Diocese of Fall River, Mass.
F riday , November 21, 2014
Buzzards Bay parishioners celebrate 100 years of faithfulness By Linda Andrade Rodrigues Anchor Correspondent
BUZZARDS BAY — For a century the parishioners of St. Margaret Church in Buzzards Bay and its mission church, St. Mary Star of the Sea in Onset, have kept the faith. Last weekend they marked the culmination of a year-long centennial celebration, which coincided with the feast day of St. Margaret of Scotland, the virtuous medieval queen who is venerated for her devotion to God and her people. “It’s a happy feeling that we are celebrating a hundred years,” said Franciscan Father Bruce Czapala, OFM, who
serves as pastor, assisted by fellow itinerant friar, Father Richard Donovan, OFM. “There are two worship sites, but we are one parish.” Father Czapala said that the parishioners are a good example of Christian living. “Oh my goodness, they are an absolutely wonderful family,” he said. “They are supportive, giving and participate in the activities. For me it’s a joy.” Last Saturday at St. Margaret’s Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., celebrated the centennial Mass, which was concelebrated by five priests and a deacon. Turn to page 14
Anchor columnist Helen Flavin, center, recently committed to be an associate of the Sisters of Providence during a ceremony on the Sisters’ grounds in Indiana.
Anchor columnist becomes a Sisters of Providence associate By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff
Bishop Edgar da Cunha shakes hands with parishioners at the end of St. Margaret’s recent centennial Mass. (Photo by Linda Andrade Rodrigues)
FALL RIVER — On November 8 at Church of the Immaculate Conception, on the grounds of the Mother House of the Sisters of Providence in Indiana, Fall River resident and Anchor columnist Helen Flavin joined with 21 other Providence candidate-associates with the Sisters of Providence in a commitment ceremony to pledge “to honor Divine Providence and further God’s loving plans through works of love, mercy and justice in service among God’s people.” The Sisters of Providence is a congregation of nearly 350 women religious who have a motherhouse at St. Mary-
in-the-Woods in Indiana. The Sisters of Providence minister in 17 states, the District of Columbia and Asia, and the recent Providence candidate-associate commitment ceremony brought the total of Providence associates to more than 200 in the United States and Taiwan. To become a Providence associate, candidates are paired with a Sister of Providence or Providence associate, and go through a year of study, prayer and reflection; for Flavin, her journey to becoming a Providence associate is the culmination of a lifelong journey of faith, and that her commitment to the Sisters “felt like I was coming home,” Turn to page 15
Diocesan faithful to be recognized at 46th annual Marian Medals ceremony FALL RIVER — Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha will award the Marian Medal to 79 laypersons from parishes throughout the Fall River Diocese at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 23, in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 327 Second Street in Fall River. First presented in 1968, the annual award recognizes members of diocesan parishes for their dedicated service to the Church. Recipients are nominated for the award by their pastor. The medals will be blessed and presented during a ceremony of mid-afternoon prayer and Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction.
Made of sterling silver, the Marian Medal is embossed with a Miraculous Medal on one side and the Fall River Diocesan coat-of-arms on the other. The Marian Medal recipients for 2014 are listed below by deanery or area. — Attleboro Deanery: Dolores Andrews, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Seekonk; Robert Beaudet, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish, Seekonk; Allen Falconer, St. Mary Parish, Norton; Anne Lonzo, St. Mark Parish, Attleboro Falls; Edward J. Romano, Sacred Turn to page 18
Second-graders at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton recently picked a saint to research and then presented information to the entire school dressed as that saint for All Saints’ Day. Posing here with the student-saints are pastor, Father Thomas Costa, and teacher Mrs. Driscoll inside Annunciation of the Lord Church in Taunton. (Photo by Shalimar Albanese)