VOL. 45, NO. 43 • Friday,November 9, 2001 FALL RIVER, MASS. Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

COCHAIRS FOR the annual Bishop's Charity Ball plot a course with director Msgr. Tho­mas J. Harrington. At left, Betty Mazzucchelli, president of the Diocesan Council of CatholicWomen, and right, Ronald Correia, president of the Fall River Council of the St. Vincent dePaul Society.

By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR

Bishop O'Malley'spastoral keys on

in vitro fertilizationmayed to learn that their baby

FALL RIVER - The was conceived by in vitro fer­Church's teachings on the tilization and they were quitesanctity of human life and oblivious to the moral impli­scientific stem-cell research cations of that procedure."involving in vitro fertilization And "strangely enough, inand the destruction of human the last few days while I wasembryos, are at the heart of preparing this letter," thethe pastoral "In Vitro Fertili- bishop said, "we received anzation: Ethical Implications inquiry from an anonymousand Alternatives" by Bishop but very distraught parentSean P. O'Malley, OFM whohasachildconceivedbyCap., that appears in its en- in vitro fertilization and sometirety in The Anchor today. one had wrongly advised that

In a recent interview, because of that their childBishop O'Malley said he was cannot receive the sacra-prompted to ments."write the He added:theological The bishop·s "I find thispaper because most dis-of the recent Pastoral Letter tressing too,debate on em- that peoplebryonic stem- appears on would in anycell research way dimin-and the appar- pages 7-10 ish the hu-ent misunder- L- ---' manity of thestanding of pre c i 0 u smany people on the matter. value of any child, no matter

"I was very alarmed to what the circumstances ofhislearn how many human em- or her birth or conception."bryos are frozen in the United He said that to use a paral­States, and to realize how leI, many people think that amany people are taking the child born out of wedlock issituation for granted and not capable of receiving thetherefore are quite disposed sacraments. "Of course theto killing and using these em- Church doesn't agree withbryos in scientific experi- those circumstances; butmentation," he said. when a child is born, it is a

Because of the confusion human being made in the im­on "these very grave ethical age and likeness of God andissues which touch the Gos- we have great concern for thepel of Life in a very profound spiritual and temporal well­way, I thought it important to being of such a child."comment on and explain the Bishop O'Malley said heissues to our Catholic is concerned by the currentpeople." debate over stem cells but es-

The bishop commented pecially the nonchalant atti­that when he was in school tude people are taking about"we never heard the phrase in the thousands of frozen, livevitro fertilization and most human embryos who will bepeople today don't know the eventually discarded andmeaning of the expression killed."'test tube baby:" "So I thought the stem-cell

He said other factors also debate in many people'simpelled him to write the pa- minds was skewed, becauseper, among them having met of a lack of understanding of"an almost elderly" couple the root issue, in vitro fertili­who were showing off their zation, where the embryosnew baby. They were practic- are coming from, and Iing Catholics "and I was dis- wanted to address that."

in its fourth year and held in thiscity.

"Inez was one of six teachershonored but the only one from a,Catholic school:' Burtnoted. "Whileshehas been recognized forhercom­puter lab, one she' designed andobtained funding for, this newestaward honors her uniqueness in de­vising a curriculum of technologyfor grades kindergarten throughgrade-eight, more in a computerbusinessapplication than tOwards en­richment."

Because the computer lab has re­ceived support from so many in thecommunity "we are now able to givesome of that back by Inez teaching

. classes for adults free ofcharge thatTum to page J3 - Award

-Thatcomes as ~gr. Thomas J. Hanington, director'of the event, reported that.two preliminary planning ses­sions were held with representatives ofthe cosponsors ofthe ball, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women andthe Diocesan Society of St. Vmcent de Paul. .. Betty Mazzucchelli of Christ the King Parish,

Mashpee, president of the DCCW, and Ronald Correiaof Holy:rrinity.J?arish, Fall River, president of the FallRiver Coup<:il ofSt. Vmcent de Paul, are at.the helm of

.:'.:' ::' :: riA',." t6 page J3 - Ball,' '

INEZ BATES

pal Kathy Burt.The award came on October 23

. at the Annual. Education Summit,

•

~ The annual presentation ofyoungwomen from across the diocese willbe held January 11 at the Venus deMilo Restaurant in Swansea.

Plans for Bishop's CharityBall are full sp~ed ahead

',' '. .

Catholic teacher wins cityaward for her innovations

~ S8. Peterand PaulSchool teacher InezBates neatly meldscomputerskills with thethree R's.

BY DeAcoN JAMES N.1bmAR

FALL RIVER - The City ofFall River has recognized the effortsofa SS. PeterandPaul Parish Schoolteacher who has deftly brought theknowledge, joys and successes ofcomputer life into the lives of herstudents - as well ;lS the public atlarge.

Inez Bates was presented with thecity's prestigious, ne~ Innovation inTeaching Award by Mayor EdwardM. Lambert Jr., said proud Princi-

SWANSEA - Although Dee Ferro and her deco­ration committee members are staying tightlippedaboutwhat attendees at the Bishop's Charity Ball will see, aneducated guess would suggest that the Venus de MiloBallroom will swirl with lots of red, white and blue. .

bus Supreme Council I, ColumbusPlaza, New Haven, CT 06510­3326 ; or call 203-772-2130, ext.303; or by E-mail attim.hickey@kofc-supreme.com byJan. 1,2002 to quality for the 2002award.

Street, Fall River, 508-679-8111.Appointments are necessary.

Please call the host sites. For ad­ditional information, contactMaria Cabrales, RN, at 508-675­5686.

A registered nurse and regis­tered radiology.technician pro­vide mammograms, clinicalbreasts exams, Pap tests and physi­cal exams. Other health sef\'icesinclude free breast and cervicaleducation and further diagnostictesting if deemed necessary. Por­tuguese-speaking staff and'inter­preters for other languages arealso available.

Because of the caring of our loyal walkers and do­nors, this year's Walk for Hunger generated an addi­tional $155,300 in grants over our goal."

. The monies willbenefit the work ofarea pantries, soupkitchens, food salvageprograms and foodbanks at a time whenthe security of a newpopulation ofworkingfamilies is at risk,Parker noted.

State Sen. MarkC. Montigny (D-NewBedford), chairmanof the Senate Waysand Means Commit­tee, was recognizedfor his leadership toeliminate child hun­ger in Massachusetts.by expanding schoolbreakfast for low-in­come elementaryschool children in thestate budget for2Q02.

ary 1 and December 31,2001; beabout adistinguished volunteer whohappens to be a Knight and who is awitness to the Gospel through hisactions.

For more information contactTim S. Hickey, Knights of Colum-

FAu. RIVER - Saint Anne'sHospital has announced the fol­lowing schedule for its mobilemammography van for this month:

- November 10, 8:30 a.m.-3p.m., at the Hudner OncologyCenter, Saint Anne's Hospital,comer Osborn and Forest streets,Fall River, 508-675-5688;

- November 24, 8:30 a.m.-3p.m., at the Hudner OncologyCenter;

- November 26, 6:30 - 8:30p.m., at the Hudner OncologyCenter;

- November 27, noon to 6p.m., at Health First, 102 County

,Mobile mammography schedules

In Your PrayersPlease pray for the following /'

priests during ~he coming week//'

Nov. 12 ",1924, Rev. James H. Looby, Pastor, Sacred Heart, TauntOn1925, Rev. Bernard Boylan, Pastor, St. Joseph, Fall River

Nov. 13 '.1924, Rev. Louis 1. Deady, Fou!1der,'Si. Louis, Fall River .1992, Rev. William H. O'Reilly, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception,

Taunton ,... ....1998, Rev. Clarence 1. d'Entremont

Nov. 14 • _1940, Rev. Francis 1. Duffy, Founder, St: Mary, South Dartmouth1977, Rev. WilliamA. Galvin, Retired ~~or, Sacred Heart, Taunton

. Nov.IS '\1939, Rev. Thomas F. LaRoche, Assistant;Sacred Heart, Taunton1943, Rev. Daniel E. Doran, Pastor, Irnmacuhlte Conception, North Easton

Nov. 171980, Rev. Henry R. Canuel, Former Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford

STARTERS - State Sen. Mark C. Montigny, (0­New Bedford), right, was one of five persons who re­ceived an Achievement .Award from Sister RoseGallogly, center, of the Market Ministries of NewBedford, and Ellen Parker, executive director of ProjectBread.

BOSTON - Project Bread, the state's anti-hungerorganization, recently celebrated its distribution of$I.8million to. emergency food programs statewide, in-cluding many in the ,,-;;;;:.1"••Fall River, NewBedford and Tauntonareas. L.-_-.......

With tourismdown and food pan­try workers concernedabout income to keeptheir supplies stocked,th~ grants are seen assignificantly and fa­vorably impacting theprograms.

At the recentaward ceremonies,Ellen Parker, execu­tive director ofProjectBread noted that"Given the suddeneconomic downturn,the funds we distrib­ute will help stabilizethe lives of hungryfamilies facing jobloss andjob transition.

Project Bread gives $1.8Mto th~ regions' relief agencies

Daily ReadingsNov 12 Wis 1:1-7; Ps

139:1-10; Lk17:1-6

Nov 13 Wis 2:23-3:9; Ps34:2-3,16-19; Lk17:7-10

Nov 14 Wis6:1-11;Ps82:3-4,6-7; Lk17:11-19

Nov 15 Wis 7:22-8:1 ; Ps.119:89­91,130,135,175;Lk 17:20-25

Nov16 Wis 13:1-9; Ps19:2-5; Lk 17:26­37

Nov 17 Wis 18:14­16;19:6-9; Ps105:2-3,36­37,42-43; Lk18:1-8

Nov 18 MaI3:19-20a; Ps98:5-9; 2 Thes3:7-12; Lk21:5- .19

K ofC announce journalism awardNEW HAVEN, Conn. - The

Knights of Columbus are initiatingthe "Knights of Columbus - FatherMichael1. McGivneyAward for Dis­tinguishedVolunteerism Journalism;'with winners to be awarded cashprizes at the 2002 Catholic PressAs­sociation convention and awardsbanquet.; , .

The award,' named aIterthe priest~

founder of the Knights and whosecause for salnthood is currently be­ing pursued, would honor writerswho capture the essence and spirit ofvolunteerism in their reporting.

The criteria includes stories ofany length published between Janu-

1111111111111111111111111111111THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-illO) PeriodicalPostage Paid at Fall River, Mass. PulJlishedweekly except for the first two weeks in Julyam the week after Chrisb11aS at 887 HighlamAvenue. Fall River, Mass. ozno by the CatOOlic'Press ofthe DioceseofFall River. SulJscriptionprice by mail. poslpaid $14.00 per year.POSTMASTERS sem addr'lss changes to TheArx:hor. P.O. Box 7, Fall Ri\fl:l';'MA 02722.

November 6; and William J.McCormack, who will be 78 onJanuary 24. .

The changes were announcedin Washington by ArchbishopGabriel Montalvo, apostolic nun­cio to the United States.

Monsignor Iriondo was bornin 1938, in Legazti,' in Spain'sBasque region. After seminarystudies in Spain and at theGregorian University in Rome,he was ordained in Spain in 1962as a priest of the Canons Regularof the Lateran.

Beginning in 1969 he servedat several New York archdiocesanparishes; was incardinated intothe New York Archdiocese in1996; and was made archdiocesanvicar for Hispanics the follow-ing year. .

Monsignor Lagonegro wasborn in 1943, in White Plains.N.Y. He was ordained a priest ofthe New York Archdiocese May'31, 1969. Since 1997 he also hasbeen archdiocesan vicar forDutchess County.

Monsignor McDonn~ll wasborn in New York City in 1937.He was ordained June I, 1963. Inaddition to pastoral assignmentshe has been assistant director ofthe Confraternity of ChristianDoctrine and archdiocesan direc­tor of the Society for the Propa­gation of the Fait~, archdiocesanvice chancellor and chairman ofthe archdiocesan bli,ilding com-mission: '

$1,649~00

Book by Dec. 1 and save$100 off trip cost

MEDJUGORJEMAY 13 - MAY 22, 2002

SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR:

REV. EDWARD A. MURPHYHOLY NAME PARISH, FALL RIVER, MA

Women's RetreatAfternoon ofRecoUection - Fr. .Ctlssista"The Mountain in the Scriptures"Advent Recollection - Fr. CassistaJesse Tree Family Weekend RetreatCelebrating New Year's Eve

La Salette Retreat Center947 Park Street

Attleboro, MA 02703-5115508-222-8530

Nov. 9-11Nov. 11

Dec. 2. Dec. 14-16

Dec. 31-Jan. 1

NEED A GOOD PLUMBER?

For more 'information. please call or write Retreat Secretary

2 THEANCHOR-DioceseofFall River-'-'- Fri., November 9, 2001

Three NewYork auxiliariesretire; successors named

WASHINGTON (CNS) ­Pope John Paul II has acceptedthe resignations of three auxil­iary bishops of the New YorkArchdiocese and appointed threeNew York priests to succeedthem.

. Appointed as auxiliary bish­ops were: Msgr. Robert JosuIriondo, pastor of St. Anthonyof Padua Parish in the Bronx andarchdiocesan vicar for Hispanics;Msgr. Dominick J. Lagonegro,pastor at St. Columba Parish inHopewell Junction; and Msgr.Timothy A. McDonnell, pastorof St. John and St. Mary Parishin Chappaqua.

The pope accepted the resig­nations ofAuxiliary Bishops An­thony F. Mestice, who will be 78on December 6; FranciscoGarmendia, who will be 77 on

Motorcoach Pilgrimage toSHRINES OF QUEBEC

Cap de la Madeleine &St. Anne de Beaupre

$324. ppJdbl

4 Days - April 26-29, 2002

ALL STAR TRAVEL1200 Fall River Ave., Seekonk,MA 02771

1-800-649-3390 or 508-336-3090

For your home or business.

I John C. II LINDO & SON I: Plumbing & Heating :I Est. 1920 Lie. 10786 II 508-678-5571 II "The Experienced I

Plumbing People" II Providing a Full Line of .I Plumbing & Heating. Services "IL. ':L';:I~ ~w~s~ ~M'=:S~ oJ

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

PROMPT DELIVERIES

DIESEL OILS

HEATINGOIL

O'BRIEN'SCENTERVILLE INSURANCE

AGENCY, INC."Steve" - "Jay" - "Kevin"

259 Pine St., Centerville • 508-775-0005

WE SELL SEitVICEat a Reasonable Price

Let us quote yourauto &homeowners"WE GIVE AUTO DISCOUNTS"

............

, ---

MA license number Ml 1830Catholic Home loan I. a'nationwide lender. Restriction. Apply.

800-270-8565

COMPLETE HEATING SYSTEMS

SALES & INSTALLATIONS

OIL BURNERS

CATHOLICHOME LOAN

,'/

www.catho Ii c hom e loa n. comA portion of our. profits are given to

charities chosen by you.

Gl

:Mr. :Ma!10oJsrtransport -Service

Take Advantage of Falling Interest Rates!RefinancePurchaseCash-Out

-Consolidate Your Bills

Home Equity Lines and Loans

Lowest Rates.Guaranteed.

R. Donald McGaffigan, President

231 Main Street Service Areas .. Mid..Cape to:Box 181 • Boston area HospitalsYarmouth Port, MA 02675 • Boston's Logan AirportWireless 508-280-8153 • Providence's T.F. Green Airport

Patronize oar advertisers

24HOUR SERVICE465 NOR.TH FRONT ST

NEW BEDFORD

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., November 9, 200 I 3

508·999·1226

changes, risk factor reduction andsocial support; follow-up visits atprescribed intervals and monitor­ing of outcomes.

Saint Anne's diabetes programis staffed by Elizabeth Savaria-Por­ter, RN, MS, an ADA-certified dia­betes educator with more than 20years of nursing experience; andLaurie Hammontree, RD, BS, anutrition educator who has alsocounseled and educated patients formore than 20 years. Both meet withall new patients who are referredto the program. -

According to the ADA, there arenearly 16 million Americans, or 5.9percent ofthe population, who havediabetes. While about 10 millionhave been diagnosed, there are morethan five million who are not awarethey have the disease, but will learnthey have it when they are treatedfor one of its life-threatening com­plications such as heart disease,stroke, kidney disease, blindness,nerve disease or amputation.

Although local statistics mirrorthe state and national averages, thereis a higher concentration of peoplein the Greater Fall River Area with

- 10-11 :00 a.m., blood glucose risk factors, the CHNA reports.screenings; For more information about

- 11 :00-11 :45 a.m., free infor- the Caritas Diabetes Care pro­mation and consultation about the gram, ask your physician or callvalue of exercise for people with Elizabeth Porter at 508-674-diabetes' - 5600, ext. 2490., -.... ~ -..II'"""""'II ~- I0 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., infor-mation about obtaining the right in­surance coverage;

- Diabetes-friendly cookingdemonstrations.

"Decoding Diabetes" is cospon­sored by Lifeline Medical and Dia­betic Supplies, 1480 WSAR radio,and the Caritas Diabetes Care Pro­gram of Saint Anne's Hospital, anationally certified program of theAmerican Diabetes Association.

There is no charge, and free va­let parking is available at the mainentrance on South Main Street. Formore information, call 508-235-5056.

management education program.The certificate, which follows a

rigorous review process by expertsin the field, recognizes a program'sstaff of knowledgeable health careprofessionals who can provide par­ticipants with comprehensive infor­mation about diabetes manage­ment, while giving consumers astandard by which they can mea­sure the quality of the service.

The diabetes care program atSaint Anne's is a, comprehensiveone with components available formany years, including apopular andwell-attended monthly educationand support program. '

It features individualized assess­ment by a certified educator andnutrition counselor; instruction inself-blood glucose monitoring; andnutrition assessment and recom­mendations.

Also, it offers small groupclasses that cover such topics as therole of medication, exercise, foot,skin and dental care, behavior

Saint Anne's diabetes prograDlreceives national certification

Saint Anne's to host diabetes eventFALL RIVER - Saint Anne's

Hospital will host a "Decoding Dia­betes" event on November 13 fromIO a.m. to I p.m. in the main lobby.

The education and fun event willfeature:

- Steve Puscizna of LifelineMedical and Diabetic Supplies ofSwansea;

-SaintAnne's diabetes special­ists Elizabeth Porter, RN, and LaurieHammontree, RD;

- Karyl Benoit, ACE-certifiedfitness instructor at Saint Ailne's;

- Karen Wood, patient insur­ance advocate of Saint Anne's. '

Lifeline, a vendor of diabeticsupplies, will demonstrate state-of­the-art diabetes equipment, includ­ing glucose meters and insulinpumps.

Also featured will be activitiesby SaintAnne's Hospital, including:

JESUIT FATHER Edward Vacek chats with Mrs. SheilaFeitelberg of the Order of Malta following his recent lecture.(Photo by Owen McGowan)

FALL RIVER - The CaritasDiabetes Care Program at SaintAnne's Hospital has earned certifi­cation by the American DiabetesAssociation.

Michael Metzler, president ofSaint Anne's, said the national cer­tification reflects the hospital's com­mitment to meet the highest stan­dards of patient care.

"Both Saint Anne's and theCaritas Christi Health Care Systemstrive to ensure that p.atients reCeivethe highest level of care," Metzlersaid. "It's wonderful to receive na­tional recognition for our effortsto help people with diabetes."

The program is fortunate, too,he noted, "to be part of the expand­ing and highly respected CaritasChristi diabetes initiative in east­ern Massachusetts."

The prestigious American Dia­betes Association Education Recog­nition Certificate assures that SaintAnne's program meets the nationalstandards for aquality diabetes self-

Medical ethics s I ries looks.at dignity ofh6man life

s ByP",~~~ oueselve, we are tmniffired:' sood cal Etltics held at Bishop ConnollyPECIAL10 HEI'U'A,iHOR Jesuit Father Edward Vacek during High School. '

FALL RIVER - "When we the second in a f96r-part series of . The October 30 lecture by Fa-start to care for someone other than talks on Catholic Teaching on Medi- ther Vacek, a professor of Christian

Ethics and Theology at Weston Je­suit School ofTheology, was on thetheme, "Moral and Spiritual Con­cerns: Dignity of the Human Per­son."

Stressing that "Love- of Godshould dominate our lives and ac­tions;' he said that faith life is one'srelationship to God and that an atti­tude of"No one loves me and I loveno one is very difficult to live with,"and that the ability to care for others

.is very important.He emphasized that each person

is chiefly responsible for his or herown life, noting that "freedom ofreligion is good --"- you shouldn'tbe pushed into it by others." As partof such responsibility, he said indi­viduals should take charge of their

Turn to page six - ~thics

4 THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., November 9, 2001·

themoorin~the living word

Y I • ".

"THE RICH AND THE

POOR HAVE A COMMON

BONp, THE LORD IS THE

MAKER OF THEM ALL"

(PROVERBS 22:2).

AN AFGHAN BOY STANDS

BAREFOOT ON A MUD ROAD

IN THE NORTHERN ALLIANCE

CONTROLLED.KHOJA

BAHAWUDDIN IN AFGHANI-

STAN. AFGHAN CHILDREN

FACE HARSH REALITIES IN THE

MIDST OF WAR AND INTERNAL

TURMOIL. A QUARTER OF ALL

AFGHAN CHILDREN ARE

ORPHANS AND MORE THAN

HALF SUFFER FROM MALNU­

TRITION. (eNS PHOTO FROM

REUTERS)

not bombs, is more effective forsecuring peace, and that prayer iswhere we find our best counsel.More than ever, we need to culti­vate these instincts through studyand prayer, and to avoid that whichwould call them into question.

During a time of gloom it iscommon to awake daily to badnews. Too frequently the ominousatmosphere this creates hinders ourability to look forward to the com­ing day. To maintain high spirits,we need to have something goodto look forward to, be it ever sosmall, every time we meet a newday. To maintain our zest fqr life,we have to be our own best cheer­leaders.

As happens with horrifyingevents, depression can suddenlystrike and knock us down. We don'tfeel like working; enthusiasm driesup and there is the temptation torevert tb that which will dull oursenses. When this happens, we needto regroup as often as necessary.Reassessing our priorities must bethe order of the day.

In the days ahead, let us not for­get that we are as strong as our com­mitment is to the basic principlesof the human spirit.

I

churchgoers and people of prayer.Not only do people believe in God,but we exalt God throughout thenation.

To maintain a strong spirit, wemust never doubt God's presenceand care. We must cling to the be­lief that God in some mysteriousway is raising us to new spiritualheights.

Another belief to cherish is thatthe strength needed to overcome theenemy comes not from military oreconomic might, but from God.Prayer and the peace of mind prayerfosters are the best means ofensur­ing inner strength, for once we areat peace we are refreshed to dobattle.

As I write this, news reports anda myriad of opinions on what we

. should or should not do are inun­dating us. Often this saturation ofthoughts proves to be confusing anddoes,more harm than good to ourspirit. To curtail the pandemonium,meditative time must be created inwhich we only listen to God.

To maintain a strong spirit, wealso need to have faith in our in­stincts. We know from history andour faith that revenge is not theanswer to terrorism, that dialogue, .

• ~~"r

k "_::t

•

By FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK

CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

The war on terrorism is aboutmuch more than bombing raids,economic sanctions and interna­tional alliances. It is a fiercebattle over who can break whosespirit. So the question is raised:What is needed to cultivate astrong spirit?

Let's begin with ReinholdNiebuhr'~ prayer of tranquility:"May I have the tranquility to ac­cept what I cannot change, the cour­age to change what I can and thewisdom to know one from theother."

As much as we would like to,we cannot change the dishearten­ing effects of terrorist attacks. Ourhearts have been tom by death andfear. Ifwe are to overcome this hurt,we must first accept its reality.When our mouming recedes, wewill need to review the basic prin­ciples underlying a strong spirit andrecommit ourselves to them.

The human spirit thrives on fourprinciples orpillars: vital faith; zestfor life; a sure instinct; and the abil­ity to bounce back after beingknocked down.

Americans, by nature, are

Basic principles ofa strong human spirit

· EDITORDavid B. Jollvet

.theal1cho~.··••.••OFFICIAL 'NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

Published weekly' by the Catholic P~e'ss of t~e,biocese of Fall River·887 Highland Ave,nue.:' . ' " c. '. p.6.'so)ll 7,': ,'., .

Fall River, MA' 02720" . Fall River, MA 02722-0007, .Telephone'q08~675_7t51 ,': FAX 508-675-7048

. ,. ". E~mail: The.Arichor@Anchor·ri~ws.org.. '. ,'.." '. :· Send address changes,toP.O, B6x,c81I,or use E~mail address ,;'. ,. ' " '," '.. '. . ... - . ,'" , : .

, '; ~. EXECUTIVE'EorrOR' ,':",: ::,":.,:' '>'

•... .Rev.,~Sgr. ~Oh'n~. ~90~; :':-, :,::,", ',:' , . :._'.NEWS EDITOR· " ,.' OFFICE'MANAGER ;',

James N. Dunbar' : .'Barbara 'M.Rels',. ,. .-, . . ".;'. ~ ,

Families and the times

. As we work our way through our international and nationaldifficulties, it becomes clear that we must also tack.le our domesticproblems. American families are beginning to feel the ever-in­creasing need to be connected with each other. Thousands of fami­lies have been destroyed and torn apart by this war on terrorism.Daily, more families are being separated by National Guard obli­gations. Millions are searching for answe~s, wary of a very uncer­tain future. As unemployment increases, job security becomes amisnomer. Families that are separated, disconnected or even dys­functional, are experiencing a form of depression that simply willnot go away. So many people want to reach out but there is noplace to go. The national party is over and so many who played itto the hilt have no place to go except back'to their family.

The family is the heart and soul of our living. In these days ofanger and hurt ii's the family that can become healer and helperfor so many searching souls. This of course presupposes that fami­lies want to reach out and be what they should be for all in thehouse. This is not an easy task and it takes time and effort to bringall back to the kitchen table. Now is the time of year to evaluatethe family. The holidays are upon us; Thanksgiving, Chanukah,and Christmas are just around the comer. These are family times,moments to reach out, be in~lusive and above all forgiving. In thetrue meaning of these days given their religious motivations, fam­ily hurts must be addressed. So many times families cannot evenremember why separations developed. Forgiveness is the everpresent need to keep people together. It's hard and difficult. Manyfeel its weakness. The opposite is true.. It lakes strength arid cour­age to forgive. It enhances a person's courage and truthfulnessand it releases us from burdens of self-imposed fear'and stress.Mothers and fathers must forgive many hurts in their relationship.Those that are able to forgive each other are able to ·do the samefor their children and extended family. Where there is no forgive­ness, there is division and even destruction.

No family is an island. In these past years of selfish expedi­ency, everyone thought they could do things their own way. Peoplebecame a law of nature unto themselves. Discord, separation anddivorces were the easy way out for so many people. As' ,(result 'so 'many simply lost all family roots. Once more this' time of yearpresents a great occasion for connecting the generations. Bring­ing the older folks together with the ,younger meTDbers so the sto­ries may be told. Linking the various age groups of, families to­gether nurtures continuity and wholeness. People can hang on tosomething, namely the family tree.

If we really believe that the family has received from God~ts

mission (0 be theflrst and vital point of society, then we must see itas a spiritual undertaking. In the trUest Catholic seriSe there must bea connection between the kitchen' table and the altar table. The fam­ily in this way indeed fulfills its destiny as the domestic Church. Theessential unity of the Church is prayer. As Holy Cross Father PatrickPeyton so simply preached, ''The family that prays together staystogether." If there was' ever a time that this refleCtion had specialmeaning, it is today. The spiritually connected family must becomethe vital apostolate of the Church. We must evangelize our familiesnot just for keeping them together but also to help them be strong inunity and love. The well-being of the individual person and of hu­man and Christian society is intimately linked with the healthy con­dition of the family. The family is the' very foundation of all societyand it needs all the help it can get in these trying times.

The Executive Editor

5

Larry SylviaManaging Director

sports editor/writer and thecurrent editor of The Anchor.Comments are welcome atDaveJolivet@Anchornews.org.

INSURANCE·PERSONAL II BUSINESS

The best personal and commercial insuranceproducts in the market are available to you fromNarragansett Financial Insurance, the newestaffiliate of Citizens-Union Savings Bank.Tom Hassey and the people at NarragansettFinancial Insurance will meetwith you at 570 Robeson Streetin Fall River or by appointmentat your office, home or thenearest Citizens-Union SavingsBank office. Call 508-679-6477.

Seekonk174 Taunton Avenue, Route 44

Onlinewww.citizensunionbank.com

A tradition of caring.

DONAGHY-HATHAWAYFUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES

465 County Street, New Bedford

9!:~~~~,~ ~..customs and nationalities~

William S. Hathaway, Jr. - Ruth (Ward) HathawayWilliam "BT" Hathaway - JameS E. Barton

A Hathaway Family Funeral Home, 1813 Robeson Street, Fall River, MA 02720

THEANCHOR-DioceseofFall River-Fri., November 9,2001

one of a snake slithering acrosshome plate and into the historybooks.

Dave Jolivet is a former

SomersetSomerset Plaza, Route 6Swansea

. 554 Wilbur Avenue

STOCKS, MUlVAL FUNDSII BONDS

Do you have investing questions? Get straightanswers from I.es Jackson, RegisteredRepresentative of Commonwealth FinancialNetwork, inemberNASD, at NarragansettFinancial Services, an affiliate of Citizens-UnionSavings Bank. I.es has morethan 20 years of investingexperience. He'll explain youroptions and help you use asolidchoice of investments to pursueyour goals. Call 508-678-7955. Les Jackson

cmZENS~UNION.,., SAVINGS BANK

-George Oliveira

reptile dethrone the Yanks, theydid it in New York fashion.They rallied in the bottom ofthe ninth inning, down by onerun in Game 7, against one of

. the all-time best closersin baseball playoff his­tory. Instead of return­ing to the Big Applewith another title, theYanks returned snake­bitten.

Today, I look atsnakes in a new light. Iknow there'll be dayswhen I'll curse the ser­

pent for tempting Eve, and Iknow I'll continue to check mysleeping bag before entering it,and I know "Rifleman" rerunswill still get to me. But now Ican temper those thoughts with

Fall RiverMain Office: 4South Main Street508-678-7641 (Connecting all offices)335 Stafford Road. 490 Robeson Street. 81 Troy Street

Citizens-Union Savings Bank - tbe only bank you'll ever need.

Citizens-Union Savings Bank can helplWhen we say that Citizens-Union Savings Bank is the only bank you'll ever need, we mean it. And, in acomplicatedworld with financial opportunities and options undreamed of as littie as 20 years ago, offering trust services andinvestment management plus access to stocks, mutual funds and insurance for individuals and businesses is the bestway we know to help with some of life's most important (and oftentimes complex) decisions. Questions? Talk to us!

Do you have· seriousquestions about managingyour money and protectingwhat you've workedso hard to earn? .

George Oliveira and the Citizens-Union SavingsBank Trust Department team will answer yourquestions and work with you to set attainablegoals, tllen develop astrategy which ensuresyour assets are handled and ultimately passedto your heirs according toyour wishes. To schedulean appointment, call508-675-4311 or come seeus at 4South Main Streetin Fall River.

TRUSTS II INVESTMENTMANAGEMENT

Securities are offered Ihrough Commonwealth Financial Network, member NASD, SIPC. Brokerage service products are not insured by FDIC or DIF. are not guaranleed by Citizens-Union Savings Bankand are subject to investment risk including possible loss of principal amount invested.

Insurance products are offered Ihrough Narragansett Financial Insurance Agency. LLC. Not abank deposit. No bank guarantee. Not FDIC or DIF insured. May be subject to risk. Not insured by any Federal agency.

the current Yankee team withrespect and even admiration,but when it all boils down, Icannot root for the New YorkYankees.

Not only did the repugnant

are no longer the world champs!I know this sounds like a

typical Red Sox sour grapes re­sponse. That's pecause it is. Ialso know I've written about

My View

~From the ... ,it'\'

Stands / r~'" ..By Dave Jolivet

l ~

For the longest time, in factsince the beginning of time,snakes have had a.bad reputa­tion. We all know the story ofAdam and Eve in the Gard.enof Eden. It was a snakethat tempted Eve to eatof the forbidden fruit.How many of us haven'tsaid at one time or an­other, "If it wasn't forthat snake, we'd all livein paradise"?

After the dastardlydeed was done, Godsaid to the snake, "Be­cause you have done this,cursed are you more than allcattle, and more than everybeast of the field; 0'1 yourbelly you will go, and dust youwill eat all the days of yourlife" (Gen. 3: 14).

There aren't many creaturesthat God takes the time to ad­monish personally, thus its evilnotoriety.

When I think of these craftycreepy crawlies, I can't help butrecall "The Rifleman," a TVwestern on the air when ..I wasa kid. In how many episodes didLucas and Mark McCain andMarshall Micah awaken to finda snake slithering about in theirbedrolls? And how repulsedwere we the viewers as we anx­iously waited for them to es­cape without a pair of fangmarks on their persons? The lastthing any camper wants to seein their sleeping bag is an ani­mal more cursed than cattle.

And in the thousands andthousands (this may be an ex­aggeration, but it feels like thatmany) of children's books I'veread to my young'uns throughthe years, I never came acrossa story with a serpent as theprotagonist.

How many other animals arethere that can eat a rat or a smallpig in one bite? The boa con­strictor does. What other crea­ture evokes such terror with ashake of its tail than does therattlesnake? While taking a re­freshing dip in a tranquil pond,how many creatures are asfeared as the water moccasin?Even the harmless grass snakecan make a 250-pound humanfreeze with fear. And just toaccentuate the point, one of themost powerful leaders in worldhistory, Cleopatra, did herselfin with the bite of an asp.

Truly. snakes are one of themost loatheful creatures in ex­istence.

Yet, for me, all that changedlast weekend. On November 4,a venomous viper became oneof my best friends. A desertdenizen captured my heart andsoothed my soul. For on thatday, a diamondback rattlesnakefrom Arizona mortallywounded a creature even moredespicable than itself. The D­Backs of the southwest deliv­ered a fatal blow to the NewYork Yankees and won the 200 IWorld Series. The New YorkYankees are no longer theworld champs. I must say thatagain ... the New York Yankees

Enough to make your skin crawl

/

6 THE ANCHOR - Di~ese ofFall River - Fri., November 9, 2001

tury in Europe and touay iswidely celebr'ated in diocesesthroughout the United States.

Announcement of the St. Tho­mas More award winners is forth­coming. A judge, an attorney anda court worker will be honoredwith the award that bears the nameof the 16th century Catholic lay­man and martyr who refused tocompromise principle though pres­sured by outside sources. Awardrecipients are nominated by a com­mittee comprised of a dioces.ancross section of judges, attorneys,court personnel and priests.

In addition to Atty. Harringtonand Father Hession, other mem­bers of the Red Mass planningcommittee are Judges Elizabeth J.Dolan, George Jacobs, ElizabethO'Neill-LaStaiti and John F. St.Cyr. Attorneys Richard Bentley,Richard Bentley Jr., JeromeCoogan, Patrick K. Cunningham,Michael Harrington, John P. Lee,Michael J. Livingston, Jennifer W.Lokitis, Francis ~. O'Boy,Anastasia Perrino, James H. Quirk,Jr., Irene B. Schall, and FrederickJ. Torphy. Msgr. John F. Moore,Father Michael K. McManus,Gloria Arruda, Omer Chartrandand John E. Keams Jr.

Anyone interested in furtherinformation may contact any com­mittee member.

Attorney Joseph P. Harringtonof New Bedford is chairman ofthe comrriittee planning the RedMass. He said he is looking for­ward to the celebration, whichwill be the fifth held in the dio-.cese.

"It's a great opportunity tobring together people who workin the justice system to partici­pate in Mass with BishopO'Malley, to receive blessings onour work, and to take some timeto reflect on what we do in ourdaily work and how it impactssociety," Harrington said recently.

"We are particularly pleased,"noted Father Mark R. Hession,who is the bishop's liaison withthe Red Mass committee, "thatFather Mark Cregan of Stonehill,who himself is a lawyer, will beguest homilist for the Mass andthat Professor Glendon acceptedBishop O'Malley's invitation tobe guest speaker following din­ner. It should be a wonderful day."

The Red Mass is the popularname for the Mass of the HolySpirit offered to invoke God'sblessings on the judges, attorneysand others working to pr<~)Videjus­tice throughout the judicial sys­tem. Its name is derived from thecolor of the vestments customar­ily worn by the celebrants.

The Mass began in the 131h cen-

FALL RIVER - Those work­ing in the justice system fromthroughout the Fall River diocese,along with their families andfriends, are invited to attend theannual Red Mass celebration Sun­day, December 9, beginning withaJ p.m. Mass at St. Mary's Ca­thedral in Fall River.

The Red Mass celebration ishosted each year by the dioceseto invoke God's blessings on thosewho work in the legal system andto honor members of that com­munity for dedicated service.

Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFMCap., will be principal celebrantof the Mass. Guest homilist willbe Holy Cross Father MarkCregan, who is president ofStonehill College in NorthEaston. The Stonehill CollegeChapel Choir will provide musicfor the liturgy.

At the conclusion of the MassBishop O'Malley will againpresent the St. Thomas MoreAwards in recognition of distin­guished service to justice and thecommon good.

A reception and dinner atWhite's of Westport will followthe Mass. The featured speakerwill be Professor Mary AnnGlendon, the Leamed Hand Pro­fessor of Law at Harvard Univer­sity.

Red Mass celebration for legal·community set for December 9

1600 Bay StreetFall River, MA 02724

508-673-2~22

Rose Hawthorne Lathrop Home

~

WANT~D: Pastoral Musician (Piano,organ, or keyboard) for two SundayMasses - 9:00 A.M. -and 12:00 noon.

Please send resume to OLOAChurch, 47 S. 6th St., New Bedford,MA 02740 or call 508-994-7602 for

further information.

Ethics· Continuedfrom page three

own health care, adding that this is' and care stemming· from awhat God expects of us and that we Christlike reaching out to those inshouldn't feel we've done our best need.in a situation if there's more we The last in the free lecture seriescould do. will be held November 13,7 to 8:30

Discussing justice, Father Vacek am., also at Bishop Connolly Highqueried "How can God get needed School on Elsbree Street. It will hostgoods to the needy? Thy answer is Ann Baker, RN, who will speak onthrough you and me." "Understanding Hospital and Clini-

He concluded by explaining cal Issues: Pain, Proxies andthree different kinds of care: that Trauma."of philanthropy, which should be This Tut1sday's lecture by Dr.accompanied by real concern for Christopher Klofft on "Human Sexu­those to whom you give; contrac- ality: Procreation and Pre-maritaltual, which may be work for a pay- Relations," will be reported on in ancheck but should also include true upcoming publication of The An­care for those who are paying you; chor.

Joey & Maria's WeddingFriday, December 21st

I •, .

the Father and with us.In fact, the pope used this same

word when he said that "throughgrace, believers can ascend" to thepresence of God.

The pope's messages on the sub­ject may challenge us to look anew .

at some expressions w~ use~-,,- to affirm our faith, but he

also saw in them somethingextremely enlightening andhopeful about life in eter­nity.

-The suffering caused bysin in this life is often saidto "make life hell," hintingwhat life without Godwould be like.

In the same way, "if we areable to enjoy properly the goodthings that the Lord showers uponus every day of our earthly lives,"said the pope, "then we have be­gun to experience the joy whichwill be completely ours in the nextlife."

As·one Italian theologian put itwell, the pope was hinting that theperson who lives in grace alreadylives·in paradise. For today's Chris­tians, attempting to live out theseeternal realities in our lives now ismore important than trying to de­scribe them.

A free brochure answeringquestions Catholics ask about an­nulments is available by 'sendinga stamped, self-addressed enve­lope to Father John Dietzen, Box325, Peoria, IL 61651.

"Questions may be sent to Fa­ther Dietzen at the same address,or e-mail: iidietzen@aol.com.

erally true. It's just one of the bestways we have to express belief thatJesus holds a place of unique honorand equality with the Father. .

Pope.John Paul reminds us thatthis is true any time we speak ofrealities after death.

We must be very careful wheninterpreting the biblical descriptionsof hell, for example. The "inextin­guishable fire" and "fiery furnace"of which the Bible speaks are, hesaid, attempts to "indicate the com­plete frustration and emptiness of alife without God."

The same is true when speakingof heaven. We're confined to sym­bolic language,just as was the Bibleitself. The idea of heaven as aplacein the sky, according to the pope,.resulted from metaphorical biblicallll!1guage contrasting the dwellingplace of humanity with the "dwell­ing pla~" of God.

It is within that framework thatwe need to understand such'phrases as "ascended into heaven."We do not believe that Jesus went.off to a distant g~laxy or planet,but that, in a way beyond ourpresent comprehension, in his as­censionhe began a new life with

Questionsand

AnswersBy Father

John J. Dietzen

What "heaven" means ..Q. My daughter andJ recently

discussed the Holy Father's state­ment that heaven "is not a physi­cal place amid the clouds" but astate of being, "a living personalrelationship with the Trinity!'

How does this square with vari­ous "ascensions intoheaven" mentioned in _---------­the Scriptures and in ourprofessioq of. faith? (In­diana)

A. Th~se teachings weregiven by Pope John Pau] nin the course of several ad­dresses during his Wednes­day audiences in the sum- •mer of 1999. ....--------~

The pope cautioned at the timethat heaven - and, somewhat simi­larly, hell and purgato'ry - cannever be fully or accurately describedin human words for the simple rea­son that there is a chasm betweenGod and humanity that human lan­guage and human experience cannever cross.

H,e said, for example, that it isnot quite accurate to describe heavenas the dwelling place of God, sinceGod cannot be confined by such aconcept or enclosed in such a"heaven."

Most Catholics and other Chris­tians, it seems to me, instinctivelyunderstand that human expressionsabout God are just that, hum~n at­tempts to say as well as we can some­thing that is beyond our power tograsp or proclaim perfectly.

When we say in the creed thatJesus "is seated at the right hand ofthe Father," we know that's not lit-

MisGivingsThursday, December 13th

WHITE'SOF WESTPORT .

'W..,'W'-~

508-675-7185

Joey CanzanoThursday, December 6th .

---

HolidayHappenings

Any size group welcome!

~TU 1feo1th Care for incu.rabfe auu:er patients WMcannot ajforrf to pay for nursing care efsewliere.

ltulivUfudiutf care ana attention in an atmospftere of peaaana warmth, wftere love, wuferstatuling ana compassion prevaiL

tBeautifu{ setting ofJerCoof(jng 9rlt. 9lope tBay.

Gala Open PartiesBlues Train & Comic Rick Beretta

Friday, December 7th

OJ Gene DanielsFriday, December'14th

OJ Mike Pavao, Jr. - Saturday, December 22nd

From $29.95 to $33.50 per personPrices include Deluxe Holiday Buffet,

dancing, entertainment, t.ax & gratuity.

Dinner TheaterThe Soprano's Last SUpper·

Friday, November 30th & Sunday, December 16th

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., November 9,200I 7

In Vitro Fertilization: EthicalImplications and Alternatives

A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap.The recent-discussion in our coun­

try on the funding of scientific researchusing embryonic stem cells has made itvery clear that many Americans are un­aware ofsome ofthe ethical implicationssurrounding this debate. What was par­ticularly alarming was the data that over100,000 live embryos are frozen. Theseembryos have been produced in the pro­cedure called in vitro ferjlization, whichseems to enjoy ever wider acceptanceby the American public.

I presume that many Catholiccouples have had recourse to this tech­nology in their praiseworthy aspirationsto have children. I feel great compunc­tion that those ofus who have a respon­sibility to teach the faith have not beenmore effectiye in communicating theChurch's teaching on in vitro fertiliza­tion. I realize that some Catholics actingin good faith, and with a burning desireto be parents and good parents, havemade use ofthis technology unwittingly.To them, I offer an apology and assure .them of the Church's unconditional re­gard for the children born ofsuch a pro-

. cedure. Every child, no matter how thatchild is born, is precious in God's eyes.

That having been said, I now feelcompelled to sound an alarm to ourCatholic people about the morally prob­lematic aspects ofin vitro fertilization andto call upon our priests, deacons, andteachers to exerciseduediligence in faith­fully presenting the Church's teaching,on this most serious issue. A faulty l,m­derstanding ofthe ethical drawbacks ofin vitro fertilization has already led to anaive acceptance of the destruction ofhuman embryos that now threatens topave the way for embryonic stem cellresearch.

A few decades ago, in vitro fertili­zation was the stuffofscience fiction. InHuxley's "Brave New World," wheretime is reckoned as A.F. (afterFord), theauthor describes a futuristic world thatprescinds from God. The book openswith a tour ofthe Centqll London Hatch­ery and Conditioning Center which isthe venue for artificial reproduction andsocial conditioning in a biological ver­sion of the assembly line: progressingfrom the Fertilizing Room, to the Bot­tling Room, to the Social PredestinationRoom, and finally to the DecantingRoom.

After these babies are "decanted,"or "hatched," they are put in a specialnursery where they are conditioned tohate books and the great outdoors, andare taught to pine after the consumptionofa nearly endless variety of manufac­tured consumer goods. Doubtless,Huxley would have been intrigued withthe modem day practice ofusing the tele-

vision setas ababysitter; it seems to have ity become more common, people are marriage and the dignity of the procre­the same purpose as his Conditioning turning to science for solutions. Modem ation of the human person. All of theseCenter. science has developed various tech- procedures face a further difficulty in that

His allegorical work has become al- niques such as artificial insemination and they lend themselves to commercializa­most prophetic in some of its dire pre- in vitro fertilization. In addition, there are tion and exploitation when people aredictions about in vitro fertilization and also ancillary techniques designed to paid for donating their semen or ova, orclonirig. Not too long ago readers were store semen, ova, and embryos. for surrogate motherhood.shocked by these images. Ifwe are not The fact that these techniques have The "Catechism of the Catholicmore circumspect about the use oftech- been developed and have a certain suc- Church," quoting from the Vatican docu-

. nology, in another generation readers cess rate does not make them morally ment Donum Vitae, (Instruction on re­will read Huxley wondering, "What's acceptable, The ends do not justify the spect for human life in its origin and onthe big deal?" means. In this case, the ends are very the dignity ofprocreation) asserts: ''Tech-

Stepping away from God's law al- noble: helping an infertile couple to be- niques that entail the dissociation ofhus­ways introduces chaos into our lives. come parents. The Church, however, band and wife by the intrusion ofa per-Nowhere is this truer than in the case of cannot accept the means. son other than the couple (donation ofin vitro fertilization. The reproductive MARRIAGE: sperm or ovum, surrogate uterus) arerevolution has had the ability to separate The Sanctity ofLife gravely immoral. These techniques in-genetic parenting from gestational The Catholic Church teaches that fringe on the child's rightto be born ofaparenting and from social parenting; and marriage is the only morally acceptable father and mother known to him, andthe agent who brings it all about, a framework for human reproduction. bound to each other by marriage; more­biotechnician, will be still another per- Marriage and its indissoluble unity are over, these methods betray the spouses'son. the.only venue worthy of truly respon- right to become a father and a mother

In other words, we can arrange from sible procreation. Accordingly, any con- only through each other" (#2376). In­the outset that one or more of the ge- ception engineered with semen or ova deed, in the actofprocreation the spousesnetic parents are different from the donated by a third party would be op-' are called to cooperate with God; there­woman who will carry the child, or the posed to the exclusivity that is demanded fore, the Church teaches that a child'scouple who will bring the child up. One .of a married couple. Such a procedure coming-to-be should be sought only asorboth ofthe donors mightbe deceased, would be a violation ofthe bond ofcon- a fruit of the spouses' personal lovingfor even the eggs might be union in the marital act.extractedfromabortedfetuses "I fi-'-'- _1' -/:.. - I:. I The "Catechism ofor a recently deceased urrru;a, you m tne. 'UJOtnlJ} the Catholic Church"woman. £,.~ r I:.,.£. also addresses those

SIX:rmand~ggsarebeing I\...ne'UJ you ana oe) ore cases where the techniquesbought and sold and wombs . I:. employed to bring aboutare being rented. Typical you were oomJ I the conception involve ex-prices for ova are $6,500, . l' elusively the marriedsperm $1,800 and surroga~e consecratea ,J~{;;'~..:.. couple's semen, ovum,motherhood $45,000. InCali- II ~'~~'.... =:-. and womb. Such tech-fornia there is a Nobel Prize yOU. . .,.' ~}J~..." niq~es are "less, repre-Winners' sperm bank where F. "J'(.,~;'''''~ ~J henslble, yetremam mor-someone can purchase "ge- (Jer 1.5) ;."--. '-'.-::-:::;.....: . ally unacceptable." Theynius sperm" in the first step to- • . :'~\~~l',·:~·--/ dissociate procreationwards the "designerbaby."Anyone who t., ...~ .;.~ from the sexual act. The acthas enough money can contract for the )?F·' :.~~ " which brings the child intoproduction ofhuman beings according -~ :' ~ ...~, . existence is no longer an actto the desired specifications. ;:'w':":; "Jo" :. I by which two persons (hus-

Scientists are already testing the .. ~~::::.. -....../< : band and wife) give themselvesembryos in the ~tri dish or in the womb ::r:~~~.lit " . to one another, butone that "entruststo determine whether the child has de- ~.;~¥~ the life and identity of the embryo intosirablecharacteristics. Onecommon rea- :~;;.~. the power ofthe doctors and biologists,son for these tests is sex selection. Those ,.:.~ ;.. ,~ and establishes the domination oftech-Feminists who favor abortion should t':;' W~ nology over the origin and des-~owthattheembryosdestroy~on '. ~~i '~~~:"',,_,: '~"'.. ~:'}"" tiny ofthe.hum~n perso~.this account are USJ,lally on the dis- ~~,:....:,,-c' ~ ",'::,' ,'I Such a relatlonship of dorm-taffside. " ;.~~~7~., }!.:.~'.:;' ':.:'>..:.. ':-' ~...;o!::'.;" nation is in itselfcontrary to the

The legalproblemsthatarise ~~:..::, ,,1>~ ,-"',' ,~"""",. dignity and equality that must hefrom In vitro fertIlization are le- .. ,.... '.:~r:: '.: ..: common to parents and children"gion. The number ofpersons who " .. (#2377).might assert parental rights is now ex- The Church has always taught thatpanded to five: the sperm donor, the egg jugal fidelity. It is also an anomaly for a there is an "inseparable connection es­donor, the surrogate womb mother, and donor to contribute to the conception of tablished by God between the unitivethe couple who raise the child. One wag achild with the express intention ofhav- significance and the procreative signifi­has observed that the prospect of chil- ing nothing to do with that child's up- cance which are both inherent to thedren with multiple parents is a market- bringing.· marriage act" (Hwnanae Vitae12). In thising dream for the greeting card industry, Donation of semen or ova, and the sense in vitro fertilization, by doing awayand it is certainly a bonanza for lawyers. use ofsurrogate motherhood to bear the with the unitive meaning, is the mirror

As problems ofinfertility and steril- child are both contrary to the unity of Continued on page eight

- Pope John Paul IIEvangelium Vitae

IIHow can anyone think that even a single moment ofthis marvelous process of the unfolding of life could beseparated from the wise and loving work of the Creatorand left prey to human caprice?"

rV"VI:U"'''V-''7-p..""""U"",-rJ:\:1L;A;;lr'''UII:nY\RO--IIl.,'u;:;.,urnuny·'un·~nvu,U'lt;IUllZClUIJII'UC~

up for adoption rather than to let them fore the Ethics Advisory Board of theperish in a frozen gulag. Othermoralists Department of Health, Education andhesitate to countenance this approach Welfare, states: ''Christians must surelybecause of the problem of surrogate be doubtful of any moral defenses of inmotherhood. Nevertheless, we agonize vitro fertilization that claim this tech­over the predicament of these embryos. niqlie as an extension of freedom from

-

-

..\uunum-yuae;-oJ-;-' _. -- --

One of the greatest absurdities ofcontemporary society is that ourcountry has approved of peopleaborting all unwanted children andat the same time permits an immoraltechnique (in vitro fertilization) thatallows a few women to have the ex­perience of a pregnancy. In both ofthese circumstances the fate of thechildren is subordinated to the con­venience or the personal aspirationsof the parents.

In the Old Testament, sterilitywas seen as a curse and a shamefulcondition. In part, immortality wasunderstood as living'on in your chil­dren and in their children. Childless­ness then meant to be doomed to ex-tinction and oblivion. ,

The New Testament teaching oncelibacy indicated to believers that noteveryone needs to have children. It isa matter of vocation. The example ofthe consecrated virgins in the earlyChurch testified to the importance ofspiritual fruitfulness and gave witnessof the Church's firm belief in the Res­urrection. Their lives, like the firstmartyrs, proclaimed to the world thatin Christ we are all called to eternalUfe. It is therefore not necessary foreveryone to have children to taste im­mortality;

For us, marriage and motherhoodand fatherhood is a vocation, and chil­dren are agift. However, even when pro­creation is notpossible, married life does

Continued on page J0

,'. -- they will;'~:i:j;;i:~ili; patients

changetheirminds. It isobvious thatmanyofthe medical staffinvolved in the in vitrofertilization process areaware ofthegraveresponsibility they havefordestioyihg hu­man life. They have witnessed how theseembryos have grown into healthy chil­dren. In discarding these embryos, theme9ical staffbecome their unwilling ex­ecutioners, but executioners nonetheless.

The Vatican document Donum Vi­tae clearly stated that the destruction ofembryos harvested from in vitro fertili­zation procedures is tantamount to abor­tion. By voluntarily destroying humanembryos, ''The researcher usurps theplace of God; and, even though he maybe unaware of this, he sets himselfup as It is similar to the Church's pastoral re- natural 'necessity. From our perspective,the master of the destiny of others inas- sponse to chiJdren born out of wedlock. such a claim involves the pretentious as­much as he arbitrarily chooses whom he While the Churchcannotapprove thecir- sumption that there is no limit to the rightwill allow to live and whom he will send cumstance of their birth since the chil- of people to perpetuate themselves."to death, and kills defenseless human dren have. already come into being, the Hauerwas' assertion is certainlybeing" (Donum Vitae, 1987). ' Church must be concerned about their taught by the Church: We do not

FROZEN EMBRYOS: spiritual and material welfare. have a "right to have a child." SuchChildren on Hold No one wants to encourage in vitro a right would be "contrary to the

During the already cited congres- fertilization in anyway; yet, there is a child's dignity and nature. The childsional hearings concerning stem-cell re- desire to rescue these innocent human is not an object to which one has asearch, John Borden stood before the beings that are in the words of Donum right, nor can he be considered anpanel with both his sons in his arms and Vitae: "exposed to an absurd fate, with object of ownership; rather, a childasked, "Which one of my children no possibility of their being offered safe is a gift, 'the supreme gift,' and thewould you kill?" John and his wife, means ofsurvival that can be licitly PUT-: .,mostgratuitous gift of marriage, andLucinda, unable to have children oftheir sued" (D.v. 1.5). We are hopeful that in is a living testimony of the mutualown adopted frozen embryos thatwere the near future the Holy See will offer giving of his parents. For this reason"left over" from in vitro fertilization. some authoritative pronouncements on the child has the right to b~ the fruitTheir striking testimony demonstrated .' this very complicatedissue. of the specific act of conjugal lovethat embryos are human beings in an CIDLDREN: of his parents; and the child also hasearly stage of development and there- A gift not an entitlement the right to be respected as a personfore should not be sacrificed for embry- Professor Stanley M. Hauerwas, in from the moment of his conception"onic stem-cell research.

The action of this couple and manyothers raises the question, ''What shouldbe done with the frozen embryos?" Dr.Edward Furton of the National CatholicBioethics Center published a fine articlerecently: "On the Disposition of FrozenEmbryos." The Church has not taken anofficial stand on what should be done. Itis clear that in vitro fertilization is not anethical practice. Nevertheless, the chil­dren born of this process are human be­ings, with the full rights and dignity ofall members of the human family, andthe frozen embryos produced are humanand need to be respected as such.

The most acceptable solution for thedisposition ofthese embryos is that theybe implanted in theirmother's womb andbrought to term. This is the best optionin a highly ambiguous situation since theembryos should not have been createdin the first place.

If the parents of the embryos areunable or unwilling to implant the em­bryo in the mother's womb, what can be ."done'·with the frozen embryos? Moral­ists are beginning to debate this ques-.tion. Theologians of the status'of Dr.William May and Dr. Germain Griseyand Dr. John Furton, editor of Ethics &Medics of the National Catholic Bioeth­ics Center, are of the opinion that it is

8 THE ANCHOR - Diocese ofFall River- Fri., November 9,2001

"Life once c; fie "ived must beContinued from page seven Sciencewithoutthe compass ofethi- embryos repre~nts a serious moral di- Secondly, living embryos must never be

imageofcontraception which suppresses cal restraints is taking us on a path to- lemma which has contrib~!OO to acoars- used for experimentation which is notthe procreative meaning of the conjugal wards dehumanization in the name of eningofthepublic'sattitudetow~the,directly therapeutic to that human em­act progress. Modern scientific advances sacredness of human life. 'bryo. The Pro-Life Department of the

God created man and woman in His have so much to offer, but they must be During recent debates before Con- United States Council ofCatholic Bish-own image and likeness and gave them guided by ethical principles which re- gress, a couple gave compelling testi- ops has published aquestion and answerthe mission ''to be fruitful and multiply." speet the inherent dignity of every hu- mony against embryonic stem cell re- documenton respect for human embryosThis fruitfulness in marriage is part of man being.. When science embarks on a search. The main arguments that they which explains: "No objective, eventheir being made in the image of God. Promethean quest, fueled by greed and presented were their two young sons who though noble in itself, such as a foresee­The marital act is oneofmutual self-giv- commercialization, our own humanity is had been frozen embryos that the hus- able advantage to science, to other hu­ing and mutual acceptance of two per- placed at risk. The Vatican Document, band and his wife adopted. We cannot man beings, or to society, can in any waysons in love. It reflects the inner life of Donum Vitae, expresses this well: "By pretend that these embryos are tadpoles. justify experimentation on living em­God in the Holy Trinity, a communion defending man against the excesses of They are human beings with theirunique bryos or fetuses, whether viable or not, ,of love. his own power, the Church of Godre- genetic code, full complement of chro- either inside or outside the mother's

Conjugal love is at the service oflife minds him ofthe reasons for his true no- mosomes, and individual characteristics womb. The informed consent ordinarilyand at the service of God, the Creator. bility; only in this way can thepossibil- already in place. Every personative to- requiredfor clinicalexperimentationcan­Pope John Paul wrote in his ''Letter to ity of living and loving with that dignity day started out as an embryo. . not be granted by the parents who mayFamilies" that "in affirming that spouses and liberty which derive from respect for In vitro fertilization puts agreatnum- not freely dispose of the physical integ-as parents cooPerate with God city or life of the unborn,the Creator in conceiving and child."giving birth to a new human ' "-. This wlequivocal teach-being...we wish to emphasize ing ofthe Church has impor-that God Himself is present in tant implications, not onlyhuman fatherhood and moth- regarding the morality of inerhood. Indeed, God alone is vitro fertilization where sothe source of that 'image and many embryos are sacrificed,likeness' which is proper to the but also in the area ofembry-humanbeing, as itwas received onic stemcell research whichat Creation. Begetting is the requires thedestruction ofthecontinuiltion of Creation" living human embryo.(''Letter to Families" 9). Many scientists are anx-

SPARE EMBRYOS: ious to employ ."sPMe" ~IP;.'

Human Leftovers bryos that result from the in"I formed you in the vitro fertilization for research

womb, I knew you and before purposes. They point to theyou were born, I consecrated huge supply of frozen em-you" (Jer 1:5). Pope John Paul bryos that will eventually beII, commenting on this Scrip- discarded. As in the case ofture passage, writes: ''the life the production of clones forof every individual, from its research purposes, the har-very beginning, is partofGod's John and Lucinda Borden, who, unable to have children of their own, adopted frozen vesting of the discarded em-plan...:.'(Evangelium Vitae embryos that were "left over" from in vitro Jertilization. Before a congressional panel, the bryos for research represents#44). Expressions of awe and twins' adopted father asked, "Which one of my children would you kill?" (CNS file photo aconscious choice to useliv-wonder at God's intervention from KRT) .. , , '. . "inghumanbeingsasmerere-in the life of a child inits.. search material. Sadly, somemother's womb occur again and'again the truth be ensUi~ for the men and. berofembryos at risk, or simplydestroys people would have pragmatism trumpin the Psalms and in the Gospel pf St. women.of tomorrow" (DQnum Vitae p: them. These early-stage abortions are not morality. It is encouraging that manyLuke.. In the light ofGod's loving regard 39); ,-. .' morally acceptable. Unfortunately, many states have legislation in place which pro­for life in the womb, the Holy Fath~r '. Theoretically, it might be possible people of good will have no notion of' tects the embryo and makes embryonicraises the terrible question: "How can to' use in vitro fertilization· without what is at stake and simply focus on 'the stem-cell research a felony. In the Com­anyone t:hiilk: that even a single moment destroying any' embryos. The grave baby that results from in vitro fertiliza- monwealth ofMassachusetts the law for­of this marvelous process of the unfold- moral problems concerning the rights of tion, not adverting to the fact th~t the pro- bids using embryos, "whether before oring of life could be separated from the the child, unity of-marriage, and the cedure involves creating many embryos, afterexpulsion from the mother's womb,wise and loving work ofthe Creator and integrity act would still militate against mostofwhich will neverbeborn because for scientific, laboratory research, orleft prey to human caprice?" (B.V. #44). the morality of in vitro fertilization. they will be frozen or discarded.. otherkinds ofexperimentation" (M.G.L.Humari life is precious from the moment However, typically, in in vitro TheChurch's teaehing on the respect Ch. 112 para. 12).ofconception; but, sadly enough, tht?,bib-", fertilization a woman is given fertility thatmustbeaccorded to human embryos The New York Times, on Aug. 26,lical respect for human life is being drugs to ensure that sheproduces several has been constant and very clear. The 2001, reported that at fertility clinicseroded in our contemporary society. ova which are collected to be fertilized .Second Vatican Council reaffirms this the job that nobody wants is that ofWithout adeep reverenCe for the saCred- in a petri dish creating several embryqs. teaching: ''Life once conceived must be discarding the spare embryos. Mostness of human life, h~ty pl~ it- The healthiest ones are chosen for protected with the utmost care." Like- centers charge a yearly fee that rangesselfon the path of self-destruction. transfer to the woman's worrib. Many wise, the more recent "Charter of the from a few hundred dollars to more

When science and technology open embryos are discarded or frozen. Rights of the Family," published by the than a thousand; but many embryolo­doors that shouJ.~LnoLhe_o.D.eQed._a_Ereezinl?.killLsome-ffio.r.e..:-S.ome_HolySee remin.ds_us_that: ''Human_life_a.i.ct,,,-d.o_nC\Ld.i.c~rd_P..Jnhr..voc. p.vpn

10 THEANCHOR-DioceseofFall River-Fri., November 9, 2001

In Vitro Fertilization: 'Ethic~1 Implications and Alternatives

families that have received those chil- the government to support pregnantdren lovingly as if they had been born - women by helping them to carry their

Dee Henderson helps he( four-year-old daughter, Amanda, with co­ordination at home in Stillwater, Minn. Henderson and her husbandadopted Amanda, who has a mild form of cerebral palsy. (CNS file~~ ,

"In our own diocese, and in dioceses throughoutthe nation, we havti!]. made the same offer of help. Westand ready to aid any woman with a, difficult preg­nancy who wishes to seek an alternative to abortion."

'. - Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap.

promote adoption. Theirmothers did notabandon them; but rather gave them lifeand the chance to live. The decision toentrust your child to another person is adifficult one, at times frightening; yet weare sure that it is the right decision. TheBible records the dispute of the twomothers before Solomon. The truemother is willing to give the child awayrather than allow the king tokill~ebaby..When a mother lovingly entrusts herbaby to an adoptive family, she has cho­sen life for her baby and will always bethat child's true mother, even as sheshares that vocation with the adoptiveparents.

Pope John Paul II writes' inFamiliaris Consortio: "Christian fami­lies, recognizing with faith all humanbeings as children ofthe same HeavenlyFather, will respond generously to thechildren ofothers, giving these childrensupport and love, not as outsiders, butas members of the one family of God'schildren. Christian parents will thus be

. able to spread their love beyond thebonds offlesh and blood, nourishing thelinks that are rooted in the Spirit. .. (F.e.42).

CONCLUSIONIn the rapidly changing culture of

today, where everything is 'seen as ex­perimental or obsolete, it must be grow­'ing clearer to believers that the Church'scommitment to the'defense of inriocenthuman life and the dignity of the hu­man person is the firm centerpiece ofour social Gospel. The very future ofour society is contingent on the successof this enterprise: Life will be valuedand protected or manipulated and de­stroyed.

The culture of death can musterarmies ofcelebrities to promote its posi­tions. The media speaks with a roar, the

. Church in a whisper. The Church's whis­per, however, communicates a very con­sistent message that can never be si­lenced.

The issue of in vitro fertilization iscomplicated. We all sympathize withchildless couples who are desperate tohave children, but the ends do not jus­tify the means: There is much !Jlore atstake here than the public realizes.

The Church's teaching on in vitrofertilization is very clear and quite con­sistent with the Church'~ teachings onmarriage, on the dignity of the humanperson, and on the life ethic. A lack ofknowledge about the ethical implicationsof this procedure has resulted in manycouples having recourse to in vitro fer­tilization and has given further impetusto public support for embryonic stem­cell research.

St. Paul once commented thatpeople will not respond to an uncer­tain trumpet blast. I assure you there isnothing uncertain about the Church'steaching on in vitro fertilization. Wehave only to tum up the volume ofthetrumpet.

tion and those who receive them.Other countries also experience the

sad refusal ofso many mothers tochooselife by giving their cltildren in adoption.Italy is witnessing a negative populationgrowth that has given rise to serious con­cerns about the future of the Italianpeople. One parliamentarian has asked .

baby to term so as to put the child up foradoption rather than let that child be lostto abortion. '

In our own diocese, and in diocesesthroughout the natiqn, we have made thesame offer of help. We stand'ready toaid any womanwith adifficult pregnancywhowishes to seekan alternative to abor­tion.

We urge adoptedc~dren to help us

a home for all ofthe children aborted inour country.

Those who embrace the Gospel ofLife must be enthusiastic supporters ofadoption. Some parishes have had spe­cialliturgies to celebrate the generosityand love of mothers who have put theirchild up for adoption, as well as for those

into their family. .This year in our own diocese, in or­

der to underscore the importance ofadoption in the Gospel of Life, we arehaving a diocesan Pro-Life celebrationon the Feast ofSt. Joseph, the adoptivefather ofJesus. The fact that in the HolyFamily there was an adoptive father

.should be a source ofencouragement tothose who give their children in adop-

Continued from page nine

important services to, the life of the hu­man person; for example adoption, vari­ous forms ofeducational work, and as­sistance to other families, and to poor orhandicapped children" (#14).

All of us know childless coupleswhose goodness and generosity havebeen directed toward service of the par­ish, the community, and those in need.Often it is.said of such acouple "whatwonderful parents they would havebeen" because their marriage is so faith­filled and so loving.

ADOPTION: A loving solutionThe plightofacouple who have dif­

ficulties in conceiving a child is some­thing that concerns the Church commu­nity. We are pleased that the scientificcommunity has developed some mor­ally acceptable procedures that assist theconjugal act and not replace it: certainfertility drugs, micro-surgery, and treat­ments aimed at correcting defects in thereproductive mgans, and Natural Fam­ily Planning techniques that allowcouples to know when they have the bestchance ofconceiving. The Church does.urge scientists ''to continue their researchwith the aim ofpreventing the causes ofsterility and of being able to remedythem so that infertile couples will be ableto procreate in full respect for their own'personal dignity and that of the child tobe born" (D.Y.8): _. .

Given the Biblical injunction to carefor widows and orphans and to welcomestrangers, the childless couple might inthe spirit of our faith consider adoptinga child. It is a decision that should bemade after prayer and reflection. Wehave the example of so many wonder­ful couples who have taken on this com­mitment and made a loving family forchildren who lost their parents or whoseparents were unable to raise them.

One of the main factors' contribut­ing to the 1.5 million abortions in ournation every year is the poor attitl;lde thatAmericans have toward giving up achildfor adoption. Each year, around twomillion infertile couples try to adopt a .baby in the United States, yet only about50,000 adoptions take place. There arewaiting lists for Down's Syndrome andSpinaBifida'babies and for infants withAIDS. Many couples go to Korea, Rus­sia, Romarua, Guatemala, China andother countries at great expense andmake many sacrifices to adopt a baby.

It is tragic that each year 1.5 millionmothers in the United States opt for anabortion. Somehow they reach the pointof making a decision to kill the child intheir womb rather than allowing thatchild to live and to be adopted into a fam­ily that ardently desires to make a homefor the fruit of an unwanted pregnancy.Even' though a pregnancy might be un­wanted, or ill-timed, there should neverbe an unwanted baby. In fact, as the fig­ures show there are enough familiesseeking to adopt babies so as to provide

'~

..,:

-lHEANCHOR- Diocese ofFaU River- Fri., November 9,2001 9

••• protected with utmost care."

"How can anyone think that even a single moment ofthis marvelous process of the unfolding of life could beseparated from the wise and loving work of the Creatorand left prey to human caprice?"

-

-

.~""..

(Donum Vitae, 8).One of the greatest absurdities of

contemporary society is that ourcountry has approved of peopleaborting all unwanted children andat the same time permits an immoraltechnique (in vitro fertilization) thatallows a few women to have the ex­perience of a pregnancy. In both ofthese circumstances the fate of thechildren is subordinated to the con­venience or the personal aspirationsof the parents.

In the Old Testament, sterilitywas seen as a curse and a shamefulcondition. In part, immortality wasunderstood as living'on in your chil­dren and in their children. Childless­ness then meant to be doomed to ex-tinction and oblivion. .

The New Testament teaching oncelibacy indicated to believers that noteveryone needs to have children. It isa matter of vocation. The example ofthe consecrated virgins in the earlyChurch testified to the importance ofspiritual fruitfulness and gave witnessof the Church's firm belief in the Res­urrection. Their lives, like the firstmartyrs, proclaimed to the world thatin Christ we are all called to eternallife. It is therefore not necessary foreveryone to have children to taste im­mortality;

For us, marriage and motherhoodand fatherhood is a vocation, and chil­dren are a gift. However, even when pro­creation is not possible, married life does

Continued on page 10

- Pope John Paul IIEvangelium Vitae

his testimony on in vitro fertilization be­fore the Ethics Advisory Board of theDepartment of Health, Education andWelfare, states: ''Christians must surelybe doubtful of any moral defenses of invitro fertilization that claim this tech­nique as an extension of freedom from

preferable to place the frozen embryosup for adoption rather than to let themperish in a frozen gulag. Other moralistshesitate to countenance this approachbecause of the problem of surrogatemotherhood. Nevertheless, we agonizeover the predicament of these embryos.

Continued from page eight

they will be used, just in case the patientschange theirminds. It isobvious thatmanyofthe medical staffinvolved in the in vitrofertilization process areawareofthegraveresponsibility they havefor destroying hu­man life. They have witnessed how theseembryos have grown into healthy chil­dren. In discarding these embryos, themedical staffbecome their unwilling ex­ecutioners, but executioners nonetheless.

The Vatican document Donwn W­tae clearly stated that the destruction ofembryos harvested from in vitro fertili­zation procedures is tantamount to abor­tion. By voluntarily destroying humanembryos, ''The researcher usurps theplace of God; and, even though he maybe unaware of this, he sets himselfup as It is similar to the Church's pastoral re- natural necessity. From our perspective,the master of the destiny of others inas- sponse to chiJdren born out ofwedlock. such a claim involves the pretentious as­much as he arbitrarily chooses whom he While theChurchcannotapprove thecir- sumption that there is no limit to the rightwill allow to live and whom he will send cumstance of their birth since the chil-.. ' of people to perpetuate themselves."to death, and kills defenseless human dren have. already come into being, the Hauerwas' assertion is certainlybeing" (Donwn Wtae, 1987). . Church must be concerned about their taught by the Church: We do not

FROZEN EMBRYOS: spiritual and material welfare. have a "right to have a child." SuchChildren on Hold No one wants to encourage in vitro a right would be "contrary to the

During the already cited congres- fertilization in any way; yet, there is a child's dignity and nature. The childsional hearings concerning stem-eell re- desire to rescue these innocent human is not an object to which one has asearch, John Borden stood before the beings that are in the words of Donwn right, nor can he be considered anpanel with both his sons in his arms and Wtae: "exposed to an absurd fate, with object of ownership; rather, a childasked, "Which one of my children no possibility of their being offered safe is a gift, 'the supreme gift,' and thewould you kill?" John and his w!fe, means of survival that can be licitly pur-_ ,JllQst gratuitous gift of marriage, andLucinda, unable to have children oftheir sued" (D.v. 1.5). We are hopeful that in is a living testimony of the mutualown adopted frozen embryos thatwere the near future the Holy See will offer giving of his parents. For this reason"left over" from in vitro fertilization. some authoritative pronouncements on the child has the right to b~ the fruitTheir striking testimony demonstrated . this very complicated issue. of the specific act of conjugal lovethat embryos are human beings in an CIDLDREN: of his parents; and the child also hasearly stage of development and there- A gift not an entitlement the right to be respected as a personfore should not be sacrificed forembry-' Professor Stanley M. Hauerwas, in from the moment of his conception"onic stem-cell research.

The action of this couple and manyothers raises the question, ''What shouldbe done with the frozen embryos?" Dr.Edward Forton ofthe National CatholicBioethics Center published a fine articlerecently: "On the Disposition of FrozenEmbryos;' The Church has not taken anofficial stand on what should be done. Itis clear that in vitro fertilization is not anethical practice. Nevertheless, the chil­dren born of this process are human be­ings, with the full rights and dignity ofall members of the human family, andthe frozen embryos produced are humanand need to be respected as ,such.

The most acceptable solution for thedisposition of these embryos is that theybe implanted in their mother's womb andbrought to term. This is the best optionin a highly ambiguous situation since theembryos should not have been createdin the first place.

If the parents of the embryos areunable or unwilling to implant the em-,......bryo in the mother's womb, what canbe .,done'with the frozen embryos? Moral-ists are beginning to debate this ques-.tion. Theologians of the status'of Dr.William May and Dr. Germain Griseyand Dr. John Forton, editor of Ethics &Medics of the National Catholic Bioeth­ics Center, are of the opinion that it is

_I 10 THEANCHOR - Diocese ofFall River- Fri., November 9, 2001

In Vitro Fertilization: 'Ethic~1 Implications and Alternatives

Dee Henderson helps her four-year-old daughter, Amanda, with co­ordination at home in Stillwater, Minn. Henderson and her husbandadopted Amanda, who has a mild form of cerebral palsy. (eNS filephoto) ,

"In our own diocese, and in dioceses throughoutthe nation, we have made the same offer of help. Westand ready to aid any woman with a, difficult preg­nancy who wishes to seek an alternative to abortion."

- Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap.

families that have received those chil- the government to support pregnantdren lovingly as if they had been born - womenby helping them to carry theirinto their family. . baby to term so as to put the child up for

This year in ourown diocese, in or- adoption rather than let that child be lostder to underscore the importance of to abortion. 'adoption in the Gospel of Life, we are In ourown diocese, and in dioceseshaving a diocesan Pro-Life celebration throughout the natiqn, we have made theon the Feast ofSt. Joseph, the adoptive same offer of help. We stand'ready tofather ofJesus. The fact that in the Holy aid any womanwith adifficult pregnancyFamily there was an adoptive father whowishes to seekan altemative to abor­

,should be a source ofencouragement to tion.those who give their children in adop- We urge adopted c~dren to help us

promote adoption. Theirmothers did notabandon them; but rather gave them lifeand the chance to live. The decision toentrust your child to another person is adifficult one, at times frightening; yet weare sure that it is the right decision. TheBible records the dispute of the twomothers before Solomon. The truemother is willing to give the child awayrather than allow the king to kill the baby. 'When a mother lovingly entrusts herbaby to an adoptive family, she has cho­sen life for her baby and will always bethat child's true mother, even as sheshares that vocation with the adoptiveparents.

Pope John Paul II writes' inFamiliaris Consortio: "Christian fami­lies, recognizing with faith all humanbeings as children ofthe same HeavenlyFather, will respond generously to thechildren ofothers, giving these childrensupport and love, not as outsiders, butas members of the one, family ofGod'schildren. Christian parents will thus be

, able to spread their love beyond thebonds offlesh and blood, nourishing thelinks that are rooted in the Spirit. .. (EC.42).

CONCLUSIONIn the rapidly changing culture of

today, where everything is 'seen as ex­perimental orobsolete, it must be grow­'ing clearer to believers that the Church'scommitment to the'defense of innocenthuman life and the dignity of the hu­man person is the firm centerpiece ofour social Gospel. The very future ofour society is contingent on the successof this enterprise: Life will be valuedand protected or manipulated and de­stroyed.

The culture of death can musterarmies ofcelebrities to promote its posi­tions. The media speaks with a roar, the

, Church in awhisper. The Church's whis­per, however, communicates a very con­sistent message that can never be si­lenced.

The issue of in vitro fertilization iscomplicated. We all sympathize withchildless couples who are desperate tohave children, but the ends do not jus­tify the means~ There is much ~ore atstake here than the public realizes.

The Church's teaching on in vitrofertilization is very clear and quite con­sistent with the Church'~ teachings onmarriage, on the dignity of the humanperson, and on the life ethic. A lack ofknowledge about the ethical implicationsof this procedure has resulted in manycouples having recourse to in vitro fer­tilization and has given further impetusto public support for embryonic stem­cell research.

St. Paul once commented thatpeople will not respond to an uncer­tain trumpet blast. I assure you there isnothing uncertain about the Church'steaching on in vitro fertilization. Wehave only to tum up the volume of thetrumpet.

....;

-e,, ,..-

, ".,~~"~.".~,' .~

n~

tion and those who receive them.Othercountries also experience the

sad refusal ofso many mothers to chooselife by giving their children in adoption.Italy is witnessing a negative populationgrowth that has given rise to serious con­cerns about the future of the Italianpeople. One parliamentarian has asked'

a home for all ofthe children aborted inourcountry.

Those who embrace the Gospel ofLife must be enthusiastic supporters ofadoption. Some parishes have had spe­cialliturgies to celebrate the generosityand love of mothers who have put theirchild up for adoption, as well as for those

Continued from .page nineimportant services to·the life of the hu­man person; for example adoption, vari­ous fonns ofeducational work, and as­sistance to other families, and to poororhandicapped children" (#14).

All of us know childless coupleswhose goodness and generosity havebeen directed toward service of the par­ish, the community, and those in need.Often it is,said of such a couple "whatwonderful parents they would havebeen" because their marriage is so faith­filled and so loving.

ADOPTION: A loving solutionThe plightofacouple who have dif­

ficulties in conceiving a child is some­thing that concerns the Church commu­nity. We are pleased that the scientificcommunity has developed some mor­ally acceptable procedures that assist theconjugal act and not replace it: certainfertility drugs, micro-surgery, and treat­ments aimed at correcting defects in thereproductive organs, and Natural Fam­ily Planning techniques that allowcouples to know when they have the bestchance ofconceiving. The Church does,urge scientists ''tocontinue their researchwith the aim ofpreventing the causes ofsterility and of being able to remedythem so that infertilecouples will be ableto procreate in full respect for their own'personal dignity and that of the child tobe born" (D.Y.8): ,-

Given the Biblical injunction to carefor widows and orphans and to welcomestrangers, the childless couple might inthe spirit ofour faith consider adoptinga child. It is a decision that should bemade after prayer and reflection. Wehave the example of so many wonder­ful couples who have taken on this com­mitment and made a loving family forchildren who lost their parents or whoseparents were unable to raise them.

One of the main factors' contribut­ing to the 1.5 million abortions in ournation every year is the poor attitl;lde thatAmericans have towardgiving up achildfor adoption. Each year, around twomillion infertile couples try to adopt a 'baby in the United States, yet only about50,000 adoptions take place. There arewaiting lists for Down's Syndrome andSpina Bifida'babies and for infants withAIDS. Many couples go to Korea, Rus­sia, Romania, Guatemala, China andother countries at great expense andmake many sacrifices to adopt a baby.

It is tragic that each year 1.5 millionmothers in the United States opt for anabortion. Somehow they reach the pointof making a decision to kill the child intheir womb rather than allowing thatchild to live and to be adopted intoa fam­ily that ardently desires to make a homefor the fruit of an unwanted pregnancy.Even' though a pregnancy might be un­wanted, or ill-timed, there should neverbe an unwanted baby. In fact, as the fig­ures show there are enough familiesseeking to adopt babies so as to provide

I-

Directed Prayer WeekendsNov.9-11 Dec. 28-30

MONSTERS MIKE Wazowski and James P. Sullivan run a scare factory in the city ofMonstropolis in the animated movie "Monsters, Inc." (eNS photo from Walt Disney Pictures)

'Monsters, Inc.' is pleasantcompany to keep

THEANCHOR-DioceseofFailRiver-Fri.,November9,2001 11

Retreats at Campion Renewal Center319 Concord Road, Weston, MA 02493-1398(781) 788-6810 plangford@campioncenter.org

Web-site: www.campioncenter.org

Campion is offering the following Guided Retreats:Nov. 9-11, 2001 With an Everlasting Love (Wm Barry, SJ)Nov. 16-18,2001 Here Comes the Lord (J. Brennan, SJ) .Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2001 Encountering God's Desire in

Advent (William Barry, SJ & Robert Doherty, SJ)Dec. 7-9, 2001 I Want to Know Jesus (William Barry, SJ)Jan. 18-21 Following in the Footsteps of Ignatius

(John Michalowski, SJ)8 and CS)-Day Directed RetreatsNov. 9-17 (11-16),2001

Bishop Connolly High Schoolja{['River's onfy Catfi.oCic :Jliefi Scfi.ooC

OpBnHouSBThursday, NovBmbBr 15

6:00-8:00 pm

-

_..

.•..

SEE yoa TltER!-~

PlaCBmsnt ExamSaturday, DBGBmbBr 1

8:30 am-12:00 pm(bring a $10 fee and #2 pencil)

Call (508) 676-1071 for information. .

373 Eisbree Street • Fall River, MA 02720www.bishopconnolly.com

ST. ELIZABETH SETOHCHRISTMAS FAIR

Sat., Nov.17 • 10:00 a.m. • 3 p.m.Quaker Rd. • North F~lmouth-Antiques - Hand Mades· Kid's Korner

- Many New Ex'c:itiIIg Features

ACddpmlcs

COUNTRY STOREFealuring_Victorian Garlands &Table Trees,

Hydrangea Wreaths, Christmas Corner,Ughted Baskets & Dolls

Serving Chowder, Salad Rolls, Hot Dogs and Desert

into it while recording the dia­logue. Inventive supportingcharacters - such as Mike'ssnake-haired receptionist girl­friend Celia, voiced· by JenniferTilly, James Coburn's crablikefactory owner and the crankyoffice manager Roz; voiced byBob Peterson - are engagingin their roles.

Younger ones may be scaredat times, but in an unduly threat-ening way. .

Even when the narrativeslows a bit, the crisp dialogueand sprightly characters in"Monsters,' Inc." keep theaudience's attention.

The U.S. Conference ofCatholic Bishops classificationis A-I - general patronage. TheMotion Picture Association .ofAmerica rating is G - generalaudiences.

and size report daily to the Mon­sters, Inc. factory to scare littlekids. Portable doors magicallyprovide access to children's bed­rooms and the resulting screamis bottled in airtight capsulesthat provide the energy sourcefor the whole city.

Yet, however fearsome theycan be when scaring up energy,monsters are terribly afraid ofcoming into contact with hu­mans. In fact the city has dedi­cated an entire department, theChild Detection Agency, staffed

. by emergency personnel sealedin yellow rubber suits to handlesuch intruders. So Sulley is un­derstandably worried when heaccidentally lets a tiny girlnamed Boo' (voiced by MaryGibbs) slip into the monsterworld.

Knowing what will happento her if Boo is caught, andquickly discovering that contactwith the pint-sized'tyke is notreally dangerous, Sulley andMike protect the pig-tailed Boo,

. even growing quite fond of her.The rest of film is a hide-and­seek adventure interrupted oc­casionally by the dastardlymachinations of RandalL

Unfortunately, the deficien­cies in the premise's develop­ment are only minimally maskedby the creatively drawn charac­ters and witty joking. The cat­and-mouse game played bySulley and Mike to hide Boofrom the rest of Monstropolis alltoo quickly becomes tiresome,with even Boo's endearingTeletubby-speak wearing thin.

Goodman and Crystal deliVer'"the expected comedic banterwith expert timing and panache.Crystal.'s vocal range is broader,though, and one can imaginehim throwing his whole body

By ANNE NAVARRO

CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

NEW YORK - Revealing thetruth behind those things that gobump in the night, Disney pre­sents the delightful animatedcomedy "Monsters, Inc."

Once again Pixar AnimationStudios, which brought us "ToyStory" and "A Bug's Life,"wows viewers with splendid,top-rate animation. Turning onthe clever idea of monsters asworking stiffs who scare littlekids just for a living, the adven­ture is amusing and witty, butfails to take full advantage ofits own concept. And though itdoesn't soar to the charming andcaptivating heights of "Shrek"(some moviegoers may. evenfind it comes up short againstPixar's own prize, "Toy Story"),it is still an imaginative, funnytreat as the holiday movie sea­son kicks off.

The story centers around theteam of Sulley (voiced by JohnGoodman) and Mike (voiced byBilly Crystal), the top "scarer"and "scare assistant" inMonstropolis, a city that is pow­ered by the screams of littlechildren frightened by profes­sional monsters. A horned giantwith green and purple-spottedfur, Sulley is actually a pussycatwho is encouraged, prodded andprovoked by his feisty bestfriend Mike, a green, opinion­ated one-eyed motormouth whohopes to break the "scarerecord." Their only rival is slimyRandall (voiced by SteveBuscemi), a many~armed purple'lizard who can instantly becomeinvisible." .

The film has great fun .set·,ting out the lay of the land.Monstropolis is a bustling citywhere monsters of every shape

sympathy for the victims of theSeptember terrorist attacks and a'group prayer was said for them.A discussion of programs for thecoming year, including a Mass forvocations followed.

The Serra Club is comprisedof Catholic laymen whose objec­tive is to promote vocations to thereligious life. They may be con­tacted at P.O. Box 1'015, North­Attleboro, MA 02761-1015.

fronting same sex attraction is­sues and who are striving to leadchaste lives. For more informa­tion. call Msgr. ThomasHarrington at 508-992-3184.

NEW BEDFORD - Calix,a group which enlists Catholicmen and women who are grate­fully celebrating recovery fromalcoholism, drug addiction andother dependencies will meetSunday at 6:30'p.m. at the par­ish center of Holy Name of theSacred Heart of Jesus Church.Newcomers always welcome.

NEW BEDFORD - Devo­tion to Our Lady of PerpetualHelp is held every Tuesday anddevotion to Divine Mercy ev­ery Thursday at Our Lady ofPerpetual Help Church. Formore information call 508-992­9378.

SOMERSET - A holy hourfor vocations will be held No­vember 15 at 7:30 p.m. at St.Thomas More Church. Thisevening of prayer and song willinclude Benediction of theBlessed Sacrament. Refresh­ments will follow. For more in­formation call- 508-673-7831.

WEST HARWICH - ThePerpetual Adoration Chapel atHoly Trinity Church, Route 28,invites people to spend an houror two in prayer. This regionalchapel of the mid-Cape area de­pends on the support of people.All ages welcome. For more in­formation call Jaile Jannell at508-430-0014.

disabled persons at no cost foruse in the home. For more in­formation call 800:246-6010.

MASHPEE - Dr. ArthurEss\Yein will speak on the topic"Current Issues for Celiacs,"when he addresses the CeliacSupport Group at Christ theKing Parish, November 18 at 1p.m. For more information call508-477-2408.

NEW BEDFORD - TheCourage Group w'ill meet Sat­urday at 7 p.m. in the rectoryof Holy Name of the Sacred'Heart of Jesus Parish. Courageis a support group for Catholicmen and women who are con-

NEW BEDFORD - TheNew Bedford' CatholicWomen.'s Club will hold itsmonthly meeting November 14at 7 p.m. at the Century House,107 South Main Street,Acushnet. Guest speaker NancyThorton will address -the topic

. "New Bedford of the 1920s:Then and Now." For more in~

formation call 508-995-9319.

Letter to the EditorEditor:

.Hi, my name is Amanda Goddard. On Sunday, Octo­ber 14, 2001 I went to a Pro-Lifewalk in Boston. Oh theexcitement! There were hundreds of people t~ere. Somepeople gave speeches. Their speeches were about be­ing Pro-Life.

If you are Pm-Life I thank you very much. It was timefor the walk. We all started out for the three-mile walk. Somy friends and I started two chants. They were, "Hey,hey, ho, ho, abortion has to go!" and, "Hey, hey, ho, ho,Pro-Life is the way to go!"

We kept repeating them for the whole three miles andother people joined in with us. We were so proud of our­selves.

Then when the walk was over, we got our pictures taken.by a magazine company. Our picture is going to be in the"My Friend" magazine. I can't wait.

, So if you are a person that wants to stop abortionslisten around next year in September and October. Thewalk is usually in October. .

I th,ank .you for 'taking yoar'time and reading this:;So.may God bless you. "'. ,.

AmandaR. Goddard.•' ' :"~ Plainville, MA

Age 11

MISCELLANEOUS - Aretreat for women and menstruggling with the emotionalor spiritual pain of abortionwill take place at Sisters ofMercy in Westerly, R.I. from NORTH DARTMOUTH­November '30 to December 2. ' A meeting of a Separated-Di­For more information on the vorced Support Group will be"Rachel's Vineyard Retreat" held November 12 from 7-9sponsored by the. Diocese of p.m. at the diocesan FamilyProvidence Life and Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road.

. Ministry, call 1-877-467-3463, This is an open discussionor visit the Website at meeting.www.rachelsvineyard.org.

FALL RiVER - The Se­nior Wheels USA program pro­vides electric wheelchairs tosenior citizens and permanently

DARTMOUTH - TheCatholic Community of UMass­Dartmouth gathers for Mass ev­ery Sunday evening at 8 p.m.in the main campus center, au­ditorium room 006. Studentsand others are always welcometo join in prayer and song.Mass will be celebrated at 6p.m. on holiday weekends:

ATTLEBORO LisaGulino, director of adult edu­cation, will present a programentitled "St. Matthew's BibleStudy," November 14 from9:30-10:45 a.m. at St. Joseph'sChurch. She will give the samepresentation November 16from 9:40-10:45 a.m. at St.Julie Billiart Church, NORTHDARTMOUTH and November20 from 7-8:15 p.m. at OurLady of Fatima Church, NEWBEDFORD.

ATTLEBORO - A series offour lectures on "IntelligentDesign" centering on the rea­sonability of faith will be pre­sented at St. Joseph's Parish onNovember 16 and 30, and De­cember 4 and 14., all at 7 p.m.For more information, call therectory at 508-226-1115.

.• I.. .' ," .

ATTLEBORO St.Joseph's Parish has 24-hour Eu­charistic Adoration beginningafter the 9 a.m. Mass every Fri­day of the month.· It ends be­fore the 9 a.m. Mass on Satur­day. Support from people of allages is welcome. For more in­formation call PaulineL'Heureux at 508-222-7047.

FALL RIVER - A presen­tation entitled "UnderstandingHospital and Clinical Issues:Pain, Proxies and Trauma,"will be held November 13 from7-8:.30 p.m. at Bishop ConnollyHigh School. It will be givenby Ann Baker, RN, and is co­sponsored by the Order ofMalta, Saint Anne's Hospital,the Office of Adult Educationand Diocesan Health Fac.i1ities.For more information call 508­678-2828.

. FALL RIVER - A presen­tation on life issues will be pre­sented by Attorney GeorgePhelan and parish nurse EvelynNoone November 13 at 7 p.m.at Holy Trinity Parish, 951Stafford Road. It will address

. the spiritual; medical; legal and'financial aspects of medicaltreatment and will be held -inthe lower hall of the church.Refreshments will be served.

topic of the first beatitude,"Blessed are the poor in spirit, theKingdom of Heaven is theirs."

The Serra Club is an interna­tional organization whose objec­tive is to foster vocations to thepriesthood, deaconate and to re­ligious Jife.

THEANCHOR-DioceseofFallRiver-Fri.,Novemoor9,2001

NEW BEDFORD - TheSerra- Club of New Bedford metrecently at White's of Westportfor dinner and a program.

Father Edward Correia, pastorof St. James Church, and dean ofthe New Bedford Deanery wasguest speaker and addressed the

DISTRICT GOVERNOR Timothy E. Mitchell, at left, wasa speaker at a recent gathering of the Serra Club of NeWBedford. Mitchell also serves as the first vice-president ofthe group and talked about its objectives. He stands withJohn E. Hoyle, president" of the New Bedford chapter.

New Bedford SerraClub meets

!i1-Ii-£it.AoAt ~ .

St~ John the Evangelist ChurchChristmas Village Bazaar

St. John School. Hodges St.. Attleboro

Saturday•. rtovember 17'from 9 a.m. to ] p.m.

.reatured ~tems

Raffles, arts & crafts, holidav floral arrangements,baked goods, hand-crafted wreaths, .jewelrv,

Grandma's attic, knitted items, and photos with Santa..

:Jnter~aton~(f~od will he served all dalJl

Attleboro Serra Clubopens new year

.'.

ATTLEBORO TheAttleboro District Serra Club re­cently opened its new year withMass in the chapel at MadonnaManor in North Attlel.·oro.

Father Francis Crowley, chap­lain;was the celebrant, and a din­ner at Noah's Dock followed.Newly-elected president KevinPoirier gave a welcome addressto old and new members. He alsoexpressed the Club's deep felt

'4,)

-

-

GIFTS

CARDS

BOOKS

508-673-4262

Norris H. TrippSHEET METAL

J. TESER, Prop.RESIDENTIAL

INDUSTRIALCOMMERCIAL

253 Cedar St., New Bedford508-993-3222

Montie Plumbing& Heating Co.

Over 35 Yearsof Satisfied Services

Reg. Master Plumber 7023JOSEPH RAPOSA, JR.

432 JEFFERSON STREETFALL RIVER 508-675-7496

OUR LADY'SRELIGIOUS STOREMon. -Sat. 10:00-5:30PM

free community classes offered."Many parents need to know

where the children are going; thebenefits ofcomputer literacy as wellas the dangers - especially in useof the Internet," said Bates "There'sno excuse for any parents to say theydon't know where their children aregoing on the Internet or that theycan't help their children with theirhomework. We invite them to comein and leam. We'll be happy to sharewhat we have with them."

For further information you may contact

Margaret Oliverio @

781-762-2029 or 781-344-2073

Low, low rates starting at

63A%· ,

,CAPE CODNATIONAL

MORTGAGE

PILGRIMAGETO"GUADALUPE, MEXICO"

Spiritual Director: FR. JOSEPH P. McDERMOTT, PastorImmaculate Conception Church

122 Canton Street, Stoughton, MA 02072

PROPOSED ITINERARYDate: February 15-21,2002 (7 days, 6 nights)

Amount: $1,795.00** per person, Double Occupancy($239.00 - Single Supplement)

INCLUSIVE FEATURES:- Round trip air on American Airlines- Round trip transfers to your hotel- Baggage handling- 6 Nights accommodations @

Hotel Maria Isabel Sheraton or@ a similar category hotel

- Hotel tax & the service charges- Buffet breakfast daily- 1 Lunch @ GranTeocalli Restaurant- 3 Dinners @ Hotel, 1 Dinner @

Restaurant Focolare & 1 Dinner @

Restaurant EI Perro de Enfrente- All sightseeing per itinerary by private bus with the

, service of English Speaking Guide- Entrance fee included to the archeological site- Daily Mass attendance as listed in the itinerary- Guadalupe Shrine- Pyramids- City of Puebla- Our Lady of Octolan Shrine-'Chapultepec Park- Floating Gardens• San Miguel de Milagro .- St. Michael Archangel Chapel- City Tour of Mexico; Cathedral

No points, no closing costs1st, 2nd, 3rd MORTGAGES

Purchase or RefinanceImprovement & Repair

Debt ConsolidationCredit Card Pay Oils

. Home Equity LoansCommercial Loans

2nd HomesTuition

Self EmployedNo Income VerficationPoor Credit· No Credit

Pay 011 Liens & AttachmentsForeclosure· Bankruptcy

Applicationtaken on phoneNo application fee,

Fast service, Call Now - We Can Help!

. 508-945-0060

,

THE ANCHOR - Diocese ofFall River-Fri., November 9, 2001 13or a community organization.

This year, they produced theschool's first digital yearbook, whichcan be viewed on a CD as well as aVCR tape and which include sound.

"So we're really putting technol­ogy to the test,'? Bates said with smile.

It was easy to see why her cur­riculum has received wide acclaim.

While she's very grateful andproud ofthe innovation award, Batesadmits her efforts flows easily: "Be­cause I love my work. When I wakeup every morning ... I am excitedbecause the children waiting for mehere at school excite me, and thechallenges excite me too."

One of those challenges is get­ting students' parents to enroll in the

"We will be confrontingshrinking public resources forsocial service this year as tax rev­enues are diminishing on the onehand, and vastly 'increased ex­penses for public safety are be­ing consumed on the other,"Msgr. Harrington reported.

"Consequently, the need for ourown agencies and institutions to pro-vide service to residents of south- Free application on Intemet

eastern Massachusetts will certainly http://www.ccnm.com·~o .,. 'MB#1161

be greater than ever," he added, and, \... . '~PR 7.375, 30 yr $10k min. ~ 936 So. Main St., Fall River

"so all avenues fo~ increasing our .:::::::~::~=:~=:::::::_.::==========:;available resources are extremelyimportant."

Msgr. Harrington said that "thismay be the most ·pressing year fi­nancially we have experienced insome time, and the Bishop's Char­ity Ball takes on particular urgencyfor us as a revenue source."

a genius to set up what we have here,"Bates said humbly, "because everychild knows how to use a computer.Our job as educators is to teach ourstudents how to utilize these com­puters in their education. That's ourgoal."

To do that, Bates uses business­accepted software, showing studentshow, for example, computers cantruly enhance such things as gaininginfonnation and writing their reports.

"We're not teaching them any­thing new, but rather enhancing thatleaming." she said. '

When the students do Internetresearch, they are not allowed justto copy and print out material andthen hand it in as a report, Batesnoted. "They have to leam how totake notes and show where theyfound their information; we'reteaching them the right way to doit."

Some teachers in the variousclasses require that each student doa six-point PowerPoint presentation

Church questions, the synod as a whole addressedits main attention to the larger issues of evange­lization, he said.

"One might have feared that we would becaught up in discussing the relations betweenthe Roman Curia and the bishops, the powersof the synod, or the structures of interconti­nental and national bishops' conferences," hesaid.

He said that would have been "a way tostrangle the life of the Church," by talking toomuch about secondary things and forgetting theessentials.

Cardinal Ratzinger said another danger fac­ing the Church was that, in a world full of suf­fering, its ministers could become too involvedin social activity and forget that their first taskis to announce Christ and the Gospel.

"The world's' first need is to know Christ. Ifit doesn't, all the rest will not function," he said.

Cardinal Ratzinger noted that some criticismof the synod's methodology was aimed at thebreadth of topics these assemblies try to cover.He said he hoped the post-synodal document thateventually emerges will not be a pastoral"manual" but a briefer text that highlights themost important issues.

ducLed in parishes across the diocese,it was reported.

"Those who have attended theball in recent years will be thrilledto know that again this year, StudioC will be providing the music," saidMsgr. Harrington. "This widely-ac­claimed ensemble has earned thepraise of many in the entire south­ern New England Area." .

And Msgr. Harrington repeatedwhat he has often pro~laimeQ witha wide smile inthe past: "We like tosay that all roads in the diocese willlead to Swansea'and to. the Venus deMilo Ballroom ... this season onJanuary l\''' ,

Proceeds from the ball are des­ignated for the Catholic Charitie'sAppeal, the principal source offundsfor the many apostolates and minis­tries of the diocese.

, PowerPoint to the community andthe class will run for three consecu­tive weeks from 9-11 a.m. By theend of those weeks they will havebasic knowledge on how to make tomake a PowerPoint presentation,"she said.

Among those signed up is amixed group that includes nurses,public school teachers and Fall Riverdiocese workers.

"Some of these are here to im­prove their computer skills whileothers look to teach what they learnhere," Bates explained. "We've hadmore than 700 people come throughthe community classes."

For those just getting started,Bates offers a basic, MicrosoftWordclass.

More than 250 of the parochialschool's enrollment take advantageof her computer classes weekly,Bates reported. '

"'Each student receives a full, 50­minute class with computer time,starting in grade-one. It doesn't take

Continuedfrom page one

Colltinued from page one

Synod avoided internal management. . .issues, says Cardinal Ratzinger

By JOHNTHAVIS

CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY - The primary result ofthe Synod of Bishops was a newfound unity inannouncing Christ to the world, a task that goesfar beyond arguments over internal Church or­ganization, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger said.

The synod wisely avoided over-focusing onsuch issues as bishops' conferences or the rela­tionship between bishops .and the Roman Curia,said Cardinal Ratzinger, the 'Vatican official incharge of doctrinal matters.

The cardinal made the comments last weekto the Vatican missionary agency, Fides, afterparticipating with some 250 other bishops in amonthlong synod on the ministry of the bishopin the church.

Cardinal Ratzinger said the synod producedno surprises and few new ideas, but a profoundsense of harmony of purpose among the bish­ops.

"For me, the essential effect of this synod isa new, deep unity among the bishops, in movingforward together to announce Christ to a worldthat needs a new proclamation of Christ and theGospel," Cardinal Ratzinger said.

While many bishops spoke about internal

Ball

Award

th~ir respective committees.They will accompany Bishop

Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., whowill preside at the ball. '

The festive evening, which an­nually marks the winter holiday sea­son, points up the diversity and unityof the diocesan family, Msgr.Harrington said, noting that the co­operation of all parishes ·is impor-,lantto the ball's success.

A ;.highlight ,of, \t)1e ,b~l. th~t,

uniquely involves the parishes hasbeen the formal presentation tothe ~ishop of young women fromthe many parish communities. Ac­companied by their parents, thegowned young ladies are pre­sented and receive a rosary fromthe bishop.

Currently the identification ofprospective presentees is being con-

touch many learning areas includ­ing use of the Internet," said Burt.

When The Anchor visited thecomputer lab recently, all 25 work;'}'ltions were occupied by young stu­dents working under the careful eyeof Bates.

"All the equipment here exceptthe hardware comes from donations,"Bates said ofthe lab that in Januarywill celebrate two years in opera­tion. "The students are linked to theInternet and have software filtering."

A teacher for four years at SS.Peter and Paul, Bates said the spe­cialty classes offet:ed adults won sec­ond place last year in a national con­test.

"They were only one-nightclasses during Computer LearningMonth in October, but they weresharp online Internet safety foradults. We also offered online traveland had a travel agent come in, Batesexplained, and the free classes arecontinuing.

"Next Saturday we will offer

14 THE ANCHOR - Diocese ofFall River- Fri., November 9, 2001

HOLyFAMILy~HOLY NAME, NB

KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS from St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro, pickpumpkins on a recent trip to Ward's Berry Farm. The students also took a hayride and learnedabout Indian corn, gourds, squash and sunflow'ers. Holding a pumpkin is Alex Reardon asMeghan Dion looks on. . . .

GAIL ROBERTS of theNew Bedford Public Ubraryvisits with kindergarten stu­dents at Holy Family-HolyName School, NewBedford. Roberts was onhand to promote readingand inform students aboutthe library and upc9mingvisit of the bookmobile.

"'.

EIGHTH -GRADE stu­dents BriHni Collins,Becky Dean and JayhnaColbert explore the con­cepts of speed and accel­eration at Holy Family­Holy Name School. Stu­dents measured 'andgraphed the speed ofwindup dinosaurs in a re­cent science class.

You Never Had ServiceUntil You Tried Charlie's

Charlie's Oil CO., Inc.• Prompt 24 Hour Service· Automatic Deliveries• Call In Deliveries .SudgetTerms Available

• Free Estimates

Diocese honorsStang president

We're located at ...46 Oak Grove Ave., Fall River

orcal/ ...508~675-7426 • 508-674-0709

NORTH DARTMOUTH Dougall was honored for herTheresa Perry Dougall, alumna 33 years of dedication to Bishopand president of Bishop Stang Stang and many years of experi­High School, received the Distin- ence teaching and coaching dioc­guished Teacher/Administrator esan students. Through her ef-Award at the forts, the highseventh annual school was·St. Mary's Edu-. named acation Fund United StatesDinner October Department of25. Education

It was pre- Blue Ribbonsented to her by School of Ex-Bishop Sean P. cellence In

o ' M a I ley, 1996.OFM Cap., and "I am hon-diocesan Super- ored to receiveintendent of this award,';Schools. James said Dougall.McNamee read "I thank theDougall's award Fall River dio-citation. • cese for allow-

He recal1ed '-- ,l;.J ing me to

thewordsofWiI- THERESA PERRY DOUGALL' teach, coach'liam ButlerYeats and administer.who said "Education is not the fill- Catholic schools are very special'ing of a pail, but the lighting of a places. Not0I}Iy"do they address.fire." Of Dougall, McNamee said the academic and social needs of .she has and continues to "light the students, but also the spiritualfire and so inspires all who come needs." Dougall added th'at-in touch with her." "makes all the difference."!:

READY TO SERVE - Senior class officers were recentlyelected at Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth. From I

left are: Timothy Flinn, secretary; Christopher Cwyner, trea:'surer; Steven Oliveira, president; and Caleb Morgan, vicepresident. .

-- .

THEANCHOR - Diocese ofFall River- Fri., November 9,2001 15.".

~ :: -:;-. /" .---:.-:-

.. _'.'

Why the grass is greenerBy AMyWELBORN

CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

The story that the mother of ateen-age girl told was a familiarone. Perhaps you've heard it. Per­haps you've lived it.

This woman's Catholic daugh­ter was enthusiastically getting in­volved in church - but not aCatholic one. Why? Because herparish didn't have a youth group,youth ministry or any type ofout­reach to youth at all. Amazing,but true.

The daughter had an evangeli­cal Protestant friend who was partof a busy, fun-filled youth groupat a lively nondenominationalchurch. Not surprisingly, thedaughter was drawn to her friend'schurch.

The mother was a little wor­ried and tom about the situation.She couldn't help but be glad thather daughter was interested in

developing her relationship withChrist, butofcourse she preferredit happen in the context of theCatholic Church. Deepening themother's worry was the fact thatthe daughter was, more and more,expressing disdain for life at her.own parish. Her criticism wasn'tbased on theology or doctrine,though. It was based on emotion.

What the girl saw at the evan­gelical· church was enthusiasm.She saw outward expressions ofexcitement and joy, lively sing­ing and strong emotion visiblyexpressed. -

That is not exactly what thisgirl saw at her Catholic parish.There she saw something muchmore structured. She was part ofa congregation that worshipedwithin the context of ritual and·was, in a word, subdued.

She was convinced, as she toldher mother, that the Protestants

had loads more faith than theCatholics did. The Protestantswere alive with the love of Jesus.The Catholics were, in her words,"dead."

v~~ Comingof

flge

It can seem this way, can't it?Notice I said, "seem."Let's take a minute and look

beyond appearances.It's tempting and perhaps even

natural to think you can measurea person's·devotion to a cause bythe way he or she expresses emo­tion. We do it pretty constantly inourculture, don't we?We applaud

at concerts and plays, we screamat football games, we dance, laughand sing out at parties and cel­ebrations.

It would, you have to admit,be really odd to have a birthdayparty in which no one sang"Happy Birthday" or did so in abored manner.

True. All true. But is that kindof vocal and physical expressionthe only way we show our loveand devotion? Aren't there timeswe encounter something that af­fects us deeply when we're movednot to cheers, but to reverent,thoughtful silence instead?

The truth is, there are lots ofpeople who find it helpful to wor­ship in that more expressive way.There are people who dislike thatstyle of worship too.

How in the world can wejudgewho has "more" or "less" faith bywhat worship style they prefer?

We can't. Faith is a lot morethan emotion. It involves a lotmore than the volume ofyour sing­ing, the style of music you use orwhether you find nourishment forthat faith in an informal or moreformal atmosphere.

We can't forget, either, thatthere are plenty of externally"lively"Catholic Masses going on.Ifthat's what you like, you shouldhave no problem finding it in yourtown.

Just remember this, though: Ifyou're a Catholic, you're blessedwith something remarkable: The"life" you find in your church'sworship isn't dependent upon theemotion of the congregation. It'sJesus -living and really present,no matter what the music, preach­ing or congregation is like. It'shis life we have, a life that bumswith power within us even afterthe music fades.

.-

Colleges urged to help pregnantstudents to not choose abortion

By ROB CUWVANCATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

Please remember..the Society for the Propagation of the Faithwhen writing or changing your Will.

-

-Zip _

not settle for being shunted asideby schools when they find them­selves pregnant.

"What women should say to­day is we refuse to choose betweenour careers, our educations and ourchildren," she added.

State _

"Iwant tothank you for

your generous donationto our seminary in

. Viamao, Brazil. Theentire amount was applied for the formation of

.our seminarians, as well as for some muchneeded repairs. We purchased four computersand printers, upgraded our infirmary, acquireda hydraulic pump so that the students can havedean water, and installed a centralized phonesystem. We could not have done any of thiswithout your generous financial help andprayers. May God continue to bless you."

Father Rodolfo LuisWe~ Rector ofOUrLady ofConsolation Major Seminary, Brazil

a $100 0$50 C $25 C $10 C $ (other)Name------ _

Address _

Today there are more than 28,000 young men in theMissions who want to serve their people as priests.With the help ofyour prayers and your gift to thePropagation of the Faith/St. Peter the Apostle, manymore can continue to answer "Yes " to the Lord's callto follow Him. .-----------~ -------

'

The Society for the PROPAGATION OF THE FAITHTHE 50aETY OF ST. PETER THE APosn.E FOR THE SUPPORT OF

MISSION VOCATIONSRev....nd Monsignor Joltn J. Ollveln, V.E., 106 nllnols SIr<d • New Bedford, MA 01745

Allenllon: Column ANCH. 11109/01

City _

She added that many schooldistricts help high school motherscomplete their studies, and collegemothers should expect no less fromtheir institutions. Tuition-payingstudents are "employers" of uni­versity staff, she said, and should

tions also contribute to a climatethat encourages abortions, Foster.·said, by ignoring the prevalenceofpremarital sex among their ownstudents.

For example, she said, whenFeminists for Life worked withJesuit-run Georgetown Universityto set up a pregnancy resource pro­gram on campus, a number ofyoung women admitted they hadchildren they or their relativeswere raising. The school's staffand students didn't even knowthese children existed.

Foster stressed that she wel­comed efforts to encourage ab­stinence among college students,but noted that her focus was onthose students who get pregnantand feel pressured to have an abor­tion.

She said she wants to encour­age colleges and universities toconsider setting up housing formothers, and to include prenataland maternity care among the ben­efits in students' health insuranceplans. Too many institutions willoffer only to cover a woman'sabortion costs and not help withcosts of her having the baby, shesaid.

She added that mothers who. live off-campus can participate inclasses on campus through distancelearning via computer networks.

When asked about the financialcosts of implementing maternity­friendly campus programs, Fostersaid that colleges and universitiesregularly find the money to en­dow sports programs and campusbuildings, and should be just asaggressive in finding funds to helpmothers.

lege student. The Alan GuttrnacherInstitute, which gathers abortion

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Most statistics, has reported that womenwomen who attend college leave between the ages of 20 and 24with a degree. obtain almost one-third of all abor-

Unfortunately, a number of tions. More than halfof the womenthem also leave with the memory who have abortions are under ageof an abortion, according to Serrin 25.M. Foster, president of Feminists One reason women on campusesfor Life ofAmerica, and that needs choose abortion is because collegesto change, she said. and universities, for the most part,

She painted a sad picture of are not designed for mothers, Fos­what happens when most college ter said. Most higher educationstudents get pregnant. For ex- institutions still operate as if onlyample, at one uni versity in the single men attend college, she said.Northeast, students reported six She was particularly critical oflive births one year - and 300 universities she called liberalabortions, she said. whose professors teach about so-

"You find that women who did cial justice in their classes, butexperience pregnancy (on any cam- whose policies toward womenpus) were stared at as if they were with crisis pregnancies amount tosome sort of exotic animal," Fos- little more than routinely referringter said in a phone interview in them to local abortion providers.mid-October with the Catholic' ''They only want women to goCourier, newspaper of the Roch- to school as if they were men andester diocese.. not respect the fact that women. Foster, a Catholic. was in town have life-bearing capabilities," sheto address students at the Univer- said.sity of Rochester on "The Femi- One university she studied pro­nist Case Against Abortion." Her vided four pages of informationappearance was sponsored by to students on safe abortions, butFeminists for Life of New York nothing about where a womanand the university's Newman could tum if she wanted to keepCommunity. her baby. Foster blamed those she

Feminists for Life, based in called radical feminists and tradi­Washington, says it aims to carry tionalists for contributing to theon the tradition of early feminists problem of abortion on campuses.such as Susan B. Anthony who op- Radical feminists cannotposed abortion. The organization fathom the idea of a woman bear­has worked with a number of col- ing a child before she completesleges on such Pro-Life initiatives her higher education studies andas encouraging them to provide on- establishing a career, much lesscampus housing for parents. getting married in her early 20s

Foster said statistics show that and having children, she said.one of every five abortions in Yet, traditionalists at more con­America is performed on a col- servative higher education institu-

.'

. ,

'< CATHOLIC MEMORIAL Home teammember Roger Viens leads Kyle LePage asthey head out to participate in the annualAlzheimer's Memory Walk. It was sponsoredby the home and the Southeastern Massa­chusetts' Alzheimer's Association. Twenty­five staffers ·from Catholic Memorial helpedraise more than $1,200 for Alzheimer's re-search. .

LAURA M. FARIA has been promoted toassistant administrator of the Sacred HeartHome, New Bedford. Faria has more than15 years experienc~inlong~term care andhas worked,forthediocesan health facilitiessystem sincel993. She is a reSident ofFairhaven and holds a bachelor's degree inhealthcare administration from NewburyCollege.

f'

"~'~.'

,STUDENTS AT SS. Peter & Paul School, Fall Rjv~r, display a wide array of costumes attheir annual Halloween party. (AnchodGordon photo)

\"::<\::'....

RESIDENTS AND fam­ily members enjoyed the,music of the Brian BigelowTrio during Grandparent'sDay at Our Lady's Haven,Fairhaven. The annual cel­ebration was held under atent on the grounds of theskilled nursing facility andincluded refreshments.

With Thanksgiving aroundthE! corner, can Christm~s

be far behind?

~r~ Ifi)@U u@@ ®~[f'~17 u@ ~([jJ~®[f'UU~® 17@U,1][f'

~[Q)®©n®~ (CUl1[f'n~Um~~ ®~®Ifi)U~

~DOll©J @Oll~@IT'~©JDOllM@Oll~ @l0ll.@

~@~ W@(VJIT' @@~ Oll(Q)~D©@@ DOll

.the~

'Thls Message Sponsored by the FollowingBusiness Concerns in the Diocese ofFal! River

GILBERT C. OLIVEIRA INSURANCE AGENCY A WAlsH PHARMACY

DURO f=INISHING CORPORATION

e-mail TheAnchor@Anchornews.orgCall 508-675-7151 or.FAX 508-675-7048

1~~kut~15" home sizes to 50" life sizes available

shop at WWW.EGANCHURCHSUPPLY.COM. local # 508-679-8400 email: egans@eganchurchsupply.com

Call1-800-~35-000:.l1fax free 1-888-217-3690120 G.A.R. Hwy (rt ~) Somerset, MA 02726

.Sacred Heart programreceives accreditation .

Egan's Religious· StoreHand Crafted Indoor / Outdoor Nativity Figures

NEW BEDFORD - The Sa- Dr. Cole added that they pre-cred Heart Home recently re- pared well for the accreditation sur­ceived accreditation for its Pain vey and he offered a' "hearty con­Management Program from the gratUlations," to the staff and ad­American Academy of Pain ministrators of the home.Management. They gave the The accreditation for the PainSacred Heart Home very high Management Program lasts formarks for their passing of every three years. Sacred' Heart Homestandard set by the Academy is one of five diocesan health fa­and according to administrator cilities and provides holistic careof the Pain Accreditation pro-. to the' elderly and infirm in agram, Dr. B. Eliot Cole. "Very Christian environment where thefew programs do so well on their relief of pain is a facility prior-first survey," he said. (' ity.

16 THEANCHOR-DioceseofFalIRiver-Fri.,November9,200}

-/

,--

)