06.02.23

Annual Appeal at $2.3 million; ends June 30

FALL RIVER—The month of June marks the final chance to support the 82nd Annual Catholic Appeal, which ends on Friday, June 30. To-date, the annual campaign has raised $2.3 million of its $4.6 million goal. Now is the time to make a gift in support of the many agencies assisting tens of thousands in need throughout the Diocese of Fall River each year.

As those who support, or benefit from, the many programs and services of the Diocese of Fall River will attest, this work of charity is more than a ministry. It is a way of life that begins in the heart and is fueled by the Holy Spirit. Gifts and pledges to the Catholic Appeal honor our commitment to ensure all brothers and sisters, no matter their age, background, or circumstances, have the chance to live their best life possible: the life Christ intended for them.

Four new priests to be ordained for the diocese

By Dave Jolivet Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

There are several programs that benefit from the Catholic Appeal.

St. Clare’s Residential Program, offered by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River, provides a structured six-month drug-free and alcohol-free program for women who have been released from prison and are seeking a place to begin life anew, rooted in a strong, faith-based foundation.

While living at St. Clare’s, the women participate in regular meetings, benefit from mentorship, attend weekly Mass, contribute to the household chores, and learn computer skills that will transfer into future employment.

“I want to thank the Catholic Appeal donors so much. Your generosity and your kind hearts have helped me figure out what I need to focus on to be a good, productive member of my

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FALL RIVER — This year has been a banner year for vocations in thae Diocese of Fall River. In May Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. ordained one man as a Transitional Deacon, one step closer to the priesthood as well as 15 Permanent Deacons. He also received the consecration of one Diocesan Hermit (see page two).

The joy will grow on June 3 when the bishop will ordain three new priests for the diocese at a Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 11 a.m.

The three are Deacons Brian Connors, John Garabedian, and Christopher Hughes. Deacon Thiago Menezes Santos will also be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop da Cunha, but that will take place on June 9 in Deacon Santos’ hometown of Aracaju, Brazil. Deacon Santos was scheduled to be ordained with the other three men, but his father and uncle were unable to obtain visas to the U.S., so Bishop da Cunha will make the trip there to culminate all of Deacon Santos’ hard work and study for preparation to the priesthood.

“I will ordain him at his own parish in Aracaju,

Brazil,” the bishop told The Anchor. “Since his family was not able to come to his ordination due to visa restrictions, I decided to go and ordain him there with his family, so that he and his family could have the joy of being together in such an important day in his life and also in their lives. I’m glad that I was able to give them this gift of having him ordained with

his family in Brazil.”

The bishop went on to say, “The ordination of four new priests for the Diocese of Fall River is a moment of Thanksgiving, great joy and a hope for the future of our church. It is a great joy for all of us, but it is specially such a great joy and privilege for me to be the Bishop of the diocese and to ordain them to the

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Deacon Brian Connors Deacon John Garabedian

Deacon Christopher Hughes Deacon Thiago Menezes Santos

Five youngsters from Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich beam after making their First Communion.

(Photo by Barbara-Anne Foley)

Bishop accepts vows of Cape woman as Diocesan Hermit

By Dave Jolivet Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALMOUTH — In Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, he proclaims, “There are different kinds of gifts. But it is the same Holy Spirit Who gives them. There are different kinds of work to be done for Him. But the work is for the same Lord. There are different ways of doing His work. But it is the same God who uses all these ways in all people” (1 Cor 4-6).

That is very evident through the works of myriad lay and ordained faithful across the Diocese of Fall River, especially with

the recent ordination of 15 Permanent Deacons and one Transitional Deacon, and the June 3 and June 9 ordinations of four new priests for the diocese.

Another not-so-common example of different gifts for different people was when, on May 13, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., accepted the Public Profession of Vows of Susan Muldoon, as a Hermit in the Diocese of Fall River, during the Vigil Mass at St. Anthony Church in Falmouth.

According to Catholic Online, Canon Law describes the vocation of hermit saying, “The Church recognizes the eremitic or

anchoritic life by which the Christian faithful devote their life to the praise of God and the salvation of the world through a stricter withdrawal from the world, the silence of solitude, and assiduous prayer and penance.

“A hermit is recognized by law as one dedicated to God in consecrated life if he or she publicly professes in the hands of the diocesan bishop the three evangelical counsels, confirmed by vow or other sacred bond, and observes a proper program of living under his direction.”

Sister Paulina Hurtado,

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Sister Paulina Furtado, O.P., center, and Bishop da Cunha, prepare to present Susan Muldoon, left, with the garment of a Diocesan Hermit. Muldoon’s daughter, Shena Rossettie, is with her mother.

Diocesan eighth-graders celebrate Mass with Bishop da Cunha

FALL RIVER — On a very sunny and warm morning on Friday, May 19, more than 325 eighth-graders from Diocese of Fall River Catholic elementary schools gathered at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River for Mass with Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.

The Bishop’s Mass with all diocesan eighth-grade classes has been a long held diocesan tradition interrupted only twice due to the recent pandemic.

As with previous years, Lifetouch Portraits donated their time and expertise to afford each eighth-grade class with a group photo in front of the Cathedral’s tabernacle. While students waited for their class photo, each school was given a tour of the cathedral courtesy of their group leader, taking time to see the view from the choir loft, as well as visit the two chapels and the Bishop’s crypt located directly below the Bishop’s chapel.

Mass started promptly at noon with a beautiful procession of deacons, school pastors, two student altar servers, and Bishop da Cunha. The servers were Dominic Shaughnessy from St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet and Brendon Tejada-Verissimo from St. Stanislaus School in Fall River. The energetic music was provided by Phil and Sue Fortin from Seekonk, who invited any student interested in singing to join, and a beautiful impromptu choir was created.

Sophia Hurteau, from All Saints School, New Bedford served as the

lector, while students from St. Mary School, Mansfield; St. Pius X School, South Yarmouth; St. Teresa of Calcutta School, New Bedford; Our Lady of Lourdes School, Taunton; Espirito Santo School, Fall River; and Saint John Paul II School, Hyannis, read the Prayers of the Faithful. The gifts were presented by Mirolla Saleb (Holy Name School, Fall River), Jack Knasas (St. John the Evangelist School, Attleboro), Ryan Carella (St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro) and Madison Johnson (St. Joseph School, Fairhaven).

Bishop da Cunha urged the students during his homily to continue to be beacons of hope wherever their educational paths take them. Their respective Catholic elementary schools have provided them with the foundation of an awareness of how much God loves them and desires each of them to become saints, he said.

In his remarks at the end of Mass, Superintendent Daniel Roy conveyed a similar message when he stated, “You follow many others — a long, rich heritage of others — who have learned the truths of a Catholic education and have answered the call to serve, lead, and love others.”

Roy said that it was an amazing experience to see hundreds of Catholic school students from Attleboro to Yarmouth come together and celebrate Mass. Many students from different schools are friendly with each other and eagerly waved to

friends and possible future high school classmates. The Catholic Schools Office, he said, is praying that each

student brings with them joy, faith, and a deeper sense of community imparted to them by teachers,

principals, volunteers, staff and pastors to everyone they encounter in this next chapter of their education.

Above, Bishop da Cunha speaks to eighth-graders from diocesan schools at their annual Mass. Below, members of the choir sing during the Mass.

Bishop blesses new field at Bishop Stang High School

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Supporters, students, faculty, and staff gathered on Thursday, May 11, to celebrate the completion of the GAME ON Field Campaign for Bishop Stang High School. The purpose of the gathering was to show gratitude to all who supported the project and for Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V., to administer a special blessing of the newly-renovated field complex.

Lead project donors included Campaign Steering Committee Chair Jim Black ’69, BayCoast Bank Charitable Foundation, the Carney Family Charitable Foundation, and Mr. and Mrs. Mark Ferreira. Additional major gifts came from the Yawkey Foundation, Jim Gonet ’74, the Thomas A. Rodgers Jr. Charitable Foundation, Shay ’68 and Christine ’74 Assad, the Duclos family, Maureen and Ray Armstrong, and Kevin Moore ’65. In total, more than 250 individuals, corporations, and foundations made gifts to the campaign.

The GAME ON Campaign recently achieved its fundraising goal of $2.1 million, and construction Is now complete. The fundraising goal was achieved through a final significant

gift in April 2023 from Alumnus Christian Loranger ’90 and his wife, Aileen. The project’s construction renovated Hugh Carney Stadium, Stanley Stankiewicz Baseball Field, and the school’s Softball Field. The stadium and fields support Spartan Village’s baseball, football, soccer, softball, field hockey, and lacrosse teams, as well as school events.

The GAME ON Steering Committee began fundraising in January 2021, and most of the construction took place from July through October 2021.

GALE Engineering created the plans for the nearly three-acre field complex and won national recognition for its design. RAD Sports was the builder, and Poyant Signs created the recognition wall plaques at the gate. Stang’s athletic teams have enjoyed their first full year with the new fields during this 2022-23 school year.

The field blessing ceremony included expressions of gratitude from Stang President Jim Benson as well as students and concluded with a student-performed song. Guests and Bishop Stang’s team captains enjoyed lunch in the school’s library after the ceremony.

The Bishop Stang High School community celebrates with Bishop da Cunha after the blessing of its new field.

World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests is June 16

In 2002 Pope St. John Paul II designated the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. The USCCB states, “On this day, the Church encourages priests to prayerfully reflect upon the gift of their vocation. The faithful are also invited to mark this celebration by praying for all priests that they may live lives of holiness and fidelity to Christ and his Church.”

This year, the celebration occurs on Friday, June 16. The Diocese has asked the faithful of the Diocese to consider offering special prayers on that day for the

sanctification of our priests.

Below are a few examples:

• Attend Mass and offer the Mass for the sanctification of our priests;

• Pray the Holy Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet for our priests;

• Offer some sort of fasting for our priests on that day;

• Pray devoutly one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be for our priests.

All are encouraged as well to pray the following prayer together for the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests:

“May the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the in-

Time to register for the Quo Vadis retreat

PAXTON, Mass. — Registration for the Quo Vadis Retreat is now open by contacting Father Jack Schrader (frjschrader@ diocese-fr.org).

This year, the Fall River Diocese will be working with the Archdiocese of Boston and the Diocese of Worcester to host the camp for high school aged boys at Anna Maria College in Paxton on Thursday, June 22 through Sunday, June 25, 2023.

INTERIM EXECUTIVE EDITOR

FatheR RogeR J. landRy - fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org

EDITOR;

david B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org

My Brother’s Keeper 13th annual Family Walk is June 10

EASTON — On Saturday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., My Brother’s Keeper will host its 13th Annual Family Walk on the campus of Stonehill College.

Folks are asked to join them for a beautiful 1.5mile walk through the Stonehill College campus, followed by family fun activities including inflatable bounce houses and slides, an obstacle course, climbing wall, live entertainment, and food vendors. There is no registration fee. People may drop in anytime.

awareness of My Brother’s Keeper’s work serving those in need in Southeastern Massachusetts. For registration and event details please go to www.MyBrothersKeeper. org/FamilyWalk or contact Kelsey Pandiani, My Brother’s Keeper, Associate Director of Development, Easton; 508-2979047; Kpandiani@ mybrotherskeeper.org

ADVERTISING Wayne R. PoWeRs waynepowers@anchornews.org

The cost is $150. Diocesan priests and parishioners are encouraged to invite boys from their parish to join for what promises to be a good time of growth in faith and learning about the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

In 2022, My Brother’s Keeper completed 16,825 deliveries of Food, Furniture, and Christmas Assistance, free of charge and without prerequisites, to 56,486 needy adults and children in the local community. The value of services provided in 2022 exceeds $4 million.

Demand for assistance in our community remains extremely strong. The Family Walk serves two purposes: to gather together as a community and to raise

To donate or learn more about My Brother’s Keeper, visit www. MyBrothersKeeper.org or call 508–238–7512 (Easton) / 774-305-4577 (Dartmouth).

If you live in a community we serve and need assistance, please call the Easton Helpline at 508-238-4416 or the Dartmouth Helpline at 774-305-4590.

On May 20, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., ordained 15 men as Permanent Deacons. This was the 10th class of deacons to be ordained in the diocese. To view the full ceremony, visit the diocesan website at fallriverdiocese.org. tercession of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, imbue all priests with His grace, strengthen their hearts, and renew them in their vocation to image Christ, Head and Shepherd, Servant and Spouse. Amen.”

The Time for parish eucharisTic revival Editorial

The celebration of Corpus Christi is always a special time in the Church’s liturgical calendar. It should be, because we celebrate the enduring self-gift of Jesus Christ by which He fulfills His promise to remain with us always until the end of time. It should be, moreover, because the feast was directly asked for by the Lord Himself through His apparitions to the Belgian mystic St. Juliana of Liege in the early 13th century in anticipation of the Eucharistic miracle of Orvieto-Bolsena. In response to Jesus’ wondrous self-gift, St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that we ought to “dare to do all we can” to express our faith, love and gratitude.

But this year’s celebration of Corpus Christi on June 11 should be more special still, as it is taking place within the three-year-plus Eucharistic Revival in the Church in the United States and inaugurating its second and most important year: the parish phase of the Revival.

The first year was dedicated to renewal at the level of dioceses. It featured retreats and workshops for priests, diocesan officials, Catholic school teachers and catechists, as well as Conferences for Men, Women, Youth and more. The goal was to prime and equip Church leaders and more fervent and committed faithful for the year dedicated to parish renewal.

On the celebration of Corpus Christi this year, each of the 17,000 parishes in the United States is being explicitly urged by the U.S. bishops to commit “to take one step further” to help grow parishioners’ Eucharistic knowledge, faith, amazement, love and life.

Some parishes are already thriving in terms of Eucharistic piety. They have reverent, graceful, prayerful Masses with powerful preaching, beautiful music, and infectious hospitality. They feature plenty of opportunities for parishioners to come to pray with adoring love before their Eucharistic Lord. They pass on the Eucharistic faith with fire to first communicants, to OCIA candidates and others. They host 40-hour devotions, lead Eucharistic processions, even establish adoration chapels. The parish phase is a time for them to build on what they already have.

Many parishes, however, are in need of a greater upgrade. While every parish is formally Eucharistic, insofar as it exists above all to celebrate the Eucharist, not every parish has made Jesus in the Eucharist the source, summit, root and center of its parish life, activity and culture. This is a year for parishes to dedicate themselves to improving, and for some improving substantially, their Eucharistic focus.

Parishioners can be enthusiastically invited to upgrade from occasional and committed attendance; from looking at Sunday Mass as an obligation to viewing it with eager love for God; from showing up to Mass to really praying the Mass; from going on Sunday to going also during the week.

Priests and liturgical ministers can consider how they might convey more effectively that at Mass we meet God Himself and should do so with maximal reverence, love and gratitude. We ought to ask, with candor and courage, which options permitted to us — in terms of music, homiletic styles, Eucharistic prayers, vestments, altar orientation, posture of receiving Communion, and so on — more effectively communicate the sacred reality of the Lord’s presence and then choose to use those that better pass on the Church’s Eucharistic faith.

To do that, it’s wise for parishes to facilitate adoration. Adoration outside of Mass facilitates adoration within Mass. It’s a means by which we learn to love God with all our mind, heart, soul and strength. Parishes without periods of Eucharistic Adoration during the week should seek to begin. While not every parish would be able to have perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at the start of the year, priests and faithful should ask themselves whether it might be a goal toward which they could effectively work together over the course of parish phase

of the revival. Very small parishes could at least strive to commit to a 40-hour devotion period, once a year toward once a week.

Similarly, the Church encourages every parish to have Eucharistic processions, in which we take our love for the Lord Jesus present in the Eucharist out into the world He redeemed, out into the streets of our neighborhoods, accompanying Him just like the crowds accompanied Him in ancient Capernaum, Jericho and Jerusalem. One of the most important ways of forming Eucharistic missionaries, those who will lovingly and courageously invite others to come or return to Mass, is by helping them overcome any sense of shame or embarrassment to proclaim their Eucharistic faith by walking with the Eucharistic Jesus in the sheets.

The parish phase of the Revival should look to address the Eucharistic dimension of its catechesis. In various parishes a major issue is that many of the students in religious education and their families do not attend Mass. This year is an opportunity explicitly to ground growth in faith around the Eucharist, by reorienting all of religious education around Sunday. Similarly, OCIA, post-Confirmation and adult education programs can better show that the Eucharistic Jesus is the beginning and end of all that the Church does.

Finally, because the Christian life has a Eucharistic form, everything that the Church does should flow from our encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. Thus, the parish phase is an opportunity to ensure that all ministries, clubs, and activities of a parish are connected more explicitly to Jesus on the altar and in the tabernacle.

The U.S. bishops have published the Leaders’ Playbook for the Year of Parish Revival so that it might become “the most impactful phase of this multiyear response to the Holy Spirit.” It contains four “pillars,” each with a specific “invitation.”

The first pillar is to reinvigorate worship at Mass with an invitation to focus on how the Mass is celebrated. It encourages greater beauty, reverence and liturgical silence in the celebration of Mass, Confessions before Mass, as well as personal witness on the power of the Mass.

The second pillar is to create moments of personal encounter, with an appeal for every parish to host monthly “Eucharistic nights” of adoration to help people meet Jesus prayerfully in the Blessed Sacrament with the help of readings, talks, music, and Confession. It also encourages parish retreats, prayer teams and Eucharistic processions.

The third is to strengthen faith formation through Sunday preaching series on the intrinsic connection of the Eucharist to the Paschal Mystery, the Real Presence, holiness and Jesus’ call to evangelize and serve. It also urges a small group study series called “Jesus and the Eucharist.”

The last is to form and encourage people to go out to invite at least one person back to Mass and to give special care to those in need and on the peripheries of existence. It has us imagine what would happen to our parishes if every parishioner were to reach out effectively to a fallen away family member, co-worker and fellow student and if priests and faithful were prepared with best practices to make them feel welcome.

The Playbook is an important resource to help every parish take at least “one step” forward during the parish phase. If parishes take it seriously, however, those steps could be enormous strides and create the momentum that the Revival as a whole is seeking to catalyze.

As we prepare to celebrate Corpus Christi, pastors and parishioners are being called together to “dare to do all they can” to make their parishes what they’re called to be, and what Jesus wants them to be: truly and thoroughly Eucharistic.

Daily Readings appear on page 20.

Annual Appeal at $2.3 million; ends June 30 continued from page one community. And it gives me the opportunity to get back to being a mother again — that’s what I want more than anything,” commented Amy, a resident of St. Clare’s.

is blessed to be comprised of many cultures and ethnicities and it was fun to sit in on small groups and lunch conversations to talk about what unites us as a family of faith,” said Chika Anyanwu, a Special Guest Speaker at one of the youth events.

Christian view of marriage. We can’t take for granted that they would otherwise get that.”

— Amy, a resident of St. Clare’s.

Gifts to the Catholic Appeal provide consultation, support, and resources for the youth of the Fall River Diocese through confirmation, retreat experiences and events, the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), and middle and high school formation. The Office of the Secretariat for the New Evangelization presents the annual Catholic Youth Day to help bring the young people of our diocese closer to holiness, grow in friendship, and celebrate the beauty of their Catholic faith.

“What made (Catholic Youth Day) even more memorable for me were the amazing teens and youth ministry volunteers from all across the diocese. Fall River

Couples who are preparing for marriage can utilize the Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program offered by the Office of Family and Respect Life. Registered couples receive access to the program and are assigned a mentor couple who guide them, answer questions, and offer up their own experiences of married life. There is also a ReMarriage program designed for couples in which one or both individuals have previously been married and annulled. The goal for all couples is to prepare and assist for the Sacrament of Marriage and, after that, life as a married couple.

Deb and Doug Sousa, marriage preparation leaders from Somerset, commented, “We have served on the marriage preparation team for the diocese for the past 10 years. In the past, we could count on couples having support outside of their parish, in their homes and in their wider families. But the reality is, a lot of couples don’t naturally have that. So we really need to form couples in appreciating a biblical and

The Office of Pastoral Ministry to the Sick ministers to the sick and dying of all faiths and spiritual walks in all of the hospitals in the diocese. It offers a network of full and part-time chaplains who provide much-needed support in the form of visits, prayer, distribution of Communion, and administration of the Sacrament of the Sick to thousands of individuals.

“At my ordination Mass in 2019, the Gospel commanded us to ‘love one ‘” said Deacon Paul Spearin, Chaplain at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River.

ations. St. Joseph House in Hyannis provides 15 beds for female guests and 30 beds for male guests, as well as a winter overflow program on nights when the temperature drops below 28 degrees. It offers a day program for men and women of all ages who are currently or formerly homeless, or at risk for homelessness. The day program serves as a safe place to gather for meals, activities that foster connection and skill building, and the loving support of the caring and compassionate team at the shelter.

Appeal gift help fund the work of the Pope Francis Outreach Center located at Good Shepherd Parish in the south end of Fall River. The Outreach Center brings together individuals of all ages seeking nourishment of body and spirit, offering food, fellowship, a thrift store, and a warming center for the city. Its popular “Grab & Go” meals program has been a staple of the community since 2020.

”The homily touched on Mother Teresa: how she ministered to the thousands in Calcutta, not because they were Catholic, but because she was Catholic. I have found my ‘Calcutta’ here at Charlton, carrying the light into the darkness of anxiety, uncertainty and fear. Chaplains walk with these people who find themselves experiencing life’s unplanned and sometimes heart-rending events. A chaplain’s presence in those times reassures those to whom we minister that our Lord is with them and He loves them.”

Gifts to the Catholic Appeal support the housing of men, women, children and families that have been displaced due to numerous social and economic situ-

The manager of St. Joseph House, Nickesha “Nicky” James, commented, “With the donations that we receive, we are able to provide shelter for a whole host of people on the Cape. It’s vital. It helps us to keep our doors open – and in turn, help all the people that come to our door. So it is very important to keep our lights on, help us feed the public, or

“This is the best event every Thursday morning,” said Barbara, a regular guest. “I live alone I live alone in an apartment in the neighborhood, and here, I am socializing with people more, we have a good time. At the thrift shop, I buy books for myself and my grandchildren. If we need extra prayers, they are right here. No matter what religion, race, or creed we are – they care for us. Everybody is welcome.”

— Barbara S., a regular guest at the Pope Francis Outreach Center

There are many ways to support the Catholic Appeal during its home stretch:

— Mail to the Catholic Appeal – Diocese of Fall River, P.O. Box 237, Kensington, CT 06037-0237

— Mail or drop off to the Catholic Appeal office: 450 Highland Ave., Fall River, MA 02720

— Give or pledge online at www.GiveFRDiocese.org

provide assistance to anyone that needs it.”

Pope Francis once said, “Yes, you pray for the hungry. But then, you feed them. This is how prayer works.” Gifts and pledges to the Catholic

— Drop off your contribution at any parish in the diocese

— Call the Catholic Appeal office at 508-675-1311 to make your gift, setup a pledge, or to ask any questions.

— The dedicated team of staff and volunteers at the Pope Francis Outreach Center

— Chika Anyanwu, Special Guest Speaker

— Nickesha “Nicky” James, St. Joseph House Manager

— Deacon Paul Spearin, Chaplain, Charlton Memorial Hospital

— Deb and Doug Sousa, Marriage Preparation Leaders and Parishioners of St. John of God, Somerset.

Cape woman consecrated as Hermit

continued from page two

O.P., the diocesan Episcopal Representative for Religious, told The Anchor, “Susan Muldoon approached me and expressed her desire to become a Consecrated Canonical Hermit in the Church.

“Susan was guided in the process throughout two years of discernment. She had contemplated this calling in prior years having been attracted and involved

in the Carmelite spirituality as a secular Carmelite. She then presented her request to Bishop da Cunha, who gave his approval.

“In the more recent Canon Law of the Catholic Church, the tradition to live a hermit life has opened new possibilities of living this life according to the Gospel and various rules and spiritualities, such as the Carmelite spirituality,

and to dedicate one’s life to God through prayer and the praise of God, in a life of penance and solitude for the salvation of the world. The hermit professes publicly the three evangelical counsels or vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, relating directly to the diocesan bishop, placing these counsels in his hands, as well as her or his own plan of life under his direction.”

Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, pastor of St. Joseph, Guard-

ian of the Holy Family Parish, of which St. Anthony’s Church is a part, told The Anchor, “Susan had approached me about beginning the process and I signed off on it. It was such a blessing to be part of the ceremony within the Mass. It was a grace for me and the whole parish family. I asked to her pray for the parish community and me.

“Susan, a widow, is a woman of deep faith and a frequently attends Mass.

Many people who attended the Mass came to a greater awareness of so many Church vocations. I let them know that there are many ways God calls us to service.”

Sister Hurtado said during the service Susan was examined by the bishop asking what she wanted of him that day. Muldoon replied, “To make profession of the three evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience, living the eremitic life of prayer and penance, for the glory of God and the service of the Church.” The bishop accepted her vows with a prayer of consecration. She was then handed a ring by the bishop, a symbol of her belonging to Christ.

Muldoon was then presented the prayer garment to wear. “The garment is a symbol of the eremitic life,” said Sister Hurtado. After prayers and the presentation of the garment, Muldoon signed the Profession along with the bishop, with Sister Hurtado and Msgr. Avila as witnesses.

Muldoon is thought to be the first woman hermit in the diocese. Father Patrick Magee, a Franciscan of Our Lady of the Holy Family, is also a Diocesan Hermit, involved with prayer, intercession, helping parishes and doing pastoral work at Saint Anne’s hospital. He has given retreats for many dioceses.

26th Annual FACE Summer Gala on Cape Cod

OSTERVILLE — All are welcome to join in celebrating the 26th Annual FACE Summer Gala on Cape Cod to be held on Thursday, August 17, at the Wianno Club in Osterville. At the

event, Music by Greg Hall will entertain guests during the cocktail reception while overlooking spectacular ocean views. During the program and dinner, the Al Makkay Sr. Award will be present-

ed to the honored recipient at the event. This award is in recognition of outstanding contributions by an educator or staff member in the Catholic Schools of Cape Cod. Guests will participate in the

Exclusive Gift Raffle, Live Auction and Fund A Mission all while raising critical scholarship dollars for students in need!

To learn more please visit: www.FACEsummergala.org

Bishop to ordain four new priests

continued from page one

priesthood. These young men have gone through many challenges in their preparation for this day, especially having most of their formation during a pandemic the likes of which no one in our generation has ever seen. And yet they have persevered, have faced the challenges and are now reaping the first fruits of their faith, their trust in God and their perseverance.

“We all know that these are challenging times for the Church and for the priesthood, and recruiting young men to embrace the life of a priest, a life of service and sacrifice, is not easy in this secularized world. My hope is that the ordination of these four men will serve as an example for other young men to see that is worth offering one’s life to God and to the church in service to God’s people.”

Father John M. Schrader, diocesan Associate Director of Vocations and Seminarians, told The Anchor, “We are beyond grateful for the four future fathers: Thiago, Brian, John and Chris. Obeying the call to serve as Catholic priests is not an easy endeavor in today’s world. Furthermore, they persevered through the challenges of seminary life in a global pandemic. Kudos! As a brother priest, I look forward to collaborating with these men in Christ’s work of sanctification. The plentiful harvest will have a few more valuable laborers in the field. May Christ be alive in our new priests.”

Deacon John Garabedian was born in 1991,

the son of John and Claire Garabedian, and he grew up in a close loving family in Mansfield. He has an older sister and younger sister. His home parish is St. Mary’s Parish in Mansfield. Though the family always practiced the faith, his faith grew late in high school and college, especially when his family had visited the Vatican and other famous Christian sites in Rome. Deacon John graduated from Mansfield High School in 2009 and went to college at Bridgewater State University. He graduated in 2013 with a BA with a concentration in graphic design. After college John worked in the area of graphic design and coached baseball for four years. During college and after, John went deeper in knowing and living his faith, especially growing in his living of the sacramental life through regular Confession, daily Mass, and Eucharistic Adoration. Deacon John played baseball for Bridgewater State University, which also taught him teamwork, perseverance and leadership. As he grew closer to the Lord so did the sense of being called by the Lord to be a priest. He applied to the Diocese of Fall River and was accepted as a seminarian and sent to Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, N.J. Some of his summer parish assignments have been serving at St. Ann’s Parish in Raynham, St. Anthony Parish in Falmouth, Our Lady of Grace in Westport, Holy Name in Fall River, and Holy Family Parish in East Taunton. Deacon John

has finished his studies of theology at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Seminary.

Deacon Brian Patrick Connors, son Michael and Janice Connors, is 33 years old and a parishioner of Holy Family Church in East Taunton. He has two brothers. Deacon Brian graduated from Dighton-Rehoboth High School in 2009 and briefly went to Bristol Community College, but found college was not for him at that time. In his 20s he underwent a conversion and in 2015 received the Sacraments of Initiation. Continuing with his growth in the faith he became very involved in the parish by teaching catechism to children and helping at the parish. He has attended different retreats and helped as well in giving witness to the faith to others. The sense of being called to the priesthood grew. In 2017 Deacon Brian was accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Fall River and was sent to Immaculate Conception Seminary. Deacon Brian has a love for the Church and desire to serve others. Over the summers he has served at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Westport, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Fall River, and Holy Name Parish in Fall River. Deacon Brian has finished his studies of theology at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Seminary.

Deacon Christopher Daniel Hughes, son of Daniel and Joanna Hughes, is a 27-year-old from Sandwich and is a parishioner of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee. He has one younger brother and one

younger sister. Growing up he was very involved in the church as an altar server, lector, Extraordinary Minster of Holy Communion, catechist, parish council member and was involved in youth ministry. He was also involved in diocesan retreat programs on the Cape. For many years he prayed about whether the Lord was calling him to the priesthood. He was also involved in his high school years at Pope John Paul II High School in Hyannis, from where he graduated in 2013. After high school Deacon Chris went to St. Joseph’s College in Maine, graduating in 2017. Upon graduating Deacon Christopher was accepted by the Diocese of Fall River and began his studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary. Over the summers he has served at St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown, Christ the King Parish in Mashpee, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet, and St. Mary’s Parish in South Dartmouth. He has finished his studies of theology at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

Deacon Thiago Menezes Santos was born in 1996 in Aracaju, Brazil. His family still lives Aracaju. His father is Sergio Santana Santos and his mother is Laura Teles Menezes Santos. He has an older sister. As a child he joined the children’s choir at his parish and was a member of it for six years, something that he says played a large role in his growing in faith. After his First Communion in 2006, he joined The Missionary Childhood, a group that helped him to learn how to evangelize

other children. This awakened within him the possibility of a divine calling. He started to have the desire to be a missionary and it was then that he first felt the desire to be a priest and to give his life to Jesus and the Church. Before he entered the seminary, Deacon Thiago was a catechist for two years and also served as an altar server. In 2015 he was approved to study philosophy at Our Lady of Conception Major Seminary in Aracaju, where he attended for three years.

In 2018 he started his theological studies in that same seminary but he sensed the Lord might be calling him to serve as a priest in the United States, in particular in the Diocese of Fall River. He saw this as a call from God to go into deeper waters. After prayer and speaking with his spiritual director, his rector, his archbishop, and his parents, he applied to serve the Lord, and sought to serve Him in the Diocese of Fall River. When he was accepted, Thiago was sent to Immaculate Conception Seminary in Orange, N.J. for his continuing formation. Deacon Thiago has served at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Fall River and St. Jude Parish, St. Anthony Parish, and St Mary’s Church in Taunton. A year-and-ahalf ago Thiago’s mother and cousin died in a car accident in Brazil, and his grandfather died the following spring, and through this tragedy he said he has found the Lord giving him and his family great strength and consolations, as well as a deeper awareness of trust in the Lord.

Set ablaze: An adolescent’s reflection and the power of purpose

Teenage parishioners are most known for their car washes, fundraising efforts, setting up and breaking-down events or their works of service within parish life. This, however, is not the only thing they are equipped to do. A staggering reality hits a parish when parishioners notice the immense decline of teenage involvement after they have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is safe to assume that two-thirds of the recently confirmed will not come back the week following Confirmation, and one-third will find a reason to stay until a some other purpose presents itself as it does in jobs, college applications and sports. Unfortunately, those three will consume most of their senior year and overwhelm their lives. Teenagers are looking for a greater role within parish life but do not know how to articulate that need and are often worried about presenting something to a parish council. Their greatest role in parish life, however, is

evangelizing their peers in school, work, and close friendships. They can bring the un-churched into the church by being a witness of hope, like it says in 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” They do this via their actions and in the manner they live their lives.

St. Paul’s words to Timothy, “Let no one have contempt for your youth but set an example for those who believe in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity,” but hearing this from a 43-year-old is different from hearing it from someone living this call in her school with her peers.

This year 41 post-Confirmation teenagers received the Pope Saint Pius X award. One recipient, Inez Medeiros from St. Michael Catholic Church, in Fall River had this powerful message to her peers:

“Before going up to receive the holy chrism at Confirmation, I remember

so vividly what I said to Our Lord: ‘Lord, there is no longer a doubt in my mind that I belong to You. My purpose in my life is to serve You and I will never let anything get in the way of that. You have all of me,

do with me as you will.’

“After that moment, a lot of things changed in my life. High school became in person again and I quickly learned that I wasn’t in Catholic school anymore! There were no more religion classes or posters on the wall reminding me to pray every day. As I was eating my lunch, there were people to my right messing with tarot cards, and to my left, others were talking about lust and greed. And in the middle of all of this was I absolutely embarrassed to bless my food in front of them, as if making the sign of the cross was going to set the school ablaze!

“From that moment on, I had to learn that when God’s motivation wasn’t around me, discipline was essential. I had to relearn how to not be ashamed of the Gospel of being a child of God, and how to free up my busy schedule in order to make time for my faith. I had to realize that, yes, making the sign of the cross would set the school ablaze, in the sense that the spectators’ hearts and souls would be set on fire by the Holy Spirit.

“You see, being a teenager, or even an adult, in the faith has its difficult moments no matter how religious you are. Every day we are tempted by worldly desires and most times we fail at resisting them. Think about the times when God felt distant from you. Take a moment and think of all those times when faith felt out of reach. Whatever you may have in your mind right now, God took that mistake and made it a blessing. God saw your flaws and still allowed you to receive this award because He calls all of you by name, not by your sin ... I have spent much time feeling like I wasn’t worthy enough to come to church, like I wasn’t worthy enough to stand in front of people and read the Bible because of the sins that I have committed. The sad part of this feeling is that it’s true, I do not deserve to stand here today. God, however, does not care about my sin. You don’t have to hide from Him. He is waiting for you to pick up your cross and come back home. Do not let this award be a one and done deal. Realize that we have the ability to bring people to eternal life in a world that has so much potential to be more.

“So, I ask you all today to put on the armor of God, pick up your cross, and come back home. Continue following the Gospel, continue praying, and most importantly, be true to who you are no matter how badly life treats you. We need more changes in society like you.

“As my coach would

say, ‘be great’ and as my father would say, ‘be a child of God, woman/man of faith, and a warrior of Christ.’ Never feel unworthy to wear that armor because we are the ones with the power to protect God’s truth.”

Inez put into action the Holy Spirit she received during her Confirmation. Her wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord were not from her but used by her in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, to indeed set ablaze all who heard her speak. Many may be tempted to say, “But our teens participate in things,” and indeed they do, however, as the Springtide Institute of Research stated in their recent study: “Participating is not the same as belonging. Young people get a sense of belonging not from simply participating in activities or events.” A sense of belonging comes from a trusting relationship, one that no longer sees them as little children, but adolescents with purpose. Throughout the drama of salvation history, adolescents have been seen by God and called to accomplish great feats, and they accomplished them, because they trusted God’s call.

Let us continue to build up the youth to trust God, and allow them to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, who is the Lord and giver of life, to set their communities ablaze.

Anchor columnist Oscar Rivera Jr., is director of Youth Ministry in the diocesan Secretariat for the New Evangelization.

orivera@dioc-fr.org

Forty young Catholic faithful receive St. Pius X Award

FALL RIVER —Bishop

Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., presented the Pope Saint Pius X Youth Award to 40 young persons from parishes throughout the Fall River Diocese in the context of a prayer service on Monday, May 9, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.

The annual award, named for the pontiff who created the Fall River Diocese in 1904 and presented for the first time in 2001, recognizes teens who serve their parish community with selflessness, commitment, and dedication.

The Pope St. Pius X Youth Awards Ceremony was live-streamed on the Fall River diocesan Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ fallriverdiocese.

Nominated for the honor by their pastor, recipients support their parishes and the wider community through a variety of minis-

YARMOUTH PORT —

Deacon Ralph Frederick Cox, age 99, of Yarmouth Port, formerly of East Dennis, passed away on May 18, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Eleanor (Connelly) Cox.

He is survived by his daughter Carolyn Lyons Sartory and her husband, Thomas Sartory of Yarmouth Port; son Ralph Cox, Jr. and his wife, Debra of Colleyville, TX; daughter Cynthia Cox-Roman and her husband, Peter Roman of Washington, DC; and grandchildren Jessica Jinkins (Ben), Matthew Cox (Lily), and Madeline Cox; great-granddaughter Evelyn Jinkins; and many nieces and nephews.

He will lie in state at Holy Trinity Church in West Harwich on June 3

tries and activities. Some are lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, religious education teachers, and youth group leaders; others have volunteered in local food pantries and tutored non-English-speaking persons. One is a member of the Youth Council of the NAACP.

Pope St. Pius X Youth Award recipients must have already received the Sacrament of Confirmation, be at least a sophomore in high school and not older than 19.

The award itself is a medal bearing the image of St. Pius X along with his motto, “Renewing all things in Christ.”

Those honored with the 2023 Pope St. Pius X Youth Award and their parishes follow by area deanery.

Attleboro Deanery

Natalie Alger, Transfiguration of the Lord Parish, North Attleborough; Casey

Deacon Ralph Cox

from 9 to 10:45 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Burial, with military honors, alongside his wife will immediately follow at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Centerville.

Gorhan, St. Mary Parish, Mansfield; Lauren St. Onge, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish, Attleboro; Bridget Sutula, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Attleboro; and Tucker Tuffile, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Seekonk.

Cape Cod Deanery

Andrew Crapo, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth; Katrina Hatch, Our Lady of the Cape Parish, Brewster; Edward Newell, St. Pius X Parish, South Yarmouth; Michael Ramsey, Corpus Christi Parish, East Sandwich; Aidan Sullivan, St. Mary/Our Lady of the Isle Parish, Nantucket; Zachary Travis, St. Margaret Parish, Buzzards Bay; and Brianna Wall, Holy Trinity Parish, West Harwich.

Fall River Deanery

Kamryn Berube, St. Bernard Parish, Assonet; Jasmine Caine, Santo Christo Parish, Fall River;

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Deacon Cox’s memory may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Holy Trinity Church, P.O Box 682, West Harwich, Mass, 02671.

Anthony Champagne, Good Shepherd Parish, Fall River; Deanna DeStefano, St. John of God Parish, Somerset; Carson DoRego, St. Michael and St. Joseph Parishes, Fall River; Inez Medeiros, St. Michael and St. Joseph Parishes, Fall River; Kathryn Medeiros, St. Stanislaus Parish, Fall River; Hannah Mello, St. Dominic Parish, Swansea; Olivia Morris, St. George Parish, Westport; Michael Rebelo, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Swansea; Devin Viera, St. Mary Cathedral Parish, Fall River; and Noah Yetman, Holy Name Parish, Fall River. New Bedford Deanery

Mikayla Baptista, St. Mary Parish, Fairhaven; Caroline Brogioli, St. Anthony-St. Rita Parish, Mattapoisett; Janie Correia, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, New Bedford; Nathan Gonçalo, Our Lady

of Mount Carmel Parish, New Bedford; Clara Knight, St. Joseph Parish, Fairhaven; Hannah Pittsley, St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, New Bedford; Caden Plante, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet; Simon Rivet, Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Parish, New Bedford; Elijah Rogers, St. Anthony-St. Rita Parish, Mattapoisett; Charlotte Schaub, St. John Neumann Parish, East Freetown; and Avry Whitson, St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, New Bedford.

Taunton Deanery

Aidan Byers, Holy Cross Parish, South Easton; Madison Cable, Holy Family Parish, East Taunton; Grace Harrington, Immaculate Conception Parish, North Easton; Emily Marquis, St. Nicholas of Myra Parish, North Dighton; and Lucas Toste, St. Ann Parish, Raynham.

PORTLAND, Maine — Brother Theodore Letendre (Brother Ted) died on May 5, 2023 at Maine Medical Center in Portland after a lengthy period of declining health. He was born in Fall River on Jan. 18, 1940, the only child of Rodolphe and Alice (Surrette) Le-

Brother Theodore Letendre, FIC

tendre. In 1953 he began his formation as a religious brother on the campus of Notre Dame Institute in Alfred, Maine. On Aug. 15, 1958, he became a Brother of Christian Instruction. He professed the perpetual vows of religion on August 22, 1964.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6

Sunday, June 4 at 11:00 a.m.

Brother Ted began his teaching career in 1960 at Denis Hall Junior High School in Alfred, Maine. This was followed by years as a high school educator serving as guidance counselor in Fall River, first at Msgr. Prevost High School (1964-68) and then at Bishop Connolly High School (1968-78). He was deeply committed to C.L.C. Sodality Movement, locally and nationally.

After receiving his Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Bridgewater State College he relocated in 1978 to North Canton, Ohio to work in admissions for his undergraduate alma mater — Class of ’67 — Walsh College (now University).

Sunday, June 11 at 11:00 a.m.

In 1996, Brother Ted became Director of the Brothers’ Mission of the

Sunday, June 18 at 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, June 25 at 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, July 2 at 11:00 a.m.

Risen Lord in Maysel, Clay County, West Virginia. There he was actively engaged in a well-established college volunteer program that gave hundreds of students from across the country hands-on ministry experience with the economically disadvantaged.

At 78 with various health issues and diminished energy, Brother Ted “retired” to the Brothers’ facility in Alfred in 2017, continuing to offer highly appreciated chaplaincy services to the very end.

A Mass Christian Burial was celebrated by Bishop Robert Deeley of Portland on May 19 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in Alfred. Burial followed in the Brothers’ Cemetery on Shaker Hill.

In lieu of flowers, dona-

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel

Sunday, June 4, at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Espirito Santo Church in Fall River ***

Sunday, June 11 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fall River ***

Sunday, June 18 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from St. Francis Xavier Church in East Providence ***

Sunday, June 25 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Santo Christo Church in Fall River ***

Sunday, July 2 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, New Bedford

tions can be made to one of Brother Ted’s favorite charities, the Brothers’ newest mission school of Our Lady of the Assumption in South Sudan.

Jean (LaForest) Arsenault, longtime diocesan employee

NEW BEDFORD —

Jean (LaForest) Arsenault of New Bedford died peacefully on May 22 at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford.

She was the beloved wife of the late Stephen Arsenault. Born in Plymouth, Mass. on Nov. 25, 1946, daughter of the late Paul and Elizabeth (Lafferty) LaForest. She was educated in New Bedford and a graduate of Holy Family High School. She went on to attend and graduate from Kinyon–Campbell Business School. Jean was a longtime employee of the Diocese of Fall River as Assistant Director of the Pro-Life Apostolate.

She is survived by her daughter Kathryn (Kate) Arsenault of New Bedford. Also survived by her sisters Elizabeth Funicella and her husband Gino of Jackson N.H.; Francine LaForest of New Bedford; and her brother Paul Martin LaForest of Bainbridge Ga. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Judith Sciuto of Dartmouth, and her brother-in-law Thomas Arsenault and his wife Beverly. She is also survived by several beloved nieces, a nephew, and her two little “cheerios” Gatsby and Fritz, who were faithful companions during the past few years.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated on May 26 at St. Julie Billiart Church, North Dartmouth. Burial was in Padanaram Cemetery in South Dartmouth.

Celebrant is Father Leonard Kayondo, in residence at Good Shepherd Church, Fall River

Celebrant is Father Jay T. Maddock, a retired priest of the Diocese of Fall River

Celebrant is Father Christopher M. Peschel, Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, New Bedford

Celebrant is Father David Pignato, Pastor of St. Julie Billiart Parish in North Dartmouth

Celebrant is Father Robert A. Oliveira, Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Fall River

Please pray for these priests and deacons during the coming weeks:

June 3

Most Rev. James J. Gerrard, DD. Auxiliary Bishop of Fall River 1959-1976, Retired Pastor St. Lawrence, New Bedford, 1991

Rev. Luis A. Cardoso, Retired, Former Pastor, St. Michael, Fall River, 2011

June 4

Rev. Louis J. Terrien, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1920

Rev. Jose P. d’Amaral, Parochial Vicar, Santo Christo, Fall River, 1949

June 5

Very Rev. Thomas J. McLean, V.F. Pastor, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1954

Rev. Msgr. Louis Prevost, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, New Bedford, 1970

Rev. George Daigle, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleborough, 1979

Rev. Msgr. Edmund R. Levesque, Pastor, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 2011

June 8

Rev. John S. Czerwonka, Assistant, St. Stanislaus, Fall River, 1961

Rev. Robert T. Canuel, 1993

June 9

Rev. Timothy J. Calnen, Pastor, St. Joseph, Woods Hole, 1945

Rev. Joseph S. Larue, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1966

June 10

Rev. William H. Curley, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1915

Rev. George A. Meade, Chaplain, St. Mary’s Home, New Bedford, 1949

June 11

Rev. Msgr. Augusto L. Furtado, Retired Pastor, St. John of God, Somerset, 1973

June 12

Rev. Thomas H. Taylor, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1966

June 13

Rev. Edward F. Donahue, S.J., Boston College High School, Dorchester, 1974

Rev. Henry F. Bourgeois, C.S.C., 2004

Rev. Roland Bousquet, Retired, Former Pastor, St. Theresa, New Bedford, 2010

Permanent Deacon Robert William Alence, 2021

June 14

Rev. Msgr. George E. Sullivan, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, Fall River, 1980

Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. Cournoyer, Retired Pastor, St. Michael, Swansea, 1982

Rev. James H. Coughlin, S.J., Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn., 1992

Rev. Ambrose Forgit, SS.CC., 2010

June 16

Rev. James McDermott, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1975

June 17

Permanent Deacon Claude A. LeBlanc, 2011

June 18

Most Rev. William B. Tyler, First Bishop of Hartford, Founder of the Sandwich Mission, 1849

Rev. James M. Coffey, P.R., Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1935

Rev. Declan Daly, SS.CC., Associate Pastor, St. Joseph, Fairhaven, 1984

Rev. Henri Laporte, O.P., Former Pastor, St. Anne, Fall River, 1992

June 19

Rev. Hormisdas Deslauriers, Founder, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 1916

June 20

Rt. Rev. Msgr. James Coyle, P.R., LL.D., Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1931

June 21

Rev. Owen F. Clarke, Former Assistant, St. Mary, Fall River, 1918

Rev. Desire V. Delemarre, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1926

Rev. Francis D. Callahan, Pastor, St. Patrick, Wareham, 1948

Rev. George A. Meade, Chaplain, St. Mary’s Home, New Bedford, 1949

Rev. Clement Killgoar, SS.CC., Pastor, St. Anthony, Mattapoisett, 1964

Rev. David A. O’Brien, Retired Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1976

June 2, 2023

June 22

Rev. Alexander Zichello, Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, New Bedford, 1977

Rev. Christopher Grannell, SS.CC., 1990

Rev. Richard A. Delisle, M.S., Former Superior, La Salette Shrine, Attleboro, 2016

June 23

Rev. Finbarr B. McAloon, SS.CC.,Retired Pastor, Holy Trinity, West Harwich, 1980

Rev. George Wichland, CSSR, St. Wenceslaus Church, Baltimore, Md., 1992

June 24

Rev. Bernard F. McCahill, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1907

June 25

Rev. Msgr. Louis A. Marchand, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony, New Bedford,1941

Rev. Raymond J. Hamel, Chaplain, St. Joseph Orphanage, Fall River, 1960

June 26

Rev. William Moran, Former Pastor, St. Peter, Sandwich, 1891

Rev. Charles P. Gaboury, Former Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1931

Rev. Msgr. Albert Berube, Retried Pastor, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 1973

June 27

Rev. John Corry, Founder, St. Mary, Taunton; Founder, St. Mary, Fall River, 1863

Rev. Dario Raposo, Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Taunton, 1933

Rev. Msgr. Thomas F. Walsh, Retired Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro, 1980

Rev. Msgr. Bernard J. Fenton, USA Retired Chaplain, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, North Dighton, 1984

Rev. George F. Almeida, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima, Swansea, 2012

June 28

Rev. Thomas C. Gunning, Assistant, St. Lawrence, New Bedford, 1947

Rev. Kenneth J. Delano, Former Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 2017

June 30

Rev. Simon Pease, SS.CC., Administrator, Sacred Hearts, Fairhaven, 1952

Rev. Alphonse M. Reniere, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1961

Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, Retired Fire Chaplain, Fall River Fire Department, 2017 Permanent Deacon Edward J. Hussey, 2020

July 1

Rev. Fernando A. Veiga, CM, Vincentian Mission House, Fall River, 1993

Rev. David Stopyra, OFM, Conv., Retired Pastor, Our Lady of the Rosary, Taunton, 2018

July 2

Rev. Gerard A. Boisvert, Assistant, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 1967

Rev. Maurice H. Lamontagne, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Grace, Westport, 1996

Rev. James T. Donohue, C.S.C., 2006

July 3

Rev. Thomas P. Doherty, Pastor, St. Kilian, New Bedford, 1942

Rev. William G. Condon, C.S.C., Retired, St. Joseph Hall, North Dartmouth; Nativity Prep School, New Bedford; Assistant Superior, North Dartmouth, 2016

July 4

Rev. James A. Coyle, S.T.L., Pastor, Holy Name, Fall River, 1955

Rev. Pierre E. Lachance, O.P., Director, St. Anne’s Shrine, Fall River, 2006

July 5

Rev. J.F. LaBonte, Retired Assistant, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1943

Rev. Edward P. Versailles, M.S., La Salette Shrine, Attleboro, 1985

Rev. Richard John Neilson, Retired, New York Archdiocese; Holy Redeemer, Chatham; Our Lady of Grace Chapel, South Chatham, 2016

July 6

Rev. Edmond Francis, SS.CC., Pastor, St. Mary, Fairhaven, 1963

Rev. Paul J. Price, SS.CC., 2006

Rev. Frank A. Toste, C.S.C., 2011

July 7

Rev. James E. Lynch, Founder, St. Joan of Arc, Orleans, 1965

Annual New Bedford Corpus Christi procession is June 11

NEW BEDFORD — The annual New Bedford Corpus Christi Procession will take place June 11, beginning from Our Lady’s Chapel in New Bedford at 2 p.m. with Benediction.

This year attendees will process to three Benediction stops, Our Lady of Assumption, Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. After Benediction at the last stop at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, refreshments will be served in the Church Hall. There will be no procession back to Chapel.

Shuttle service is being provided to bring participants back to Chapel anytime after procession and or after refreshments.

For anyone wanting to participate in the procession but who is unable to walk, volunteer drivers are available. The Rosary will be

recited in autos. Those wanting rides are asked to meet before the appropriate “signed” area in front of Chapel by 1:30 p.m.

Children are invited to dress as Angels. Angels’ dresses and headdresses will be provided. Children need to arrive no later than 1 p.m. to be dressed. Also First Communicants are welcome, with no need for early arrival.

Any Fraternities, Sodalities, Prayer Groups or similar organizations that care to join are most welcome. Again an earlier arrival is necessary to organize participants.

There will be volunteers and signage in front of Chapel to direct everyone.

Plans are in the works to beautify the street in front of the Chapel to welcome the Eucharistic Lord in the streets of New Bedford.

Lumen Christi Gala is June 7

WESTPORT — The Lumen Christi Gala celebrates the Cathedral’s history and supports the fundraising effort for the critical repairs and renovations. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7 at White’s of Westport.

The emcee for the evening will once again be Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III. Learn more, and support this initiative by visiting the Catholic Foundation website at: www. catholicfoundationsema.org/

Fall River Shrine hosts Santo Cristo exhibit

FALL RIVER — Saint Anne’s Shrine in Fall River held a Santo Cristo exhibit from May 12 to May 14, on the weekend of the feast of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres that is held in Sao Miguel, Azores. The exhibit contained over 30 pieces of vintage and antique Santo Cristo items used for personal

cathedral-gala

View a special virtual tour of the Cathedral led by Dr. Richard Grace at: vimeo.com/cfsema/ cathedraltour

Holy Trinity Taizé service is June 4 in East Freetown

EAST FREETOWN — All are invited to Holy Trinity Taizé Service and Reception afterwards on Sunday, June 4, at 7 p.m. at St. John Neumann Church and Hall, 157 Middleboro Road, East Freetown.

prayer and worship at homes. Many items traveled with immigrants coming from the Azores to the United States and other parts of the world.

They would bring these items to keep a connection with Santo Cristo and their home land as they started a new life.

A Santo Cristo exhibit containing more than 30 vintage and antique pieces was on display at St. Anne’s Shrine in River in May.

Usually, bidding adieu to the month of May is more of a good riddance. It’s become the norm for us here in Southeastern Massachusetts to experience much cold, wet and nasty weather.

But this year we were blessed, especially at the tail end of the month, with some pretty spectacular weather — and that, for Denise and me, means sitting on the deck and soaking in the rays. Well, Denise does, but I have to cower under a deck umbrella because of the poor job I’ve done over the years of taking care of my skin.

Nonetheless, we enjoy sitting amidst the birds, flowers, trees and plants — as long as the winds don’t blow too hard (another common May phenomenon).

Recently, I was outside alone and from beneath the shade of the umbrella I looked up and saw beautiful blue skies and billowy white clouds above me. Something I often, in fact mostly, take for granted, left me awestruck.

Where is everyone?

After watching the cloud formations morph before my very eyes, I sat in wonder — in awe that every movement, slight as it may be, and virtually unnoticed by humankind, is in God’s control. Just as Matthew 6:26 quotes Jesus, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them,” everything is in His hands. But then I also stared skyward and wondered, where is everyone? Meaning where are all the people who have come and gone before me? Are they up there beyond the clouds and blue skies?

I wondered about my mom and dad; about my son and my grandparents. I wondered about friends of mine who left this earth way too

soon (according to me, not God). I even wondered about my best friend ever, my pooch Igor.

I stared upward and wondered what they are doing right now. I wondered where they are in this vast array of solar systems and space.

I wondered if they can see me looking up and wondering about them. I wonder if they knew I was thinking about them.

I experienced a feeling of melancholy; a bittersweet remembrance of loved ones and a wonderment about their existence in the afterlife.

I’m not one to usually wax existentialism. I’m more of a St. Thomas kind of guy: when I see it, I’ll believe it. But that day, staring into the heavens, I did believe all of the folks (and dog) I mentioned are out there somewhere, even

though I couldn’t see them.

I was also overcome with a feeling that I wish I could see them again; to talk to them; to laugh with them. I have so many questions to ask. And Igor? I so want to massage behind her ears, give her a belly rub and give her a great big hug.

It was a rare and enlightening few moments on the deck that day. And truthfully, as unique as it was, those were not feelings I want to encounter often. And I feel God wouldn’t want that either.

There are plenty of things to think about in the here and now, with emphasis on the here. And there are plenty of things to enjoy in the here and now — like sitting on my deck in the warmth of summer; like listening to the seemingly endless, joyful chatter of birds; like watching a big fat old bumblebee poking in and out of the hanging plants; and like the company of people who in the here with me.

davejolivet@anchornews.org