ll[-m"iliP__ 1- --r

-------

F~LRWERu~~NN~NSP~

-::FbR'sotJTflEAsr l.lASSACHVSBTSCAPE C()D & THE iSLANDS

VOL. 48, NO. 37 • Friday, October 1, 2004 FALL RIVER, MASS. Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

Religious of Jesus and Marybid 'adieu'to Fall River

When she wasan expectant motherat St. Patrick's Par­ish, FalI River,some 40 years agoLavoie and severalother ladies at theparish started toprovide others withinformation aboutpregnancies andraising children.She eventually gotinvolved in the par­ish council and ex­plored the Pro-Lifeaspect of it. Shewould bring infor­mation back fromPro-Life events ormeetings and sharethat with her parishand also organizedbaby showers forexpectant mothers.

When FatherStephen A.Fernandes tookover as director ofthe Pro-LifeApostolate, her in-

Turn to page /3-Award

throughout the Diocese of FallRiver. That the Fall River dioceseis a vibrant, informed and activeann of the Pro-Life movement isdue in no small part to the dedica­tion of Father Fernandes."

Selected for a Chapter ServiceAward was Aime LaChance, a pa­rishioner of Notre Dame Parish,Fall River. "LaChance has taken thelead in placing ads in the Fall RiverHerald News and developing a lo­cal billboard campaign that contin­ued on the area's Regional Transit

Turn to page J3 - MCFL

Apostolate whenever she can and has taught religiouseducation for more than 30 years. She has been anactive member of the Massachusetts Citizen's For Lifegroup for 14 years and is a member of Our Lady ofGrace Parish, Westport.

"People ask me if I can come and help out and Ialways try to," declared Lavoie.

movement in Massachusetts.Bishop Daniel A. Cronin ap­

pointed Father Fernandes head oftheapostolate in May of 1990, and sincethen, he has faithfully and diligentlyworked for the preservation of life,from conception to natural death.

According to MCFL, "FatherFernandes' eloquent defense of theculture of life is well known by allparishes of the diocese. He was in­strumental in establishing and nur­turing the Pro-Life Apostolate in in­dividual parishes and networkingparishes through the deaneries

Diocesan Pro-Life advocates amongthose selected for MCFL awards

BOSTON - MassachusettsCitizens For Life (MCFL) re­cently released a list of Pro-Lifeleaders who will be recognized atthe annual MCFL dinner on Oc­tober 15 in Randolph, and the Dio­cese of Fall River is well repre­sented.

Father Stephen A. Fernandes,diocesan director of the Pro-LifeApostolate and pastor ofOur Ladyof Fatima Parish, New Bedford,will receive the 2004 IgnatiusO'Connor Award for outstandingcontributions to the Pro-Life

~spect f(ife SundarOcto6er ~ 2004

DCCW's Lavoie to receive 2004'Cardinal O'Connor Pro-Life Award

By MIKE GORDON

ANCHOR STAFF

WESTPORT - Madeline "Maddy" Lavoie willbe honored this year by the diocesan Pro-LifeApostolate as the recipient of the '2004 John CardinalO'Cormor Award For the Gospel of Life.

Bishop George W. Coleman will present the awardduring a banquetOctober 26 at 6p.m. at White's ofWestport for herdecades of dedi­cated service to the .Pro-Life missionof the Church.

The Fall Rivernative said she was i

astounded and theannouncementcame as a com­plete surprisewhen she found ...out she was get- ..ting the award. "Iwas overwhelmedbut absolutelyhonored to be therecipient," saidLavoie.

She is a mem­ber of the Dioc­esan Pro-LifeCommittee andthe District OneCouncil of Catho­lic Women.Lavoie also volun­teers her timehelping out thePro-Life

The decision and the closing wasannounced by Sister Janet Stolba,RIM, provincial superior, after con­sulting with the Sisters of the U.S.Province. .

Tum to page J3 - RiM

would become of a fledgling,nameless retreat that took placeat the Sacred Hearts RetreatCenter in Wareham 30 yearsago.

What emerged from those ef­forts in June of 1974 was theErnmaus Retreat Program, spe­

Tum -fa page 12 - Emmaus

Emmaus programcelebrates 30 yearsof service to dioceseBy DAVE JOLIVET, EDITOR

When Christ left his Churchin the hands of his disciplesmore than two millennia ago,only God knew that millionsupon millions of souls wouldwalk in the footsteps of his Sonthrough the years. In much thesame way, only God knew what

FALL RIVER - After 127years ofservice to the Fall River dio­cese ~md the community, Sisters ofthe Religious of Jesus and Maryclosed their residence at 632 High­land Avenue as September ended.

FALL RIVER natives among the Religious of Jesus andMary, who recently marked the closing of the Thevenet Mis­sion Center on Highland Avenue in Fall River, are, from left,Sisters Irene Rheaume, Irene Castonguay, Denise Renaud,Antoinette GamacheJ Michelle Authier, Claudette Lapointeand Diane Dube. All but one are from Notre Dame Parish.(Photo courtesy of Sister Janice Farnham, RJM)

theanch~ Friday, October 1, 2004

Centerville parish to host 'ChristianIMuslim presentationCENTERVILLE Pax

Christi-Cape Cod and RENEW willco-sponsor a special and timely pre­sentation titled "Reaching Out: AChristian and a Muslim Share theNon-Violence of Their Faith," on

. Sunday, from I to 3 p.m. at OurLady of Victory Parish Center.

The presentations will focus onthe non-violent dimensions ofthe re­spective faiths. Featured speakerswill be SisterofNotre Dame Patricia

Montie Plumbing& Heating Co.

Over 35 Yearsof Satisfied Services

Reg. Master Plumber 7023 .. JOSEPH RAPOSA, JR.

432 JEFFERSON STREETFALL RIVER 508-675-7496

McCarthy, and Ammad Sheikh.SisterMcCarthy is a teacher, lec­

turer, and author. For the past 15years she has lectured on non-vio­lence throughout the United States,Canada, Ireland, Japan, Bosnia,Vietnam, Croatia, andAustralia. Shehas published five books and wonfirst place from the National Catho­lic Press Association in 2002 for herbook 'The Word ofGod, The Wordof Peace."

Ammad was born and raised inPakistan and came to the U.S. at age14. He is a' graduate of BarnstableHigh School, Cape CodCqmmunityCollege, and a U.S. NaVy veteran.Currently a full-time student atUMass-Dartmouth, he also worksas a career consultant with veterans.

All are invited. Refreshmentswill be served.

'.

I,

In Your Prayers'Please pray for the following

priestsduring the coming weeks

. .Oct. 51999, Rev. Jean D. Pare, a.p., Assistant Director, St. Anne Shrine,

Fall River

. _ ~ct.6. 1916, Rev. Stephen B. MagiJI\ Assistant, Immaculate 'Conception,North Easton. \\~

1987, Rev. ROlan~dBrodeur JJniondale;N.Y.. ~.

.' Oc~7\' .1951, Rev. Caesar Phares, pastof\St. Anthony of the Desert, Fall

River . \1975, Rev. Msgr. Arthur G. DUPuis\pastor Emeritus, St. Louis de

France, Swansea \1988, Rev. Andrew Jahn, SS.Ce., Sacred Hearts Seminary, Wareham

. Oct.tO \ \ . '1918, Rev. James C,J. Ry~, Assistant, Il1lJ!lllculate Conception, North

Easton1987, Rev. Boniface Jones, SS.CC., Chaplain, Sacred Heart Home,

New Bedford1990, Rev. Joseph A. Martineau, Retired Pastor, St. Theresa, N~w

Bedford

Sister Simone Brien SUSC

Oct 4 Gal 1:6-12; Ps111 :1-2;7-1 0; Lk10:25-37

Oct 5 Gal 1:13-24; Ps, 139:1-3,13-15; .

Lk 10:38-42Oct 6 Gal 2:1-2,7-14;

Ps117:1-2; Lk11 :1-4

Oct 7 ,Gal 3:1-5; (Ps) Lk1:69-75; Lk 11 :5-13

Oct 8 Gal 3:7-14; Ps111 :1-6; Lk11 :t5-26

Oct 9 Gal 3:22-29; Ps105:2-7; Lk11 :27-28

Oct to 2 Kgs 5:14-17;.Ps 98:1-4; 2Tm2:8-13; Lk17:11-19

CHOIR MEMBERS representing 'a number of parishes from throughout the diocese metrecently at Corpus Christi Church in East Sandwich to rehearse for the Centennial Rosary Cel­ebration, which will take place on October 11 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in. '"Attleboro. Eric Carreiro of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Seekonk, center, is seen leading thegroup. He and Mark Girardin of St. Pius. X Parish, South Yarmouth, are directing the choir andexpect to have nearly 100 singers at the Rosary Celebration. (Bruce McDaniel photo)

1,111111111111111111111111111111THE ANCHOR (USPS-545..Q20) PeriodicalPostage Paid at Fall River, Mass. Publishedweekly except for the first two weeks in Julyand the week after Chrisbnas at 887 HighlandAvenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720 by the CatholicPress ofthe Diocese ofFall River. Subscriptionprice by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.POSTMASTERS send address changes to TheAnchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

Our Lady'sMonthly MessageFrom Medjugorje

September 25, 2004Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Were located at ...

A6 Oak Grove Ave., Fall Riverorcal/ ...

508-675-7426 .• 508-~74,;:0709

I You Never Had ServiceUntil You Tried Charlie's

Spiritual Life Center of Marian Community154 Summer Street

Medway, MA 02053· Tel. 508-533-5377

"Dear Children! Aiso today, I call you to be love wherethere is hatred and food where there is hunger. Open yourhearts, little children, and let your hands be extended and gen­erous so that, through you, every creature may thank God theCreator. Pray, little children, and open your heart to God'slove, but you cannot if you do not pray. Therefore, pray, pray,pray.

"Thank you for having responded to my call."

_ LOWEi;.L -'- Holy UnIon Sis- teeI:~g in aliteracy' program for· aha ~t the Univ~rsity of Puei:to'o't~r Simone Brien, 89, formerly ,adults. .> • Rico in Portee." .

. . known as:Sister Jeanne Regis, died : Born in Manchester, N.fI., she ,> SisterBrien also taught at schools~ September'24 at the D'¥oijville was one.of seven children ofthe in Rhode island and New York..

i--'!"'P-R-A-C-T-IC-E-T-H-E-.-O-E-V-OT-I-O-N-O-F-T-H-E-F-I-R-ST-S-A,-r-U-R-O-A,-YS-.,.....--.. . Senior 'Care C~nter here. . late Alphonse and the late Marie She retired to St. Mary's VillaSister Brien had taught 'at St. (Poulin) Brien. . in Lowell in 1995. .

AS REQUESTED BY OUR 'LADY OF FATIMA Jacques and St. Mary's schools in . She entered Holy Union No- She leaves a brother, PhilipOn December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia Taunton. After retiring from vitiate in Fall River in 1933 an'd Brien of Auburn, N.H.; nieces(seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my teaching, she coordinated recre- made her profession of vows on and nephews; and her Holy Unionname that I promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces' ational activities for retired Sis- July 26, 1934 and September 20, Sisters. She was the sister of thenecessary for the salvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first ters at Sacred Hearts Convent in 1940. She received a bachelor's late Rita, Bertrand, Maurice,

Saturday of five consecutive months shall: Fall River. She also provided degree from Catholic Teachers Roland and Raymond Brien.1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the companionship for an elderly College in Providence, R.I., and Her funeral Mass was cel-

Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while housebound woman and volun- '. _studied art, literature and Span- ebrated Monday in St. Mary's.meditating on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of . . 'ish at The Catholic University of Villa Convent in Lowell. Burial

• making reparation to me." America in Washington, D.C., was in Sacred Heart Cemetery in'In a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each to be Daily Readings Manhattan College in New York, North Andover.

preceded by the words: "In reparation for the offensescommitted against the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

Confessions may be made during 8 days before or ·after thefirst Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at .

either the morning or evening Mass on the first Saturday.. !

Charlie's Oil Co., Inc., Prompt 24 Hour Service ' Automatic Oeliveries, Call In Oeliveries ' Budget Terms Available

, Free Estimates

Sister Fernandes leaves Saint Anne'sBoard for international post in Rome

strengthen health care in our area.Our main mission was to make surehealth care is alive and stays alive,"she said.

"It is difficult for all Catholic hos­pitalsdaily becauseofthe reimburse­ment issues we come up against ...the ethical and moral issues we arefaced with; and the need to continu­ally educate our staffon all Pro-Lifepositions which run the gamut ofalllife;' she explained.

'The people I have known andthe relationships I've built up overthe years have been so much a partof my life ... and it is difficult toleave all tha!;' she said. Then, bright­ening up, she noted, ''But the newjob is only for five years, and I ex-

"

dence College. Her master's degreein fundamental Catholic spiritual­ity was earned at Duquesne Uni­versity.

After that Sister Joanna re­turned to Saint Anne's and wasinvolved in mission work, and wasalso a member of the trustees. Shealso was the formation directorand vocation director for her com­munity.

It was in 1989 that she was firstelected to a five-year-term as pro­vincial of her religious communityand became the cbairman of thehospital's trustees.

"I loved being in Fall River andSaintAnne's and I'm pleased tohavebeen able to do my little bit to help

Riverdale, NY 10471 • 1-800-MC2-XCEL • www.manhattan.edu

College is the place where the rest of your life comes into focus.

Not just your career goals, but also your future role in a changing world.

.That's why values and principles are totally infused into the

Manhattan College experience. Our world-class faculty,

diverse student body, caring environment and alumni success rate

are important, of course. B':lt you'll also .graduate as someone prepared

to do the. right thing, to make a difference.

MANHATIAN COLLEGELASALLIAN EDUCATION SINCE 1853

late Anthony and the late MarianFernandes. She attended schoolsthere and graduate from TauntonHigh School.

In 1965 she graduated from St.Anne's School of Nursing, becom­ing a registered nurse. It was there,she said, that she came to know theDominican Sisters. She worked fora year as a nurse and then enteredthat Congregation. She professed hervows in 1972.

She later received a bachelor'sdegree in psychology from Provi-

SISTER JOANNA FERNANDES, OP

over the hospital, from finance andpolicies to administration. The by­laws were amended in 1950 allow­ing achange in the controlling board.

SisterJoanna's new internationalresponsibilities will be "to see wherewe are as a Congregation and whatare our needs as multicultural andmultilingual communities and howwedevelop the relationships betweenourselves and how we can live in­ternationally," she said.

"Like other members of thecouncil I will be doing a lot of trav­eling as we oversee the entire Con­gregation," Sister Joanna said. ''Wetry to ensure that whatever we de- .cided at the chapters will be carriedout and put into practice. We try tobe that source of unity and remainfaithful to our charisms and theteachings of our foundress, SisterMarie Poussepin, and our origins in1696."

While she will be traveling to andfrom the motherhouse in France, hernew residence will be in Rome.

A Taunton native whose rootsare in St. Joseph's Parish, SisterJoanna is one of 10 children of the

226 Great Neck RoadWareham, MA 02571

Ofc: 508-295-0100Fax: 508-291-2624

E-mail: retreats@sscc.orgWebsite: www.sscc.org/wareham

128 acres of forests, trails & private beach on the AtlanticCall Ahead Anytime

+ Private Days of Reflection + Private Self-Guided Retreats+ Renewal Days for Parish Leaders + Spiritual Direction

11/08-11/12 Respite for Priests NO CHARGE12/17-12/18 Advent Overnight Retreat .12/18 Bereavement - Losing a Spouse with Anne Biancuzzo, RN12/19 F R E E Christmas Open House 2-5PM01/14-01/16 Prayer - Our Tune with God with Fr. David Lupo, ss.cc.01/17-01120 Respite for Priests NO CHARGE01/21-01/23 Contemplative Prayer Retreat with Fr. Bill Heffron, ss.cc.Celebrating Our Centennial of Service to the Fall River DioceseThe Following Retreat is Being Offered FREE02/11-02/13 Pray the Rosary to Read the Bible FREE

For more information contact: Sacred Hearts Retreat Center226 Great Neck RoadWareham, MA 02571Offc: 508-295-0100FAX: 508-291-2624

~ She will become amember ofherCongregation'sgoverning council.

I•.··'·· ~·;~i ~~~~~~! RETREAT~. CENTER

FALL RIVER - DominicanSister of. the Presentation JoannaFernandes, chairman of the Board

.of Trustees of Saint Anne's Hospi­tal, is leaving October 8 to becomea member of her community's in­ternational governing council inRome.

"r certainly am going to miss ev­eryone and the hospital," SisterJoanna told The Anchor. "At thesame time it is a wonderful oppor­tunity to get to know my commu­nity of Sisters at this new level andalso to be able to live in Rome," sheadded. "It's going to be very enrich­ing and very exciting."

SisterFernandes, 60, was electedto her new post at a July-Augustgen,ral chapter held at themotherhouse in Tours, France, at­tended by 72 delegates representingthe approximately 3,000 Sisters ofher community in 37 countriesworldwide.

She is the first American nunelected to the six-member council.The delegates also elected a newsuperior general, Sister MoniqueColret.

Sister Joanna has served for 15years on the hospital's board ex of­ficio because she was the provincialfor her religious community of Sis­ters who reside on Elm Street inDighton.

That tradition follows the longhistory of the Dominican Sisterswho have had a presence at SaintAnne's Hospital since it was estab­lished in 1906. The hospital's firstgoverning body was comprised ofseven Dominican Sisters. The boardthey formed had complete control

1_4...:...- .", the..=...:..:::....a==.;~~~..:.....=:==------------Fr-id-a-Y....;.' o_c_t_ob_e_r_1_,2_0_0_4_-----11"

tensions and seemingly hopelesssituations.

When we feel someone is allthere for us, it tends to free usup to be ourselves. Buriedproblems come to the surfaceand are aired out. Excitingaspirations are shared. Newinsights are generated. Hope isrevived: What is more impor­tant, our spirit is refreshed andrenewed.

When an Italian says that heor she is doing well, a phrasethat is used is "non sipreoccupare," I am not preoccu­pied. In other words, I am notbeing tom apart by going inmany directions. I am focusedand "all there."

Today it is so easy to bepreoccupied by events orconcerns that destroy our peace.The daily news more often thannot is disturbing, and no matterwhere we look we can't seem tofind serenity. If you feel you areat the end of your rope, find afriend who is all there for you .and be all there for him or her.

Spend time sharing, and seeif it doesn't restore that innercalm you seek..

. even though it is momentary.We connect and are "all there"for each other.

. Interestingly, the wonderfultheologian Father RomanoGuardini defined the power ofstillness and peace as "being allthere." He meant that we're allthere when we focus our wholebeing on another, leaving selfout of the picture.

On that same trip home, Ihappened to stay at a rectory inorder to meet with a friend whowas visiting there. While there,the pastor came in, sat downand gave us his undividedattention. He was "all there"

'with us. Though I only stayedovernight, it was so refreshingto experience this hospitalityand to feel at one with him.

As I reflected on this, itdawned on me that as bad as thepriesthood shortage is, if wewho are priests could be "allthere" for each other, eventhough 'momentarily, we wouldnot only find the strength to .carry on, but probably would bea happier priesthood and 'attractmore vocations. I believe ~his

holqs true for all of us facing

"Is NOT THE CUP OF BLESSING WIllCH WE BLESS A SHARING IN ·THE BLOOD OF

CHRIST? Is NOT THE BREAD WHICH WE BREAK A SHARING IN THE BODY OF

CHRIST?" (1 CORINTHIANS 10:16)

SISTERS OF THE SERVANTS OF THE LORD AND THE VIRGIN OF MATARA JOIN A NIGHTIIME

EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION ON THE CAMPUS OF THE CATHOLIC UNIVERoSITY OF AMERICA

RECENTLY IN WASHINGTON. THE PROCESSION WAS PART OF A TWO-DAY EUCHARISTIC CON­

GRESS SPONSORED BY THE COUNCIL OF MAJOR SUPERIORS OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS. (CNS

PHOTO BY NANCY WIECHEc)

the living word

How to rediscover peaceBy FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

On a recent drive back fromChicago to Washington, Istopped at my favorite restingplace, St. Vincent's Archabbeyin Latrobe, Pa. It is a monasterywith a college, so it bustles withactivity. Yet, when I am there Iam at peace.

While staying overnight, Ifell asleep to the melodioussound of crickets and awoke tosinging birds. A better accompa­niment to restfulness you couldnot find.. .

On my way to breakfast Ilooked out over the countrysidesurrounding the monastery ­rolling hills dotted by trees andlush fields. I allowed thewonder of God's peace to fill!TIe.

On this particular visit, Ilearned yet another lesson aboutpeace. Peace is generated bywholesome sharing. Many ofthe monks have become closefriends - people with \Yhom I .can share my ideas freely,especially my inner .feelings. Inmy conversations with them, Ihave had this experience often,

Changing attitudes

themoorin~

'iF,:r~t.: ',:.:.. ". . ,?,:{ ,;.,.,iii·~1is~.~e$kfY1~Y. ' 8131 Higtmmci'Av.nb~ MH,,'; • .e'. BOX l' , ,.

Fall River, MA"<6!Y~O\ .'~':flIH"~r; VA 02722·01)M"·'··

Telep~~~:i~~h~~;~~~;:J;~~$~b;;7048 '.Send address changes to P.Oi Bo*. caftcilr vie t!·mall addre$s

EXECUTIVE EDITORRev. Msgr. John F. Moore

EDITOR NEWS EDITOR OFFICE MANAGERDavid B. Jollvet James N. Dunbar Barbara M. Rets

We he~ little about some of the most wondetful cultural happenings ofour time. So caught up in the terror of the times, the war in the Middle Eastand the media fiascoes of an election year, we have relegated living. Themassive undertaking of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the excite­ment of the Peabody Essex in Salem, the plans to expand the Modem inNew York, the rejuvenation of the Brooklyn, and even here at home, theacquisitions of the Whaling Museum in New Bedford are but a few of themajor cultural endeavors that are currently in the works. Only a few areaware of such undertakings due to the lack of public awareness. They sim­ply do not get the headlines.

However, one new museum opening did get some well-deserved atten-,tion in recent weeks. The new National Museum' of the American Indianon the Mall in Washington became our nation's tribute to America's for­gotten people, Built on the last open space on the Mall, this museum standsas a striking remembrance of a most tragic and horrendous history.

The intention of its designers, all native descendants, was to bring to thenation's capi~ a positive sign of the living culture of American Indianfamilies. Its .very site indicates that it will bea teaehing institution to remind:.·all visitors of the vast history which permeated the land before the adventof the white man,

One ofour greatest national tragedies was the complete'hostility that theU. S. Government evidenced in its handling of Indian affairs. When thecountry expanded its lands into Indian territories, the official mind-set inWashington was "the only good Indian was a dead Indian." After the greedofexpansion settled, Indian natives were forced onto reservations, many ofwhich were far from their native homeland. Indian people were left to thecorruption and slavery of government.agents. Yet, there were those whocame to their rescue. The Jesuits of New England, the Benedictines of theMidwest and the Franciscans of the west were but a few groups that tookup the work ofIndian missions. Today there are many of~ese same groupshealing the difficulties ofreservation life. However, in many circumstances,the culture that permeated so many Indian tribes became lost in the circum-stances of the times. '

Sad to say, many museums took gross advantage of the demise of theNative American, and became collectors of the skeletons oftribal life. Theystuffed their collections on the dead bones of the past, often with littlesensitivity and compassion. Indians became mere museum objectives.

As the nation grew and developed, we were exPosed to the cowboy andIndian story pattern that provided Saturday afternoon entertainment formillions of Americans. Most children growing up in this particular timeonly viewed Indians in negative and dark. terms. They were movie villains:Such an image ~s very difficult to remove from a child's mind. So manytoday continue to carry this misconceptiori.

In recent ,time there has been a more tolerant and open minded reflec­tion of the Native culture. The Indian world also has been determined tocorrect past faulty visions. The resurgence ofcultural anthropology in ourcolleges has played a tremendous role in looking at Indian life, and willopen eyes and knowledgeable ininds. Many Indian communities are stillplagued by poverty and addiction. Not all have the benefits of Foxwoodsand the Mohegan Sun. For those who have been left behind in these gam­bling days, much should be done.

Pedlaps the new Indian museum will playa role in this pnx;ess of ap­preciating the native culture, which really was a civilization that was buried

. by the new immigrants to America The thousands of visitors to the mu­seum will have the opportunity to share in Indian rites and rituals that WiJlbe introduced as part of museum life. And like all museums ~orth theirsalt, it will become a teaching institution that dispels the ignorance of thepast and the questionings of the presenCThe reflections ofWtlliam Jamesseem quite appropriate in this regard. He Wrote, 'The greatest discovery ofmy generation is that human beings by changing the inner attitudes of theirminds, can change the outer aspec!S of their lives."

The Executive Editor

:.< I~ ....

I feel so much better now.Dave Jolivet, editor ofThe

Anchor, is a fonner sportseditor/writer, and regularlygives one fan's perspective onthe unique world ofsports.

Comments are welcome atdavejolivet@anchornews.or~.

-- PAR ToN E R 5 --

Call to schedule a private tour! .

MODEL Now OPEN!

Open Seven Days a Week

508-636-0590www.thecedarsassistedliving.com

628 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth~ Elder Affairs Certification Pending 6.

publicly admit that I've lostfaith in them again.

I'll respond just like the restof you - I'll blurt those wordsonly to myself, and possibly .Igor, in anger and frustration.

Red Sox, you are the only,only, only!

Our Residents Enjoy Mass

Can your Secretary makechanges to your Websitewithout the Techie Guy?

They can with ourwebsites. Real Timeupdates, very secure.

From the makers of Gabriel Software

Websites for Parishes,Schools and Business

THE CEDARSAssisted Living

with a differenceWhere residents will enjoy Mass,

offered by .'Our Lady of.Purgatory Church,

New Be4ford, MA.The Cedars features:• Brand new studios, one & two

bedroom apts.• On 10 beautiful acres• Attractive financial options available• The Meadows, a memory

enhancement wing & program

Call Armand Brunelle for moreinformation at

508-222-8751 Ext. 104www.emeraldcp.com/gahrier

feeling. And I also know thatthey'll break our hearts again ...rip them out and stomp on them... and I'll trash them again inprint. But I:ll never, ever

YOUR SUPPLIER OF RNEECCLESIASTICAL

INTERIORS

www.churchgoods.net

only, only."Yes, yes, YES! That's me.

That's what I feel!Red Sox please don't blame

me if I ever doubt you. Youknow I couldn't live withoutyou. Red Sox, you are the only,only, ONLY!

Immediately the healingbegan, and continues to this day.

I can't erase what I wrote lastweek, and I know I wrote whattons of other Sox fans were

recently rewritten and recorded"Tessie," the old fight song ofthe 1903 Boston (Red Sox)Pilgrims, that's become theanthem of the 2004 Pilgrims.

I had to listen, and that justadded to the guilt trip.

The song's refrain sent chillsup my spine:

'''Boston, you know we loveyou madly.Hear the crowdroar to yoursound. Don'tblame us if weever doubt you.You know wecouldn't livewithout you.Red Sox youare the only,

1The J.8. Paluch Co., One of the largestnational publishers of Catholic Churchbulletins is seeking experienced, self­motivated outside sales person to sell

advertising in weekly church bulletins.We offer the serious applicant an

opportunity to earn $35K+/yr. in aweekly commission program. FIT, FullBenefit Package, Incentives & 401K.

Car NecessaryFor info call Mr. Ed Hayes

800-524-0263

The only, only, only

CAVE CORP.508-799-2903

By Dave Jolivet

My ViewFrom the

Stands

P.O. Box 2791Worcester, MA 01613·2791

508-799-2903 FAX 508-829-9975

CHURCH RESTORATION SPECIALISTS"Keepers ofGod's House"

Pew and Kneeler RestorationCave Corp. sets the standard in the refinishing of pews. From

removal and stripping, to our on-site restorations, our free of chargesample pew will show you the results we can achieve.

(KNEELER CUSHIONS [NEW], RECOVERED,KNEELER BACKSTOPS, RUBBER LEG BUMPERS)

FlooringCarpet, Tile, Wood, Ceramic tile - new or restored, our flooring

specialists are at your service. .

Interior Church PaintingSave Several Thousand Dollars by eliminating the high cost of

scaffolding with our church booms. We guarantee there will be nodisturbance of church service during the restoration. We offer archi­tectural and interior design.

sentiments into Microsoft Word,I knew I would regret them.

How long did it take? Lessthan a day. Within hours ofventing my frustration in print, Itrudged home from work, stillstinging from "getting boppedon the schnoz" again by theYankees.

Upon entering my dwellingplace, I was lovingly mauled byIgor, our Australian cattle dog/border collie, who wears heremotions on her paws.

"Wow," I thought. "She lovesme unconditionally. She wouldnever tell the world she's 'lostfaith in me.'"

What had I done?To make matters worse, I

went through my mail andfound the Dropkick Murphys'CDIDVD that I had ordered.

The local. punk-rockers had

Maybe it's because I'mCatholic, or maybe it's becauseI went too far this time, butsince shipping off last week'scolumn to press, I've beenplagued with guilt.

In last week's catastrophe ofa column, I actually said in printthat I had lost faith in the RedSox. As soon as I fed those

1heanchCi\) 'Friday, Ootober 1, 2004

Why aren't today'sfollowers of

Jesus Jewish?

Sixteen things I've .learned11. No one knows why pew

pencils are the same ones you useto keep score at a golf course.

12. The longer one stays awayfrom confession, the harder it is ~o

go. Go anyway.13. Hanging around someone

who is a veteran of the missionlands can.be like Jesus rubbing

spit on the blindness ofone's soul, and they arealways so fundamentally.darn happy.

14. Putting men andwomen religious on apedestal is not particu­larly healthy for them orus. We all need support,love and understandingin greater portion than

adulation, pampering or defer­ence.

15. Things Catholic makemuch better theater and moviematerial than any other religion.

16. The Hail Mary is like ducttape; kept handy, it can help youthrough a remarkable number ofsituations.

I know what you are thinking.I left out all the truths aboutpancake breakfasts, bingo and thealtar society. These are worth listsof their own.

Comments are welcome. E­mail Uncle Dan atcnsuncleOl@yahoo.com.

being holy. Probably it should,but it does not necessarily makeus kinder or more moral thanothers.

4. Many times it is easier topray to the Blessed Mother thanto Jesus.

5. It is bad, bad form to declinea five-year-old's invitation to

For theJourney

By Dan Morris

hold hands during the Our Father.6. Becoming enraged with

God is a potential eighth proof ofhis existence.

7. There is way too muchpressure put on pastors.

8. A good homily really canchange a person's life. So can abad one.

9. Patience is a better tool thanpanic for communicating withGod. But both work.

10. It is good to distinguishbetween prayer and wishful

. thinking, but sometimes nearlyimpossible.

By Effie Caldarola

The offbeatworld of

Uncle Dan

To our relief, the social worker informed us thatintensive tests indicated no Alzheimer's disease ordementia, but found other causes, some treatable, forwhat they termed mom's "mild cognitive impair­ment.", Memory loss is a brutal thing. It is torment tothink of our memories, or those of our loved ones,being stripped away one by one until even treasuredfaces become the faces of strangers.

Yet memory is illusive, isn't it?. I recently found, after

r----------~r-_=:::_--,., having lost them foryears, a pile of oldphotographs I'd takenwhen I visited Ireland 30years ago. I was exultant,not just for the pictures,,but for the memories thatcame flooding back withthe photos. Where hadthose memories beenhiding? '

Where does memory go? I think of the goodthings my mother has done, the faith she has passedon to her children. Even if she forgets these things,they remain real, sending out their little ripples intothe future like the fragile beating of a butterfly'swings or the imperceptible movement of smoke.

St. Ignatius Loyola begins his famous prayer, theSuscipe, by saying: "Take, Lord, receive, all I haveand possess: my memory, unqerstanding, my entirewill.'" .

How hard, and yet how comforting, to say thatprayer.

Take my memory, Lord, and indeed he will.Whether I, or my mother, yield it bit by bit as w~grow into old age or whether it's taken all at once atthe mo~ent of our deaths, I like to believe we don't"lose" our memories, but rather we hand them overto the care of a loving God.

The same God who charts the movement of, smoke from the empty wilderness to the canyons ofManhattan knows where our treasured memories go,and he makes sure they're never lost.

Pulitzer-pri.ze-winninghumorist Dave Barry wasrecently credited on the Illternet .with authoring a list of "SixteenThings That It Took Me Over 50Years to Learn," a litany thatincluded entries such as "Neverlick a steak knife."

I am confident the list is Barry'swork in that it alsoincludes his well-knownand insightful axiomabout dining out: ''A~rson who is nice to you,but rude to the waiter, isnot a nice person."

. It set me to pondering.Are there 16 things thattook me more than 50years to learn about theCatholic Church and Catholics?By golly, there ,are:

1. It is a4nost impossible not tolaugh really loudly when a four­year~old drops the kneeler on hisfather's ankle, thus forcing thefather to lurch forward andthwack his forehead on the backof the pew in front of him, which,iI} turn, can leave him (the father)a groaning lump.

2. Yelling at someone aboutyour religious convictionsactually decreases the chancesthat the person will hear you.

3. Attending Mass every weekshould not be confused with

The ripple effect of memori~sAlaska has a huge fire season each summer. It

doesn't get much national attention, since fires ragemainly in uninhabited fores~ lands. Many people aresurprised to hear that thou~ands of lightning strikescan occur in one week in Alaska's interior.

But this year's conflagration was a record­breaker by any measure. Over 5.5 million acres of

- Alaska burned this summer, and by mid-Augustnearly 100 fires still were burning across the state.

Fairbanks endured weeks of thick smoke.Fortunately for us downin Anchorage, only a fewdays of noticeable hazeblighted our sunnys~mmer.

But we probablybreathed more smokethan we realized, becausereportedly the Alaskansmoke was detected as faraway as Manhattan. , ....----------

How interrelated, howconnected we are to each other! You know thetheory about the beating of a butterfly's wingsbeginning the movement that creates weatherpatterns thousands of miles away? It must be true.

Recently, back in the Midwest, my mother andour family went in for a consultation followingextensive medical and psychological testing onmom. One brother and I joined in by teleconference.

All of us, mom included, had been concerned withher gradual loss of memory. She forgot ,that she hadgiven each of my children a sterling silver rosary withthe individual's name engraved on the crucifix. Wheneveryone brought their wedding pictures ,to the lobbyof the facility where she lives, she forgot that she had

, had pictures taken at her own wedding.One day, tired and stressed after a sleepless night,

she even forgot to answer the phone as my brotherrepeatedly called her to make sure she was up for anappointment.

It was a sleepy 5 a.m. for me in' Alaska as thefamily gathered at 8 in the Midwest for theconsultation.

those who persecute you."Beyond his different

teaching, however, Jesus sawhis death and resurrection asthe beginning of a new andfinal age for the humanfamily. The New AmericanBible comment on Matthew,5: 17 points out: "The 'passingaway' of heaven and earth isnot necessarily the end of the'world.... The 'turning of theages' comes with the apoca­lyptic event of Jesus' deathand resurrection, and those towhom the Gospel is addressedare living in the new and finalage, prophesied by Isaiah asthe time of 'new heavens anda new earth '" (Is 65: 17;

66:22).Jesus did

not there­fore aban­don his

, Jewishfaith. Hebuilt on it tocompleteGod's final

. and com-plete revelation of himself tothe human race. As Jesusanswered at the Last Supperwhen Philip asked to see theFather, "Whoever'has seen mehas seen the Father.... Do younot know that I am in theFather and the Father is inme?" (In 14:9).

As Son of God incarnate ina Jewish man, Jesus lived outGod's life as a perfect humanbeing, assuring us of theFather's unconditional loveand showing us the ideal wayto respond to that love.

Jesus' establishment of acommunity of believers, a"church," to continue hispresence and activity on thisearth, as all his other works,must be seen in that largercontext. He was, and is, theanointed one of God for oursalvation.

How, or if, we mightsomeday be one with theJewish faith is a mysteryhidden in the Holy Spirit. Inthe meantime, as I believe 'Pope Pius XI said, we are all 'spiritually Semites. LikeJesus, Christians have andalways will have their roots inGod's revelation to theHebrews.

A free brochure describingbasic Catholic prayers,beliefs and moral precepts isavailable by sending astamped, self-addressedenvelope to Father John

'Dietzen, Box 325, Peoria, IL61651.

Questions may be sent toFather Dietzen at the sameaddress.

Questionsand

AnswersBy Father

John J. Dietzen

Q. If Jesus and hisparents were Jews, why arewe Catholic followers ofJesus not of the Jewishreligion? Why did Jesus notstay with the Jewish faith? Iknow he told Peter, "Uponthis rock I will build mychurch," but that doesn'texplain why Jesus, in effect,defected from the Jewishreligion. Should we not beone religion with the Jewsnow? (Wisconsin) ~

A. Please understand firstthat a Jewish answer to yourquestion would be quitedifferent from.my reply here,which would be the answer ofat least the vast majority of

Christian believers., The simplest direct re­

sponse is that Jesus neverconsidered himself as aban­doning his Jewish religiousheritage. In the Sermon on theMount he tells the disciples:"Do not think I have come toabolish the law and theprophets. I have come not toabolish but to fulfill" (Mt5:17).

The Gospels repeat thistheme in many ways duringhis public life, particularly byrecalling that certain of hiswords and actions fulfill whatwas spoken by the prophetsand other Old Testamentwriters. Mary's Magnificat forexample (Lk 1:46-55) islargely based on Old Testa­meQ.t prophetic and historicalpassages, for example thehymn of Hannah, mother ofSamuel (1 Sam 2), some ofwhich appears word for wordin the Magnificat.

On the other hand, Jesusmakes equally clear that he issetting a new course forJewish tradition. Severaltimes he declares his depar­ture from the Hebrew Scrip­tur~s. "You have heard that itwas said 'An eye for an eyeand a tQoth for a tooth.' But Isay to you, offer no resistanceto one who is evil" (Mt 5:38­39).

It had been assumed (inPsalm 139: 19-22 for instance)that hatred of one's enemiesand other evildoers was theexpected way to honor God."But I [Jesus] say to you, loveyour enemies, and pray for

Friday, October 1, 2004 7

Cf?gspect f(jfe 2004A call to effective action: When being right is not enough

For more il/formatiol/, please call or write Retreat Secretary

Sf. Catheri11e OfSienn Unit(Fo be dedicated 10/(4)

Marimt Manor1iJunton, MA

Sf. Mary Q!ieen OfPence Unit

Our Lady} Havm

Fairhavm. MA

Sf. Michael Unit

SacrrdH~art HomeNew &dftrd. MA

Sf. Joseph UnitSacrrd H~tlT1 HomeNew &dftrd. MA

Monsignor Considi11e U"itCatholic Mmwrid HomeFall River, MA

Sf. Fraru:is OfAssisi UnitMadonna ManorNorth Attleboro, MA

c.c. NATIONALMORTGAGE..

Low, low rates starting at

33A%*NO POINTS, NO CLOSING COSTS

1ST, 2ND, 3RD MORTGAGESPURCHASE OR REFINANCE

IMPROVEMENT, REPAIRDEBT CONSOLIDATION

CREDIT CARD PAY OFFS,HOME EQUITY, COMMERCIAL

2ND HOMES, TUITION, SELF EMPLOYEDNO INCOME VERIFICATIONPOOR CREDIT - NO CREDIT

PAY OFF LIENS &ATTACHMENTSFORECLOSURE-BANKRUPTCYAPPLICATION TAKEN ON PHONE

NO APPLICATION FEE.FAST SERVICE. WE CAN HELPI

CALL NOWNew Bedford 508-636-7000Cape Cod 508-945-0060

Free application on Internetwww.ccnm.com

MB#1161·APR 5.78, 30yr$10k min.

Mary Cunningham Agee is' thefounder and president ofthe Nur­turing Network, a nationwidecharitable organization com­prised of over 40,000 resourcemembers who have provided forthe urgent and practical needs ofover 16,000 women with un­planned pregnancies.

• Special Design Features• Therapeutic Activities

words into the most life-savingmessage of all, "You are a be­loved child of God. No matterwhat mistake you may have madeor sin you may have committed,you are infinitely valuable andprecious in God's sight."

These are the healing wordsthat will help build a genuine andlasting culture of life. They ringtrue and find their way home inevery wounded human heart.

Diocesan Health Facilitieswww.dhfo.orgSponsored by th~ Roman Catholic DioceJ( ofFall RiV"

&v. Msgr. Edmundj. Fit:qpn/dExecutive Dim:tor

• SpecUJly Trained Staff• CaringfOr Family Members

Assisted liVingPEACE OF MINDA SAFE HARBOR

WHALER'S COVE

114 RIVERSIDE AVENUENEW BEDFORD, MA 02746

invites you to an

OPEN HOUSEOCTOBER 9,2004 8:00 AM -1:00 PM

Ask About Our Fall SpecialsEntertainmet:lt &Refreshments

Independent LivingRespite Care

Call Lori Vaudry at 508-997-2880

life" unless we are willing to pro­vide the practical means to sup­port it. This heartfelt convictionis lived out every day in the cou­rageous, sacrificial actions of our40,000 Nurturing Network volun­teer members worldwide.

The simple but profound truthis that there is no efficient or ef­fective substitute for the private,personal, time-intensive conver­sations that translate beyond

should focus more on presentingmoving personal testimoniesfrom real women who have con­fronted the painful consequencesof living in a culture of death. Byallowing their anguished voicesto be heard, the falsehoods lurk­ing behind the "choice" rhetoriccan be exposed. By permittingtheir tears to be seen and theirbroken hearts exposed, it will be­come obvious that women do "de­serve better" than abortion.

We cannot afford to overlookthe fact that it is the mother whois being asked to accept the eco­nomic hardship, social embarrass­ment and physical sacrifice of her .unplanned pregnancy. It is themother in crisis who must hearcompassionate words and cred­ible offers of assistance if she isto persevere on the lonely path ofprotecting the life of her unbornchild.

This awareness is what causedmy professional life to take a sud­den detour two decades ago to amodest office as founder andmanaging director of an interna­tional charity.

While it initially took the per­sonal anguish of a mid-trimestermiscarriage for me to grasp thehorror of prenatal death, it hastaken the daily, life-saving activ­ity of the Nurturing Network toteach me the primary importanceof translating my reverence for allhuman life into concrete, Christ­like action.

It simply is not enough for anyChristian to say that we are "for

La Salette Retreat Center947 Park Street

Attleboro, MA 02703-5115508-222-8530

- Most Reverend Raymond Burke, Archbishop of St. Louis, A PastoralLetter: On the Dignity ofHuman Life and Civic Responsibility,November 23, 2003

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

By MARY CUNNINGHAM AGEE

At this pivotal time in ournation's history, many of us arestruggling with the question ofhow to more effectively promotea culture of life. Even if recentlegislative victories and pollingdata suggest we are doingenough, it's clear we fall far shortof the "civilization of love" and"culture of life" about which PopeJohn Paul II speaks and writes soeloquently.

Christ taught us to speak withour actions as well as our words.He taught us to show empathy,respect and love for our audienceby adapting our message to theirunique needs and circumstances.

In each of his parables, heshowed us how to engage an au­dience where they are. He borewitness to the truth through hisactions one soul at a time. He re­peatedly expressed his lovethrough concrete, tangible ac­tions. He refused to keep a safedistance from his subject whetherin word or action.

As good communicators witha message that desperately needsto be heard, we have no choicebut to engage our audience wherethey are. In a culture in whichwomen often have been abusedby men through coerced at)ortion,divorce and desertion, would onegenerally expect men to be effec­tive in demanding that a womanplace the needs of an unborn childahead of her own?

A new voice is called for, justas different words are needed. We

Fall Grief Education ProgramsSr. Judith Costa, SSD Cost $15 at the door

Monday Mornings: 10:30 a.m. - NoonOctober 4 Griefand GuiltOctober 18 Some Ideas that Can Help

Thursday Evenings: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.October 7 Understanding Your Anger

Afternoon RecollectionFr. Fern Cassista, MS - Lessonsfrom Saints 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.October 24 Cost: $20 with pre-registration - $28 at the door

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •YAe te5ponJioUitg to difend fI/e •in all itJ JtogeJ./aItJ apon allt:at/wlie dUzeRJ. .9t./aItJ, witA­

prMticakuv weight, apon t:at/wliepoliUdanJ.

1

I ..

'.'.

Is theanch~ Friday, October 1, 2004

~spect 9jfe2004Surgical advances for unborn patients

By DR. WILLIAM R. LILE JR., FACOG

All couples yearn for and even expect to deliver a "per­fect" baby, yet in reality approximately two percent of allbabies will be born with some type of birth defect. Mostare non-life threatening and if need be, can be corrected­after the baby is born. Others, however, can result in thegrowing baby's death if not corrected.

Today's ultrasounds are safe for mom and baby,and have opened a window into the womb thought tobe impossible just 10 years ago. New instruments,such as fetoscopy, allow us to have real-time video ofthe baby in the womb, which are giving us unprec­edented views of the developing baby. The imagesare so clear and 'full of vibrant color thM arms, legs,fingers and toes come to life in the ultimate "wombwith a view."

Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists are treating bothmother and baby as individual patients in amazing ways.

Spina bifida is a condition affecting approximately onein every thousand babies. During the earliest stages ofdevelopment, the bones and tissues of the spine fail tofully cover the delicate nerves of the spinal cord. The ex­posure of these delicate nerves to the amniotic fluid canresult in paralysis from that point, downward. This defectis traditionally treated shortly after birth, with mixed re­sults. The defect can be surgically corrected by perform­ing a Caesarean section, amniotic fluid returned, and theincision on the uterus closed. The baby is then allowed tocontinue gestation and is delivered months later. Thesesurgeries have been performed as early as 19 wee.ks' ges­tation, less than halfway through a normal pregnancy. Thisis well before a baby can generally be expected to sur­vive on the outside.

Many other conditions are now being treated surgi­cally in the womb.

While still in its infancy, fetal surgery is rapidly chang­ing how we treat these tiny patients. Yet despite the ad-

FETAL SURGERY is now able to save lives andmitigate many disabilities. Samuel Armas, seengrasping his surgeon's finger and now a robustfour-year-old, explained to Congress: 'They fixedmy boo-boo." (Photo by Michael Clancy)

vances in both equipment and technique, there are stillconditions, diseases, and injuries in both adults and chil­dren that we just can't fix.

Life is a gift from God. It is he that weaves us in thewomb. To stop that life is an act of defiance against Godand his will. In Luke 1:44 God uses the Greek word

"brephos" to describe how the as-yet unborn John the Bap­tist "leaped in the womb for joy" while in the presence ofthe unborn Christ. In the very next chapter the same word"brephos" is used to describe the already born baby Jesus(Luke 2: 12), God sees them as babies, whether born orunborn, with all the God-given human dignity and thesame right to life afforded to adults.

So what do we do when we diagnose abnormalitiesthat we can't correct? The same thing we do for adults orchildren who develop incurable conditions, or suffer se­vere injury - we treat them with love, compassion, anddignity..

. We have all heard the public service announcementsthat heart disease is the number one killer of both menand women in the United States. I agree. Only a dis­ease of the heart would allow for over a million babiesto be aborted in this country every year. Until the heartsof the nation are changed, abortion will continue. Weneed to tell the truth to our friends, vote for those whovalue life, and hear about God's gift of life from ourpulpits. The tens of millions of women who have hadan abortion need to know that we serve a loving andforgiving God, and through that forgiveness true heal­ing begins.

"I have set before you life and death, the blessing andthe curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descen­dants may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19).

William R. Lile, Jr., D.O. is board certified in Obstet­rics and Gynecology. He is licensed to practice medi­cine in Florida andAlabama, and has a private practicewith the Sacred Heart Medical Group in Pensacola,Florida. He can be contacted- throughwww.ProLifeDoc.org.

Youth suicidal behaviorcounseling and psychotherapy toclients at theAlpha Omega Clinicand Consultation Services,Vienna, Virginia and Bethesda,Maryland. The clinic's mission isto integrateprofessionalexpertisein the fields ofpsychology, men­tal health and social work withtheprinciples ofthe Catholicfaithto enhance personal, profes­siona~familialandmaritaldevel­opment.

meaning in situations where suf­fering occurs. The effective re­sponses, however, are embeddedin the Catholic Church's teachingson the role of the family in guid­ing and nurturing children in thedomestic church, as well as on uti­lizing the best that science has tooffer (e.g., psychotherapy, coun­seling or medication) in ways thatsupport Christian moral truths.

The authorsprovide outpatient

r SIGNS A YOUTH IS SUICIDAL II What are signs one should lookfor in the suicidal youth? The I

following list should raise doubt as to the mental and emotionalhealth of a youth, especially within the context of any of thecircumstances mentioned in the article.

Deterioration in personal habitsIncreased sadness, moodiness, and sudden tearful reac-1.-

I! tlOns

Deliberate self-harming

IImpulsive and aggressive behaviorFrequent expressions of rage

I - Feelings of hopelessness, especially when accompanied

Iby anxiety

- The expression or communication of thoughts of sui-! cide, death, dying or the afterlife (in a context of sadness, bore- Ii dom, or negative feelings)

I-Declining school performance: consistently declining

grades, absences, and falling behind in credits.I - Loss of pleasure/interest in social and sports activitiesI Sleeping too little or too muchI Significant changes in weight or appetite

IUse of alcohol and drugsSudden withdrawal from family and friends

I

family, in particular, should create'. a climate where listening and char­

ity are reinforced. As John Paul IIwrites in Familiaris Consortia:"Acceptance, love, esteem, many­sided and united, material, emo­tional, educational and spiritualconcern for every child that comesinto this world, should always con­stitute a distinctive, essential char­acteristic of ... the Christian fam­ily" (no.26).

For those parents whose childis already showing signs ofdepression, or has· men­tioned suicidal feelings inhimself or a friend, it is im­portant to get immediatehelp through a medical ormental health professional(your parish priest or localdiocese should have referralsavailable). The confidential­ity of a counseling sessioncan sometimes provide a set-ting where they can divulgetheir difficulties.

Finally, it is important to notethat some psychological disorders,such as depression, can be heavilyinfluenced by one's biologicalstate. Medication or other medical

. intervention may therefore be anecessary component of address­ing the underlying cause of sui­cidal behavior.

Youth suicidal behavior is aserious problem in American so­ciety. Our contemporary culture,with its emphasis on material.suc­cess, can hamper the ability to .find

has been linked to suicidal behav­ior.

Recent changes in Americanfamily structures have resulted inincreased emotional and behav­ioral problems for teens; includingsuicide, criminal activity, un­planned pregnancy, and alcoholuse.

Not surprisingly, teens who arepromiscuous, have abortions, orbegin sexual activity at an earlyage experience high levels ofemo-

tional distress and are thus at riskfor suicidal behavior. Also, youthinvolved in peer violence, eitheras perpetrators or as victims, areat higher risk for suicide attempts.

The depth and nature of ayouth's spiritual life can also bean important factor in the decisionwhether to harm oneself. YO\lngpeople with strong religious con­victions are better able to inhibitimpulsive temptations to suicideand to seek avenues of understand­ing and support. The Christian

For those parents whose child isalreadyshowing signs ofdepression,

.or has mentioned suicidal feelings inhimself or a friend, it is important toget immediate help through a medi­calor mental health professional(your parish priest or local dioceseshould have referrals available).

By DANIEL BROWN, M.A., ART A.BENNETI, M.A. AND FRANK J.

MONCHER, PH.D.

Suicide is the third leadingcause of death in people ages 15­29 (after accidents and homicide),and the sixth leading cause forchildren ages five-14. While girlsare more prone to depression thanboys, teen boys arid young men arefour times more likely to commitsuicide. In the next 24 hours 1,439teens will attempt suicide, and 12young people between theages of 15 and 24 will dieby committing suicide. .

Young people do this tomake a change; a desperateattempt to force another (e.g.a parent or ex-boyfriend) tosee them differently; to makea choice when no choicesappear available; to escapea desperate situation; to re­lieve guilt over bad deci­sions, thus self-punishing;and/or to inflict harm or pun­ishment on another.

Youth suicide is another con­sequence of society valuing onlywhat is "useful," and rejectingwhatever does not show an imme­diate, material benefit.

A psychological disorder oremotional difficulty increases therisk of suicide in an alreadytroubled youth. The impulsive ten­dency to act without thinkingthrough a plan and its conse­quences is a symptom of a num­ber of these mental disorders and

,,.'"

Friday, October 1, 2004 9

I1••~-

A TAPESTRY depicting St. Gianna Beretta Molla hangsfrom the front of St. Peter's Basilica during her canonizationMass earlier this year. Molla, an Italian laywoman and physi­cian is often referred to as the Pro-Life saint. She died of a~lterine tumor in 1962, one week after giving birth to her fourthchild. She had refused medical treatment that may have savedher life, but put the fetus at risk. (CNS file photo)

starvation or dehydration is, in fact,the only possible outcome as a re­sult of their withdrawal. In thissense it ends up becoming, if doneknowingly and willingly, true andproper euthanasia by omission."

5. The obligation to provide as­sisted feeding lasts only as long assuch feeding meets its goals ofpro­viding nourishment and alleviatingsuffering.

6. We must not forget the needsof families caring for a loved onein a "vegetative" state and reach outto give them assistance so they willnot face their burdens alone.

The pope's speech responds toa serious moral and legal problemthat has divided families, ethicaladvisors, and courts in the UnitedStates and elsewhere.

Patients and families, like othersinvolved in medical decisions, needto understand that while specificmedical procedures may at timesbecome useless or burdensome, thiscan never be said of human personsthemselves. Caring for loved oneswho may never be able to respondor thank us for ourfaithfulness couldbe the ultimate test of our commit­ment to a culture of life.

Richard M. Doerflinger isdeputy director ofthe Secretariatfor Pro-life Activities, U.S. Con­ference of Catholic Bishops.

ids they need to survive. Here theHoly Father made several points:

1. No living human being everdescends to the status of a "veg­etable" or an animal.

"Even our brothers and sisterswho fmd themselves in the clinicalcondition 6f a 'vegetative state' re­tain their human dignity in all itsfullness." The Church insists that"the value of a man's life cannotbe made subordinate to any judg­ment of its quality expressed byother men."

2. In principle, food and fluids(even if medically assisted, as intube feeding) are part of that nor­mal care. Such feeding, he said, is"a natural means ofpreserving life,not a medical act." Even incurablepatients have a right to basic care.

3. This judgment does notchange when the "vegetative" stateis diagnosed as "persistent" or un­likely to change: 'The evaluationof probabilities, founded on wan­ing hopes for recovery when thevegetative state is prolonged be­yond a year, cannot ethically jus­tify the cessation or interruption ofminimal care for the patient, includ­ing nutrition and hydration."

4. Deliberate withdrawal offoodand fluids to produce a prematuredeath can be a form of euthanasia,that is, unjust killing. "Death by

Cf?gspect f(jfe 2004Human dignity in

the 'vegetative' stateBy RICHARD M. DOERFLINGER

On Christmas Eve, 1999, thefamily of Patricia White Bull inAlbuquerque, New Mexico re­ceived an unexpected gift. After 16years in a supposedly irreversible"vegetative state," Mrs. White Bullbegan to speak (The WashingtonTImes, January 5, 2000, p. A3).

Mrs. White Bull's story is notunique. In recent years, a numberof patients have unexpectedly re­covered from the "vegetative" state- a dimly understood condition inwhich patients have sleep/wakecycles, but do not seem aware ofthemselves or their environment.

The term "persistent vegetativestate" was coined in 1972. Physi­cians said then that patients withthis diagnosis had no consciousnessor sensation, and could not recoveronce they had remained in this statefor a certain number of months. Thelatest findings contradict all this. Itturns out that patients diagnosed asbeing in a "vegetative" state mayhave significant brain waves, andsubstantial parts of the upper brainmay be alive and functioning. .

On March 20, 2004, Pope JohnPaul II delivered an importantspeech in which he clarified andreaffirmed our moral obligation toprovide normal care to these pa­tients, including the food and flu-

The 10 great myths in the debate over stem-cell research

-

bryo. Does that mean that every time wewash our hands and are shedding thousandsofcells, we are killing life?" The problem isthat this overlooks the basic biological dif­ference between a regular body cell, and onewhose nuclear material has been fused withan unfertilized egg cell, resulting in an em­bryo. A normal skin cell will only give riseto more skin cells when it divides, while anembryo will give rise to the entire adult or­ganism. Skin cells are not potential adults.Skin cells are potentially only more skincells. Only embryos are potential adults.

10. Becausefrozen embryos may one dayend up being discarded by somebody, thatmakes it morally allowable, even laudable,to violate and destroy those embryos. Themoral analysis of what we may permissiblydo with an embryo doesn't depend on its oth­erwise "going to waste," nor on the inciden­tal fact that those embryos are "trapped" inliquid nitrogen. If we think about a school­house in which there is a group of childrenwho are trapped through no fault of theirown, that would not make it okay to send ina remote control robotic device which wouldharvest organs from those children and causetheir demise.

Rev. Tadeusz Pacholc~k did his Ph.D.in Neuroscience at Yale University andpost-doctoral research at MassachusettsGeneralHospiJalJHarvard MediealSchoo~prior to doing advancedstudies in Rome inTheology and in Bioethies. He was a priestofthe Diocese ofFall River, Mass.

by the same series of technical steps. Theonly difference is what will be done with thecloned human embryo that is produced: willitbe given the protection ofa woman's wombin order to be born, or will it be destroyed for

its stem cells?7. Somatic cell nuclear

transfer is different fromcloning. In fact, "somaticcell nuclear transfer" is sim­ply cloning by a differentname. The end result is stilla cloned embryo.

8. By doing somatic cellnuclear transfer; we can di­rectly produce tissues or or­gans without having toclone an embryo. At thepresent 'stage of research,scientists are unable to by­pass the creation of an em­bryo in the production oftis­sues or organs. In the future,it may be possible to injectelements from the cyto­plasm of a woman's ovuminto asomatic cell to "repro-gram" it into a stem cell.

This is called "de-differentiation." If so,there would be no moral objection to thisapproach to getting stem cells.

9. Every body cell, or somatic cell, issomehow an embryo and thus a human life.People sometimes argue: "Every cell in thebody has the potential to become an em-

and to be rejected as foreign tissue by therecipient). Rather, embryonic stem cells re­ally belong only within in the specializedmicroenvironment ofa rapidly growing em­bryo, which is a radically different settingfrom an adult body.

4. Embryonic stem-cellresearch is against the law.In reality, there is no law orregulation against destroyinghuman embryos for researchpurposes. While PresidentBush has banned the use offederal funding to support re­search on embryonic stemcell lines created after Au­gust 2001, it is not illegal.Anyone using private fundsis free to pursue it.

5. President Bush creatednew restrictions to federalfunding ofembryonic stem- FATHER TADEUSZcell research. The 1996 Pacholczyk is the direc­Dickey Amendment prohib- tor of education at theited the use of federal funds National Catholic Bioeth­for research that would in- ics Center. (AnchortGor­volve the destruction of hu- don photo)man embryos. Bush's deci-sion to permit research on embryonic stemcell lines created before a certain date thusrelaxes this restriction from the Clinton era.

6. Therapeutic cloning and reproductivecloning arefwuJamentally differentfrom oneanother. The creation of cloned embryos ei­ther to make a baby or to harvest cells occurs

Editor's note: Thefollowing is reprintedfrom the July 30 Anchor edition.

I. Stem cells can only comefrom embryos.In fact stem cells can be taken from umbili­cal cords, the placenta, amniotic fluid, adulttissues and organs such as bone marrow, fatfrom liposuction, regions of the nose, andeven from cadavers up to 20 hours after death.

2. The Catholic Church is against stem­cell research. There are four categories ofstem cells: embryonic stem cells, embryonicgerm cells, umbilical cord stem cells, andadult stem cells. Given that germ cells cancome from miscarriages that involve no de­liberate interruption of pregnancy, theChurch really opposes the use of only oneofthese four categories, i.e., embryonic stemcells. In other words, the Catholic Churchapproves three of the four possible types ofstem-cell research.

3. Embryonic stem-cell research has thegreatest promise. Up to now, no human be­ing has ever been cured of a disease usingembryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells, onthe other hand, have already cured thou­sands. There is the example of the use ofbone marrow cells from the hipbone to re­pair scar tissue on the heart after heart at­tacks. Research using adult cells is 20-30years ahead of embryonic stem cells andholds greater promise. This is in part becausestem cells are part of the natural repairmechanisms of an adult body, while embry­onic stem cells do not belong in an adultbody (where they are likely to form tumors,

..... , ... . . . . . .. ,

Friday, October 1, 2004o the~

~spect f(ffe 2004New free AWepregnancyhealth center soon to open in Fall River ....

. .~

-'

,~... :

end of the line, the minister said."We would like to open one in theBrockton area - and Framinghamand Cambridge."

For more information about thecenter or for donations to Heart forLife Partners, call 1-617- 929-1012,or check the Websitewww.awomansconcern.org/part­ners.

Say 'thanks' bytaking a stand

By Mike Gordon

Looking Back,Looking Ahead

Before most people our agewere born, the governmentdecided to give women theright to have an abortion Butno one consulted us - thebabies in question whosurvived the early 70s. No oneasked me,ho~J,fe1t abol,lt mypotential plaYJ;llfltes andneighbors b~ing snuffed outbefore they had a chance atlife.' It's a shame that we livein a world where the numberof babies aborted since thatdreadful day is approachingthe 40 million threshold.

I guess those older Ameri­cans who thought they weremaking the right choice for allAmericans are to blame. But ifthe tragedy of abortion in allits forms continues to deci­mate the youth population inthe decades to come, then wecan begin to blame ourselvesfor not trying to right thewrongs in the world.

Roe .v. Wade may be thelaw of the land, as it's beenduring our collective youth,but that doesn't mean we can'tdo something about it.

We are the future politi­cians ana lawmakers of the

I'm glad my mom was Pro- country. We are the 18-year-Life and if you're reading this, olds who have the right to voteand like me, were born in the and make a difference. I pray1970s, then it would be wise that we can make that differ-to thank your mother too. How ence for the sake of our

, many potential friends and children and our children~s

peers can't read this article children.because the Roe v. Wade When King Herod ordereddecision of 1971 made it the massacre of all boys agesimpossible? Unlike genera- two years and younger intions before them, they didn't Bethlehem, as told in thehave the opportunity for life. Gospel of Matthew, one

The impact on we who wonders what kind of uproar itwere born in the 70s and 80s created. Were people too ,is horrifying. Yet, that feeling' afraid to taJs:e a'stand against 'of anger is 'not ,expressed 'this injustice or were the'yenoug~ t>y my gt;neration. courageous enough to make a

r ..;.....;...-.....:_..:.._-...;;.--r--::=:-...·-,., differen~e?Thatis whatcame tomind whenthinkingabout theabortionissue oftoday. I •wonder whypeople

holding signs in support ofHerod's vision don't take astep back and thank God thatthey are alive today - thatsomeone cared enough aboutthem to give them life and afuture. We should give thesame love to those infants whocannot hold signs, but whowould encourage youngpeople and young adults tostand up for the Pro-Life causeon their behalf.

The Pro-Life walk inBoston is happening thisSunday and it presents anopportunity for people ­especially young people - tostand up for the unborn andthe sanctity of life. It's a causethat people in their 30s andunder can no longer ignore ifwe want to be a society thatrespects human life.

Your mother made the.rightdecision for you. Isn't it abouttime you rose up and showedher how much you appreciatethat? I hope to see you in 'Boston.

My mom does too.Comments are welcome at

MikeGordon@anchornews.org.

Lowney, who is an Ob/Gyn in Fall families looking at abortion andRiver, share space with us at The that's when we opened our firstWomen~s Center in Fall River." center," he said..

Dr. Ensor said that Dr. To bring the issue of abortion toLowney, "who comes from a the fore, lie authored a book, ''An­well-known family in Fall River" swering the Call," with a'subtitle,was raised Catholic. But he be- '''Saving Innocent Lives, Onecame alienated from any Chris- '. Woman at a Time."tian faith until about five years. .' .When the center in Fall Riverago, when he underwent a real is up and running, it won't be thespiritual awakening and renewal. ' .--- --,He is a profound Pro-Lifer, afterbeing an abortionist for PlantledParenthood."

Dr. Lowney will be offering histestimony at an upcoming fund­raising banquet in Hyannis for thenew AWC center.

'There are many ways to pro­mote the Gospel of Life," FatherFernandes said., 'The premise be~ .hind AWC is to remember thatabortion happens one woman at atime and that women, more often ,than not, resort to abortion ratherthan choose it."

Ordained in 1982, Dr. Ensorstudied at Gor~on-Conwell Semi­nary in South Hamilton. He pas~

tured at churches in Nebraska andin Boston and Dorchester.

Since 1991."when the issue of .abortion came up in our chUrCh Ibegan searching Scripture andcame across' the whole issue ofJesus shedding his bIOQd," the Rev- .erend Ensor said. 'That's why wepreach the cross."

But more was to come. "Wecame across the statistics that 30percent ofthe women in our,churchhave had' abortions. So we beganasking ourselves what God's for­giveness is all about, what restora­tion is all about. We can't bringback the children lost. And we can'tbe silent. We can talk to women and

nity to raise the much needed fundsto support agencies that reach outon behalf of the unborn and theirmothers," she said. .

The event attracts tens of thou­sands each year including mothersand fathers with babies in tow andsenior citizens. Many clergy alsoattend the event and all are welcometo participate in the peaceful after­noon.

"I am looking forward to thewalk and the other events ofRespectLife Month, said Desrosiers. ''Wehave many events, activities andeducational programs going on thismonth. Events like the Boston walkhelp us refocus and double our ef­forts on behalfofthe sacredness andsanctity of all human life."

Desrosiers said it's important forus to pray and reflect on the unborn .and their mothers and encouragethose who cannot attend the walk topray for the restoration and respectof allliuman life.

Dorchester, Brookline, Revere andBeverly.

The center in Hyannis, whichopened in 2000, ~as just this yearadded ultrasound services to its pro­gram; con~equently 77 percent ofthe women choose life, having seenthe image of their newborn via ul­trasourid, Father Fernandes re­ported.

The'Reverend Ensor in a tele-'phone interview with The Anchor;said the AWC center in Hyanniscame about after people on CapeCod asked for it. He said that in1999 tlten Fall River Bishop SeanP. O'Maney, OFM Cap., called fora meeting, hosted by Msgr. John J.Smith, pastor of St. Pius X Parishin SouthYarmouth, who introducedReverend Ensor and the work oftheAWC.

''There was enthusiastic supportfrom them, and then we went to theother Evangelicals," the ministersaid. "We named a search commit­tee, found a landlord who was sit­ting in a Baptist Church inOsterville and lie opened up spacefor us. It was truly a Christian com­

.munity, coming together to reachout to women in unwanted preg­nancies in ahealthy, winsome, pr9­

.fessional way."The result: ''Within nine montlls

we found enough support and vol­unteers and it resulted in the loca­tion of the Hyannis Center, whichis situated right next door to theCape's only abortion clinic."

The upcoming center in FallRiver is the r~sult of talks betweenDr. Ensor, Bishop George W.Coleman, numerous Protestantclergy, Father FerJ].andes, and oth­ers.

"We will have Dr. Mark

Holy Trinity Church, WestHarwich at 10:30 a.m.

"We are always pleased to bejoined by so many from the diocesefor the walk,". said Marian Desro­siers, assistant director of the dioc­esan Pro-Life Apostolate. "We'reexpecting a high level of participa­tion from our youth population andit's a great opportunity for the un­born to be heard from our solidar-ity." ,

The walk is also an opportunityto raise funds for the Pro-Life causeas walkers get sponsors and pledgesto support their efforts. Moniesraised help mothers and childrenthroughout the Boston and FallRiver dioceses. Crisis pregnancycenters, counseling services,women's shelters, and the Pro-LifeApostolate are just a few of theplaces and groups that benefit fromthe annual event and that's so im­portant according to Desrosiers.

. 'The walk gives us the opportu-

.Respect Life Walk for mothersand children set for Sunday

~ A Womahs Concerncenter provideslife-affirmingassistance to womenseeking abortion.

By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR

FALL RIVER - A new branchcenter of A Woman's Concern,dedicated to providing healthy, life­affinning assistance to women andcouples considering abortion due tolack of information and resources,is set to open in this city. .

According to Father Stephen A.Fernandes, director ofthe Fall Riverdiocese's Pro-Life Apostolate andthe Rev. John Ensor, a Baptist min­ister and president of AWC, thenew ministering facility will oPenin The Women's Center on High­land Avenue.

"The AWC in Fall River willopen when we have all the re­sources and finance in place," theReverend Ensor said last week.

He and others are seeking sup­port ofindividuals and church com­munities to make pledges, espe­cially during the month ofOctober,which is Respect Life Month.

The local center is the fruit ofthe effort by a group of Catholicsand Evangelicals working togetherto instruct and inspire a respect forlife among faith-filled parishioners.

It will be the sixth AWC theBoston minister has helped found.All of them offer services free ofcharge because they are supportedentirely by gifts. provided by indi-'viduals and local churches throughHeart for Life Partners.

Other pregnancy centers in op­eration include one at the Cape CodCenter in Hyannis, as well as in

By MIKE GORDON

ANCHOR STAFF

-.BOSTON - The 2004 RespectLife Walk to Aid Mothers and Chil­dren, sponsored by the Massachu­setts Citizens for Life will be heldSunday, which is Respect Life Sun­day. Participants will gather at Bos-.ton Common at 1p.m. to hear guestspeakers and music and the 5K cir­cular walk will commence at 2 p.m.

Buses will be available from theFall River diocese to attend thepeaceful family-oriented walk,which is organized each year withthe purpose ofbearing witness to the .dignity of human life from concep­tion until natural death.

Buses will leave ImmaculateConception Church, Fall River at11:30 am. They will also pick upwalkers at the Taunton GalleriaPark and Ride at 11:45 a.m. To re­serve a seat or for more informa­tion call Dot Nicolau at 508-674­8695. A bus is also leaving from

~)

.... , ... ,.... ; ., .. " , .. .,

, " ",' , .. J r , •••

Continued from page one

')

',.

-

CAPE COD261 SOUTH ST.

'HYANNIS508-771-6771

MARK A. QUINTAL CFPCenified Financial Planner

life is a precious gift from God."Cathy Cleaver Ruse, the direc­

tor of Planning and Information forthe United States Council ofCatho­lic Bishops Pro-Life Secretariat inWashington, D.C., will be the key­note speaker at the Pro-Life AwardsBanquet. She will speak on the con­text and consequences of the recentjudicial decisions concerning thePartial-Birth Abortion Ban Law.

For those wishing to attend thePro-Life Awards Banquet contactthe Pro-Life Apostolate. It can bereached at: Pro-Life Apostolate,500 Slocum Road, No. Dartmouth,MA 02747-2930 or by phone at508-997-2290.

TAUNTON78 BROADWAY508-824-3264

INVESTMENT COMPAN Y. INC.

A.G. Quintal

• COMMUNITY ORGANIZING• COUNSELING• HOUSING COUNSELING• IMMIGRATION, LEGAL EDUCATION

AND ADVOCACY PROJECT• INFORMATIONIREFERRAL• INFANT FOSTER CARE• PARENT/SCHOOL CRISIS INTERVENTION• REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT• HOUSING FOR WOMEN:

ST. MATHIEU'SDONOVAN HOUSEST. CLARE'S/ST. FRANCES'

• BASIC NEEDSSAMARITAN HOUSE

SPECIAL APOSTOLATES:APOSTOLATE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

APOSTOLATE FOR SPANISH SPEAKING

JOYCE B. WHITEAccount Executive

NEW BEDFORD238 BONNEY ST.

508-997-7337

~

~@

Stocks. Bonds, Options... On All Exchanges• Mutual Funds Of All Types• Tax Free Insured Income Trusts• U.S. Treasury Bonds & Notes• IRA's. Pension Plans• Tax Planning

BUSINESS AND TAXFINANCIAL PLANNING

Quintal Bldg. at Lunds Cor. _

2177 ACUSHNET AVE. 508-995-2611NEW BEDFORD, MA

Estate ... Trust and Portfolio Analysis

movement has meant a lot of me,"said Lavoie. "I always felt I wasblessed to be born and I thoughtchildren should have a chance andright at life. It was always mean­ingful to me. I love children."

The mother of three grown chil­dren, Lavoie lives with her husbandRay in Westpprt. She has sevengrandchildren and three great grandchildren and hopes that youngpeople will continue to stand up forthe sanctity and dignity of all hu- ,man life.

','It's important to teach ouryoung people that life is precious.When you see a small baby it's amiracle and we must remember that

FALL RIVER1600 BAY ST.

P.O. BOXM - SO. STA.508-674-4681

ATTLEBORO10 MAPLE ST.508-226-4780

• ABUSE PREVENTION• ADOPTIONS:

INFANTINTERNATIONALSPECIAL NEEDS

• ADVOCACY FOR:SPANISH & PORTUGUESE SPEAKINGFISHERMENPERSONS WITH AIDSIHIVPERSONS WITH DISABILITIESCAMBODIANS·

.; BASIC ENGLISH FOR LIFE-LONG LEARNING• CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

SPONSORSHIP:SOUP KITCHEN •COMMUNITY ACTION FOR

BElTER HOUSING

she does everything she can."Father Fernandes said "Maddy

has been a stalwart support of theChurch's Pro-Life mission for de­cades and certainly deserves thisrecognition."

Lavoie is regularly a participantin the Pro-Life Walk for Mothersand Children held in Boston eachyear as well as the Pro-Life Marchin Washington D.C. each January.

"I've always been interested inthe Pro-Life movement," saidLavoie. Whether it is selling rosesfor the Massachusetts Citizen's forLife, walking in the cold winterweather for the unborn, telling con­firmation students about the Pro­Life cause or placing the Holy In­nocents Book in her parish to re­member stillborn, miscarried andaborted children Lavoie is alwayssupporting Life.

"Being involved in the Pro-Life

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICESWebsite: -cssdioc.org

year when three pioneers came fromCanada to Notre Dame Parish in theHint Section to begin what was tobecome more than acentury ofedu­cational ministry to Franco-Ameri­can families.

Within 10 years, the Sistersopened Jesus~Mary Academy forgirls. Ministering to boarders andday students, the school known as"JMA" flourished. Thirty-six of itsalumnae entered the novitiate of theCongregation, and 26 others wentto various religious orders.

In 1971, changing demograph­ics and diminishing number of Sis­ters in the area led to the merger ofJMA with two other girls' schools,DominicanAcademy and MountSt.Mary's. The new school was BishopGerrard High School, which laterbecame Bishop Connolly HighSchool.

From 1999 through 2002, theHighlandAvenue house was the sitefor the Thevenet Center for Chil-

, dren, a collaborative educationalproject with Sakonnet Associates.For the past two years, the resiqentSisters have welcomed variousgroups of Sisters and associated inthe province for meetings and holi­day gatherings.

served in a number of ministries inthe diocese. Some cared for seniorSisters at the province's retirementcenter in the 1970s, while othersadministered and taught in schools,educational centers and parishes ofthe diocese.

The house has been placed on themarket for sale, Sister Farnham re­ported.

She also said that some of theSisters who resided in Fall Riverhave joined her in establishing amission in Arlington where youngwomen discerning a religious voca­tion will be housed. Other Sistershave taken up residence in the Jesusand Mary Mission Center inPlainville.

One of the Congregation, SisterIrene Castonguay, a native of FallRiver, spent 10 years as the assis­tant managing director of LafayettePlace, which occupies the originalsite where the Sisters began their firstfoundation in America in 1877.

It all began in the spring of that

MADDY' LAVOIE at a Pro­Life march in Washington, D.C.

time and all her talents to Pro-Life;'said Desrosiers. "If you attend adiocesan Pro-Life event you'll seeher there. She's a great person and

MCFL Community ServiceAward, given to citizens in a chap­ter who have demonstrated out­standing support of the chapter's

. local activities."St. Denis has provided the flat­

bed truck lhat the Fall River Chap­ter uses as a float in the acclaimedFall River Celebrates America Pa­rade in August, and the SomersetTown Festival Parade in October,"MCFL indicated.."His generosityin providing the flat-bed truck,which removes it from service forfour days twice a year, is a remark­able testimony to his commitmentto Pro"Life in Massachusetts."

The awards will be conferred atthe dinner on October 15 at TheLantana in Randolph. The sched­uled featured guest speaker is ScottKlusendorf, director-of.Bio-Ethics,Stand to Reason. His topic wi~l be"Making Abortion Unthinkable."The social hour begins at 6 p.m.,with dinner at 7 p.m.

For infortnation about the din­ner, or to make reservations, call617-242-4199 by October 8.

Continued from page one

Continued from page one

Authority buses, to educate andraise awareness about the abortionissue;' read an MCFL press release."He is also active in Fall RiverMCFL Chapter activities such asRose Drives and also serves as achapter photographer."

Also receiving a Chapter Ser­vice Award will be Mary and PaulTessier of St. Mark's Parish,Attleboro Falls. "The Tessiers arefaithful members of MCFL andthe Attleboro Area Chapter for _more than 20 years," read the re­lease. "They presently serve asRose Drive coordinators, whichinvolves 12-15 churches eachyear. The couple also coordinateschapter bulk mailings, and theyare active letter writers to electedofficials and to local newspa­pers."

The MCFL Chapter ServiceAwards are given to those unsungheroes of local chapter work whohave demonstrated the ability to go"the extra mile in service."

Victor St. Denis of the GreaterFall River Chapter, will receive an

MCFL

"It was a very sad day for us,"said Sister Janice Famham, a mem­ber of the Provincial Council. "Weloved Fall River and our history inthe United State began there andthere are emotional attachments.Unfortunately, our story is the sameone heard from other religious com­munities ofSisters: our members aregetting old, new vocations are few,and to maintain the huge house inFall River where several Sisters re­sided and could no longer climb thestairs was beyond us. We tried, butit was financially impossible."

On August 29, approximately 30Sisters gathered at a reception topray and thank God for the manyblessings they have received andshared during their time in this city.Of them several were natives of thiscity and six hailed from Notre DameParish.

Since 1977, the large and lovelyhouse In the historic Highland Av­enue district has been home andmission center to the Sisters who

RJM

Awardvolvement grew and she continuedto do little things to make an im­pact like be a liaison for the DCCWbringing reports from meetings toall five deaneries.

Marian Desrosiers, assistant di­rector of the Pro-Life Apostolate,said Lavoie was chosen for theawm'd unanimously by the Dioc­esan Pro-Life Committee. "I ampersonally thrilled that she was cho­sen for the award," said Desrosiers."She has an outstanding commit7ment and compassion to the sanc­tity of all human life and most es­pecially the unborn."

From the time that Desrosierscan remember, Lavoie has servedat the parish, diocesan and state lev­els championing the Pro-Life cause."She is the first to volunteer her

And soon her own blood, often atotally different type from hermum's, starts flowing through herveins. By six weeks, her brain wavescan be measured and by eightweeks, all her body organs arepresent and complete! She even hasher own set of finger-prints unlikeanyone else's in the world. Betternot cross the law little lady or you'llget busted!

Ofcourse, it's best ifshe can staysafe inside her mum for anotherseven months to get bigger andstronger, but today kids born a littlemore than halfway through preg­nancy can survive with good medi­cal care. Unfortunately, in the U.S.

and manyother coun­tries, it's legalfor a doctor toabort thesekiddies rightup to the daythey're born ifthat's whatmum wants.

The mostremarkablething aboutthese Ii ttletykes is some­thing youcan't see: ev­e!)' human hasa body and a

souL that's our innermost self, allrolled into one. Like the Catechismsays, we are the only creatures in theworld able to know and love Godand to share in God's own life. Andbecause God makes us in his imageand loves us so much that he diedfor us, eve!)' human life is pricelessand has equal dignity! Even five­day-old emb!)'os in lab dishes thatsome scientists want to kill so theycan use their stem cells in research,even people struggling with disabili­ties and patients in comas, those whoare dying, and poor people living inslums in far away countries, andeven convicted killers. Everyonedeserves our respect and concern.

Currently there are more than fivebillion honw sapiens on earth;-butit's fair dinkum we're an endangeredspecies. We keep finding new waysto harm each other - terrorism,chemical and biological weapons,abortion, destructive embryo re­search, assisted suicide, and eutha­nasia to name a few. Everyone ur­gently needs to do his part to defendlife.

When we honor the image ofGod in other people, we'll becomemore like Jesus himselfand be morelikely to share in eternal life withGod. A good deal all around!

Respect Life Program 2004,USCCB Secretariat for Pro-LifeActivities.

STEVE IRWIN

Friday, October 1, 2004

G'day, mates. I'm Steve Irwin,and welcome to another fantasticepisode of "Croc Hunter."

Today we're on the trail of themost amazing animal in the wholewide world. He's the real king ofthejungle and anyplace else he mighthappen to wander, from the Outbackto downtown Sydney. His name ishonw sapiens. That means he's a ~u­

man and he's really smart. Not per­fect, mind you, he does really stu­pid stufffrom time to time, but com­pared to the rest of the animal king­dom, homo sapiens is in a class allby himself.

The immature young of this spe-cies - like my little girl Bindi ­are cute as abutton and funto photograph.But the fantas­tic" story oftheir life be­gins nine longmonths beforewe can snapthe firstPolaroid. Infact, as soon asmum's egg isfertilized, abrand new,one-of-a-kindgirl or boy hu­man comes tobe.

In the beginning, she's as tiny asa dot over an "i" but she has all thegenetic information she'll need forher whole life - a library - full ofcodes packed into a little-bitty one­cell dynamo. What she's going tolook like, how smart she is, her per­sonality and natural talents, howshe's going to grow from one cell toI:fillions - it's all right there in hergenes.

She's got instructions built rightin that'll send signals to mum's im­mune system when she's just a dayold: "I'm your little baby! Don't at­tack me like some nasty awfulgerm!" And she tells her mum tostart producing more hormones sothat, in her second week of life, shecan nest in a nutrient-rich lining inmum's womb. Meantime, our littlegal is busy growing and building herown placenta, a protective mem­brane that cushions her and protectsher from infection until the day she'sborn. Clever little girl!

Eyen though she's doing her bestto grow and be strong and safe, shemight not survive ifher mum's beenusing hormone-based contracep­tives or morning-after pills. Crikey!They can change the lining of thewomb so it's hard for our little galto implant and get the food and oxy­gen she needs to stay alive.

Ifshe does makes it, by her 22nd.day of life, her heart begins to beat.

..L.. ..:...........-.L ...... :..S("VJe~.

SECOND-GRADERAlyssa Gartman of St. Ma~y­Sacred Heart School, NorthAttleboro, carri~s an icon of.Saint Mary, Virgin of Vladimir,during a Mass processional.

dren and members of the council'are striving to make a differencefor the soldiers.

To add someone to the list,send their name and mailing ad­dress to St. John's School, 13Hodges Street, Attleboro.

FIFTH-GRADER Kayla Scott from St.John the Evangelist School, Attleboro, dis­plays an award she won for outstanding art­work in sunscreen awareness to prevent skincancer, .and the art work that she created.Shonda Schilling, wife of Red Sox pitcherCurt Schilling and a melanoma survivor, isfounder and president of the Shade Foun­dation, that sponsored the contest. Scott wasawarded a certificate of appreciation signedby the Sox ace, which was presented to herby principal, Sister Mary Jane Holdel).

of Sorrows - The Twin Towersto Our Lady of Guadalupe, theonly image of Mary pregnantwith Jesus.

Father Costa asked thest!J­dents what came to mind with theword "obey." Many said it in­volved following, loyalty, andagreeing to do something andthen carrying it out. They allagreed that it was not easy to do.He then talked abo.ut the Latinroot of obedience, "audire" whichmeans "to listen." Before follow-'ing or being loyal, one has to lis­ten by being quiet. Mary listenedto God's plan and was loyal byfollowing and carrying it out.

Father Costa concluded byasking the students to listen dur­ing this new school year to theirparents, teachers, one another,and most especially God. "He ispresent in all of those around us,"said Father Costa and suggestedthat students take five minutes aday to listen to God in their hearts,mind and soul as Mary did.

a project to send care packagesto the members of the parish, orfrom the Attleboro community,who are serving in Iraq and Af­ghanistan. Those serving ourcountry are remembered daily inthe prayers of the St John's chil-

. ATTLEBORO - Members ofthe St. John the EvangelistSchool's Student Council haveorganized a monthly food driveto help the St. Vincent de PaulSociety's food pantry.

The council is also working on

NORTH ATTLEBORO­Father David Costa recently cel­ebrated Mass to kick off the newschool year at St. Mary-SacredHeart School. With the help offaculty, students, families, andfriends of the school, he.Ied vari­ous song selections with the stu­dents and filled the church withspiritual music.

Father Costa asked students toreflect in prayer on the good timesthey had over the summer and sincethe start ofthe new school year ask­ing that each think about how theyexperienced God iIi.' those days.

The altar was adorned withvarious icons of Mary as the Masswas celebrated on the feast dayof her birth.

The Gospel was the Annun­ciation according to St. Luke af­ter which the homily focus~d onthe various images of Mary andher obedience to God's will. Ina question and answer format,the students identified all eightimages of Mary from Our Lady

Student council helping others with several projects

St. Mary-Sacred Heart students'celebrate Marian feast with a Mass

THE STUDENT COUNCILfrom St. John the EvangelistSchool, Attleboro, includes,front row from left: Kerrin

. Gallagher and MatthewMoore; second row: KaraAdams, Paul Salvaggio,'Chris Adams, CarolineFitzgerald, and Emily Walsh.Third row: Megan'Glasheen,Alexandra Fischbach, SaraCampion, and Douglas.Downey; back row: RacquelPacella, Lauren Mahoney,Heather Sanford, SteveCarone, and Sam Carone.

'.

-I '

Friday, pctober1, 2004

~-_ ..._-=--~''t.' ." ,:~'''\ ~,~ .

For~an~-Po-uL~y~:cr'- - ,'- 'II ,","', !lLlI~I;.;;~~i~~c§;""~i;'· . rc" ,," -- -- -- -- - , -

Go ahead, dream big

Believe.", Deganrio's first chart hit focuses

on one of life's most cherished gifts,the power to dream. The song's char­acter says: "Dreams, Iguess we'rejustmade ofdreams. Nothing else mattersas long as we believe." She adds that

,"when dreams lead the way, the in1­possible is suddenly in sight."

The song prompts us to value ourdreams. Consider these suggestionsfor acknowledging and nurturing yourdreams:

Don't be afraid to dream big. Toooften we craft too small a vision ofwhat our lives can become. We letcurrent limitations define what is pos­sible. Logical analysis helps us makedecisions about practical concerns, butto expand your life, return to yourcen­ter, your heart. This is where the soul

By CHARLIE MARTIN· CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ing the runner-up in theAmerican Idol reveals the vision of what life mightcompetition isn't a bad deal. Now it's be.Diana Degarmo's turn to leam this. For the most part, keep yourShe finished second to Fantasia dreams to yourself. Most people tendBarrino in American Idol 3, but mu- to view others' hopes through theirsic critics agree that this 17-year-old personal lens. If their perspective dif-will have plenty ofopportunity todem- fers from what yourdreams say is pos-onstrate her star power. sible, they are likely to take a negative

Justout is herCD-single "Dreams." stance on what you envision. Thus,, The disc also includes recordings of only share your deepest dreams with

the classic "Don't Cry Out Loud" and the few who can suspend judgmentthe American Idol 3 signature song "I and trust the movement of your soul.

Of course, include God. Our God is

A R ,1.... thetruecreativeimpulseguidingwhatur DCIl life can become.Focus on what you want, not on

what you don't want. For example, ifyou dream of making the school aca­demic honor roll this semester, don'tspend energy worrying about thetough courses you've chosen. Instead,imagine what it will feel like to seeyour name on this listing. Your souldoes its creative work through thepower of intention and attention. Keepyour vision focused on what yourdrean1S tell you can be positive andenjoyable in your life.

Acknowledge discouragementwhen it occurs, but see it as tempo­rary. Notevery dream comes true. Yet,unfulfilled dreams often act as guides

. that point us in a new direction., Dreams can sltUt us heading toward

one goal, but eventually lead us to anunexpected, new and good experience.

Finally, don't dream just aboutyour own life. Instead, dream ofwhatyou would like to see our world be­come. When I speak to teens, onequestion that I often ask is: How willyou help? I want teens to think abouthow they can use their skills and in­terests to help the rest of us.

You have the opportunity to affectGod's family on this planet in posi­tive, life-affirming ways.

Your commellts are always wel­come. Please write to me at:chmartill@swilldiana.net or at7125W 200S, Rockport, IN 47635.As Clay Aiken could tell you, 00-

DREAMSDreams are just dreams

When they are stuck insideyour head.

And all it takes is a little helpfrom you

You know it's true thatDreams are for real

When you see what I seeAnd you feel it too

We took the longest road justto make it harder

Let's do it again. It only makesus stronger

Refrain:Dreams, I guess we're just

made ofDreams. Nothing else matters

As long as we believe,I'm looking at you, and I see

my lifePassing before my eyes

And when the journey's overAnd all my dreams come true

I dream of youWhat do you see when you

look inside your heart?A little thought can walk a

thousand milesAnd change your life

When dreams lead the wayThe impossible issudd,enly in sight

And every step we take justbrings it all together

You got to keep the faith whenall seems lost forever

(Repeat refrain.)You're the one

That keeps my hope aliveMy vision clear

I'll spend my life with youConquer fear

We'll make it through(Repeat refrain.)I dream of youI dream of you

Sung by Diana DegarmoCopyright (e) 2004 by RCA

•

- Pope John Paul II

Children are the treasureand hope ofthe Church

MORGAN POGEl, a fifth-grader at All Saints School, inthe Diocese of Pittsburgh, cleans up the mud that accumu­lated in the classrooms after the remnants of Hurricane Ivanswept through the area earlier this month. More than 100people lost their lives in the violent storm as it made its wayacross the Caribbean and into the United States. (CNS photoby Douglas Kaup, Pittsburgh Catholic)

-

fee. But once they were theproperty of their creators andinhabited their homes andimaginations, as close, as com­forting and as real as they wantedthem to be. That's what theyconcentrated on; that's theelement that made these worksspecial. They worried about theworks themselves - not theLittle Voice that poked andprodded at them, attempting tostop them before they evenstarted. Imagine what we neverwould have had if Van Gogh hadlistened, saying, "I can't do this!"

The next time the Little Voicecomes to visit, I'll just smile andtell it: "I'm sorry. I don't havetime to listen to YOll. I'm toobusy doing my best."

Because greatness is forpeople like us. We just have towork to get there, first.

world are wrong.At the genesis of every great

work, no matter how large orinfluential, is a human being.Monet's water lilies once floatedin an actual garden in Giverny,France. Degas' little dancerswere real and giggled at oneanother on their way to balletclass - not thinking that they'dbecome famous one day. Andeven Vincent Van Gogh sat in aroom where he concentrated onmaking his self-portrait the bestit could be, not knowing itseventual fate.

The designer of that annchairdidn't mean for it to be exhib­ited. I bet he sat in it, slept in it,read books in it and evenmunched crackers in it.

Sure, those paintings now areensconced in an art museum,behind a wall and an admission

Co'mingof

Age

And here it was, defined asart: honest-to-God museum art,sanctioned by one of the leadinginstitutes in the country!

The fact that Kait's armchairis happily ensconced there is apotent reminder that all theLittle Voices in all the esteem­plagued heads throughout the

should know; I'd sat in the chairalmost every afternoon for foursummers straight. I'd napped init, curled up in it, rocked in it andeaten dinner in it.

this grand exhibition of talent,brains and all-around genius, itwas easy to think of myself as a

. tiny being with no creative genesor guts whatsoever - just acrusty barnacle on the hull of theship of dreams.

Until we rounded oneinteresting comer.

This section of the museumwas devoted to significant andimportant shifts in Americanarchitecture and interior design.Here, we viewed influentialdesign elements from the 194Os,'60s, and '70s - including myfriend Kait's living-room ann­chair, significantly less batterednow that it was behind glass andtied to anti-theft devices.

It was an exact copy, rightdown to the kind of wood usedas the support structure and thetime-worn look of the leather. I

Greatness is for people doing their bestBy KAREN DIETLEIN

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Mid-August at the ArtInstitute of Chicago: just me, myfiance and the trash-talking voiceinside my head, whose favorite

. thing to do is make sure that myself-esteem isn't higher than thewater level in my toilet.

We strolled through whiterooms filled with impressionistpaintings, marveling at theexquisite brushstrokes on thedozen Renoirs, gazing at thesplendor of Monet's garden andmeeting the eyes of Vincent VanGogh, immortalized for all timein his most famous self-portrait.

All the while the little voicecackled inside my head, attempt­ing to convince me that museumwalls - or the annals of history,for that matter - weren't forpeople like me. Surrounded by

_.16 Friday, October 1, 2004

Carltas launches appeal to fu'nd relief in flood-stricken Haiti

RICt1ARD PHILLIPS andPhillip White carry a bannerhonoring Blessed KateriTekakwitha in a processionof Native Americans whogathered on the NationalMall in Washington Septem­ber 21 to celebrate theopening of the new NationalMuseum of the Am~rican In­dian. Blessed Kateri is a17th-century·Mohawk andAlgonquin Indian who wasthe first Native American tobe beatified. (eNS photo byPaul Haring)

more than a decade.Haiti has been especially hard

hit this year; in May, floods killedmore than 1,000 people and de­stroyed many towns and villages..Haiti is the poorest country in:theWestern Hemisphere; 80 percent ofthe nation's people live below the .poverty line.

Florida Bishop John H. Ricardnoted that while aid agencies suchas Caritas and the U.S. bishops'Catholic Relief Services havemoved quickly in responding to theHaitian disaster, more aid wasneeded.

The bishop said it was essential"that neighboring countries, and es­pecially the United states, urgentlyprovide the financial and materialresources required at this time."

ClIIIMCHSGnlphJa

Percent of people indicating all orsome Native American ancestryc::::J 0.4 to 1.4 c::::J 5.0 to 12.4c::::J 1.5 to 4.9 = 19.0

some beyond repair," it said,The U.N. World Food Program

estimated some 175,000 people in 'Haiti have been left without food,water and electricity.

Caritas said the emergencyfunding would supply kitchen uten­sils, sleeping bags, tents, medicine,chlorine and clean drinking waterto 2,000 families in three differentparts of Haiti.

A Caritas emergency responseteam also has been dispatched tohelp local Caritas officials assessfurther needs.

Though not as powerful asother hurricanes and tropicalstorms this year, Jeanne has been

. the deadliest and is considered tobe the worst tropical storm to haveswept across the Caribbean in

--

People of native ancestry are found in every U.S. state,but the majority are located in the central and westernregions of the ~ountry

Total Native Americans

Sourte:U.S.CensusBureou,USCCB

•• 00, "":'5>HI· ()

LI --1'2.4 million

Those Baptized Catholicr---; 493,614

342 Catholic parishes and 22 Catholic schoolsprimarily serve Native Americans.

·NATIVE ANCESTRY

VATICAN CITY (CNS) ­Caritas Intemationalis has launcheda major appeal to fund reliefeffortsin flood-stricken Haiti.

Caritas is seeking $900,000 infunding and donations to provide,supplies to tens of thousands ofpeople left homeless by a string ofpowerful tropical storms.

Mudslides triggered by heavyflooding killed more than 1,000people and injured 100,000 morein Haiti afterTropical Storm Jeannehit the island in mid-September,

.according to the Caritas writtenappeal released recently.

"The hardest-hit region is thecity of Gonaives and the surround­ing area. ,.. The damage' was cata­strophic for residents, all of whosehomes and buildings were flooded,

loss of a loved one hits the tragdiedy of the experience home for ',.,.'many people. . , '

But today's culture ha'sfound no "compensation andsubstitute" to fill the void leftby the current lack of "faith inthe salvation that comes fromGod, his redemption andgrace," Cardinal Ruini said.

Christ's resurrection andGod's promise of everlastinglife give deeper meaning to theunsettling experience of death,he said.

The Church must avoid leav­ing "our eternal destiny out ofour preaching, our catechesis,the way in which we care forthe sick and their families andhow we answer those who askus about the meaning of life,"he said.

The belief that everythingcomes from God and that ev­erything is in his hands togetherwith seeing God as "the friendand savior of humanity" makesunderstandable and believablethat "his love triumphs overdeath and makes us foreverunited with him," he said.

The Christian meaning ofdeath does not eradicate thefear or suffering which mayarise from it, but it does makepeople closer to Jesus, he said.

One's own death represents"taking part in the resurrectionof Christ, our sharing in his di­vine life, just as he shared withus our human condition to the

. very end," said Cardinal Ruini.

This Message Sponsored by the FollowingBusiness Concern in the Diocese of Fall River

GILBERT C. OLIVEIRA INSURANCE AGENCY

lXJJJ ~~]~ ffilf!3 ~::m~~J) Q~~

D3::J lfpJC!:J~~41lil3IuIJ

)J:§JJJ]@1J1lli:J]JlJG~]m~JJ

GJ~M]~l ®J

~JLW~J:2

Find entertainment andget your ads noticed in

the~Call 508-675-7151 or .

FAX 508-675-7048 or E-mailTheAnchor@Anchornews.org

Italian cardinal says world. .has lostfaith in life after death~"

ROME, Italy (CNS) - Faithin God's promise of everlast­ing life after death has been lostin today's high-tech cultureand violent world, said ItalianCardinal Camillo Ruini.

"Any reference to the hopeof a life beyond death has beenweakened or is altogether ab­sent" in today's culture, evenin the words of someone whohas just lost a loved one, hesaid.

Cardinal Ruini, presidentof the Italian bishops' confer­ence, made his remarks Sep­tember 20 in his opening ad­dress to the Italian bishops'permanent council meetingrecently in Rome.

"The reality of unexpecteddeath" seems omnipresent intoday's violent world, espe­cially in light of increasing ter­rorist attacks across the globe,he said.

However, the way in whichdeath is portrayed in the massmedia and by film and televi­sion has trivialized the mean­ing of death, he added.

Better health care and in­creased life expectancies also·have reduced how often peopleexperience the death of a fam­ily member or friend, and dy­ing often. takes place farawayin hospitals under the supervi­sion "of specialists," said thecardinal.

Despite mankind's attempts"to outrun" death or "excludeit from one's thoughts," the

-

.'

....--

• • I ~ ; ., '.