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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, December 29, 2017

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., speaks to the many young Catholics who turned out for the V Encuentro event that recently took place at St. Anthony’s Church in New Bedford.

Bishop urges faithful to support diocesan newspaper — Page two

Artwork by Emilie Jolivet

Photo by Dave Jolivet The Anchor - December 29, 2017 1

‘It’s great to have a Catholic newspaper lying around the home’

Dear friends in Christ,

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s I wrote in my recent Christmas message to you, “Jesus came to reconnect us with God and with one another.” I hope that you have been enjoying these first days of this Christmas season (and the last days of the calendar year) taking some time to disconnect from electronic devices and to reconnect with family, friends, and the many other souls all around us. As I noted, “We are called to resist the temptation of isolating ourselves from our families or fostering division among God’s people. We are more alike than we are different.” h e Anchor, our diocesan newspaper, helps us to see that reality of our common humanity, of our sharing in being created in the image of God, even though original sin and our own sins wound that union. Christ came to redeem us and to reunite us in love. The Anchor helps to document our efforts to break down “the barriers of hostility which keep us apart” and offers us commentary to remind us of how we still need to keep on collaborating together with Christ and each other to build a society reflective of His love. s you make your end-of-the-year charitable giving, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help The Anchor continue its mission in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ in Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. You can either mail your donations to The Anchor, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass., 02720, or you can give online, via our website (http://www.anchornews.org). The link to make a donation is on the right hand side of the home page. t’s never to late to buy a gift subscription for a friend or relative — we are still in the 12 Days of Christmas — or you might want to give it as a birthday gift or just as a way of sharing the Gospel with someone you care about. Please send $20 to the above mentioned address (or arrange for a subscription via the website). ack on the theme of family, oftentimes it’s great to have a Catholic newspaper lying around the home, allowing for the possibility of discussing an article or column (or maybe to see a picture of someone you know). Please consider sharing this gift with your family and many other families.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

T

A I B

Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D. Bishop of Fall River

A subscription to The Anchor would make a wonderful Christmas gift for a loved one, a friend, or yourself. It’s a publication that provides a Spiritual uplift and keeps Catholics connected to our beloved Church — locally and beyond.

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The Anchor - December 29, 2017

Diocesan teens will be well-represented at March For Life in D.C.

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

HYANNIS — January 22 will mark the 45th anniversary of the infamous U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Roe vs. Wade case that legalized abortion in this country.

It’s heartbreaking to know that for nearly onehalf century the killing of babies in the womb has become commonplace, almost blase.

Yet, as demoralizing as that is, there is a light at the end of the tunnel that seems to grow brighter each year. That light is the dawning of a new generation of Pro-Life young men and women — a group that is growing and not afraid to express its views about the sanctity of life from conception to natural death.

On January 19 Pro-Life advocates will again gather in our nation’s capital for the 45th annual March For Life. Among those attending will be nearly 200 girls and boys from the Diocese of Fall River’s five Catholic high schools. Other parish groups and schools are also planning on sending folks to stand up for life.

“This is such a privilege, for us, to make this possible for everyone each year,” Marian Desrosiers, director of the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate told The Anchor.

At St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis, junior Luke Bagley initiated The Students for Life Group.

The group held information sessions during Adoption Awareness Month in November with some students telling their own moving adoption stories. In December the group hosted the Stop the Violence Tour with the help of the regional Students for Life

representative. The Stop the up for a cause that so many will be sending almost 80 students on the March For Violence display presents people, especially from my Life this year. About two facts and figures about the generation, are passionate violence of abortion. Inabout, just like I am,” Baker weeks ago we had a silent protest day for the unborn. cluded in this display were said. “I firmly believe, not 6,276 baby socks, each only from Church teaching, About 125 students spent the whole school day silent representing a baby killed but also from science, that with a sign in their hands in one week by abortion in life begins from the mothe U.S. at Planned Parent- ment of conception. Every- that said ‘I am silent today for those who were silenced hood facilities. one has a purpose here on Several members are earth, and each of us should by abortion.’ Our young looking forward to attend- thank God for being here.” people continue to have a heart for the unborn and ing the March for Life in Corkery added, “AtWashington, D.C. in Janu- tending the March for Life for the women who find themselves ary. Senior in unplanned Vanessa pregnancies.

Townsend The Pro-Life said, “God Club will invites us be sponsorto embrace ing a diaper the lives we drive and a have been baby shower given, for as for local long as they pregnancy are given. resource cenI am ProSome members of the new Students for Life group at St. ters.”

Life because John Paul II High School in Hyannis are pictured at a reFreshman I believe cent Stop the Violence event at the school.

From left: Nora Allison Bapevery baby should stand Kearney, Vanessa Townsend, Luke Bagley, Maria Bagley, tiste said, “I Brianna Johnson, Father Ron Floyd (chaplain), and Mau- am attending a chance.

Life is worth reen Hufnagle (moderator)​. These and others from high the March schools across the diocese will be attending the annual for Life this living, and year because every mother March For Life in Washington D.C. in January.

I believe that should learn the worth of their child.” every year is something that God has a plan for every person.”

“St. John Paul II says ‘It puts into perspective what Bishop Connolly High is about taking up concrete truth and justice really are.

School in Fall River has a plans of action to protect Our nation and our world group going to stand up and defend life,’” said fresh- cannot have freedom and for those who don’t have a man Nora Kearney. “I have justice if the right to life voice. “We have six stumet many young people is not respected, for every dents going on the march who voice Pro-Life beliefs other right flows from with us,” Dave Mulligan, but do not publicly defend human respect. I go to a teacher at Connolly and and fight for the unborn. the march surrounded by Our generation needs to myriad other young people, one of the chaperones who will be going, told The Antake action in defense of old people, and all united chor. Some have gone bethe unborn instead of wait- by reverence for the gift of fore and two “newbies” are ing for someone else to.” life.” attending as well. Mulligan Co-presidents of the Bishop Stang High said a junior Pro-Lifer is Pro-Life Club at Bishop School in North Darthoping to start a Pro-Life Feehan High School, mouth has a very large seniors Kevin Baker and contingent signed up to go club at the school.

Cherie Gilmore and MaryRose Corkery are to D.C. Kerry Payson, faculty and among those from the “Once again I continue Pro-Life moderators at Attleboro school who will to be humbled by our stuCoyle and Cassidy High be heading down to D.C. dents’ response to the ProSchool in Taunton extolled “Attending the March Life movement,” campus the Pro-Life virtues of stufor Life has made me unminister Amanda Tarandents there saying they are derstand the need to stand telli told The Anchor. “We

“proud to walk alongside our students and the many who will participate in the March for Life to promote the sanctity, dignity and value of every human life.”

“The Pro-Life movement means that people have the right to life from the time of conception to their last moment,” said sophomore Thomas Canuel. “It means that abortion, pulling the plug on a person who is dying, and poverty are all wrong. From the moment a person is born, they are entitled to their life until their final breath. With this said, all stages of life have value, and people are created, all in the image and likeness of God, the Creator.

I have chosen to go on the March for Life to stand up for those mistreated in the world. These can include the homeless, poor, infants, the elderly, and anyone whose life is threatened.

Therefore, it is important that all these people be recognized, not just by me but by all the active participants in the March for Life.”

Freshman Kathleen Kelly told The Anchor she is attending the march “to show people my beliefs and values in just a simple walk to promote the right to live and to inspire others that every life is valuable.”

Desrosiers told The Anchor she is very encouraged by the increasing teen response to the Pro-Life movement, “Young people are responding powerfully to the Pro-Life message.

We have a new Pro-Life generation which is more Pro-Life than generations passed. Abortion rates are at an all-time low.”

She urged faithful in the diocese to be with the marchers in spirit by “joining us in prayer by Turn to page six

The Anchor - December 29, 2017

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Anchor Editorial

Light in the darkness

In the 10 days before Christmas the Church in Massachusetts received some great news (the announcement that Pope Francis had decided, after much investigating, to declare Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., “Venerable,” the last step before being beatified, should God choose to have a miracle happen

by Father Peyton’s intercession — please see the article on page six) and some heartrending news (the reopening of the wounds from the clergy sexual abuse crisis upon the death of Cardinal Bernard Law).

December is the darkest month of the year here in the northern hemisphere. The celebration of Christmas (and other holidays in the winter) helps people with seasonal affective disorder to be distracted from the dearth of natural light during these shortest of days. One hopes that the message of the Christ Child, the Light of the world, also helps us get through this renewal of sadness.

The victims of clergy sexual abuse have good reason to be aggrieved by Cardinal Law’s lack of punishment in this life. Civil authorities said that they did look into various ways to indict him, but the laws on the books in 2002 did not allow for the punishing of what he and his collaborators did in not informing law enforcement of criminal activity by priests. The honors that Cardinal Law continued to receive in the Church after leaving Boston were particularly galling to the victims and other Catholics.

“I think it’s unfortunate that he’s had such a high profile in the life of the Church,” Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap., said in a press conference in Boston. These days, he said, “that kind of a decision would not be made, but unfortunately we’re living with the consequences of that.”

As in so many other controversies in which we’re living during this new millennium, anger and hatred gets revved up quite easily and quickly. Anger is OK (within reason, which sometimes is overridden by anger), but hatred only comes from Satan. It is OK to desire that someone pay for his crimes, but it is another thing to actively desire some type of torture for the person who has wronged us.

On the radio a survivor of clergy sexual abuse did give a balanced reaction to the news of the cardinal’s death. He remarked that now Cardinal Law would be facing the judgment which none of us can avoid. This is very true.

Many journalists asked Cardinal O’Malley and other clerics whether they thought that Cardinal Law was in Heaven (while many other people were proclaiming in the media that now the late cardinal was in hell).

This question would have seemed preposterous under a century ago.

People (especially Catholics) back then did not presume everyone (especially their friends and relatives) went immediately to Heaven, while only a few extreme bad apples (normally Hitler is the one person mentioned, although Stalin and Mao are sometimes thrown in by people trying to be OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 61, No. 26

Published bi-weekly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $20.00 per year, for U.S. addresses.

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PUBLISHER - Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Richard D. Wilson fatherwilson@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza kensouza@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherwilson@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - December 29, 2017

bipartisan) go to hell. In the 1946 Sherlock Holmes movie, “Dressed to Kill,” the villains have left the hero to die of carbon monoxide poisoning.

One of them says to the other, “By now Mr. Holmes has no doubt exchanged his violin for a harp.” The other one responds, “Oh well, assuming that Heaven is his destination.” The significance of the quote is not that it reflected what the fictional criminals thought, but that it may have revealed what the writer of the movie believed, that Heaven can’t be presumed, even for the good.

“I hope that everyone goes to Heaven,” Cardinal O’Malley said to the press.

“This is what the mission of the Church is. But I am not here to sit in judgment of anybody.” In saying this, the cardinal was not saying that he believed that all the dead go to Heaven, since he has openly spoken repeatedly about praying for the souls in Purgatory. Instead, he was trying to correct the desire so many of us have of trying to determine the eternal destiny of other people’s souls (especially people who have gravely harmed us), while feeling no need to be concerned about our own souls (for which the Church exists to try to help us get them to Heaven).

Cardinal O’Malley added, “Forgiveness is what Christianity is about, and that doesn’t make it easy. This is not something that has been solved. Right now, the hurt is still there, the healing is still necessary, and we must all be vigilant.”

May the Good News that Father Peyton strove to spread (not just by his active work using all the media available to him in the 20th century, but even more so by his example of being a good and faithful priest) help us to see Christ’s light in this time of year and to reflect that light in our love for God and each other.

As Zechariah said to his newborn son, John the Baptist, “You will go before the Lord to prepare His way, to give His people knowledge of Salvation by the forgiveness of their sins” (Lk 1:76-77). Grave sins and crimes have come back to our minds in these recent weeks, sins and crimes which destroyed so many lives.

Into the darkness of our world, Zechariah’s words approximately 2017 years ago give us hope. “In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death” (Lk 1:78-79). The Church in the Diocese of Fall River (clergy and laity together, which is what the Church is) has worked since the days when Bishop O’Malley came to us after the James Porter scandal in the 1990s to protect our children, help survivors, and to be an example of how to appropriately respect the God-given dignity each of us has. May the light of Christ help all people to get through this difficult time of remembering the past.

Daily Readings Dec. 30 — Jan. 12

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Dec. 30, 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-8a,8b-9,10; Lk 2:3640. Sun. Dec. 31, Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3 or Sir 3:2-6,12-14; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 105:1-6,8-9; Heb 11:8,11-12,17-19 or Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17; Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22,39-40. Mon. Jan. 1, Mary Mother of God, Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3,5-6,8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21. Tues. Jan. 2, 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:1928. Wed. Jan. 3, 1 Jn 2:29—3:6; Ps 98:1-3,6; Jn 1:29-34. Thurs. Jan. 4, 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1,7-9; Jn 1:35-42. Fri. Jan. 5, 1 Jn 3:11-21; Ps 100:1-5; Jn 1:43-51.

Sat. Jan. 6, 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15,19-20; Mk 1:7-11 or Lk 3:23-38 or 3:23,3134,36,38. Sun. Jan. 7, Epiphany of the Lord, Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2,7-8,10-13; Eph 3:2-3a,5-6; Mt 2:1-12. Mon. Jan. 8, Is 55:1-11 or 1 Jn 5:1-9; (Ps)Is 12:23,4bcd,5-6; Mk 1:7-11 or 1 Sm 1:1-8; Ps 116:12-19; Mk 1:14-20. Tues. Jan. 9, 1 Sm 1:9-20; (Ps)1 Sm 2:1,4-8; Mk 1:21-28. Wed. Jan. 10, 1 Sm 3:1-10,19-20; Ps 40:2,5,7-10; Mk 1:29-39. Thurs. Jan. 11, 1 Sm 4:1-11; Ps 44:10-11,14-15,25-26; Mk 1:40-45. Fri. Jan. 12, 1 Sm 8:4-7,10-22a; Ps 89:16-19; Mk 2:1-12.

“G

The kind of person Father Peyton was — and called us to be

ood news of great joy for all the peoples” came a week early this year, when on December 18, Pope Francis authorized the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate that Father Patrick Peyton (1909-1992) lived the Christian life with heroic virtue and could be henceforth called Venerable.

This brings great joy to all those who love Our Lady and the Holy Rosary, because Father Peyton has probably been the greatest apostle of the Rosary since St. Dominic and the first Dominicans. It also fills with joy the Congregation of the Holy Cross, which nourished Father Peyton’s religious vocation and shared in his tremendous apostolic fruits. And it is a great cause of celebration for Catholics in eastern Massachusetts and especially in the Diocese of Fall River, where in 2001 then-Bishop Sean O’Malley formally initiated his cause and where Father Peyton is buried, just off the campus of Stonehill College in North Easton.

This is the conclusion to the first major step on the road to canonization. It begins with a laborious process of collecting testimony from those who knew the person, reviewing all of his writings and videos, sending them to Rome and having the postulator of the cause prepare a document arguing from all of that evidence that the candidate not only lived the Christian virtues but lived them heroically. After the Congregation for Saints reviews all of the documentation, the prefect proposes to the pope that the person indeed ought to be considered a genuine Christian hero, and the pope can obviously accept or reject that conclusion. Pope Francis agreed with Cardinal Angelo Amato of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints that Father Peyton is such a hero.

The next two steps of the process are left, for the most part, to God, through the working of medicallyinexplicable, instantaneous,

thoughts he had as a young lasting miracles (that only boy of becoming a priest. He God can do) through the mentioned this to the rector of direct intercession of that the cathedral. Msgr. Kelly reperson. To be beatified, one miracle needs to pass through sponded by offering to pay for rigorous medical and theologi- Pat and Tom to go to the local Catholic high school, even cal reviews. To be canonized, though they would be many there is the need for another miracle from after the time of years older than their freshthe beatification. In Venerable men classmates. After meeting some Holy Cross priests Father Peyton’s case, there are who had come to Scranton already two strong candidates to preach a mission, the boys for such a certifiable miracle, transferred to the Holy Cross one from Albany of a man in high school seminary in South his 60s who was healed from Bend, Ind., where they spent multiple organ failure after prayers through Father Peyton, and Putting Into another from Kampala, Uganda, where the Deep a mother and a son, both of whom had

By Father tested positive for Roger J. Landry HIV, were retested after praying to the “Rosary Priest” and the next 12 years. tests returned with no trace.

In 1938, Peyton’s life took Patrick Joseph Peyton, the a dramatic turn when one sixth of nine children, was morning he began to spit up born in Carracastle, County blood. After a few weeks of Mayo, Ireland, at the beginkeeping his condition quiet, ning of the 20th century. he began hemorrhaging and His family was materially was diagnosed with advanced poor but Spiritually wealthy. tuberculosis. For a year his Every night, after a long day condition progressively worsof work, school or chores, the ened until he was presented family members would help with two last resort options: each other get richer, as John highly-dangerous surgery to Peyton would lead his wife collapse his lungs (thorocaand kids in the recitation of the family Rosary. Many years plasty) or prayer. A former priest professor visited him later Father Patrick Peyton and challenged him to turn to would say this daily Liturgy the Blessed Mother with faith, of the domestic Church was promising him that Mary had his “earliest memory and the most abiding,” and from it, he never failed someone who had persevering recourse to added, he derived “the entire her. “Since you have faith,” the pattern and purpose of my priest asked, “why don’t you existence.” use it?”

He received a substandard Peyton prayed to his education due to the poverty celestial mother for a cure of his surroundings. At the and a few days later sensed age of 19, he and his brother Thomas, because job prospects within a total healing. Subwere poor at home, said a tear- sequent tests revealed that the effects of the tuberculosis ful goodbye to their parents, had reversed themselves with and emigrated to Scranton, no scientific explanation. He Pa., where two of their sisters vowed to spend the rest of had preceded them. Patrick first sold American flags, then his life “paying Mary back” for the “miraculous healing” worked construction, before he had received. “She took he became sacristan of St. Peter’s Cathedral. The time he me off the sickbed, and she put strength and health in spent in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament after lock- me again,” he said, “and that ing the cathedral rekindled the is why as long as I have life, I

intend to use the health and Mystery, because it not only strength, not in a sentimental teaches us a lot about Mary’s way, but in a challenging way and Joseph’s participation in so that men will go down on Jesus’ Nativity, but provides a their knees in their homes and real commentary on the interecite the family Rosary night rior life of Father Peyton and after night for a lifetime.” A the secret of his holiness. few months after his priestly “Mary and Joseph found ordination in 1941, he folaccommodations in one of lowed through on that resolu- Bethlehem’s hillside caves,” tion and committed himself to he wrote in his 1984 work, spending “until death to bring “Father Peyton’s Rosary Prayer the family Rosary back to Book.” “It offered some pro10,000,000 homes in America tection from the biting cold — not for the month of May of a December night, nothing or October or Lent, but for more. Air, heavy with moisture always.” seeping through damp earthen He would end up walls; stifling odors of cattle; spending 50 years of darkness made all the more priesthood crisscrossemphatic by a lantern’s frail ing the globe, speaklight and the smallest patch ing before crowds of night horizon, too low for numbering as many starts — yes, there would be as two million people, room here. And here, Mary using radio, television, and Joseph loved God as He movies, billboards and was never loved on earth.” every means of social commu- Then he gave the moral apnication available to help tens plication, so that we might of millions of other families obtain the Spiritual fruit the learn how to stay together by mystery contained: “God can praying together the family be loved — wholeheartedly — Rosary. The Rosary, he beanywhere. Loving God does lieved, is a bridge that connot depend on the kind of a nects the family to God and place I’m in. It depends on the to each other. Mary, he said, kind of a person I am.” is the way to Christ and the No matter where he was Rosary is the “pavement which — growing up in County enables you to get” to Christ, Mayo, working in Scranton, through the meditation on the evangelizing Hollywood, mysteries. “The person with speaking in stadiums across the Rosary in hand,” he wrote, the world — he was the kind “has the key to learning the of person who loved God most important of all lessons: wholeheartedly with a love the love of God for us, the that overflowed into ardent, destiny He has in store for us unlimited love of others. He and the way He is helping us learned this type of love from to reach that destiny. In other the Rosary, where he from his words, the Rosary, by its very youth meditated on the love essence, tells a person who of God for him and derived uses it wisely and well who from that contemplation the Christ is, what He has done entire pattern and purpose of for me, and what He has a his existence. right to expect from me.”

From, we pray, his prized Since the December 18 perch pondering eternally the announcement, I’ve been fruit of Christ’s ascension and re-reading Father Richard Mary’s assumption, we ask Gribble’s superb 2005 bioghim to intercede for us that raphy, “American Apostle of no matter where we are this the Family Rosary,” watching Christmas, we too, might be videos of Father Peyton and inspired to become the type of reading various of his writpeople who love God with all ings available on the Internet. we’ve got.

As we celebrate Christmas, Anchor columnist I think it would be worthFather Landry can be while to ponder one of his contacted at fatherlandry@ meditations on the third Joyful catholicpreaching.com.

The Anchor - December 29, 2017 5

Pope Francis declares Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., to be Venerable

EASTON — On December 18, Pope Francis received His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorized the congregation to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of Father Patrick Peyton, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, thus recognizing him as Venerable by the Roman Catholic Church.

The Positio on the life, virtues and reputation of holiness of Father Peyton had previously been discussed and approved by a panel of nine theologians and more recently by a group of 15 cardinals and archbishops who voted affirmatively to recognize his heroic virtues. The Positio refers to the volume containing the evidence that was collected from witness testimonies and supporting documents during inquiries carried out by special tribunals in several dioceses.

Hundreds of testimonies to Father Peyton’s heroic

virtue and holiness of life have been recorded. Tens of thousands of prayer cards containing a prayer for a favor through Father Peyton’s intercession are in circulation. Hundreds of favors have been reported.

Some of these favors are remarkable healings for which there is no medical explanation. Should one of these healings be officially recognized as having no scientific explanation and approved by the Vatican as a miracle due to his intercession, it would lead to his beatification.

The essence of Father Patrick Peyton’s ministry, which spanned half a century, began in his family.

Father Patrick Peyton was born Jan. 9, 1909 in Carracastle, County Mayo, Ireland. His parents, John and Mary Peyton, gathered their family to pray the Rosary every evening.

After emigrating from Ireland to the United States, Patrick Peyton became gravely ill as a seminarian and the doctors

Diocesan teens attending March For Life continued from page three

going to Nine Days for Life at http://www.usccb.org/ about/pro-life-activities/ january-roe-events/ninedays-of-prayer-penanceand-pilgrimage.cfm, sponsored by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.

“Our diocesan trip is a pilgrimage which combines the march with three days of prayer and sacrifice.

Our young people and

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chaperones are heroic as they give witness in the public square of our nation’s capital to the Sacredness and dignity of all human life.

“On our final day, we gather with everyone from across our diocese at St. Matthew’s Cathedral to celebrate a 9:30 a.m. Mass before making the trip home. We now almost fill the cathedral. When I sfirst began arranging the D.C. trip, we did not even fill a bus.”

For more information about the march visit marchforlife.org or marchforlife.org/reasonsfor-hope.

The Anchor - December 29, 2017

had no hope of recovery.

So he followed his parents’ example and turned to the Rosary.

“Father Peyton was a seminarian, studying for the priesthood, when he was stricken with tuberculosis,” said Father Wilfred Raymond, C.S.C., president of Holy Cross Family Ministries. “He prayed his Rosary to the Blessed Mother and made a miraculous recovery. From that moment, he knew he was to be the one to carry out her apostolate, her ministry to bring families together for Rosary prayer, just as his family had done.”

Over the years, Father Peyton advocated for families by preaching two powerful and memorable messages, “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together,” and “A World at Prayer is a World at Peace.”

Known the world over as “The Rosary Priest,” he began Family Rosary, in Albany, N.Y. in 1942, more than 75 years ago with the goal of building family unity through daily prayer of the Rosary. He went on to lead millions in prayer at 40 Family Rosary Rallies that drew 28 million people, including two million each at events in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Manila, Philippines.

Father Peyton, a Catholic media pioneer, spent the 51 years of his priesthood serving the Spiritual needs of families. In 1947, he founded Family Theater Productions in Hollywood.

Family Theater Productions produced 900 radio and TV programs that featured hundreds of star actors and other celebrities and had more than 10,000 broadcasts.

The essence of Father Peyton’s ministry is relevant and vibrant to families today. Father Peyton still

Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., explains the Rosary to a little girl in Africa. shares his life story from inspires people all over his humble beginnings in the world by his holiness Ireland to his fame workof life and the example ing with the “stars” of the of his strong and tender Golden Age of Hollywood. devotion to our Blessed HCFM’s “Family of Mother. The ministry has grown and engages families Ministries” are under the sponsorship of the Conthrough a variety of media and social platforms as well gregation of Holy Cross.

The congregation in June of as several websites, www.

1997 requested that a cause FamilyRosary.org, www. for canonization for Father FamilyTheater.org, and Peyton be initiated. In June the newest ministry, www.

2001 the “nihil obstat” was CatholicMom.com, the granted from Rome and apostolate founded by Father Peyton was given Lisa Hendey, nationallyknown Catholic author and the title, “Servant of God,” when his cause was opened. speaker.

Since then significant One of the many social platforms to reach families, work has been completed to present Father Peyton’s Family Rosary Facebook heroic practice of virtue and page, has more than 1.2 million followers. The latest reputation for holiness.

Holy Cross Family media project of Family Ministries, which carries on Theater Productions, the works of Father Peyton, “Catholic Central,” was has headquarters in North recently released on Easton, with its media YouTube. These short production company, Family videos offer entertaining Theater Productions, in Holand authoritative answers to questions about Catholic lywood, Calif., and mission offices in 16 countries. The thought, Spirituality ministry serves Jesus Christ and practice, www. and His Church by inspiring, CatholicCentral.com. educating, and entertaining Holy Cross Family families all to support their Ministries also established Spiritual well-being and The Father Peyton Family encourage family prayer.

Institute, based in Lima, For more information, Peru, and Bangalore, India.

The institutes provide direct call 800-299-7729 or visit www.FatherPeyton.org, services through research and education to enrich the www.FamilyRosary.org, www.FamilyTheater.org, Spirituality of families.

A site to inspire families www.CatholicMom.com and www.facebook.com/ and honor Father Peyton, FamilyRosary. www.FatherPeyton.org

Friday 29 December 2017 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — Fifth Day of Christmas oday, dear readers, the more literal-minded among us will be sending the first of eight packages, each containing five gold rings (carats unspecified) in strict compliance with the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Folks generally put more oomph into singing the “five golden rings” part. Today, throw propriety to the winds and shout “F-II-I-I-I-VE G-O-O-O-OO-L-DEN RINGS” at the top of your lungs. Hopefully, nobody calls 911 on you.

Before one participates in such fun activities, one must first identify the Twelve Days of Christmas. Don’t confuse them with lastminute shopping days. The Twelve Days, in the Gregorian calendar, traditionally begin on December 25 (eve of St. Stephen’s Day) and end on January 5 (eve of Epiphany). The Liturgical calendar, however, celebrates an Octave of Christmas (eight days, not 12). Oh dear, there are four extra verses.

Not to worry. The Liturgical season doesn’t end until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The cycle we are celebrating this particular Christmas season has 15 days. Oh dear, the song is lacking three verses. Feel free to compose your own.

Having done extensive research into early folk music, I am well-qualified to answer the question, “What does this song mean, anyway?” The answer is (spoiler alert): nobody knows.

Many say “The Twelve Days” is just a nonsense song like “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” (or for those with longer memories, “Mairzy Doats” and “Ta-ra-ra Boomde-ay”). Or maybe it’s one of those cumulative ditties commonly sung in Celtic

T

Five golden rings

pubs. Others in this genre essay by the late Father Hal include “The Barley Mow,” Stockert of Granville, N.Y. “The Sheep-shearing Song,” According to Father Stockand “The Rattling’ Bog.” ert, the song is a memory I’ve learned these tunes by device intended to help listening to recordings of Catholic children learn their The Revels, a stage proforbidden catechism lessons. duction company specializing in early folk music. Although The Ship’s Log there are such pubs Reflections of a here in Falmouth, I’ve Parish Priest never heard tell that the patrons are fond

By Father Tim of cumulative singing.

Goldrick Anyway, Christmas carols would seem a bit out of place at Liam’s He found this explained, he Irish Pub or the British Beer says, in margin notes scribCompany. bled in obscure Latin docuThe first printed version ments (now lost). His theory of The Twelve Days rhyme hit the Internet in 1995. It appeared in a children’s book has spread like wildfire. published in England in The gifts have hidden 1780. It wasn’t set to mureligious meaning, accordsic until 1906 (by British ing to this theory. The “five composer Frederic Ausgolden rings,” for example, is tin). There are three known a secret code for the first five French versions, probbooks of the Old Testament. ably much older. These are That information, however, memory games performed would be of little help in in a circle, with each partici- actually naming the Books pant attempting to keep the rhyme going.

There’s also an older English song, “In Those Twelve Days,” a Christmas carol dating back at least to 1625.

It’s an interactive song in a question/answer format. The questions are categorically religious.

These two songs are sometimes confused.

“The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a cumulative song designed to sharpen children’s memory skills — like “Alouette,” “Old McDonald,” and “There’s a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea.” But, still, what does it mean?

Some are convinced that “The Twelve Days of Christmas” originated among the Catholic faithful back when it was illegal to be Catholic in Protestant England. This theory was first promulgated in 1982 in a scholarly

of the Pentateuch. Besides, Protestant and Catholic Bibles have the same Pentateuch. What’s the big secret?

Notice, please, that the gifts arriving at the door during the first seven days of Christmas are all birds, with the possible exception of the rings. There’s speculation that the “rings” referred to are actually five ring-necked pheasants, not jewelry.

In older versions, “calling birds” is written colly birds — an Old English reference to “coal” (coal-y birds). It describes their coalblack color. They’re black birds. Nobody considers a blackbird’s song melodious, but I hear they’re delicious baked in a pie.

Add up the birds received during The Twelve Days of Christmas and you’ve accrued 12 partridges, 22 doves, 30 hens, 36 blackbirds, 40 pheasants, 42

swans, and the same number of geese. That’s 190 birds.

What to do with all these birds? Eat them, of course!

There are medieval French recipes on how to prepare them, should you be interested.

What does this song mean? I have my own theory. These are people and provisions arriving at The Manor House, where the Lords and Ladies (French, I suspect) are gathering for a 12-day Christmastide feast. There’s a wait staff of 40 maids (also French?) serving the guests. There’s a 34-piece fife and drum ensemble for dancing the popular reels. What we have here, dear readers, is a lavish 16th-century Twelfth Night party. And you thought Christmas was over by December 26!

Pass the partridge, s’il vous plaît.

Anchor columnist Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

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turned the key in the ignition but nothing happened. I held the gear shift handle firmly with my left hand as instructed and again turned the key. Lights flashed but still there was no ignition. After several such tries, I stepped out of the elongated van, and asked the Damien Tours guide, Rick, to give it a try.

He did so and immediately the engine began to purr.

With a degree of trepidation, I climbed back into the driver’s seat and set off for Kalaupapa airport.

Having arrived there safely, I took a deep breath and switched off the motor.

That was my first real mistake because when I tried to restart the engine, I got the same result as before.

A lot of gas

This time Amy, the head age, I resolved that I would honcho of the park rangers, not put myself and the van came to my rescue and with in a situation where I had little trouble had my engine to reverse, as my reputation singing again. The following day I would be informed Moon Over that this motor will only start when in Molokai neutral rather than

By Father in park.

Patrick Killilea, SS.CC. After collecting my Kekaula Tour pilgrims, we set off on our tour beginning with in reversing is not exactly the present day Hansen’s perfect. On top of that the Disease settlement in Kagear shift indicator does laupapa township. By this not function in this vehicle. time I had decided to keep I hoped that we did not the engine running at each run out of gas on the way stop until we had reached since I did not trust the gas the original settlement in indicator either.

Kalawao on the east side Of course the great of the peninsula. As we Chinese philosopher and journeyed on our pilgrimteacher once said, “He who

eat plenty beans, never run out of gas.” Thankfully we made good time on the rocky road to Kalawao. On the way I managed to give a running commentary on the sights while at the same time avoiding running off the road into the brush.

For that I thank the Lord, my copilot.

When we reached Judd Park in Kalawao, I parked the van in the shade in a relatively dry area and left the engine running. Then I invited my pilgrims to join me at the rear of the van where I would serve them a first-class lunch. As they stood around me in eager anticipation of lunch, they must have had to restrain from laughing or crying when I opened the lunch cooler that I had picked up at the airport (it was rather heavy) and discovered, not the pilgrims’ lunches, but a cooler full of someone’s groceries. I was mortified, to say the least. Evidently the lunch cooler had not been put on the plane but I had taken the only cooler

that had come off the plane.

The owner of the groceries did get his cooler eventually. Meantime my good pilgrims shared the snacks they had brought with them and seemed to be having a great time despite this setback.

After some time at the park, we visited St. Damien’s Church and graveyard, then Siloama Church. I left the engine running at all times and afterwards headed back to Kalaupapa town. Subsequently I safely transported my passengers to the airport as well as to the base of the Kalaupapa trail.

It had been an eventful day for us, but I was very happy to know that on the following day I would have the sole responsibility of tour guide while Brandi would do the driving.

However, as an Irishman would say, we had a lot of craic and a lot of gas on this tour.

Have a blessed Christmas season. Aloha.

Anchor columnist Father Killilea is pastor of St. Francis Parish in Kalaupapa, Hawaii.

Scores of young people attended the recent V Encuentro event for Hispanic/Latino Catholics at St. Anthony’s Church in New Bedford. The Jon Carlo Band provided lively and evangelical music.

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The Anchor - December 29, 2017

The Anchor - December 29, 2017

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n 1965 The Byrds released a megahit, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” based on Ecclesiastes 3 with the line, “To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven.”

As I look back on my 2017, it seems there was a time for everything, good and bad.

The year had some wonderful highlights for me, including going to see and listen to Blues icon Robert Cray, the incredible Tedeschi Trucks Band, and a night of great fun with my pup Emilie at a Green Day concert (and for those who know their music, it can be a bit salty, but one can separate the bad from the good, and enjoy some great music).

Another marvelous time in

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2017 — Getting back on the treadmill

The Anchor - December 29, 2017

2017 was a five-day trip to Vancouver, Canada, with two of my favorite people, my wife Denise and her sister Diane.

We had great fun, My View explored fjords, took a From flight-seeing the Stands tour of the

By Dave Jolivet city, ate, laughed and even attended a thought-provoking interview session with former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Sprinkled in were great times spent with my kids and their significant others at dinners, cookouts and even a buck-a-shuck afternoon at Mesa 21 in Fall

River, where I wolfed down more than my share of oysters on the half-shell.

But, turn, turn, turn. This was also a season of sadness and travail.

I lost two of my best friends this year: my dad Larry, and my golf partner and confidant, Msgr. Tom Harrington. Those two holes will never be filled, but the memories will never fade.

I even lost a wolf I adopted in the form of financial support, that lived at Wolf Hollow, a sanctuary for the animals in Ipswich. Her name was Jelly (my nickname as a lad) and she lived to an incred-

ible 16 years old. And less closer to home, we lost a couple of my all-time favorite artists, Tom Petty and Leonard Cohen.

Denise had a fall and broke her hip and needed a hip replacement. She got to spend her 60th birthday in a hospital bed.

The first few months were difficult for us both, but she’s getting stronger every day and she has less and less restrictions placed on her.

Allow me to digress here. For those old enough to remember record albums — those 78s, 33⅓s, and 45s — you recall when one side was finished you had to turn the record over to finish the recordings. I don’t usually jump my column to another page, but this one does, so now is the time to flip the record and go to page 11.

My View From the Stands continued from page 10

OK, back to the column.

I also faced other tribulations that tested my faith and trust and that bowed my load-bearing beam but didn’t break it.

I wish every year was simply a time to be born, a time to plant, a time to heal, a time to build, a time to laugh, a time to dance, a time to embrace, a time to love, and a time for peace.

But that would be Heaven itself wouldn’t it?

The thing about good times and bad times is that the people who are important pieces in one are usually equally important in the other.

Those wonderful folks who shared my good times in 2017 were also there for me in the bad times.

And for those in my circle who had good times, I was there with them, and there when they faced the opposite.

I still glow in the memories of the concerts I attended, the places I traveled, and the people with whom I reveled. As long as I’m lucid, you can’t take those away.

I’ll miss Larry and his World War II stories. I miss spending hours of good fun with Tommy Harrington on the golf course and during the ride home slurping down an iced coffee or a Coolata, the treasures or spoils for the victor and the defeated.

I’m saddened when a Tom Petty song pops up on the car radio, but also am warmed by the memory of having seen him years ago at the old Boston Gaaaahhden.

I even feel a twinge of melancholy when I glance over at the picture of Jelly in my office.

There’s a time to weep,

and a time to laugh.

There’s an anecdote I’ll share involving Emilie that perhaps sums this up best.

Em was at the gym running on the treadmill. She was wearing a sweatshirt and wanted to remove it.

Like most of us, she didn’t want to stop what she was doing and take care of the problem. No, instead she maintained her pace and pulled the shirt over her head.

One problem, it got stuck on her head. She lasted maybe three or four seconds in that state before the treadmill discarded her. She wasn’t hurt and looked around relieved to find no one saw her (except maybe those who may have seen footage on a security camera!).

She took off the sweatshirt, got back on the machine and completed her workout.

For me this year was a run on a treadmill with a few misplaced sweatshirts to send me flying backward. But I got back on and, God willing, I’ll finish my 2017 workout in a few days.

Green Day recorded a song in 1997 called “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” in which they sing, “It’s something unpredictable, but it in the end is right. I hope you had the time of your life.”

I had the time of my life in 2017 — the time that God gave me, and only me.

I thank Him for the good and the not-so-good. And I ask Him to help me stay on the treadmill as much as I can in 2018.

I wish you all the time of your life in the coming year. Peace. davejolivet@anchornews. org.

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Let yourself be embraced by God

s I parked my car the The story is really about radio was playing the the lessons she shared with song, “The Little Drummer me. Before the start of the Boy.” I walked towards the next class she handed me chapel. I paused at the crèche. some sheets. To my great I imagined the drummer boy surprise the extra assignment there along with the three was completed to the 100 wise men and the shepherd percent level of understandboy. The freshly-fallen snow ing. That night, the teacher in blanketed the animals as me received a reminder about well as the straw awaiting the importance of suspendBaby Jesus. I thought gooding judgement so as to be ness fellows, a little trip to open to guiding a student as the marketplace would have far as she could go. Next, she been good. How about a gift returned to her seat whisperof a blanket for the Baby? I ing, “Yes, I can do this.” There paused to reflect and imagine was happiness not pride in the wise men who had traveled so far to meet Wrestling with God the One they believed Holding on for was destined to change His blessing the world. They must have thought to themselves that this stable is

By Dr. Helen J. Flavin not what I expected for a newborn King.

I remembered one time as her voice. Her tone was of a teacher where I told God quiet assurance that with that this was not what I had continued hard work she expected. This was years ago could and would attain her when I taught a college level dream. Her conviction and “Basic Skills in Chemistry” strength of character were class. I began the semester by amazing. That moment has asking each student to intro- stayed with me all these years. duce himself/herself. Maybe I was privileged to witness it was the freshly-fallen snow someone else’s new beginthat made us feel like explor- ning. ers gathered to chat. Each Many times at the Cathostudent invited me into his/ lic high school I would ask her life by sharing what he/ my students how they recogshe hoped to do. My attennized or felt the Holy Spirit tion was drawn to this one acting in their lives. Together woman who was nearing the we decided that we felt the end of her naval career. She Holy Spirit when we do declared that she had never what seemed to us impossible taken algebra or even any or feel lost yet somehow find college preparatory classes. a way of helping someone.

The idealist in me battled Taking their imagery a bit with the realist. Her dream further, it is when the Good seemed unattainable for one Shepherd has embraced us with that background. that we recognize the Holy That first night of class I Spirit carrying us. As Pope stayed for a long time afterFrancis says, “It is precisely wards for a private lesson when we experience our own with her on graphing. She limitations and weaknesses had missed the last bus. I that the Holy Spirit comforts drove her back to the base. us. Our weaknesses help us She left with the homework understand what is most imgraphing assignment I had portant. We must allow Jesus hand-written for her during to lead us into His Father’s that extra session. arms.”

In some ways there is a timelessness to Christmas and the New Year as we try to remember the past while looking ahead. We remember projects begun with such high hopes. Many times we will find we faltered along the way due to lack of effort, doubt, or extenuating circumstances. Some years we will catch ourselves thinking of our lives: this is not what I expected.

That thought is God’s invitation to seeing and finding a new place to be.

This is where those wise men and that student can be role models for us. Each of them was someone who looked to the future open to God’s plan in God’s time. When they examined where they were in life and what they truly wanted, there was a new part of themselves or even a new place for them to explore.

They were willing to go where the Holy Spirit led.

The story does not end with that student achieving her dreams. A few weeks into the semester, her ship was called to active duty. Where she is in her journey is known only on God’s side of the tapestry. For me, she will always be a reminder that with God all things are possible.

Alice Mackenzie Swain said, “Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.” There is an exquisite treasure in each and every flower tenacious enough to brave the elements to open and share its essence with the world. Let’s each lean into God’s embrace as we explore our new beginnings.

Anchor columnist Helen Flavin is a Catholic scientist, educator and writer and a member of St. Bernadette’s Parish in Fall River.

The Anchor - December 29, 2017 11

In Your Prayers Please Please pray pray for for these these priests priests during during the the coming coming weeks weeks

Dec. 30 Rev. Thomas C. Mayhew, Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Seekonk, 1991 Jan. 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, Mich., 1968 Rev. Leo T. Sullivan, Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford, 1975 Jan. 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 Jan. 5 Rev. William McClenahan, SS.CC., Former Pastor, Holy Redeemer, Chatham, 1994 Jan. 6 Rev. James F. Roach, Founder, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1906 Rev. Rene G. Gauthier, Pastor, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1997 Permanent Deacon Antonio Da Cruz, 2009 Jan. 7 Rev. Alfred R. Forni, Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, New Bedford, 1970 Rev. Gustave Gosselin, M.S., La Salette Shrine, Attleboro, 1989 Rev. Raymond A. Robida, 2003 Rev. Jude Morgan, SS.CC., Former Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Wellfleet, 2003 Jan. 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. Evaristo Tavares, Retired, Our Lady of the Angels, Fall River, 2000 Rev. Louis Joseph, U.S. Air Force, 2000 Jan. 9 Rev. William F. Morris, Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1982 Jan. 10 Rev. Jourdain Charron, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1919 Rev. George H. Flanagan, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1938 Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Sousa de Mello, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Taunton, 1977 Jan, 12 Rev. Thomas P. Grace, Pastor, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1918 Rev. Manuel C. Terra, Retired Pastor, St. Peter, Provincetown, 1930

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17.

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

East Freetown — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of Padua Church, on the corner of Bedford and Sixteenth streets, has Eucharistic Adoration accompanied by music and prayer every first Wednesday of the month from 6-7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

FALL RIVER — St. Joseph’s Church has a Holy Hour every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m., with Benediction at 6:45 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Michael’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Benediction at 5:30 p.m.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday.

MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration is held every Thursday, with Confessions, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church. Please use the side entrance.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

NORTH EASTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Immaculate Conception Church Chapel on the first Wednesday of the month beginning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, until 6:40 p.m. Those wishing to make a monthly commitment can sign up on the parish website at www.icceaston.org or call the parish office at 508-238-3232.

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m.

Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

Taunton — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 5 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~

East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes.

All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

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The Anchor - December 29, 2017

For and About Our Church Youth

The kindergarten students at Holy Family-Holy Name School in new Bedford celebrated the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a school-wide prayer service. Pictured are students representing Our Lady of Guadalupe, Juan Diego and Bishop Zumarraga.

The newly-formed St. John’s School Service Club assembled 40 boxes full of toys, games, books, and activities for ill children at Boston’s Children’s Hospital via the “The Jared Box Project.” The students from the Attleboro school selected their recipient’s demographics, decorated the boxes, filled them each with eight to 12 items selected from approximately 500 donated items and labeled each box. The contents included items to entertain children including puzzles, fidget spinners, Slinky toys, Play Doh, bubbles, books, putty, and more. The items were obtained through a Southern New England network of Event Planners, as well as donations from AC Moore, The Dollar Tree and RINCO. The boxes were delivered the week before Christmas. From left, club members Brogan Asselin, Nicholas DiMarco, Nicholas Swensen, Alex DeCoste, Madelyn Nguyen, Sarah Kate Swensen, and Liana Caldera.

Eighth-grade students Holy Name School in Fall River focused on using their Chromebooks to complete a recent project.

The faculty of St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet learned by doing in the school’s new STEM Learning Lab. Teachers had an afternoon of Professional Development in which they utilized the technology and hands-on approaches to learning that they will be implementing in the new space at the school.

Eighth-graders from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford decorated windows at Cafe Arpeggio as part of a city contest in the Whaling City.

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T

he Christmas celebrations are beginning to wind down.

Culturally things wrap up with the New Year’s celebrations on Monday.

Liturgically, we will go for another week, but then return to Ordinary Time. Next week it is back to school for our children and youth. In many respects, life goes back to normal.

The problem for us Christians is that it isn’t supposed to be life as usual. At Christmas we

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For and About Our Church Youth Living each day in joy and peace didn’t mark a significant of faith. This is why the anniversary. We celebrat- Christian life is a 24/7 ed “God is with us.” This lived experience. truth isn’t a oncea-year visit, but is each day, meaning the sentiments of peace, joy and goodwill to all

By Father aren’t meant to be David C. Frederici seasonal. They are meant to be a way of life.

To live the joy of “God Time must be spent is with us” each day, we celebrating the Sacramust recognize that He ments, especially the is indeed present. We Eucharist and Reconcilineed to see with the eyes

The Anchor - December 29, 2017

ation. These are very real encounters with Jesus Christ Himself. They give us the graces to live authentically our identity as children of God. In addition, we need to take time each day for prayer and devotions. These keep us focused on the Lord, tuned in to His voice. They are how we can recognize that God is with us each day.

These graces and connections to God also allow us to draw strength from Him and persevere through the “daily grind” so we don’t get swept away by the chaos and darkness that exist in the world.

However, even more is necessary. Our ability to live each day in joy, peace and goodwill towards all also comes from our intellectual formation.

A healthy Spiritual life means we can’t check our brains at the door. Truth in its perfection is found in God. Our relationship with the Lord, our Spiritual growth, also requires that we take time to learn and discover. Yes, going to school is a religious activity! Many feel that faith is a hindrance to reason. Far from it!

Faith gives us the motivation and stability to not only make new discoveries, but also to allow ourselves to be challenged. That is how real growth occurs.

I often tell people that I would be OK if the stores played Christmas music all year round.

Maybe if we constantly reminded ourselves of Bishop Stang High School senior, Jeffry McDougal, recent- the desire to live in joy, ly achieved the rank of Eagle, an accomplishment that peace and with goodwill only about four percent of all Scouts earn. Each Eagle can- for all, we would seek to didate must plan and supervise an Eagle service project. do what is necessary to This service project demonstrates a Scout’s capacity and live this way 24/7, 365 willingness to exert his leadership ability in activities that days a year. are constructive and worthwhile in his community. Under Anchor columnist McDougal’s leadership in October, the troop completed Father Frederici is pasthe no-sew fleece blanket service project. When McDou- tor of St. George’s Parish gal’s Eagle project was finished he was able to deliver just in Westport and diocesan under 50 blankets to My Brother’s Keeper in North Dartdirector of Campus Minmouth. Those blankets were incorporated into Christmas gift baskets which were donated to needy families in the istry and Chaplain at greater New Bedford area. Senator Marc Pacheco pre- UMass Dartmouth and sented McDougal with a resolution that was read during Bristol Community College. a session in the Massachusetts State House.

Be Not Afraid

Friars, faithful celebrate chapel’s 25th anniversary with bishop

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

NEW BEDFORD — Faithful from the New Bedford area joined members of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate and Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., on Friday, December 15 to celebrate a special Liturgy on the 25th anniversary of the reopening of the historic Our Lady’s Chapel — a significant house of worship within the Fall River Diocese for more than 60 years.

Initially founded and staffed by the Franciscan Friars Minor, the Sanctuary closed for nearly a year in 1992 when the Friars Minor moved to Providence, R.I. In the interim it was renovated and then reopened under the auspices of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate on December 15 — the feast of Our Lady, Queen of the Seraphic Order.

During his homily, Bishop da Cunha noted how the Blessed Mother, who is not only the namesake of the downtown worship site, but also the patroness of the friary, was a “model and example for us all” as the “first disciple to proclaim, to bring, and to show Jesus into the world,” he said.

“God has a mission for each one of us as He had a mission for Mary,” the bishop preached. “Mary did her part by bringing Jesus into the world. But now, you and I are called to the ultimate goal in life: to become holy. We become holy when we are able to be agents of transformation to the world and to other people — when we become missionary disciples of Jesus.”

That call to discipleship is best exemplified in the Mission of the Immaculate Mediatrix, a Roman Catholic association of the faithful comprised of laypersons devoted to the Marian-Franciscan charism of the Franciscans of the Immaculate.

ration, and the operation of Radio CorMariae, the Friars also host annual celebrations at the downtown location, including the feast of Our Lady of Good Voyage, typically held on the third Sunday of September, and the yearly Corpus Christi Procession, celebrated on the third Sunday after Pentecost.

These outreach efforts and continuing opportunities for evangelization not only fulfill the congregation’s mission, but also help keep the Church alive and active in the community.

“When Mary received the annunciation that she was going to be the mother of Jesus, what was the first thing she did right after that?

She went and visited (her cousin) Elizabeth,” Bishop da Cunha said in his homily.

“And the moment she arrived at Elizabeth’s house, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy, because Mary came and brought Jesus to that home.

She was the first missionary to bring Jesus to others.

On December 15, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., celebrated Mass in commemora- What a beautiful example, tion of the 25th anniversary of the reopening of Our Lady’s Chapel in downtown New my friends, for us to rememBedford. Located on Pleasant Street, the chapel is home to the Franciscan Friars of the ber. (Mary) did all that God asked of her.

Immaculate and offers Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza) “And what is He asking us to do today, right here in New Bedford in 2017? He is to Rhode Island, the Marian Franciscan order was inperiods of Advent and Lent. asking us to be holy and to friary of “Our Lady, Queen vited by then-Bishop James They also provide Spiribe instruments of His love, of the Seraphic Order” was L. Connolly, to establish tual direction to the faithful, His grace and His Salvation officially opened on Dec. 15, a church and information especially to members of the to our neighbors, to our fam1992 by then-Bishop Sean center in New Bedford. The MIM. P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., and ilies, to our community, and chapel was initially located a On Oct. 6, 2002, the to those who have drifted the congregation assumed few steps down from its curchapel opened its doors away from God, from the responsibility for Our Lady’s rent address at 572 Pleasant to Perpetual Eucharistic Sacraments, and from the Street in a building owned by Chapel.

Adoration for the first time, Church. When we say ‘yes’ as In addition to offering the M.J. Leahy Company of which currently has about daily Liturgy, the Sacraments, Mary did, we can continue New York. That original edi150 members. They take to help save the world.” fice was blessed and dedicated Perpetual Eucharistic Adoturns, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to be present in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel. The Sanctuary becomes a place of prayer and recollection for the busy inhabitants and office workers of New Bedford.

The upper floors above Our Lady’s Chapel also serve as a base of operations for the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate and home to Radio Along with the Friars, the members of the MIM and the Third Order of the Immaculate are constant fixtures at Our Lady’s Chapel.

The friary offers daily Mass celebrations and the Sacrament of Penance for the faithful. The Friars hear numerous Confessions every day, especially on the First Fridays and Saturdays of the month, as well as during the

CorMariae, a Roman Catholic radio station broadcasting on a frequency of 88.5 on the FM dial. Also known by the call letters WPMW, Radio CorMariae marked its official launch on March 25, 2011, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.

Located at 600 Pleasant Street, the origins of Our Lady’s Chapel date back to September 1954, when the

by Bishop Connolly on May 22, 1956.

In September 1959, buildings north of the chapel were to be demolished, paving the way for the construction of a new chapel and monastery structure at its current location. The new Our Lady’s Chapel cost $850,000 and was dedicated on Feb. 5, 1961. When the aforementioned Friars Minor relocated

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Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 December 31, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father A. Cook, pastor of Holy Family Parish in East Taunton, and diocesan director of Vocations and Seminarians.

January 7, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Jeffrey Cabral, J.C.L., diocesan Tribunal and in residence at St. Mark’s Parish in Attleboro Falls.

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The Anchor - December 29, 2017

Members of the Hispanic communities from St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Attleboro and St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River recently visited the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro as part of the annual Posdas tradition when faithful reenact the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph as part of the census. The Posadas takes place for nine days, from December 16 to December 24. (Photos

by Tim Desrosiers)