VOL. 50, NO. 14 • Friday, April 7, 2006
FALL RIVER, MASS.
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
Diocesan seminarians in Rome say consistory energized their vocations >
Mello said he is looking forward to reMsgr. Gerard P O'Connor and turning to the U.S. next summer, during Father Karl C. Bissinger, on which he'll be serving at Christ the King assignments in Rome, also Parish in Mashpee. were invigorated. For seminarian Ronnie Floyd, who
By
DEACON JAMES
N.
DUNBAR
ROME - For Fall River diocesan seminarians Jay Mello and Ronnie Floyd en route to the priesthood and a lifetime serving the Church, watching new cardinals being made fanned the flames of their young vocations. "It's been an amazing experience being here in Rome for so many wonderful events, including the death of Pope John Paul II and the selection of Pope Benedict XVI," said Mello, whose home parish is SS. Peter and Paul in Fall River. He is currently in his third year of theology and will be ordained a transitional deacon on October 5. "But it's a much closer personal experience watching Cardinal Sean, who as a bishop accepted me to becoming a seminarian," Mello added. "He is a holy and humble man, and experiencing him elevated to cardinal has been inspirational and motivating."
theology, witnessing the consistory "bol- , think of themselves as part of the greater stered my faith in the Church and my own Church more than they do," said Floyd. vocational call to serve it." "We're all called to be one community Watching the consistory ceremonies offaith. But some parishes find themselves that involved Catholics from across the bickering or angry about one issue or anhails from St. Patrick's Parish in world, "also makes me feel that the real other. Sometimes things have to change and Wareham, and is in his second year of need of those back in our diocese is to that is hard. This past week I've enjoyed talking with people who really feel part of their diocese and the family that is the Church, and it invigorated me in my vocation," he added. Floyd said he's also looking forward to returning home this summer and serving at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. , James Church in New Bedford. Floyd and Mello found time from their busy studies at the Pontifical North American College to join thousands at the I consistory in St.·Peter's Square on March 24 when the 15 new cardinals were in~' ducted by the Holy Father, and felt right at home meeting people from the Fall River diocese while on duty at a reception for , Cardinal O'Malley. They also served at his " Mass at the college on the following SunSEMINARIAN RONNIE Floyd from St. Patrick's in Wareham, a second day. year theology student at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Mello also provided The Anchor with said experiencing the recent consistory and seeing the universal Church the resource and expertise to E-mail sto. in action brought a strong, new focus to his vocation to the priesthood. Turn to page nine - Energized II
Many finding needed support in divorced-separated groups By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF
NORTH DARTMOUTH - For people going through a divorce or separation from their spouse, it can be a painful and lonely process. But there is help available. The Family Ministry Office of the Fall River diocese offers two support groups which provide a plethora of information and a welcoming environment. The North Dartmouth group meets from 7-8:30 p.m. on the second and last Mondays of each month at the Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road. The Orleans group meets at St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Street, at 7 p.m. near the end of each month. Both groups meet year round. . Scottie Foley, co-program director ofFamily Life Ministry, said the Divorced-Separated Support Groups have been helping people in the diocese for more than 20 years. In the early years, they had groups on Cape Cod, Attleboro and New Bedford. She commented that the groups serve an important role today because there is much misunderstanding about divorced and separated people in the Church, and
about annulments. "Our groups are a safe, confidential place where people can reach out with their pain and share what they're going through," said Foley. "They don't even have to give their name or talk. They can just come and listen if they choose." The meetings include open discussion and provide a place for new and returning members. Educational videos are often shown and topics like money, shared parenting, legal issues, anger, pain, coping skills, loneliness and annulments are discussed. "There is always a meeting and those who need help will always find it," said Foley. "We also have all kinds of resources in our office: books people can borrow as well as videos. They can also visit our Website and find information there." According to Foley, the program has been tremendously successful and she's heard from many people who have benefited from it. One such person is Roger Prahan of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, New Bedford. "I've been able to put a lot of things into turn to page 12 - Support
A GROUP SHOT of the nearly 300 Fall River Romeiros from the 2001 Good Friday Romaria. The Romeiros make a prayerful pilgrimage to most of the Catholic churches of Fall River on Good Friday, continuing the Lenten tradition of pilgrimages on the Island of St. Michael in the Azores.
Romeiros ready for annual pilgrimage By
MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF
FALL RIVER - Tomorrow in New, Bedford and on Good Friday here, several:: hundred Portuguese Catholic Romeiros, or pilgrims, will make their annual walk through two cities honoring an Azorean! tradition that dates hackto the 16th century.
In Fall River, they will gather for a 7 a.m. prayer service at Espirito Santo Parish. After going in procession to every parish in the city, pilgrims will return to the church at 7 p.m. for a Good Friday Passion Service. Following that, pilgrims will lead a procession in which they carry Turn to page 11 - Romeiros