisis."

II Haiti had been left out of recent free trade pacts - incl~ding the North American Free Tnide Agreement and the Central Am6ican Free , " Trade Agreement - that opened up markets in the Western H~misphere, Bishop Wenski explained in a telephone interview with Catl{olic News I Service.

By allowing Haiti duty-free access to sell goods that are made with fabric manufactured outside fue United States or the Caribbean, lithe bill is expected to immediately !rigger the reopening of factories :that have closed over the last 20 yeaTs, he said.

Haiti is the poorest coUntry in the Western Hemisphere, wi~ an estimated 80 percent of its population living below the poverty line, and a per-capita annual incombII of about $440. An estimated 70 pe~cent of the workforce is unemployedl The U.S. bishops a.nd other Church leaders had beehI pushing Congress for the last twoI, years to approve trade-preference legislation for Haiti.

Ii In a recent letter to rrfembers of ,; Congress, Bishop WensJq and leaders of the Episcopal, Lut):teran and United Methodist churchbs and the United Church of Christ tkged them "

HISTORIC DISCOVERY - A roughly cut marble sarcophagus is seen through an opening under the altar of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in December. The sarcophagus was discovered beneath an inscription that reads "Paul Apostle Martyr." Vatican officials believe it to be the tomb of St. Paul. (CNS photo/Catholic Press Photo)

Our readers respond The strength of today's Catholic hierarchy Your 11/24/06 editorial entitled ''The bishops' shift of priorities" only tells half of the story.

I think that it has become apparent to most American Catholics that the U.S. hierarchy has lost its moral compass and moral authority on matters relating to human sexuality. Priests have been forbidden to marry for many centuries now, but still profess to be expert in matters of marital love and sexuality. And, with some priests and bishops homosexual themselves, the bishops have called homosexuals "objectively disordered" and "intrinsically evil," the "cause of the sexual abuse crisis in the Church." But still the U.S. bishops say: "Sad to say, there are many persons with a homosexual inclination who feel alienated from the Church." Gee ... I can't imagine why, can you?

The U.S. bishops still do not believe in simple "accountability" to anyone. They do whatever they want, whenever they want. I recently read that in a New YorklPennsylvania sexual abuse hearing, lay witnesses were threatened with excommunication if they disclosed what their testimony was to reporters.

Which commandment does that violate? So they can prevent the faithful from any knowledge of their actions or inactions. That is the cause of the crisis in the Church today. Until the bishops make themselves accountable for their actions, then the American Church will continue to lose its members. To most Catholics in America, the bishops are irrelevant in matters dealing with human sexuality. Whatever happened to the doctrine of "sensus fidelium"? When . did the bishops stop looking to the faith of all of its members? The same Spirit who guides the bishops is present in the members as well.

of God, (Pastoral care, December 1)? Can they now join us at the Communion rail without Pharisaic judgment - just as heterosexual married couples who have been forgiven for premarital sex, or been away from the Church for years, or used contraception with a primacy of conscience, or who have had previous "mistaken" marriages annulled, or have even regretted abortions? Be careful to not cast the first stone.

Only a few, laity or clergy, will become saints, much as we'd like to be. Most are glad to live good, wholesome lives in faith as best as we can. I believe the homosexual community does not want support groups; they just want to be an accepted part of the flock ... to be loved as is.

Anita Mathews

Yannouthport '

Disagreement with Weigel

I do not agree with Mr. Weigel that the preemptive strike on the sovereign state of Iraq met any genuine criteria for a "just" war. The invasion was based on poor information, misinformation, deceit about the state of armaments possessed by Iraq (the WMDs and chemical warfare capability) and an erroneous belief that Mr. Hussein was participating in plans to give aid and comfort to some of the various terrorist groups that consider our country a mortal enemy. None of these premises proved true. You cannot base a "just" war on an unproven "presumption" that your neighbor harbors ill will toward you and is therefore going to strike you.

Further, Mr. Weigel impugns the integrity ofthe Spanish govemmentby repeating the lie that they were "cowed" by the threat of future death of its citizens because they are an "ally" of the U.S. Might not the Spanish governEdward' J. Scahill, Jr ment come to believe they had made a mistake in supMashpee porting this false war and make a courageous move by stepping back from the conflict? Would that George Bush A gay acceptance and company were so courageous.

Now tha! the Church has expressed it's finely Peter Conroy honed theology on homosexuality, can we of the faith Onset now begin inclusiveness, and mainly focus on "the integrity of the fuller lives offaith, love, commitment, Letters are welcome butthe editorreserves the right to service and spirituality of our Catholic and other gay condense or editfor clarity if tkemed necessary. Letters and lesbian" brothers and sisters (Bishops' document, should be typed, no longer than ]00 words and should December 1)? Can we now remove the "rainbow star include name, address, and telephone number. Letters of Sodom" from their foreheads and get on with pro- do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of The Anmoting the "dignity ... respect, compassion and es- chor. Lettersshouldbesentto: TheAnchor, Lettersto the pecially sensitivity," in whatever way it manifests it- Editor, P.O. Box 7, FallRiver, MA 02722-0007, oremailed self, as fellow human beings made also in the image tofaihelTOgerlaruJry@anchomews.org.

not to be persuaded by arguments against the bill. A handful of senators from textile-producing states had tried to block the bill, arguing that it would hurt their constituents. But the religious leaders' letter rebutted those claims.

"According to a recent study by the U.S. Agency for International Development, trade preferences would have no adverse impact on U.S. manufacturers," the letter said. ''In fact, Haiti is an important importer of American products, ranging from rice and chickens to automobiles and computers. For every dollar sent to Haiti, $1.34 comes back."

The letter stressed a mornl obligation to help Haiti, "to be good neighbors to those in need."

The Haitian ambassador to the United States, Ray Joseph, said the religious leaders' coalition was a powerful force in the bill's success. ''From a moral point of view, it was very strong, helping a sister nation only 800 miles from Miami, the poorest in the Western Hemisphere," and historically ''the second independent nation in the hemisphere" after the United States, Joseph told CNS. In the early 1980s, there were as many as 150,000 textile industryjobs in Haiti, he said. But amid turbulent political times, many factories closed, leaving fewer than 20,000 textilejobs today. Joseph said many of those companies will reopen almost immediately. Estimates are that within two years the textile plants will employ 40,000 new workers.

Even more important is that those jobs will have a "multiplier" effect, Bishop Wenski said, from the food vendors who will have new customers able to pay for lunches outside the factories to the calming influence on a population that has been racked with civil unrest for decades, in part because of the limited opportunities there.

"If the economy is stronger, we look with some hope that the political situation will become a little less volatile," he said.

Joseph sees it as a signal to the world: "Investors will see that Haiti is open for business again."

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The Anchor ,

These 'inns' make room for life

DECEMBER

22, 2006

$ The Anchor news briers

By GAIL BESSE

have been helped since Friends ofthe or three women with their babies afUnborn opened. Now in a former ter birth.

There's a waiting list, and the Although her home has welcomed Quincy nursing home, it can serve 19 group could use more space. pregnant women in crisis for 22 years, women at a time.

There's also a need for such a The home relies entirely on doMarilyn Birnie remembers one nations, as accepting government home on Cape Cod, according to Christmas in particular.

Parish Pro-Life groups had filled funds would mean they'd have to Dorothy Courtemanche, director of her living room with gifts: infant drop their spiritual component. "We AWoman's Concern crisis pregnancy clothes, bottles, even a baby car seat have Bible study, and to me that's the center in Hyannis. ultimate gift," said Birnie. "The Healy said the founders of Little and crib.

A 19-year-old mother hugged the women get to know the Lord, and Flower believed that it wasn't enough white terrycloth robe she had received how much he loves them. We get just to persuade young women not to and danced around the room. 'This them into the true spirit ofChristmas." have an abortion. They wanted to ofis my first Christmas present ever!"

Mass and confessions are avail- fer services and a safe haven as well. she announced. able. "Even the non-Catholic girls ask She's seen the positive results in "She was so excited," Birnie re- to talk to the priest when he visits," lives that have been saved. "It's a wonderful ministry. We're really a called. ''These girls are here because Birnie said. of lack of love from their families.

Spiritual support is also offered at home, not a shelter," Healy said.

People have no idea how much their the Little Flower Home in Tiverton, On Christmas Day, though, both support means."

R.I., and at Visitation House in Little Flower and Friends of the UnIndependently run faith-based Worcester, which are both in former born try to ensure that their guests are maternity homes like hers offer di- convents, run by Catholics, and open out with a family. rect, immediate help to young women to women of all races and creeds.

"Most of the girls are still conwho've rejected abortion but have At both homes, the mothers are nected in some way, so ifone ofthem nowhere to live. invited to gather nightly and pray with has nowhere to go, another girl will The homes supplement the huge the houseparents. invite her along, maybe to her aunt's array of social services - like "We teach them how to pray the or her grandmother's. Sometimes Donovan House for homeless woman rosary, and most end up wanting to they come home with one of the and children in Fall River - that are join in," housemother Cathi Healy of housemothers," Healy said. run by Catholic agencies throughout Little Flower said. "Some ofthe girls Birnie, too, wants to see the home will call after they leave and ask us to empty on Christmas. "It can be very the state.

They offer not only shelter, but remember their intentions in the ro- lonely here that day," she said. "But food, medical help, life skills train- sary that night." we do prepare them for what could ing, counseling, and especially digAbout 500 women from Fall be sad times. We tell them not to have nity and compassion for the women, River, New Bedford and throughout great expectations for a wonderful both before and after their babies' Rhode Island have lived at Little joyous time. Even if they're invited birth.

Flower since a group .of Pro-Life _back by their falniIies for the day, they About 1,700 women from Catholics opened it in 1983. It can may still experience rejection." throughout eastern Massachusetts accommodate six pregnant woman, The young women who stay at Visitation House have had little experience of Christian family home life, according to housemother Jessica Mammi, 25. She and her husband Joseph John "U." were hired last year to live in and supervise the program, which began years ago as a dream of the late Pro-Life Catholic activist Ruth Pakaluk.

Each evening at supper the young houseparents and mothers open another window on their Advent calendar. This Christmas, the gathering includes the Mammis' son Peter, who was born after Visitation House opened in 2005.

The home can house five pregnant women, 18 years or older, at any time during their pregnancy. "We're not part of the Worcester Diocese, although we received a generous grant from it to get started," Mammi said.

"But we are Catholic and have a strict Pro-Life identity.

"We know we're providing these young moms an example they don't otherwise see, and they didn't know existed," she said. "None of their friends are married. They're shocked to see a young married couple with a baby."

To contact these crisis pregnancy homes, call: Friends of the Unborn 617-786-7903; Little Flower Home 401-625-5929; VisiRESPECTING LIFE - Jennifer and her daughter Zahrah are guests tation House 508-798-8002. at Friends of the Unborn, a faith-based crisis pregnancy home in Gail Besse is a freelance writer QUincy. Founder Marilyn Birnie estimates that 1,700 women from for Catholic newspapers. eastern Massachusetts have been sheltered at Friends since it gailbesse@comcast.net. opened in 1984. (Photo courtesy Friends of the Unborn.)

ANCHOR CORRESPONDENT

Vatican could field soccer team, cardinal suggests ROME (CWNews.com) -Vatican City might someday field a national soccer team, according to the Vatican Secretary of State. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who is well known as a passionate soccer enthusiast, spoke about his favorite game in a conversation with reporters in the town of Alassio.

The cardinal said that he thought the Vatican could put together a "magnificent" team, drawing mostly on the Brazilian students at pontifical universities around the world. He said that during the 1990 World Cup competition, 42 players had once played youth soccer for centers administered by the Salesian religious order. Cardinal Bertone is a strong backer ofthe Juventus soccer team in Italy; during his tenure as Archbishop of Genoa, he occasionally did color commentary for televised matches. And he is not the only member ofthe College of Cardinals who is known as a soccer fan. Cardinal Fiorenzo Angelini, the former president ofthe Pontifical Council for Health Care, is a dedicated follower of the AS Roma club; he too has done television commentary for games. Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, played on the Benfica squad during his youth in Portugal. Despite Cardinal Bertone's enthusiasm, the prqspects for a competitive Vatican national team would not be promising.

The Reuters news agency points out that while the tiny republic of San Marino does field a team, that team recently lost a game to Germany by the score of 13-0.

Baltimore cardinal condemns 'revisionist history' of Holocaust WASHINGTON - Cardinal William H. Keeler of Baltimore condemned "revisionist history" of the Holocaust, the systematic efforts by Nazis during World War II to do away with Jews also known as the Shoah, a Hebrew word meaning devastation or catastrophe. The cardinal took particular exception to amid-December conference in Iran during which speakers "sought to diminish the scope ofthe Holocaust." Speakers at the conference in Tehran included David Duke, former U.S. leader of the Ku Klux Klan, and several authors who have been sued or arrested in Europe for denying the Nazis' mass murder of European Jews. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahrnadinejad has in the past denied the Holocaust ever happened. ''The Catholic bishops of the United States stand in solidarity with the universal Church in condemning 'revisionist history' that seeks to minimize the horror of the Holocaust," said the cardinal in a recent statement, "We Must Remember the Shoah:' He is episcopal moderator for Catholic-Jewish relations for the U.S. bishops. The statement was released in Washington.

Federal report sees shift in volunteerism as seniors, couples sign up WASHINGTON - They are young and old, recent college graduates and retirees, married and single. They serve for as little as a few days or for more than two years. They are in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia and in 108 foreign countries. Most, but not all of them, are Catholics. They are the more than 10,000 volunteers who work full time - even if only for a short period - with the 200 organizations belonging to the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service, a clearinghouse for Catholic-related volunteer opportunities based in the Washington suburb of Takoma Park, Md. "And that doesn't include all the people volunteering locally a few days a week, or what parishes or dioceses are doing," noted Jim Lindsay, executive director.

The network's 2005-2006 membership survey, released in November, confirms a trend toward increased volunteerism in the United States that was also found in a recent study by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that runs the AmeriCorps program.

Speaker says New Jersey close to abolishing death penalty KENDALL PARK, N.J. -All eyes are on New Jersey as it may become the first state "in the modem era" to abolish the death penalty, according to Celeste Fitzgerald, founder and director of New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Fitzgerald spoke to attendees at a recent program about the death penalty sponsored in Kendall Park by the diocesan Office of ProLife Activities. Last January, New Jersey became the first jurisdiction to enact a moratorium on executions through legislation and Gov. Richard Cody signed it into law. The New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission was established to review the fairness of the death penalty and the accuracy with which it is imposed. The moratorium is in place until January 2007.

The commission, which held five public hearings in July and October, was to report its findings to Gov. Jon S. Corzine in November, but the report was postponed. Fitzgerald said she hopes it will be released before the moratorium expires.

Convert shame over sex abuse to repentance, papal preacher advises VATICAN CITY - The Catholic Church's tears of shame f6r the fact that some ofits priests sexually abused children should be transformed into tears ofrepentance, the preacher of the papal household told Pope Benedict XVI and top Vatican officials. Offering an Advent meditation December 15, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa said the Church "has paid a very high price" for the sins ofsome ofits priests, is making reparations to the victims, and is adopting "ironclad rules to ensure the abuses are not repeated," The preacher said, ''The moment has come to do the most important thing: cry before God," The Church, Father Cantalamessa said, must moum "for the offense given to the body of Christ and the scandal given to the smallest of its members, rather than for the damage and dishonor it has caused us."

DECEMBER

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English priest replaces Nativity scene with replica oc'Israeli barrier wall~

By SIMON CALDWELL

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goors to give money to buy food and medical supplies for the people of LONDON - A pries~ from the Bethlehem.

Diocese ofEastAnglia, England, has The priest told Catholic News Serdecided to replace a live Nativity vice that he could understand Israel's . scene for a replica of the wall encir- need for security' but said it was . cling Bethlehem in protest of the Is- wrong to build the wall on Palestinraeli separation barrier.. ian land.

Each year hundreds of people "Israel has the right to live' within come to the Sacred Heart Catholic safe and secure borders," he added.

Church in St. Ives in Cambridgeshire "No one can dispute that." to see the live sheep, a cow and don- He said the plan was announced key, and actors'wh~ occasionally to "spontaneous applause" at Sunday have brought their newborn babies to Masses. play the.role ofJesus for the Nativity However, aspQkesmanfor the Isscene.

-rael Embassy in London called the But this year visitors wili be star- wall a cheap public relations stunt. ing up at an imposing gray replica of '~In 2005 over half of the Israelis, a portion of the wall built by the Is-. who w~re killed i~ terrorist atroci" raeli government in 2002 to keep ties were killed' by terrorists who Palestinian silicide bombers at bay. came from or JhroiighBethlehem," Father Paul Maddison; the parish he told CNS. "Today Bethlehem is priest, made the decision to cancel ruled by the terrorist Hamas governbecause he wants to highlight the ment whose extremist Islamic doc_plight of the Palestinian People suf- trine is an affront to' many in the fering as a result of the wall. town, especially the Christian cornIn place of the manger crib will munity. be a grim assemblage, 24 feet high " ''The security fence, which is less - and seven feet wide, of painted poly- than four percent wall, has meant an styrene stuffed with floor insulation 93 percent decrease in terrorist atmaterials. The wall will be flanked tacks," he said. by protest banners and "stark: photoFather Maddison, whose parish is graphs" to show how "desperate and paired to support the Catholic parish ugly the situation is' in the Holy inAboud in the West 13ank, has made Land," said a recent statement by the regular visits to the West Bank since priest.

2003 and said he has watched the The aim is to make the replica al- situation of the Palestinian people most identical in appearance to the grow gradually worse. . , The Diocese of East Anglia .is nearly 27-foot-high section of wall encompassing Bethlehem. The wall paifed to support the Latin-rite Patriwill eventually will become a 400- . 'archate of JeruSalem. mile-long barrier of concrete slabs Father Maddison's wall has the and barbed wire fences separating support of Bishop Michael Evans of Israel from the West Bank.

East Anglia, who plans to visit the The wall was to be built Decem- Gaza Strip and the WestBank in Febber 15'in the church where the crib . ruary. _ would have been.

Bishop.Evans told CNS: ''It is a Father Maddison said in his state- dramatic w~y ofhighlighting the fact inent the wan has devastated the lives that in Bethlehem today in particular of the ordinary citizens there. the ordinary People still suffer in all ''Friends and family are separated, . kinds of ways as they did in Jesus' earning a living becomes more and day. ''I have seen the serious problems more difficult, access to health care is severely restricted all in the town the wall is causing for the Palestinian of Bethlehem that we sing about at people while being seriously conthis time of th~ year," he said.. cerned that the Israeli people can live The display also invites chui'ch- in peace," he said.

CATIiOLIC NEWS SERVICE

,Christmas is, reminder of greatest , gift given humanity, pope says ,

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VATICAN CITY (CNS)-Mak- ' " ing, buying and giving gifts at Christmas should be a reminder of Christ; the greatest gift ever given to humanity, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Meeting with Ro"!e university students after they attended an evening Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, the pope said it is right to consider Christmas "the feast of gifts."

"Christmas gifts remind us of the gift par excellence, that which t\;1e son of God made of himself in the Incarnation," the pope told the students from state and private universities in Rome.

Exchanging gifts at Christmas time has real meaning only if it is a' symbol of "the principal gift" remembered as people celebrate the birth of Jesus, he said.

Pope Benedict urged the Italian young people not only to "fix your gaze on the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lymg in the manger;" but also to contemplate and adore him in'the Eucharist.

"Under ,the appearance of a small piece of bread," the pope told the students,."it is Jesus who gives himselfand who W<Ults to enter into our hearts."

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN - Fr~nciscan friars take part ih a procession ~t the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in the West Bank December 11. The church 'is believed to mark the spot where Jesus was born. (CNS photo/Eliana Aponte, Reuters)

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Chilean cardinal p~ays God will disregard Pinochet'~s wrongdoings .

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SANTIAGO, Chile (CNS) - A Christian West" against international' Pinochet ended his dictatorship afChilean cardinal prayed that God' Marxism.' , II " ter a referendum in 1990 but retained would "not consider the .wrongdoAfter an UnsuccessfuJ.], attempt on control of the military. Under . the ings" ofAugusto Pin6chet, the Chil-, Pinochet's life in 1986, vicariate staff- terms of the 'c~)llstitution wntten unean general and dictator who died De- ers faced an increasing barrage of der his regime, he was forced to recember 10 at age 91. . threats and intimidati6n. Catholic tire as 'head of the military in 1998, "May the Lord value everything missionaries were caughl up in a gov- but he then joined the Senate for life. goodhe did in life and (may he) rest' emment sweep; three F~ei1ch priests In October of that year Pinochet in peace," Santiago Cardinal Franand two lay missionari~s were exwas arrested by British authorities at . , I cisco Errazuriz Ossa said at a Decem- pelled immediately, while other'mis- a private clinic wherf he was recovber 11 Mass at the Santiago Military sionaries were detain'ed!!or had their ering from back surgery. Spain had Aca~emy, where P,inochet was cre-' immigration status changed. asked Britain to extradite him for m a t. e d . ' At the time, Bishop carlos Camus genocide, terrorism and the torture of , I I .

The death of Pinochet, a Catholic Larenas of Linares rece~ved a death more than 90' people - including wno ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990, threat after saying ''thefe was hero- British and Spanish nationals -'00brought inixed reactions.in. Chile, ism on the part of the a~thors of the der his regime. where for years he had been a,con~" attempt" on Pinochet's ~e.

InApri11999, when a British eourt troversial figure. While support~rs . Th~ late Cardinal Ju4n Francisco ruled Pinochet could be extradited, cried, others toasted his death With FresnoLarrain. who wasnamed arch- Chilean Bishop Francisco Prado , "', II champagne.

- bishop of Santiago in 1983, was an- Aranguiz, vice presi~nt of the bish- Chilean human rights organiza- other outspoken oppone~t ofgovem- ops' conference,.said the bishops tions say that under Pinochet's regime ment abuses. .{n 1985 ~e cardinal . agreed with the Chilean'government at least 2,100 people were executed convened,the leaders o~ n political ' that Pinochet should be tried in Chile.

Pinochet was apowed to retoin to for political reasons, more than 1,100 parties, who signed a <tof:ument caIlprisoners disappeared, and an esti- ing for national reconciliation, free Chile in 2000 after a British official mated 10,000 prisoners were tortured elections, autonomy fo~ universities ruled he was not well enough to-stand ill the country's clandestine jails. and the right toown pri~te property. trial. . , -.

II ' In reCent years, Pinochet had -avoided participating in trials. about Montie Plu~bing hUllUin rights abuses during his regime . & Heating Ileo. because of his declining menW and Over 35Years Sales and Service physical health. He had been hospi. of Satisfied Se~ices for Domestic and Industrial talized December ~ after a heart atReg. Master Plumper 7023 '. Oil Burners ,tack and had undergone aIfgioplasty.

JOSEPH RAPOSA,JR. I' 508-995-1631 .Chilean President Michelle 432 JEFFERSON STREET 2283 ACUSHNET AVENUE Bachelet"who was tortured and exFALL RIVER 50~~75-7496 NEW BEDFORD . iled under Pinochet and whose father died in a prison under Pindchet's re" PfACTICE _Tl~ DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS~.' gime, ruled the former dictator wowd , AS REQUESTED BY OuR LADY OF FATIMA have a military funeral bilt would not On December 10, i~J25, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer, receive honors as a former head of of Fatima) and spo,JIe these words: "Announce in my name that I state. promise to assist at. (he hour ofdl!ath with the If!aces necessary for Pinochet took poWer in a 1973 the salvation oftheir souls, all . " ..... those who on the first Saturday of military coup that toppled democrati. five consecutive months shall: -cally elected Salvador Allen~e,a 1. Go to confessio'n; 2; Receive Holy Communion; 3, Recite the Marxist. Some ofPinochet's support~ Rosary (5 decades);:iand 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while ers argued that human rights violameditating on the liS mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of ' limaking reparation to me." ' tions under his regime were neces- , In a spirit of rep~ration, the above conditions are each to be sary to save the country from compreceded by the wofds: "In reparation'for the offenses committed, munism. agains~ the Immaculate Heart of Mary." .

When Pope John Paul II visited.

Confessions may ~:e made during 8 days before or after the. first Chile in April 1987, .Pinochet justiSaturday, and Holy Communion may be received at either the an effort to fied his military rule morning ot evening Mass on the first Saturday.

II Paid advertisement protect "the authentic values of the

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THE BUDDY SYSTEM - Fourth-graders Jane O'Brien and Georgianna Silveira from. Holy Name School in Fall River, work on a salt dough fossil project for their teacher Maxine Bonneau. At right, classmates Matt Dinez arid Drew Sardinha dis-' playa game they made as part of a book report.

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OLD-WORLD TRADITIONS - Eighth-g'rader Allison McGrady and preschooler Magdalena Steinhof from St. Stanislaus School, ~aIlRiver, work to create a szopka, 'a traditional Polish nativity in the Krakowiak style, during a recent school project.

Below, students Megan D"riscoll, Anna Ferrara, Stephanie DeMoura, Taylor Dinardo, Rebekah Cournoyer, and Elizabeth McNeally place their szopki in the¡display at St. Stanislaus Parish.

LIFE-SAVER - Through the generosity of Dr. Steven Belanger, Bishop Connolly High School Class of 1983, the Fall River scho()I's Booster Club was able to.donate , an automated exterrial defibrillator. The AED is used to assist victims stricken by sudden cardiac arrest. Other "necessary AED accessories were purchased with the' " generous support of Anesthesia and Pain Therapy, PC. From left: Trainer Stephanie Hart; Lisa Cantwell, parent of two Connolly students; Dr. Belanger; his wife Nancy' Belanger; and Athletic Director Frank Sherman. â&#x20AC;˘

IN TUNE - Nicholas DeFrias, an eighthgrader at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in New Bedford, recently auditioned and was accepted into the 2007 Massachusetts Music Educators Junior District Orchestra and Band. This is his second consecutive year of being selected to participate. He has,been studying clarinet with the school's music director Antonio Borges, for the past three years.

THAT'S SHOE BIZ - Student~ from St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro hoid up gifts they received from St. Nicholas recently at school. They followed 'a Holland tradition and left one shoe outside their classroom door. After class they found a gift.

22, 2006

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The Anchor ,

The Anchor will not publish on Dece:mber 29. The office will remain open during the break, however. We will publish again on January 5, 2007.

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Call now for a ~lR\~~ ~~~©~lliU~'TI'~©~ ~~~~~ "LORD, YOU ARE OUR HOPE" - The true meaning of the Christmas season is always evident at the National Shrine of Our Lady ofLa Salette in Attleboro. This year, the annual Festival of Lights features more than 300,000 lights. concerts, an international Nativity display, novenas, Masses, the sacrament of reconciliation, and healing services. (Anchon'Gordon photos)

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DECEMBER

22, 2006

The people's role in establishing justice

By DWIGHT G.

DUNCAN

The other day I was summoned for jury duty. It's a bit of a pain to have to rearrange your schedule to get to the courthouse by 8 in the morning, but it's better than the alternative, which is to leave the courts and the administration of justice to the professionals: judges, lawyers and law professors like myself.

Justice - rendering to everyone what is their due - belongs to everyone, and it is appropriate that everyone has a say in the process, and not just as plaintiffs or defendants or spectators, but as ultimate decision-makers.

Just as we the people exercise our right to vote in a democracy and decide on the future course of government, so too we citizens participate in judicial decisions through the right to trial by jury. Rights entail responsibilities, and so the right

to vote entails a duty to vote. Just so, the right to trial by jury gives rise to jury duty: the obligation of adult citizens to appear for jury service every so often. In Massachusetts state courts, it's fairly minimal: one day or one trial every three years at most.

On February 12, 1771, John Adams, who would become the principal author of our Massachusetts Constitution, one of the authors of our country's Declaration of Independence, and Second President of the United States, wrote in his diary: "Of the Legislature, the People constitute one essential Branch - And while they hold this Power, unlimited, and exercise it frequently, as they ought, no Law can be made and continue long in Force that is inconvenient, hurtful, or disagreeable to the Mass of the society. No Wonder then, that attempts are made, to deprive the Freeholders of America ... of this troublesome Power, so dange(ous to Tyrants and so disagreeable to all who have Vanity enough to call themselves the better Sort. - In the Administration of justice too, the People have an important .

Share. Juries are taken by Lot or

by Suffrage from the Mass of the People, and no Man can be condemned of Life, or Limb, or Property or Reputation, without the Concurrence of the Voice of

the People."

Thomas Jefferson, for his part, wrote to Thomas Paine in 1789 that "I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution."

Funny, because we have a bit of a constitutional crisis here in Massachusetts. Judges have decided by a one-vote margin (four to three at the SJC, not exactly the unanimous verdict that would be required of juries in criminal cases), that constitutionalliberty and equality require the recognition of gay marriage, that pairs of the same sex are the same as opposite-sex couples.

More than 170,000 citizens who signed the proposed marriage amendment think this law "inconvenient, hurtful or disagreeable," and want the mass of society to decide the question in a referendum under the constitution in 2008.

Now a majority of the legislature is refusing to carry out its constitutional duty to vote on the amendment, because the amendment has the 25 percent vote necessary to proceed. This is nothing short of an attempt to deprive the people of the Commonwealth of their "troublesome power ... so dangerous to tyrants and so disagreeable to all who have vanity enough to call themselves the better sort" to amend the constitution by citizen initiative, bypassing an unresponsive legislature captive to special interests. The legal muck-amucks on the editorial board of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly approve, as does the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. So much for the people's basic civil rights when "the better sort" think they know better!

Groucho Marx once said, "I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury." Gay marriage has been enacted here by a judge. All's we're asking for is a jury.

Come January 2, we'll know whether our elected representatives are representing us or have vanity enough to call themselves the better sort, above the constitution and the laws they expect everyone else to follow.

Dwight Duncan is a professor at Southern New England School of Law in North Dartmouth. He holds degrees in both civil and canon law.

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HAPPY HOLIDAY - Cameron Diaz and Jude Law star in a scene from the movie ''The Holiday." For a brief review of this movie, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/Columbia/Universal)

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~<lJ>iLJIlei NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Apocalypto" (Touchstone) Visually bold but extremely bloody action-adventure set in 15thcentury Central America about the desperate odyssey of a jungle tribesman (Rudy Youngblood) to get back to his pregnant wife (Dalia Hernandez) and child after he and other members of his tribe are taken captive by the ruling Mayans following the massacre of his village. In what is essentially a chase movie, director Mel Gibson impressively recreates the world of the Mayans the sights, sounds and savagery using an indigenous cast speaking entirely in Mayan dialects, but the intoxicating imagery and human drama are undermined by so much gore that, even if historically accurate, the cumulative result registers as gratuitous. Intense and graphic violence, including scenes of slaughter, human sacrifice, beheadings and a man being mauled by a jaguar, disturbing images, some sexual humor and innuendo, a suggested marital encounter, partial nudity, an instance of rough language and a few crude expressions. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted.

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. ''Eragon'' (Fox 2000) Reasonably diverting, if predictable, fantasy adventure for youngsters about a farm boy (Ed Speleers) who, after the death of his uncle, learns it's his destiny to become a

dragon rider battling an evil king (John Malkovich) and his henchman (Robert Carlyle) in a mythical kingdom, all the while assisted by a retired dragon rider (Jeremy Irons).

The script, based a novel by Christopher Paolini, trots out every cliche known to this genre, but the special effects, especially involving the hero's majestic dragon (voice of Rachel Weisz) are well done, but director Stefan Fangmeier's film is well paced, and the violence, though noisy and chaotic, avoids overt gore, while there are no sex or language concerns. Action violence, magical hocus pocus. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-IT - adults and adolescents.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG - parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

"The Holiday" (ColumbialUniversaI) Generally appealing romantic comedy about a wedding columnist

(Kate Winslet) in the English countryside and a movie-trailer producer (Cameron Diaz) in Los Angeles whose failed romances find them swapping homes and continents over Christmas, leading to the former falling in love with a film composer (Jack Black) and the latter with the columnist's brother (Jude Law).

Writer-director Nancy Meyers elicits heartfelt performances from all, and there's a strong affirmation of family and concern for the elderly, though some of today's permissive attitude, but not overt sexual content, is inherent in the script. Some rough and crude words, implied premarital relationships, light innuendo and banter, a chaste bedroom scene and mild domestic violence. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, December 24 at 11:00 a.m.

Scheduled celebrant is Father James Morse, pastor of St. Stephen's Parish in Attleboro

Sunday, December 31 at 11:00 a.m.

Scheduled celebrant is Father Jay T. Maddock, pastor of Holy Family Parish in East Taunton

DECEMBER

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YOUTH PAGES

22, 2006

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Milestone moment for new Cape Catholic high school HYANNIS - Pope John Paul II High School reached a milestone moment as 75 students took the school's recent entrance exam.

"We're delighted," said Principal Christopher Keavy. "Seventy-five students is a terrific beginning to our first class of students. All of us - board members, parent volunteers, and long-time supporters couldn't be happier."

Following the exam, families and students toured the newly renovated classrooms, offices and library. "The school looks great," one parent commented. "It was a very positive day with a lot of excitement about the school. Many families I spoke with are excited about the

school's momentum."

Diocesan Superintendent of Schools, Dr. George Milot was equally pleased. "This was a big day for Pope John Paul II High School," he said. "I was impressed with the commitment shown not only by students but by parents and the whole community. Our new school is off to a great start." . Applications for Pope John Paul II High School are available at the school at 120 High School Road and additional testing sessions will be offered by request. "Many families are now interested in coming on board," said Keavy. "It's not too late. Give us a call at the school at 508-862-6336."

Holy Childhood Association announces Christmas art contest NEW YORK - The Holy ChildhhoodAssociation (HCA), one of four Pontifical Mission Societies is now accepting entries to its annual Christmas Artwork Contest. Entry forms and contest guidelines are available through (arch)diocesan mission offices or on-line at HCA on the Web at www.hcakids.org.

Twenty-four winners will be selected in this year's contest. Ten children will receive honorable mention.

The contest is open to all Catholic school, parish religious education and home-school students currently enrolled in grades K through eight who have not been named winners in past HCA artwork contests. All entries must be received and / or postmarked by Jan. 31, 2007. Winning artwork will be featured as "ecards" during the 2006-2007 Christmas Season. To send e-cards thi~ season, visit worldmissionscatholicchurch.org.

HCA's 2006 Christmas cards featuring original artwork from 2005-2006 contest winners are cur~ rently available for sale by calling 1-800-431-2222 or by visiting givetothemissions.org for a suggested donation of $10. All proceeds collected from the sale of HCA Christmas cards are distributed directly to the local churches of Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands and remote regions of Latin America, for the Church's service among children. Winning designs are currently displayed on-line at the HCA kid's site at hcakids.org.

The Pontifical Mission Societies, active in some 120 countries throughout the world, work to animate the faithful to a universal missionary spirit, and to gather support for the efforts ofthe Church in some 1:100 mission dioceses in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and remote regions of Latin America.

The wonderliof it all

By CHARLIE MARTIN I WONDER AS I WANDER I wonder as I wander out under the sky How Jesus, the Savior, had come for to die For poor on 'ry people, like you and like I I wonder as I wander out under the sky When Mary birthed Jesus, 'twas in a cow's stall With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all But high in God's heaven a star's light did fall And the promise ofages, it then did recall If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing A star in the sky or a bird on the wing Or all of God's angels in heaven for to sing He surely could have it, for he was the king I wonder as I wander out under the sky How Jesus, the Savior, had come for to die For poor on 'ry people, like you and like I I wonder as I wander out under the sky Sung by Jewel Copyright 1999 by AtlanticlWea Does remembering the birth of Jesus make a clear difference in your life?

Most of us truly enjoy Christmas. But its meaning extends beyond giving gifts, family gatherings or special music. Celebrating Christmas invites us to consider how much

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

the birth and life of JeLs transform how we live!

To prompt reflectio~ on this, I've chosen the traditidnal Appalachian carol "I Wonder as I Wander." The song oJiginally was composed from repditions heard by renowned Arr\.erican folk artist and compiler John Niles. While it has beep recorded widely, I chose ,the version on one of my favorite Christmas CDs, Jewel'l~ "Joy: A Holiday Collection," Celebrating Christrn~s often engenders good feelin~s.

However, like the man~ presents received December 25,llthese emotions are "wrappings" for . deeper than outward " what lIes appearances. This poinf is emphasized in "I Wonder as I i Wander," one of the fe\}' carols to look beyond Jesus' birth to his real purpose in life, thi~ "Jesus, the Savior, had come fdr to die."

We may be filled with I' wonder as we rememb~r how shepherds heard and s~w 'h â&#x20AC;˘ ht t e\ Ii:,DIg heavenI y events lO skies and that the holy!:family welcomed strange visiiors from the East. Yet, the real !\~ory of Jesus is not just in his beginnings but in his life ana teaching. More significant than the . ab out h"IS lO f ancy i are t h e stones Gospel accounts of Je~~s' life that show us just how ~onnected we are to the God of 16ve.

So back to my initi~l question about what difference the celebration of Christm~s makes in your life. Even as a 'teen you "

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have much power to demonstrate that it does make a . difference. Focus on action.

Look at how you respond to your siblings and parents. W~)Uld they say they can see that the birth of Jesus means a lot to you? What about your friends?

Do they see mirrored in your behavior the generosity, the compassion and the support that mark someone truly changed by who Jesus is?

This is where we all begin, yet more is asked, For example, how well do your actions show your discipleship to the One called "Prince of Peace"? Do you take a stand for nonviolence? Do you resolve conflicts in ways that show respect for the dignity of each person God has created? Do you practice being at peace with yourself, refusing to compare yourself to others while appreciating the gifts and abilities you bring to our world?

Fortunately, we can use our life to "wonder as we wander" about ' L'ti¡ such questIons.

1 e IS not a test, but rather an adventure. Be open to surprise, make adjustments, and each day commit yourself to act as a disciple of Jesus.

And as you "wonder" and "wander," ask yourself, "What " d 'luerence " pOSItive can I m ake today because of what Christmas truly means?"

Your comments are always welcome. Please write to me at: chmartin@swindiana.netorat 7125W 200S, Rockport, IN 47635.

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What are we looking for?

In preparation for this season the sky and looking for the of Advent, I asked the question object those signs were pointing to. They could never have "What are you waiting for?"

Now, as we enter the Christmas known that what they would find would be so much more season, it's time to pray on a new question: What are we Emmanuel - God with us, looking for?

I teach a course to high The shepherds had the school juniors called Spiritual advantage of the angelic Theology and we have recently announcement. They were 'looking for the spent some time praying with messiah and Lord, the questions. It's not the same as .savior. But even with simply trying to answer a question; this is a concept which such an announcement, . their understanding of .has taken some time for my students to adjust to. They are messiah was quite different from used to answering questions and our knowledge of messiah. . They, too, were looking for the writing essays. Praying our questions is uncharted territory chosen one of God who would for many of us. , redeem Israel. And as wondrous When the Wise Men set out as that is ... how much more on their journey, they were they found when they came to looking for a newborn king. see the baby wrapped in swadThey were following the signs in dling clothes and laying in a

manger: Emmanuel - God with us.

I try to wrap my mind around this basic truth of our faith, God became one of us, lived among

us, and has elevated humanity through sharing his divinity ... but it's more than I can take in.

God is with us .. , then and now ,.. in ways that are incredibly simple and incredibly holy.

Dorothy Day once said: "It is no use saying that we are born 2,000 years too late to give

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room to Christ ... Christ is . h us, a Iwaysi ask'109 always- WIt for room in our hearts.!'" We are not born too late to 106k for i' Christ. We are not born too late I' to let Christ i;n. " As we celbbrate these days of Christmas, perhaps: we could take some time each day to-sit with God and prayerfullY ponder some Christmas questions. What am I 'I looking for this Christmas day? Wher~ should I look to find the Christ;child?

Where am I not recogqizing his presence in my life thi~ day?

What gift will I bring him?

Take one question, just .one, and sit in a quiet place:~ Take a minute or two to slow down, and let go of any distractidns, Invite I!

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God in, ask for his guidance in your prayer time, and see where the question takes you. Just give it 10 minutes or so and see what you and God come up with. Tomorrow, we can take another question and bring it to God in prayer. There are 12 days of Christmas traditionally ... perhaps this could be a 12-day commitment ... one day at a time, one question at a time, prayerfully sitting with God ... and God with us - Emmanuel.

Blessed Christmas.

"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" John 1:14, Jean Revil is director of Campus Alinuhy at Buhop Stang High School, where she has taught for 27 years.

Comments welcome at: jrevil@bishopstang.com.

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Advent prayers offered for abuse victims, peace in Iraq WASHINGTON (CNS) - This of Christ) in the Upper Midwest, the Advent Bishop Michael A. conference minister of the Iowa Saltarelli of Wilmington, Del., Conference of the United Church asked the parishes in his diocese to of Christ and representatives of the keep the healing of victims of Church of the Brethren.

In his remarks Bishop Charron clergy sexual abuse and their families in their prayers and at Masses. noted that at their fall meeting in Elsewhere, Bishop Joseph L. Baltimore in November, the U.S. Charron of Des Moines, Iowa, bishops approved a statement on joined with other religious leaders Iraq.

Issued in the name of Bishop to hold three ecumenical prayer services in Advent to pray for peace William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., president of the U.S. Conin Iraq.

"This season of hope and expec- ference of Catholic Bishops, it tation is an ideal time for us to in- called on the Bush administration tensify our prayers together for the and the new Congress "to engage healing of victims of clergy sexual in a collaborative dialogue that honabuse and victims of sexual abuse estly assesses the situation in Iraq" in general," Bishop Saltarelli said and "reaches agreement on conin his statement. crete steps to address the serious "We also pray for parents, challenges that lie ahead." spouses, brothers and sisters, sons "Personally I have really and daughters, extended family and struggled with how to deal with this friends of victims who have carried issue with my faithful," Bishop a variety of painful crosses that are . Charron said. "It is frustrating to connected to their loved one's ex- remember that, before the war, the .perience of sexual abuse," he said. pope and our bishops' conference Bishop Saltarelli said that the repeatedly expressed grave moral Church's "efforts to protect God's concerns about making war in Iraq children must be complemented by and the unpredictable and unconthese spiritual efforts on behalf of trollable negative consequences of victims and their families." invasions and occupation. These He asked each pastor to celebrate concerns have clearly come true." a special Advent prayer service, So, he asked, "how do we now Mass or eucharistic Holy Hour for proceed? Is protest the answer? Prothe healing of victims and others af- test certainly has its place and raises fected by clergy sexual abuse. Also, awareness. However protest by itparishes were asked to include peti- self does not engage the complextions in the prayer of the faithful for ity of pacifism and just-war theolthis intention at every Sunday and ogy. We need to bring those tradiweekday Mass during Advent. tions into this debate."

But at the same time, he said, At a recent press conference at the diocesan pastoral center in Des "we need to pray! Certainly we Moines, Bishop Charron and other know prayer can change hearts and religious leaders announced a se- thereby help clear the difficult path ries of ecumenical prayer services to peace." for Tuesdays in December at the He urged prayers for the milicenter. Each 15- to 30-minute ser- tary in Iraq and their families and vice was planned for noon, so that for "suffering people of Iraq." people working or visiting the Bishop Charron said it also is downtown area could attend during "time to move from prayer to acthe lunch hour. tion" and urged "all people of good Among those at the press con- will" to examine where the U.S. ference were the bishops of the stands "in pursuing justice and Episcopal, Lutheran and Method- peace in Iraq" and to contact their ist churches, the regional minister elected representatives and let them of the Christian Church (Disciples know where they stand.

POPULAR FIGURE - Pope Benedict. XVI waves to the faithful as he arrives for a recent weekly general audience at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo)

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DECLARATION SIGNERS - Orthodox Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and all Greece and Pope Benedict XVI sign a joint declaration during a meeting at the Vatican December 14. The joint declaration pledged their commitment to preaching the Gospel together and working for full communion.

(CNS photo/Danilo Schiavella, Reuters)

Pope, Greek Orthodox primate pledge to work toward full communion

By CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

human life, including research on embryos, call for religious leadership and moral guidance, ArchVATICAN CITY - After cenbishop Christodoulos said. turies of allowing themselves to In their joint declaration, the grow apart, Roman Catholics and pope and archbishop also pledged Greek Orthodox must seek forto work for peace in the world. giveness and learn to work to"We believe religions have a gether for the good of the world, role to play in spreading peace said Pope Benedict XVI and Orthroughout the world and that they thodox Archbishop Christodoulos must by no means sow intolof Athens and all Greece. erance and violence," the The pope formally welcomed the primate of the Pope Benedict said Catholics and declaration said.

"As Christian religious Orthodox Church of Greece Orthodox should have learned from to the Vatican December 14, what the New Testament describes leaders, we ask all religious solemnly signing with him as the situation of the early Church leaders together to continue a commitment to preaching in the Greek city of Corinth, which to pursue and strengthen interreligious dialogue and to the Gospel together and to knew lithe difficulties and serious work to create a society of working for full communtemptations of division. " peace and brotherhood. This ion. is one of the missions of re"We want to live more intensely our mission of giving an and to see them as gifts from God. ligion," they said.

Pope Benedict and Archbishop Archbishop Christodoulos also apostolic witness, of transmitting the faith to those who are near and Christodoulos vowed to use the thanked Pope Benedict for decidthose who are far," said the joint newly rediscovered fraternity of ing to give a very important relic declaration, written in Greek and their churches to ensure the future to the Greek church: links from the in French on a large piece of parch- of Christianity in Europe and to chain venerated as that which address a host of modern chal- bound St. Paul during his imprisment. onment in Rome.

In their speeches to each other lenges facing society.

The archbishop told the pope The Vatican said Church docuand in their declaration, the pope and the archbishop acknowledged that "in our role as spiritual fathers ments from as early as the middle how far apart their communities of the pious members of our of the third century spoke of the churches" the two of them must . chains kept at the Basilica of St. ~d grown over the centuries and how difficult their relations were, raise an alarm about "all that Paul Outside the Walls, the site of threatens the values and structures St. Paul's burial. even as late as the 1990s.

Over the centuries, links have . Pope Benedict said Catholics of European civilization deeply and Orthodox should have learned impregnated by the Christian been distributed to others for veneration; the gift to Archbishop from what the New Testament de- faith."

The "progressive de- Christodoulos consisted of two of scribes as the situation ofthe early Church in the Greek city of Christianization of Europe," at- the remaining nine links, each of Corinth, which knew "the difficul- tempts to exclude faith-based which is in the form of a figureties and serious temptations of di- speech from the public arena, "re- eight and is about two and a half ligious fanaticism," and attacks on inches long. vision."

"In effect, a real danger appears where persons want to identify themselves with one group or another," rather than with Christ, the pope said.

Through increased contacts and formal dialogue, the pope said, Catholics and Orthodox have come to value each other's spiritual, liturgical and theological traditions

DECEMBER

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Ql) bUnary II

John Ferry Sr., 96; father 11of Father James Ferry

IL______ Eucharistic A'doration:: ..

FALL RIVER - Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held Monday through Friday following the 7 a.m.

Mass at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street. It continues until 9 p.m. in the parish adoration chapel.

Each Tuesday a holy hour is held from 7-8 p.m. concluding with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Confessions are heard from 6:307:30 p.m. each Tuesday. For more information call 508-679-6732.

WEST HARWICH - A holy hour will be held December 31 at 12: 15 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church. It will include rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The Pro-Life prayer groups of Holy Trinity and Holy Redeemer parishes will sponsor it.

INDIA - St. Antony's Church, a missionary parish in India seeks items for its school children and to continue its mission. Especially needed are pens, pencils, markers, magazines, used cards; holy pictures, rosaries, statues, medals and scapulas. They can be sent in care of Father Paul Cruz, St. Antony's Church, Kanjirakodu, P.O. Kundara - 691 501, Kollam, Kerala, India.

MASHPEE - The Cape Cod Creche Society will meet January 4 at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Church.

Father Darius Kalinowski will speak about Polish creches.

ILecturesIPresentations FALL RIVER - A catechists' workshop, "Prayer and Spirituality," an approved course of the diocese's Catechist Certification Program, will be presented January 7,14, 21, and 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Parish school hall, 64 Lamphor Street by coordinator of Religious Education Pat Pasternak. For information call 508-673-1284.

FALL RIVER - The Catholic television program "Good News For Life," sponsored by the Communications Department of the diocese, will present the next in its "Christian's Ask" series, "What is the Measure of Love?" on January 3 and 17 at 9:30 p.m. on the Portuguese Channel.

FALL RIVER - A presentation about the use of icons in prayer by Pat Pasternak will be given January 6 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in Our Lady's Chapel at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. It will feature many icons for the Christmas season.

For more information call 508-6781054.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A large display of Christmas creches is on display at the Center for Catholic and Dominican Studies on the campus of.

Providence College. It will be viewable from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

January 3-8. For more information

CENTERVILLE - Echo of Cape Cod, a retreat program for high school students, is now accepting applications for its upcoming retreat weekends at the Craigville Conference Center. The Girls' weekend is January 12-14 and the Boys' weekend is February 9-11. Applications may be downloaded from the Website: www.echoofcapecod.org.

For more information call Mary Fuller at 508-759-4265.

ATTLEBORO ..:..-. The 54th annual Festival of Lights, featuring more than 300,000 lights is underway at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. Themed "Lord, You are Our Hope," it includes a indoor display of international nativity sets, and concerts by Father Pat at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Lights are illuminated nightly from 5-9 p.m. Parking and admission are free. For more information call 508-222-5410. .

NORTH DARTMOUTH - Project Rachel, a ministry of healing and reconciliation for post-abortion women and men is available in the diocese.

If you are hurting from an abortion experience and want help call 508997-3300. All calls are strictly confidential.

Marian Medal TV air times FALL RIVER - A video of the 2006 Marian Medals Ceremony that took place last month at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River is airing on several cable television public access channels in the Fall River Diocese.

The schedule is as follows: - Fall River, cable channel 95, Dec. 23 at 9:00 p.m. and Dec. 24 at 3:30 p.m.

- Falmouth, cable channel 13, Dec. 23 at 12:30 p.m.

- New Bedford, cable channel 95, Dec. 26, Jan. 2, and Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m. and Dec. 24, 31 and Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

- North Attleboro, cable channel 15, Dec. 22 at 8 a.m., 1 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 10:30 p.m.

- Seekonk, cable channel 9, Dec. 22-25 at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

- Swansea, cable channel 98, Dec. 25 and 27 at 8:30 p.m.

Airtime information for additional communities will be published in the coming weeks.

The 2006 Marian Medal Ceremony video is also available for purchase. Contact the Diocesan Office of Communications at 508-675-0211 for more information.

FALL RIVER-John Ferry Sr., 96, husband ofthe late Emily (Costa) Ferry, and the father of Father James Ferry, pastor of Espirito Santo Parish in Fall River, died December 15 at the Catholic Memorial Home.

A native of Swansea, where he had resided until October, Mr. Ferry was the son of the late Manuel and the late Rosa (Martins) Ferry, and was a member of St. John of God

Parish in Somerset. Before retirement he was a self-~mployed dairy farmer.

Besides his priest son, he leaves two others sons, John Ferry Jr., of Rehoboth and Edwfu-d E, Ferry of Swansea; seven dattghters, Agnes Massey and PatriciaAnn Moniz of Somerset, Anna Helen Tripp of Swansea, Emily Maty Monteiro of Dighton, Irene King of Westfield,

Evelyn Jones of Swansea, and Catherine Ann Vecchio of Southwick; 38 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Frank, Manuel and Antonio Ferry.

His funeral Mass was celebrated Tuesday in St. John of God Church in Somerset. Burial was in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Somerset.

Former bishop who resigned Oi\Ter Vietnam War dead at 88 KEYSER, W.Va. (CNS) - Bernard M. Kelly, who resigned as a bishop and priest in 1971 over what he saw as the U.S. Catholic hierarchy's failure to adapt to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council and to speak out strongly against the Vietnapl War, died December 5 in

In )four Prayers' .

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Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks December 27 Rev. Thomas J. Stapleton, Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1956 Rev. Msgr. Armand Levasseur, Retired Pastor, St. Anne, New Bedford, 1970 Rev. Manuel Andrade, Former Pastor Our Lady of Health, Fall River, 1995 December 28 Rev. Charles路 R. Smith, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, ~ 1955 Rev. Edward J: Sharpe, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset; Rev. Clement Paquet, O.P., Assistant, St. Anne, Fall River, 1987 December 30 Rev. Thomas C. Mayhew, Pastor, Our Lady ofMt. Carmel, Seekonk, 1991 January 1 Rev. Jose Valeiro, Pastor, St. Elizabeth, Fall River, 1955 Rev. Antonio M. Fortuna, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, New Bedford, 1956 Rev. Francis R. Connerton, SS. STD., St. John's Seminary, Plymouth, Michigan, 1968 Rev. Leo T. Sullivan, Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford, 1975

January 4 Rev. Eugene L. Dion, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1961 Rev. Joseph L. Powers, Founder, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, No. Falmouth, 1999 Rev. Francis B. Connors, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Victory, Centerville, 2003 January 5 Rev. William McClenahan, SS.CC. Former Pastor, Holy Redeemer, Chatham, 1994

" Keyser at the age of 88.

At the time of his JLesignation June 14,1971, Kelly had bbn an auxiliary bishop in Providencel R.I., for seven years. He later marriedIe and worked as an attorney in Rhode :Island and West Vrrginia Ellen M. O'Hara, chancellor of the Diocese of wheeling-Charleston, said December l~ that Kelly was reconciled with the <1atholic Church "10 to 12 years ago" and "died a faithful member" of the Q1urch.

As a bishop, Kell~ also was active

in the fledgling ecumenical movement, and was one of the first Catholic bishops to speak before a Protestant congregation when he preached at the Beneficent Congregational Church in Providence in 1965. Announcing his resignation, Kelly said his fellow bishops were "determined to preserve as far as possible the structures and forms of (the Council of) Trent" and "more concerned about Communion in the hand than they are about the war in Vietnam."

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January 6 Rev. James F. Roach, Founder, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1906 Rev. Rene G. Gauthier, Pastor, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1997 January 7 Rev. Alfred R. Forni, Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, New Bedford, 1970 Rev. Gustave Gosselin, M.S., La Salette Shrine, Attleboro, 1989 Rev. Jude Morgan, SS.CC., Former Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Wellfleet; Rev. Raymond A. Robida, 2003 January 8 Rev. John Kelly, Founder, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1885 Rev. Alfred J. Carrier, Founder, St. Jacques, Taunton, 1940 Rev. Arthur C. Lenaghan, USA Chaplain, Killed in Action, 1944 Rev. Emesto Tavares, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of the Angels, Fall River; Rev. Louis Joseph, U.S. Air Force, 2000

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The Anchor ,

The Anchor staff would like to extend wishes of a blessed Christmas and a happy, holy New Year to all our readers.

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St. Anthony's Christmas concert raises listeners' Christmas spirit

By MIKE GORDON

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'TIS THE SEASON - The Ocean State Children's Choir performed at St. Anthony's Church, New Bedford, last Sunday, part of a special Christmas concert. Below, Spirit of St. Anthony Choir organist and , music director Thomas C. Sargent Sr. expressed his spirit in dress and music. (AnchotiGordon photos)

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NEW BEDFORD - Joyous Christmas music lifted spirits ofhundreds during a 3 p.m. Christmas concert at St. Anthony of Padua Church December 17. The event featured the Spirit of St. Anthony Choir and the Ocean State Children's Choir and from the sounds of those singing along to carols, the eventput people in the Christmas spirit. ''This is a beautiful concert and we ne~ded it," said Moe Picard of Warwick, R.I. "We came last year and it really gets us in the Christmas spirit." His wife Lucienne agreed and added, "It's a tremendous concert and I really enjoyed it. The sound was wonderful."

They were among the approximately 800 who attended the event, featuring Thomas C. Sargent Sr., on organ.

The Ocean State Children's Choir petfonned 12 selections of music including, "Christmas is Coming," and "Jingle Bells Swing." The parish choir program included "Tollite Hostias"

and "Now Let All the Heavens Adore Thee," among others. The caroling sing-along included "0 Come, All Ye Faithful:' "What Child is This," "We Three Kings" and "Silent Night" among other popular favorites.

As the concert progressed, sections of lights were turned on until all 5,000 lights illuminated the space by the end ofthe concert. The unique display was not lost on visitor Neil Alexander ofMattapoisett, who came with his 16-year-old son Calder. ''This is quite a sight and a great way to enjoy the Christmas season," said Alexander. Originally from New Orleans, the two sat in the balcony below the main choir and had a great , view ofthe lights and children's choir.

"The children did a wonderful job today," he added.

Sargent was featured in several instrumental pieces and said he en. joys the opportunity to play on the magnificent instrument.

"It's a treat to play on and the tone qualities are wonderful," said Sargent of the 1912 Casavant Organ. "It's a real pleasure to perfonn here like this

and the choir is wonderful," he added.

"I think we put people in the Christmas mood today."

Gisele Pappas is a member of the choir and has been working as chairman of the pipe organ restoration fund. Several other concerts have helped to raise funds towards a goal ofa complete restoration by 2012 and she was pleased to be a part of the holiday concert. ''There is great excitement in being able to bring something like this to this holy space," said Pappas. "It's an opportunity to lift our spirits to Christ during this Christmas season and Sargent has done a phenomenal job. He's a great player who embodies the spirit of what we are trying to. do here."

Elvira Smith and her 13-yearold son Michael were among those in the audience traveling from Westport for the event. Smith's husband Carter and her daughter were both perfonning and it was a concert they were "looking forward to for quite a while," said Smith.

Michael said the concert, "put him in the mood for Christmas," and he "reallY,enjoys Christmas music."

Volunteer Lucille Connolly is a life-long St. Anthony's parishioner and said, ''This is a beautiful place and the pipe organ is one of Ii kind.

I'm happy to have a chance to celebrate the Christmas season this way."

The concert was followed by complimentary hot chocolate provided by .. the North End Business Association.

It was the final event in the Music at St. Anthony's Fall 2006 Series, but more concerts are scheduled already for 2007. For infonnation on upcoming events, visit the parish Website: saintanthonynewbedford.com.