Catholic human rights defender from Guatemala comes to diocese
By Kenneth J. Souza, Anchor Staff
NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. — Paraphrasing from John 18:23, Guatemalan human rights defender Makrina Gudiel said Jesus’ Words are powerful to consider, especially during this Lenten season.
“In the religious calendar, we’re right now in the days leading up to Easter,” Gudiel told a standing-room-only crowd inside UMass Dartmouth’s Blue and Gold Welcome Center on the first level of the campus center April 2. “I’d like to start with a quote from Jesus, where He asked of the people who were persecuting Him: ‘Why do you strike Me? Have I done something to you? If I’ve done nothing to you, then why do you strike Me?’”
By Dave Jolivet, Anchor Editor
FALL RIVER, Mass. — For 110 years, the Diocese of Fall River’s finances have been managed by a priest or monsignor. And for 28 of those years the duties have fallen on the shoulders of one man, Father Michael K. McManus, the diocese’s current Finance Officer, Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia.
Father McManus has worked with three bishops during his tenure, then-Bishop Daniel A. Cronin, then-Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap., and current Bishop George W. Coleman.
In less than two months, much of that will change with the hiring of diocesan native Paul Kawa, who will become the diocese’s first lay Finance Officer and Chancellor. Kawa, currently in training with Father McManus, will officially assume the responsibilities on June 1. Father McManus will remain Moderator until a new Fall River bishop is assigned, and he establishes his own administrators.
Area Catholics prepare for Holy Week
By Linda Andrade
Rodrigues,
Anchor Correspondent
TAUNTON, Mass. — Charged with meaning, Holy Week spans the seven days before Easter from Palm Sunday morning through Holy Saturday night — taking us in triumph with our Savior through the streets of Jerusalem, then plunging us into our darkest fears at the foot of His cross.
“Jesus took upon Himself the betrayal for all ages, the pain caused by betrayal in every era, and he endured the anguish of history to the bitter end,” said Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in “Jesus of Nazareth — Holy Week: From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection.”
My Brother’s Keeper, Bishop Stang High School recognized for volunteer efforts
By Kenneth J. Souza, Anchor Staff
NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. — Last fall, as he sat comfortably in his Westport home reading a front-page article in The Anchor, Dan Boucher was suddenly moved to do something to give back for all the blessings he’s received.
After reading about the Easton-based My Brother’s Keeper ministry opening a second location in nearby Dartmouth in the Oct. 11, 2013 issue of the diocesan newspaper, the recently retired Boucher called the very next day to offer his help.
Remarriage Prep Program changes leadership
By Becky Aubut, Anchor Staff
ATTLEBORO, Mass. — Preparing a second trip down the aisle is never contemplated lightly, but when Mary and Ron Dupuis were looking to get married back in the early 1990s, the couple discovered that the Marriage Prep Program in the Fall River Diocese was the only resource they had to use — not that the Marriage Prep Program was a bad thing, it just wasn’t their thing.
“When we were preparing to be married, we went to meet with the priest and he said, ‘There isn’t a place for you to prepare; you won’t fit in anywhere,’” recalled Mary. “We wanted some kind of preparation,” so Mary said she gathered what materials she could find, and she and Ron did a personal retreat at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro.
Fall River DCCW annual convention is May 3
ASSONET, Mass. — The Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will be hosting its 61st annual convention May 3 at St. Bernard’s Parish, 32 South Main Street in Assonet, home of pastor Father Michael Racine, the DCCW’s spiritual advisor.
The day will include a keynote speaker, a workshop, Mass celebrated by Bishop George W. Coleman, and a lunch.
EDITORIAL
