Diocese of Fall River, Mass.
F riday , January 16, 2015
Diocesan faithful, students heading to annual March for Life By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff
Pope Francis is “so Franciscan,” said Father Thomas Washburn, quoting St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary use words.” This is exactly what this pope is doing so well” he said. “Just mention any of these images, whether it’s washing the feet of prisoners, embracing the boy with cerebral palsy on his first Easter, kissing the head of the man covered with lesions — we’ve all seen these images and these images have spoken powerfully to everyone.”
Ministering in the age of Francis
By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff
BOSTON — His papacy began on March 13, 2013; he is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the southern hemisphere, and the first non-European pope in more than 1,200 years. Pope Francis has only worn the Holy Father mantle for less than two years and yet, “it’s now hard to remember a time when there wasn’t a Pope Francis; he’s had such a huge impact,” said Father Thomas Washburn, O.F.M. A native of New Bedford,
Father Washburn now works in Boston as the executive director of the Franciscan Provincial Ministers Conference for the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Malta and Lithuania. During the 2013 conclave, and having worked with Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM, Cap., Father Washburn entertained the idea of seeing Cardinal O’Malley become pope, speculating about that in his blog (www.afriarslife.blogspot.com) which was picked up by America magazine. In that post, along with his
speculation, Father Washburn touched on how the incoming pope should bring a very St. Francis-like approach towards the papacy: “How much this moment in our history as a Church was really calling forth for someone like St. Francis; someone who was connected to the people,” said Father Washburn, who became a Franciscan friar in 1991 and ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 2000. “Being a native New Englander, most of us have had some experience with Cardinal Sean and his very-
pay for prescriptions. Titled, “Voices Raised for Healthcare,” the CD contains 10 recordings by the choir and made its debut shortly before Christmas at the East Freetown church. “This project has been nearly a year in the making,” Johnston told The Anchor. “This has always been a very good choir. Before me, Dan Davey and George Campeau put together and maintained a choir with very talented people in this parish, and it continues today.” Johnston said the idea for the CD and its purpose came about at a choir meeting. “We were talking about healthcare and the costs and how some
simply cannot afford it,” said Johnston. “It’s a great burden for some and we felt as Christians we should be caring and helping those with such a basic need. “The choir members are people of great faith and want to put that faith into action. As musicians we wanted to do something more than just sound good. We wanted to keep our ministry about doing God’s will, and the idea of raising funds to help elderly patients was born.” “Our choir is such a thoughtful and dedicated group,” Father Mathias told The Anchor. “They wanted to do something to
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FALL RIVER — Excitement is building and anticipation is growing among the large contingency of diocesan faithful who will once again be traveling to our nation’s capital next week for the annual March for Life. “Our faith teaches us that we need to stand in the public square and defend everyone’s right to life, especially the most vulnerable,” said Marian Desrosiers, director of the Pro-Life Apostolate for the Fall River Diocese. Although she’s been with
the Pro-Life office for 22 years, Desrosiers has actually attended the annual march in Washington, D.C. for more than 30 years now, and the event continues to inspire her. “Many see it as an opportunity to be a witness to life in our nation’s capital,” she recently told The Anchor. “Others want to gather with young people of the same mind from all across this nation who are ready and willing to rebuild a Culture of Life.” Msgr. Gerard P. O’Connor, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet, will be joining Turn to page 14
Dynamic Catholic Institute offers world-class resources to parishes
By Linda Andrade Rodrigues Anchor Correspondent
FALL RIVER — The most successful New Evangelization initiative in the United States today, the Dynamic Catholic Parish Book Program, is quietly sweeping the country. During the past five years, more than 4,000 parishes and five million Catholics have benefitted from the program. Launched by the Dynamic Catholic Institute, its mission is to re-energize the Catholic Church in America by developing world-class resources that
inspire people to rediscover the genius of Catholicism. “I recommend the Dynamic Catholic Parish Book Program as an effective tool in the efforts of the New Evangelization, and I would encourage you to bring the program to your parish,” advised Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, on the Institute’s website DynamicCatholic. com. Locally, in the Diocese of Fall River, parishes are taking advantage of this tremendous resource. Father Jay T. Maddock, pastor Turn to page 14
Parish choir members raise voices, funds for elderly in need
By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor
EAST FREETOWN — It’s a widely believed concept that music can help soothe and heal — from babies within the womb to elderly patients struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. At St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown, the greatly talented choir has taken music’s helping powers a step further. The choir, under the direction of Linda Johnston, and with the blessings and support of pastor Father Gregory A. Mathias, recently released a CD of uplifting and inspiring music of praise, with the profits benefiting elderly patients who cannot meet insurance co-payments or
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