By Dave Jolivet, Editor
FALL RIVER, Mass. — For many it seems like it was only yesterday that we were awaiting the dawn of a new millennium. Some were very nervous for its arrival — would Y2K bugs cripple computer systems and shut down airports, banks and utilities? Would we be able to recover from such a catastrophe?
Others viewed the arrival of the year 2000 with rose-colored glasses — seeing it as the beginning of a new era in history, one in which we could learn from past mistakes and build on present successes.
The Catholic Church was no different. She was still very much in the throes of the clergy sex-abuse scandals that would eventually rock it to the core. But there was hope for the future, with her leader, Pope John Paul II, declaring the year a jubilee for the Church and her people.
This, however, wasn’t yesterday. Amazingly to most, we are already 10 years into the 21st century. There were no major computer glitches to resolve, life carried on as usual. Great strides have been made, as have great mistakes — in all walks of life. And the Catholic Church faithfully continues the mission set out for her by Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years ago. She continues to learn and make amends for past mistakes, and also strives to bring the Good News to all corners of the earth, utilizing modern communication technologies and methods.
Several priests of the Fall River Diocese were blessed to have been ordained in that historic year of 2000, including Msgr. Gerard P. O’Connor, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet, and Father William Rodrigues, a parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in New Bedford. Each recently shared with The Anchor, their thoughts on answering God’s call in the 21st century.
“It was very exciting to be ordained at the dawn of the new millennium,” said Msgr. O’Connor. “There was an atmosphere of renewal in the Church and it seemed to me that there were great expectations for the priests that were to be ordained then.”
Father Rodrigues concurred. “The year 2000 was an exciting time for all of us,” he said. “I recall the preparation for the new millennium set out by Pope John Paul II and his call to celebrate the third millennium, facing the future with hope. There was a running joke among us that the Holy Father had heard our class was to be ordained and he thus decided to declare the year a jubilee.”
Both mentioned they had great hopes and expectations for the Church at this historic time. “My personal hopes were the same then as they are now that the Church will grow in the holiness of her people through an increased holiness of her priests,” said Msgr. O’Connor. “While so much may change, the message and the call remain unchanged,” added Father Rodrigues. “That is a source of strength and stability that the Church offers in our otherwise rapidly changing world.”
Father Albert Ryan has been a priest in the Fall River Diocese a shade more that 50 years, having been ordained in 1958. Most of his ministry has been in the 20th century, but he, too, was blessed to witness the millennium change. “I was ordained in what you can call the ‘sandwich generation,’” he told The Anchor. “I witnessed the gradual change in the Church from the past to the present, and hopefully to the future. I’ve lately been doing a great deal of research on the history of the councils of the Church. There has been enormous change in the Church through the years — some good, some not so good. But the Church has always remained, and always will be the Mystical Body of Christ.”
Father Ryan admits things are different in the 2000s, but said, “The Church does what it can on a human level to change with the times. But the Church is constantly aware of the relationship between Christ and his Church. In the divine world, there are mysteries of which we haven’t yet grasped. But through God’s divine providence we will see them and understand them eventually.”
One of the dark periods of the Church, of which Father Ryan referred, was the clergy sex-abuse scandal. Much has been done to correct the horrors of a relatively few bad priests, but the Church in the 2000s continues to work to prevent a repeat of such an upheaval. “From a priests’ point of view I think we are now living in an environment where our point of departure is that every priest is a potential child molester and this is a difficult environment,” said Msgr. O’Connor. “But those who understand what the Church teaches by the priesthood and understand what the priest truly is, can have nothing but love and respect for their priests. If people see he belongs to Jesus Christ and his Church then how can they not love and respect the priesthood?”
“The Church continues to recover,” said Father Rodrigues. “Healing takes time. Respect is earned and this is no less true for priests. I have come to see during these 10 years, how important the sacramental role of the priest is to people of faith. Consecrating the Eucharist at Mass, saying words of absolution in the sacrament of reconciliation, administering the sacrament of the sick, and officiating at weddings and baptisms are among the most meaningful moments in the life of a Catholic. Our people appreciate what we provide and when they are treated with respect and love it is returned.”
A resurgence of eucharistic adoration has been one of the most noticeable changes in the new millennium in the Fall River Diocese. “Look for growth in the Church and the revitalization of parishes and you will see a common thread — eucharistic adoration,” explained Msgr. O’Connor. “I think it is growing because people are trying it and they realize that it is a spiritual powerhouse. Then they get addicted and they tell their friends.” Father Rodrigues added, “The Eucharist is the center of our faith. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament reminds worshipers of this truth.”
As the second decade of the third millennium begins, hopes for the Church continue to spring in the hearts and minds of priests everywhere. “I would love to see, someday, a greater Christian-Judeo relationship,” said Father Ryan. “If God wants that to happen, it will.”
Msgr. O’Connor said the first 10 years of his priesthood have been amazing. “The whole priesthood is what I expected — the unexpected. No two days are the same and if you try to do God’s will, we will always be surprised about what the Lord has in store for us.”
“The past 10 years have certainly not been boring,” said Father Rodrigues. “Going forward, it doesn’t look as though it’s going to be boring either. I am very hopeful about the future. One thing history teaches us is that nothing stays the same. There will be changes, but the central teachings and practices of our faith continue to draw people who are seeking real meaning, direction and peace that only God can give.”
The Church will continue her 21st-century mission. “Nothing can stop the Holy Spirit from working,” concluded Father Ryan.