05.05.23

82nd annual Catholic Appeal ushered in by the month of May

2023 theme is ‘Do this in memory of Me’

May — The Month of Mary

Photo by Deacon Alan Thadeu

Tenth diocesan Permanent Diaconate class overcomes pandemic; ordination is May 20

By Dave Jolivet Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — A five-year formation process will bear fruit for 15 diocesan men on May 20 when Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. ordains them as Permanent Deacons for the diocese.

The ordination will take place within the context of Holy Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 11 a.m. This will be the tenth graduation class of permanent deacons in diocesan history. There will be limited seats available to the public.

The process began in March of 2018 with an aspirancy phase,

where potential candidates, and their wives, if married, were introduced to a deeper knowledge of theology, spirituality, and the diaconate ministry. They were led to a more attentive discernment of their calling.

Those candidates who continued the formation process attended classes for four years, twice a week. This tenth class had arguably the most difficult formation path because of the COVID pandemic that shook the world in 2020.

Father Robert Oliveira, co-director of the diocesan Office of the Permanent Diaconate told

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FALL RIVER—The 82nd Annual Catholic Appeal of the Diocese of Fall River officially kicked off on Monday, May 1, and runs through June 30. This year’s Appeal theme, “Do This in Memory of Me,” is inspired by the National Eucharistic Revival and calls us to serve our brothers and sisters in their moments of greatest need: to be the hands and feet of Jesus, loving one another as He has loved us.

Since the Catholic Appeal first launched in 1942, annual gifts and pledges have supported all the agencies, programs, and ministries of the diocese, providing food and shelter, educating children and adults, and meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of tens of thousands of individuals and families. The diocese spans from Mansfield, Easton and the Attleboros, through the Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford areas, and extends all the way to Cape Cod and the Islands.

In a message to the faithful of the Diocese of Fall River, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. stated, “The theme of our 82nd Annual Catholic Appeal, ‘Do This in Memory of Me,’ inspires us to keep the sacred mystery of our faith — the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist — at the center of how we live each moment of our lives. We are in the middle of a National Eucharistic Revival: an important opportunity for us to reconnect

with our Savior, with the Church, and with our faith. What better time to rekindle a flame of hope across the Diocese of Fall River, by sharing the gifts our Lord has so lovingly bestowed upon us.

“Our modern world makes it very difficult to pass along the traditions and values we have shared as a Church for 2,000 years; this includes the practice of going to Mass. But it’s precisely because of these secular distractions that we must fight to uphold the teachings of our Catholic faith. Something as simple as gathering around a table and sharing a meal together binds us. This particular meal of the Eucharist, when we gather around the table of the Lord, promotes and brings about our unity in Jesus and with each other.”

The Catholic Appeal supports the work of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River (formerly Catholic Social Services), which serves and ministers to nearly 40,000 individuals throughout the diocese each year. Catholic Charities offers assistance with basic and emergency needs including housing to women, men, children, and families, addiction recovery services, support for persons with disabilities, as well as much-needed sustenance to those suffering from food insecurity.

In the past year, Catholic Chari-

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Taunton parish, older than the diocese, withstood many challenges on the way to its 150th anniversary

By Dave Jolivet Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

TAUNTON — Much has changed at Annunciation of the Lord Parish over the last century-and-a-half, including two pandemics and a merger, and now sharing a weekend Mass schedule with a neighboring town’s parish. One fact that hasn’t changed, however, is the faith and resiliency of the Catholics who have attended holy Mass and other events there since 1873.

On April 22, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.,

along with six current and former priests of Sacred Heart Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and Annunciation of the Lord Parish, celebrated a Mass in thanksgiving for the 150th anniversary.

Following the Mass nearly 200 parishioners gathered for a reception and dinner.

In 1832, St. Mary’s Church was established and fulfilled the need for Taunton Catholics for nearly 50 years. But it was obvious a new parish was needed to adjust for the increasing city population.

In 1873 Sacred Heart Parish was established. Since the Diocese of Fall River was not yet a reality, the church was originally part of the then-Diocese of Boston. In 1874, it became part of the newly founded Diocese of Providence. .

Slightly more than 30 years later, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish became a reality in 1905, a year after Pope Pius X established the Fall River Diocese.

Sacred Heart Parish (1873) and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (1905) both thrived and became entrenched in the lives of Catholics in Taunton for decades, including weathering two global pandemics — in 1918 and 2020.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., along with six current and former priests of Sacred Heart Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and Annunciation of the Lord Parish, celebrated a Mass in thanksgiving for the 150th anniversary of the Taunton parishes. to staffing it.

Both parishes experienced a number of improvements and enhancements to their respective structures, including the construction of sturdy and functional new churches. And both parishes established parish schools — Sacred Heart School, staffed by Sisters of the Holy Union; and Our Lady of Lourdes School, run by the Sisters of Mercy.

The City of Taunton experienced many changes over the years as well. The arrival of several ethnic populations; the rise and fall of many businesses; and the ebb and flow of its population.

Sacred Heart and Our Lady of Lourdes parishes adapted with the times and the changes and remained essential places of worship for countless Taunton area faithful.

Sadly, in 1972, Sacred Heart School had to close its doors when the Holy Union Sisters could no longer remain committed

As is often the case in inner cities across the diocese and the country, changes in demographics and a decreasing priest population made it difficult to sustain some parishes.

On June 21, 2001, the Diocese of Fall River merged Sacred Heart and Our Lady of Lourdes parishes to create a new Annunciation of the Lord Parish.

The three parishes have had many dedicated and faithful priests leading the flocks there. Father David Deston, the current Parochial Administrator, succeeds a plethora priests committed to the parish faithful.

A recent parish history compiled by sacristan Phil Cronan concludes with, “We are a venerable part of the Taunton Catholic community, yet we are forever young as each new generation discovers the love of God revealed in His Divine Son, the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As we look to our future together, we are confident that His love will sustain us.”

FALMOUTH — Team FACE had an amazing experience last year during the Falmouth Road Race Numbers for Non-Profits, raising more than $13,000 for the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE). The team is once again honored to be part of the ASICS 2023 Falmouth Road

FACE to participate in 2023 Falmouth Road Race

Race as part of the Numbers for Non-Profit Program with 10 entries. Last year, hundreds of donors helped raise scholarship aid in support of students to attend a school in the Diocese of Fall River. There are two options to participate and have a Team FACE Entry Number: the In-Person Race Day

on August 20 or the At-Home Edition from August 12 to August 19.

The 2023 Team welcomes Jim Benson, President, Bishop Stang High School, as well as Jim Bouchard, Brian Healy, David Laird, Father Matthew Laird, Noelle Preston, Jane Robin and Dan Roy, Superintendent of Catholic Schools.

† Diocese of fall RiveR † official appointments

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has made the following appointment:

Reverend Paul Bernier, Co-Pastor in Solidum of Our Lady of Grace, Saint George and Saint John the Baptist Parishes in Westport, to Senior Priest of Our Lady of Grace, Saint George and Saint John the Baptist Parishes in Westport.

Reverend Michael A. Ciryak, from Parochial Administrator of Transfiguration of the Lord Parish in North Attleboro, to Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Somerset and Swansea.

Reverend David A. Costa, from Pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Somerset and Swansea, to Pastor of Transfiguration of the Lord Parish in North Attleboro, with residence at Saint Mary rectory in North Attleboro.

Very Reverend David C. Frederici, V.G., from Pastor of Saint Mary Parish in South Dartmouth, to Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption and Pastor of Good Shepherd and Saint Stanislaus Parishes in Fall River, with residence at Saint Mary’s Cathedral rectory in Fall River, while remaining Vicar General of the Diocese of Fall River.

Reverend Daniel M. Nunes, from Parochial Administrator of Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich, to Parochial Administrator of Saint John Neumann Parish in East Freetown.

Reverend William J. O’Donnell III, from Parochial Vicar of Saint Mary Parish in South Dartmouth, to Parochial Administrator of Saint Mary Parish in South Dartmouth.

Reverend Joseph Pasala, from Chaplain at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, to Parochial Administrator of Saint Mary Parish in Norton.

Reverend David A. Pignato, V.P., from Pastor of Saint Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth and Chaplain of Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth, to Pastor of Saint Ann Parish in Raynham, while remaining Vicar for Priests of the Diocese of Fall River.

Very Reverend Timothy P. Reis, V.F., from Pastor of Saint Mary Parish in Norton and Dean of the Attleboro Deanery, to Pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Somerset and Swansea, with residence at Saint Thomas More rectory in Somerset.

Reverend Peter R. Scheffer, Jr., Co-Pastor in Solidum (Moderator) of Our Lady of Grace, Saint George and Saint John the Baptist Parishes in Westport,

Those would like to participate in the 51st Falmouth Road Race for Team FACE should contact FACE, as there are two more entries available.

For more information, please visit www.face-dfr.org or contact team captain, Jane Robin at jrobin@ catholicfoundationsema.org

to Pastor of Our Lady of Grace, Saint George and Saint John the Baptist Parishes in Westport.

Reverend Laurent M. Valliere, from Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville and Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Osterville, and Chaplain of Saint John Paul II High School in Hyannis, to Parochial Administrator of Saint Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth and Chaplain of Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth.

Very Reverend Thomas Washburn, from Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption and Pastor of Good Shepherd and Saint Stanislaus Parishes in Fall River, to Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich.

Effective June 21, 2023

Reverend Kevin A. Cook, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Seekonk while remaining Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk and Director of Vocations of the Diocese of Fall River.

Reverend Gregory K. Quenneville, from Parochial Vicar of Saint Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth, to Parochial Administrator of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in South Attleboro, with residence at Our Lady of Mount Carmel rectory in Seekonk.

Very Reverend John M. Schrader, V.F., from Pastor of Saint John Neumann Parish in East Freetown and Dean of the New Bedford Deanery, to Pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich, while remaining Associate Director of Vocations of the Diocese of Fall River.

Effective June 30, 2023

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has accepted the request to retire of:

Reverend Raymond Cambra, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Seekonk.

Reverend Jon-Paul Gallant, Pastor of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in South Attleboro.

Reverend George E. Harrison, Pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich.

Effective June 30, 2023

The Legion of Mary: A Marian path to holiness and mission

By Rob Grant FALL RIVER

— The Legion of Mary’s founder Frank Duff followed the science of the saints, specifically St. Louis Marie de Montfort, whose handbook Legion of Mary members read weekly at meetings before performing two hours of a Spiritual Work of Mercy. “The Legion of Mary makes saints by the bushels,” Duff once famously said.

On March 26, Father Thomas Steinke I.V.E. presided at The Acies at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Cathedral in Fall River. The Acies is the annual event at which legionaries re-dedicate themselves in the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Father Steinke spoke about the history of the Legion of Mary and then urged attendees to make a Consecration to the Blessed Mother and to promote others to consecrate themselves to Mary as well. Legion of Mary Members normally make their consecration under

the “vexillum” or “banner” of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where she is depicted overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. Before her, they say the words from St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort’s consecration formula: “I am all yours My Queen, my Mother, and all that I have is yours.”

Praying members, referred to as Auxiliaries, some of whom were also in attendance at the Cathedral, approach the vexillum and while holding it address the Blessed Virgin Mary by asking, “Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of all graces, pray for us.”

Father Steinke said that Duff understood the Acies ceremony as “an army set in battle array” while he regarded each praesidium, a group of legionaries who meet at the various parishes in the Diocese of Fall River, as an “outpost garrison.”

Father Steinke said that just as graces are given at the weekly presidium meetings to help active legionaries to carry out

their Spiritual Work of Mercy assignments for the week, the graces given at the annual Acies help them to perform their works throughout the entire year. After the Acies ceremony, there was a collation where Sister Elaine Orlowski of Our Lady Queen of Peace praesidium in Fairhaven — the longest-serving praesidium in the Diocese of Fall River — gave brief remarks describ-

ing how the increase in numbers with the diocese’s newest presidium, Our Lady of Good Counsel at St. Anthony in New Bedford, where Father Steinke serves as parochial vicar, “reminds me of the old days.”

Legionaries expressed their hope that other new praesidiums will be formed in the diocese and that pastors will recognize that Legionaries can serve as

the “hands and feet of the pastor” knocking on doors throughout the parish and carrying out the ever needed work of evangelization and formation.

Rob Grant is Curia President of the Legion of Mary. Contact him at 508-525-6430 for a Tessera prayer leaflet if you interested in becoming an auxiliary or to inquire about becoming an active member.

Members of the diocesan Legion of Mary recently gathered at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River for the annual Acies ceremony, at which Legionaries re-dedicate themselves in the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

WhenI was in the fifth or sixth grade my parents started allowing me to go places unsupervised with friends. We used to go bowling on a rainy Saturday or out for a fish and chip dinner on Friday afternoon. We’d walk, ride our bikes, or a parent would volunteer to drop us off and pick us up from whatever place we were headed. We thought we were pretty cool! One Sunday afternoon, my best friend, Ann, called. She wanted to know if I could go to the movies with her and her older brother. I asked my mother if I could go and without hesitation, she replied, “No.”

A bit of an aside here — my friend, Ann, grew up in a very strict and very Catholic household. Her mother was a history teacher and her father a university mathematics professor. She and her siblings went to Catholic schools. They couldn’t come

Shabbat shalom!

out to play on weekdays, and on weekends there was no playtime for them until they’d practiced their piano lessons and done their chores. The only television programs they were allowed to watch were Walt Disney and Father Fulton Sheen. Now back to my story. When my mother told me in no uncertain terms that I could not go to the movies with my friends on that particular Sunday afternoon, I immediately pushed back. I, of course, argued that Ann’s very strict parents were allowing to her go, so why couldn’t I? I didn’t think that my request was unreasonable — my homework was done and I wasn’t grounded. (I admit that I was grounded from time to time in my youth for minor infractions and transgressions.) My mother’s response to my “why” was

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/cathedral-gala

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

simple and straightforward, “because it’s Sunday.” This was perhaps my first lesson in the importance of keeping the Sabbath. When I look back now, I guess my mother’s insistence that I stay home that Sunday afternoon was in keeping with our family’s tradition. We always had

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Sunday dinner and the menu was always the same — a roast of some sort, oven roasted potatoes, with peas and carrots. The dessert was the only variable on the menu. My mom worked in a bakery as a teen and we were the beneficiaries of her experience. In the summer we’d have strawberry shortcake or a pie made from fresh fruit; in the winter there were delicious cakes or some sort of other decadent dessert. After dinner, we used to go for a ride or visit with relatives. Whatever we did on Sundays, it was as a family.

is by attending Mass. But there are other things we can do to keep the Sabbath. Preparing for Mass by reading the Scripture readings in advance is one way. Really making Sundays a day of rest is yet another way that we can keep the Third Commandment. So often, people see Sundays as a time to catchup on laundry, do the grocery shopping, or do household chores. While I recognize that our time constraints are markedly different from previous generations, here are some ideas to keep Sundays holy. Close the computer and put down the iPad. Spend some time in personal prayer. Listen to some music that inspires you and touches your soul. Spend time with family and friends. Restore or begin the tradition of Sunday dinner and make it a group effort! Did you know that there are cook books specifically dedicated to Sunday suppers? Go outside to enjoy and observe the beauty of

nature and the gifts of God’s creation; we are a short drive from many beautiful beaches and nature preserves. And perhaps, most importantly, remember that God rested on the seventh day, and we should, too. We need time to refresh, relax, and rejuvenate our minds, our bodies, and our spirits. This Sunday, make time to rest in the Lord. Have a peaceful Sabbath, or as our Jewish brothers, and sisters would say, Shabbat shalom! And that, my friends, is the Good News!

Anchor columnist Ada Simpson is former editor of Ministry and Liturgy magazine, holds an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry, and is the director of Music Ministry at St. Francis and St. Dominic parishes in Swansea.

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The first reading of the Easter Vigil is from the beginning of the Book of Genesis. It tells the creation story — how God created the heavens and the earth. The reading concludes, “On the seventh day God was finished with the work He had been doing, He rested on the seventh day from all the work He had undertaken.” The Third Commandment says, “Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day.” But I truly wonder how many of us keep the Sabbath holy anymore. And what does it mean to keep the Sabbath holy, anyway?

The most obvious way we keep the Sabbath holy

GivinG solid hope and help to our youth in despair

On February 13, the Centers for Disease Control published its biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary and Trends Report for 2011-2021 and it showed the truly alarming, and rapidly worsening, situation of the mental and spiritual health of high school students in the United States.

The Report documented that 42 percent of U.S. high school teens in 2021 said they felt persistently sad or hopeless, 22 percent seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous year, 18 percent had come up with a concrete plan on how they would end their life, and ten percent actually tried to carry out that plan (and thankfully failed).

As worrisome as those numbers are, the breakdown between boys and girls was even more distressing. 57 percent of high school girls felt persistently sad or hopeless (compared to 29 percent of boys), 30 percent of girls seriously contemplated suicide in the previous year (14 percent of boys) and 24 percent had a suicide plan (12 percent for boys).

And the rapid increase in persistent sadness and suicidal ideation among teenage girls is likewise startling: since 2011, persistent sadness and hopelessness had grown from 36 to 57 percent, suicidal thoughts from 19 to 30, and suicide plans from 15 to 24, a 60 percent increase in each category in a decade. (Over the same span, chronic sadness among high school boys had grown from 21 to 29 percent, suicidal thoughts from 13-14, and suicidal plans from 11-12).

Much of the media commentary on the numbers in the CDC’s Report focused on what had changed for girls since 2011 that would lead to such harrowing trends. Most of the attention focused on the rise of social media and its impact on the psychological health of girls, particularly the “compare and despair” that takes place as girls, working themselves through the bodily changes of pubescence, see images of their peers, celebrities and others and find themselves wanting in contrast. The advent of social media is likewise correlated to an explosion of teen girls beginning to self-identify as boys trapped in girls’ bodies, which far outpaces girls and women in other age groups experiencing similar gender confusion or teen boys self-identifying as girls. The Report demonstrates why honest and fearless research into the causes of the rapidly burgeoning mental health crisis among girls must accelerate.

But the larger picture must similarly be addressed: the staggering number of young people — 42 percent — who say they are persistently hopeless and unhappy and the 22 percent who have seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months. Forty percent of high school students said that they felt so sad or hopeless that they could not engage in regular activities for at least two weeks during the previous year. This is a crisis that cannot be addressed adequately by anti-anxiety medications. Something far bigger is going on.

The CDC looked at some factors that might be contributing causes to the crisis, but noted that, over the course of the last decade, bullying, drug use, promiscuity and sexual violence all decreased or stayed about the same. It likewise looked into students’ sense of connectedness in school, their housing situation, and communication with their family, but none of these situations correlated to the swiftly growing problem.

It’s obvious that there is a crisis of hope underneath the persistent sadness and the consideration of ending one’s life. This is linked to a crisis of meaning, of the “why” of living, of what gives motivation to be able to change one’s own circumstances for the better, not to mention change one’s environment and the world.

This crisis of hope is linked to a crisis of faith. Gen Z, those born between 1999 and 2015, are experiencing a rapid decline of faith in God. Since 2010, religious practice among high schoolers has dropped 27 percent. Thirteen percent now define as atheist, 16 percent as agnostic.

In his 2008 encyclical of Christian hope, Spe Salvi, Pope Benedict described hopelessness as St. Paul once did to the Christians in Ephesus, connecting those

living “without hope” to those living “without God in the world” (Eph 2:12). Hope comes from recognizing, Pope Benedict said, that God is with us in the world, bringing good out of evil, bringing justice to victims, helping us find eternal meaning even in the most ordinary activities. The failure to transmit the faith effectively to younger generations, and the rise of secularism with its practical atheism spurring people to live as if God doesn’t exist, is doubtless abetting the crisis of our young.

Similarly, the multi-pronged crisis of the family has to be a contributing cause. The trauma of divorce, the absence of father figures, the loneliness that comes from fewer brothers and sisters leading the young to try to earn friends outside the home, the competition for love and attention against parents’ new boyfriends or girlfriends can all create a crisis in the sense of feeling genuinely and stably loved. Being unconditionally and firmly loved is the real source of joy, of what can provide hope in the midst of setbacks and contradictions.

Young persons’ perceptions of that love cannot be taken for granted, especially when they are struggling in authentic self-love while experiencing rapid changes within and around them. As John Paul II once famously said, “Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it” (Redemptor Hominis 10). The cultural drugs of consumerist materialism and hedonism can distract us from this fundamental human need for a while, but not forever. Our young people’s sadness, hopelessness and suicidal thoughts are a desperate cry for this attentive love in the midst of their existential and ever-urgent questions.

There is also a need to train the young in how to deal well with the inevitable suffering life brings. We can often try to insulate children from suffering, surrounding them with material comforts, keeping them away from the bedsides and funerals of relatives, fighting doggedly to defend them against teachers’ just feedback or coaches’ decisions to discipline them or keep them on the bench. The motivations here are normally fine, but the unintended side-effects can be that today’s young people have not received what previous generations have, those who have lived through depressions and recessions, world wars and cold wars, and survived chronic situations of want. Many of the young today have not attended such a boot camp of life or school of suffering and when the emotional and spiritual pains come, they are often ill-equipped. Many can’t draw on the experience of perseverance through pain and of the relief that comes.

Culturally, rather than assisting them to grow in this wisdom, many in our culture are causing confusion. Those promoting the right to suicide — indeed, glorifying it as a dignified, noble choice in response to suffering — are doing incalculable harm. Either suicide is an evil, a cry for help and loving compassion, an issue of mental health and effective pain management, a tragedy we’re trying to prevent, or it is good for individuals in any type of pain, a good for their families and friends to be unburdened of care-giving, a good for the society, saved of the costs of their health care and the infection of their depression. The right to die movement is proclaiming that life, sometimes, is just not worth living, and how can those well-funded messages catering to our sense of individualism, autonomy, and a fear of being dependent, not have an impact on our youth? Out of love for our youth and anyone else tempted toward suicide, we must vigorously and perseveringly oppose this cultural poison.

As we continue to digest the CDC Report, search for the causes of the unsettling trends, and try to find appropriate remedies, it’s a time for all of us to check in on the young people in our life, especially girls, to ask how they’re doing, to talk to them about the pressures they’re under, to ask about how their friends are doing, and to start communicating to them, more intentionally and explicitly, the reasons for hope we have within us (1 Pet 3:15).

2023 Permanent Diaconate Class

James “Gus” Adams is a parishioner St. Joseph Guardian of the Holy Family Parish in Falmouth. He is married to Lisa (Crago) Adams and they have 2 daughters and 1 son, where they reside in Falmouth.

Adams works at St. John Paul ll School (Theology Teacher/ Campus Minister). When asked what ordination means to him, he answered, “Ordination will allow me to serve the people of our parish and be a bridge between the clergy and parishioners in the pews.”

Jeremias Carranza is a parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe St. James in New Bedford along with his wife Hisella Claribel (Guerra) Carranza and their 3 daughters and 1 son. They reside in New Bedford. He works for Atkore International System. To him, ordination means, “A commitment to God to serve my brothers.”

Richard Fish, a parishioner of Christ the King Parish, is married to Laureen Nicole (Ercha) Fish. They have 2 daughters and 1 son and they reside in Sandwich.

Fish works for St. John Paul ll School (Director of Performing Arts). “Ordination is dear to me

because it means that I give my life completely to Christ in service to His Church,” he said.

David “Dave” Gaspar is a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi in Swansea. He is married to Allison (Mello) Gaspar, and they have 2 daughters and 1 son, and they reside in Swansea. He works for Global Medical Device Quality Management. Ordination to him means, “Ordination is a grace, a gift from God. I joyfully look forward to making the difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters by sharing my faith, gifts, and talents through diaconal service. Sacred Scripture reminds us that Christ doesn’t ask for excuses; He asks for workers, generosity, and goodwill. Our Lord will take care of the rest since He doesn’t call the prepared; He prepares the called.”

Tyrone Gonsalves, a parishioner of Corpus Christi in East Sandwich is married to Suzanne (George) Gonsalves. They have 1 daughter and reside in Plymouth; He works for Falmouth Public School (School Psychologist).

“Ordination means serving the people of God wherever they may be in a manner that communicates the Gospel,” he shared.

Leonard Guyette is a parishioner of Corpus Christi, East Sandwich. He is married to Lynette (Bazzinotti) Guyette and they reside in East Sandwich. He is employed by the Commonwealth

of Massachusetts (Social Worker).

Guyette said “Being ordered by Christ through His Church to serve His People.”

Philip Koch, a parishioner of St. Joan of Arc in Orleans, is married to Susan (Rosengren) Koch. They have 3 daughters and reside in Eastham. He is retired. Ordination to him means, “It brings me to a new, closer relationship with Christ which involves a re-ordering of how I will serve Him in family, Church and the world, about which I am so excited.”

David Laird is a parishioner of Christ the King in Mashpee. He is married to Kathleen (Lipp) Laird and they have 2 daughters and 1 son. They reside in Sandwich, and he works for Emcore Corporation (Senior Program Manager).

“While there is indeed a lot of work involved over the course of five years, at the end of the day, Ordination is never earned, it is a blessing and a gift from God,” he said.

Thomas Martin, a parishioner of Corpus Christi in East Sandwich, is married to Daneane (Carothers) Martin. They have 2 sons and reside in Sandwich. He works as a Corporate Pilot. “Ordination is an

exciting time but only the beginning,” he said. “The next few years will be tough balancing work, family, and ministry but it is my hope that in a few years I will be able to retire from my regular job and dedicate myself to ministry full time, working and helping wherever the Church needs me. I do not know how I would have made it through the last four years of classes without the grace of our Lord and the support and prayers of not only my wife but all of those in the Church who have been praying for us the last few years.”

Joseph Martino is a parishioner of St. John Neumann, East Freetown. He is married to Anne (Kristiansen) Martino and they have 1 daughter. They reside in Lakeville. He works at St. Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth (Youth Minister). To him, “Being ordained a Deacon is a special blessing, not just for me but for all the incredible people in my life who carried me along the way.”

Americo Miranda, a parishioner of Our Lady of Grace in Westport, is married to Tina Marie (Vascon-

James Adams

Jeremias Carranza

Richard Fish

David Gaspar

Tyrone Gonsalves

Leonard Guyette

Philip Koch

David Laird

Joseph Martino

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Thomas Martin

Americo Miranda

82nd diocesan Catholic Appeal begins

continued from page one

ties also launched a new Mental Health Ministry, which is spearheading the development and implementation of Mental Health Ministry teams at parishes throughout the diocese to provide support and accompaniment for parishioners and their families.

The new ministry provides triage, assessment and short-term care/counseling for those dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and other life challenges. It also offers education, awareness, and companionship for those affected by mental health issues and their loved ones. Referrals can come from pastors or any individuals interested in services for themselves or others.

“Thousands in our midst are crying out for healing, for caring, for assurance and hope,” said Bishop da Cunha. “As a diocese, we are working to meet a need that has become quite literally, mission critical — reminding those struggling they are never alone. Our donations to the Appeal truly save lives.”

The Catholic Appeal also funds the work of our hospital chaplains and care

for residents of our diocesan nursing homes, the weekly Television Mass, support for our retired priests and our seminarians, programs for youth and families, the Office of Family and Respect Life, scholarship aid and tuition abatement for our Catholic schools, and much more.

The 2022 Catholic Appeal raised $4.3 million through the generosity of 16,000 donors to sustain these important programs and ministries. This year’s Catholic Appeal goal is $4.6 million to ensure the diocese can continue its mission of bringing the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy to life.

Continuing as an added incentive this year, half of every dollar raised over a parish’s fundraising goal will be returned to the parish for its use. Last year, 27 parishes — the largest number since the incentive program began in 2020 — qualified for and received an incentive reward.

Additional information on this year’s Catholic Appeal is available on its website: www. catholicfoundationsema. org/catholic-appeal-2023.

The website includes a video message featuring Bishop da Cunha, a series of short “Ministry Moment” videos focusing on specific areas supported by gifts to the Appeal, and a summary of how the funds raised through the 2022 Catholic Appeal were distributed across the various ministries and programs it supports.

Contributions to the Appeal may be made either through a one-time donation or through monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual pledges. There are many ways to make your gift or pledge:

— 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 Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720;

— Give or pledge online at www.GiveFRDiocese. org;

— Drop off your contribution at any parish in the diocese;

— Call the Catholic Appeal office at 508-6751311 to make your gift, setup a pledge, or to ask any questions.

‘Do this in memory of Me’

Cape Cod Catholic schools announce new leadership for 2023-24

BARNSTABLE — Phillip J. VanDenBrink has been selected to become the next President of St. John Paul II School located in Hyannis. VanDenBrink comes to JPII from Wasatch Academy in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, where he currently holds multiple roles as the Associate Director of Admissions, the Director of University Foundations, and a teacher. Prior to Wasatch, VanDenBrink was Principal at Great Falls Central Catholic High School in Great Falls, Mont.

In addition, he has served in leadership positions at Leysin American School in Switzerland and at Beijing National Day School

in China. Throughout his 19 years of experience in education, VanDenBrink has worked to create new programs, develop new partnerships to enhance education, and increase enrollment to ensure the overall health and quality of programs while focusing on the student experience as the center of programmatic initiatives.

VanDenBrink received his undergraduate degree in International Business and German, with a minor in French, from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich. He holds master’s degrees in education and educational leadership from Middlebury College and the University of Cincinnati, respec-

tively. In 2016, VanDenBrink earned a certificate in catechesis from the University of Dayton. A Michigan native, he is excited to enter into the next chapter of his career at St. John Paul II, where he can focus his energy on leading the school toward a bright future.

“From the moment I heard about St. John Paul II School, I could feel that the community ‘communicates Christ in word and deed,’” commented VanDenBrink. “The excitement of the students and other community members inspires me to lead the school in its next phase of development with ‘care and concern’ of the student at the center of our mission.”

Father John Kelleher, pastor of St. Pius X Parish is also pleased to announce that Jeffrey Kent has been named the next Principal of St. Pius X School in Yarmouth. Kent comes to St. Pius X School with 14 years of experience working in various capacities in Catholic schools, including the last seven as Principal and Assistant Principal at Catholic schools in Florida and Texas. Kent graduated summa cum laude from Concordia University-Portland, where he earned a Masters in Educational Leadership and he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Richmond.

Kent currently serves more than 370 students in PreK to eighth grade as the Assistant Principal of St. Theresa Catholic School in Austin, Texas. His areas of oversight include student discipline, academic support services, enrichment activities, and schoolwide testing and assessment. Previously, Kent was the Principal at St. Patrick Catholic School in Jacksonville, Fla., where he managed a $2.1 million budget and oversaw a team of 40-plus faculty and staff. He served on The Council of Catholic Academies Board, a committee focused on diocesan-level marketing initiatives which led St. Patrick Catholic School to be named among the “Top 3 Private

Schools” and the “Top 3 Places to Work” in Jacksonville’s Bold City Best Contest. Kent also served as Assistant Principal at St. Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School in Clearwater, Fla., which was recognized as a two-time National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (with standardized test scores in top 15 percent nationally). In each Catholic administrative role, Kent has led professional development opportunities in areas such as school-wide culture, classroom management, curriculum and assessment, and technology integration.

Kent is a native New Englander with strong ties to Cape Cod; thus, he is very excited to return “home” and to join the St. Pius X Parish, in addition to leading the school. He impressed the search committee with his qualifications, faith, thoughtfulness, enthusiasm for Catholic education, and his insightful and energetic approach to all topics of discussion.

“I look forward to returning to Massachusetts to lead St. Pius X School and am grateful and humbled to serve as its next Principal, Kent said. “I value how thoughtful and intentional the search committee was from start to finish. I intend to lead by focusing on people, process, and product and will use a collaborative and servant leadership approach in which our faculty and staff are invested in a philosophy of caring, challenging, and communicating to enable our students to be the best version of themselves and of Christ.”

“We are thrilled that Mr. Kent will be joining us to build upon the excellence of St. Pius X School,” said Father John Kelleher, Pastor of St. Pius X Parish and School. “We are very proud of the outstanding academic achievements of our students to-date and Mr. Kent has impressed me as a leader who has the academic qualifications, management experience, and interpersonal skills to take St. Pius X School to even greater success.”

Tenth diocesan Permanent Deacon class to be ordained May 20 continued from page one

The Anchor, “Fifteen men began what seemed to them at the time a long and seemingly impossible journey, the road to permanent diaconate. How could they possibly fulfill all the expectations and requirements of a fiveyear process of formation? Balancing family life, work obligations and now evening classes, workshops, interviews, assessments, evaluations, ministerial service projects and the added challenge of confronting a worldwide pandemic, climbing the mountain of diaconate service seemed just impossible!

“But these faithful men have climbed the mountain. Soon as permanent deacons they will be asked to return to the valley of service and face new demands as ordained ministers of word, liturgy and charity. Not even COVID could dispirit them. Thanks to dedicated resource persons who shared their theological, spiritual and personal insights, and yes, even thanks to Zoom,

these men grew not only in theological knowledge but in wisdom of heart and love of the Lord and of love and respect for each other. Their journey was more than an individual effort but was an adventure of companionship. Open to God’s spirit, living a faithfilled friendship with the Lord, they listened and have boldly said: “I will follow You Lord!” They listened and discerned by being there for each other. They listened and discerned, through the support of spouse and family. They listened and discerned by hearing the voices of those they served who reaffirmed the gifts and treasures they saw in them.”

“We were fortunate that when the pandemic struck, we already had the technology to broadcast online since we recorded all sessions and post them on our website for class review and so that others can take the classes for CEU credit as ongoing formation,” added co-director Deacon Frank Lucca.

Lucca also told The Anchor that he was saddened that the men didn’t have as much personal interaction as prior classes, but they still managed to form and maintain a strong bond and brotherhood.

Areas of diaconal ministry are:

— Ministry of the Word, including teaching religious education for adults and youth; proclaiming the Gospel during Mass; delivering homilies; leading baptismal instructions for parents.

— Ministry of Sacrament, including serving as deacon at the Eucharistic Liturgy, distributing Holy Communion at Mass and to the sick and homebound; celebrating Baptisms outside the Mass; leading funeral prayer services at the funeral home or cemetery; and serving as minister of Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

— Ministry of charity and justice, among which are visiting the hospitalized, persons with disabilities, incarcerated indi-

viduals, the elderly; and assisting in a number of Catholic social efforts.

“Their formation hasn’t ended,” said Father Oliveira. “The challenges they will face are many but as servants of word, liturgy and charity they

will reecho the words of St. Peter ‘You know Lord that I love You’ and with a rich faith the sheep will be fed.”

Brief biographies and photos of the diaconate class of 2023 begins on page eight.

Ninth-graders at Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich are pictured praying over Easter breads. They delivered them to parishioners who lost a loved one from last Easter season to this one. Approximately 37 families were visited with these Portuguese sweet breads delivered by students and their families. Some of those visited expressed how special it was to be remembered at such a hard time of year. The ninth-graders deliver them every year on Good Friday morning.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel

Sunday, May 7, at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in New Bedford ***

Sunday, May 14 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Providence ***

Sunday, May 21 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from St. Anthony Church in Taunton ***

Sunday, May 28 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Immaculate Conception Church in New Bedford

Cape student takes third in national math competition

BARNSTABLE — The Catholic Schools Academic Decathlon was founded in September of 1989 by Dr. Mark Ryan, who was then a junior high teacher at St. Aloysius School in south-central Los Angeles. What began as a tiny competition involving a handful of schools from the greater Los Angeles area has grown to become a nationwide event involving Catholic junior high students from across the United States.

The decathlon take place in two phases: the first in an independent league with schools too far apart from each other to compete in person within an archdiocese. In that league, St. John Paul II School Preparatory Division in Hyannis had four students place in the top 10:

• Ben Koslowsky, 6th

Season 3 of ‘The Chosen’ begins May 7 in Dighton parish

NORTH DIGHTON —

Season 3 of “The Chosen” will begin airing May 7 at 6 p.m. at St. Nicholas of Myra Parish Hall, 499 Spring Street In North Dighton.

All are welcome to come to this free showing of Episodes One and Two. May 21 will continue with Episodes 3 and 4 at 6 p.m., and on June 4, Episodes 5 and 6, concluding with Episodes 7 and 8 on June 11.

Contact Nancy at 774 218-1456 or Lloyd at 508 243-7519 for information.

grade, in 6th place for Current Events;

• Michael Maynard, 8th grade, in 7th place for English;

• Jamison Ballou, 8th grade, in 1st place for Literature;

• Zoe Guo, 8th grade, in 1st place for Math.

Due to the fact that Jamison and Zoe each achieved first place in their respective course, they were invited to advance and participate in the national competition against all other competing dioceses. Zoe was one of only two students outside of the

California dioceses to place in the nationals, winning third place in math.

“Our Preparatory Division has a long history of strong academics infused with the teachings of Jesus Christ,” said Elizabeth Kelley, principal of St. John Paul II School Preparatory Division. “There is no doubt our students are fully prepared for the rigors of a Catholic high school academic program. Zoe and her classmates are wonderful examples of how JPII prepares the whole child, mind, body and soul.”

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass

on WLNE Channel 6

Sunday, May 7 at 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, May 14 at 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, May 21 at 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, May 28 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant

Celebrant is Thomas C. Lopes, a retired priest of the Diocese of Fall River

is Father Michael Racine, Pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish and Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in New Bedford, Parochial Administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Bedford

Celebrant is Father Edward A. Murphy, Pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Taunton

Celebrant is Father Thomas Washburn, Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River

‘God Loves the Autistic Mind’: a timely guide for Autism awareness

By Aileen Maroney

In light of Autism awareness, Father Matthew P. Schneider’s “God Loves the Autistic Mind” published by Pauline Press (Boston) is a timely and insightful guide to prayer for those on the autism spectrum and their loved ones.

“The goal of this book is to help my fellow autistic Christians and their families pray better,” Schneider wrote in his introduction.

As an autistic priest with the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi and as a theology instructor at Belmont Abbey College, Schneider provides a firsthand account in prayer as an autistic.

“Prayer is always an adventure,” he wrote. “Autistic prayer is no different: it’s just a different type of adventure. It’s as if everyone else is watching “Star Wars,” while we’re watching “Star Trek.” Both are space adventures with interstellar travel, warp speed, and laser weapons, but the rules for how things work are a little different. Each person must go on his or her own adventure seeking out God in prayer. This book provides something of a road map or interstellar guide for the autistic seeking Jesus, but it cannot replace your own effort.”

Seven years ago, after serving his first year of ministry as a school chaplain and failing to read emotions on students’ faces, Schneider was diagnosed with autism. In his book, Schneider reflected on his childhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and characteristics he possessed that fell within the realm of Autism Spectrum Disorder. He detested certain textures such as the plasticky texture of kale. He was sensitive to sound, seeking moderation and sensitive to light, seeking

well-lit rooms. He possessed keen abilities akin to autistics — long-term memory of facts, pattern recognition and concentration.

“My long-term memory is so good that my nickname in seminary is Schneider-pedia, or they would joke that Wikipedia checks with me first,” he reflects. “I can honestly say that even though I finished formal study of philosophy 15 years ago, I could still probably pass the exams — it took me a while to even realize that was unusual. I just thought people remembered.”

In 2015, Schneider completed more than 12 hours of extensive testing that resulted in a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, a diagnosis that would have been Asperger’s Syndrome in prior diagnostic manuals.

“When occasionally I would hear brief descriptions of Asperger’s in the media, I thought it a slight personality trait, not a radically different way to see the world,” Schneider wrote. “A few times I’d thought ‘Oh maybe, I’m like that.’”

Schneider’s “God Loves the Autistic Mind” is divided into two parts: prayer and meditation. In the prayer section, Schneider discusses types of prayer: vocal prayer, stimming and prayer, location or objects in prayer and mental prayer.

“I want to present a way for those of us on the spectrum to learn to pray, and to pray about the things we deal with. I don’t think the method needs to be radically different for that of traditional prayer guides, but it needs some adaptation to be applicable to our neurology,” he wrote.

Schneider defines stim-

ming as behavior consisting of repetitive movements, actions, words, sounds, etc. that autistics often use for various ends like sensory or emotional regulation. Examples of stimming include rocking in a chair, pacing, flapping or spinning a fidget spinner.

“I think we can integrate stimming and praying. God gave us our neurology with the need to stim, but

the names of Jesus or Mary.

“Such quick prayers can be said repeatedly and keep uniting us to Our Lord and Savior,” he wrote. This kind of verbal stim praying will not work for all autistics, but I think it works for enough to be mentioned here.”

Schneider emphasized the importance of objects and location in prayer such as a prayer corner, a pilgrimage, a Rosary or image.

“I think that being autistic makes us more sensitive to places we pray in,” he wrote. “We may not be able to go on an international pilgrimage due to sensory issues, but often I think local sights like a grotto to Mary in the woods help autistic prayer immensely. When the place is more localized, we can often get attached to it.”

mental prayer can involve immersing oneself in a Bible scene or imagining a moment like the earth’s creation.

“Many autistics have great imaginations and very keen senses, so we can bring these to life beyond words,” he wrote. “I have extreme visualizations of many different Bible passages and Christian truths that are far beyond words.”

He also allows that same stimming to help us come to Him,” he wrote.

Schneider noted that many autistics find repetition and continuity satisfying and advises utilizing repetitive prayers. Schneider added that his own five-minute morning prayer has remained for the most part the same for over 20 years.

“If repeating a certain prayer helps unite me with God in mind and heart, it is a good prayer,” he wrote. “The fact that simultaneously the repetition and familiarity calm my neurology is a bonus.”

He explained that repetitive prayers can be short such as repeating “My Jesus, mercy” or simply reciting

Schneider concluded his prayer section with the concept of mental prayer providing a sixstep process to deeper prayer. He defines the deepest level of prayer as a personal encounter with God in the depths of the soul and comments on finding God through prayer in many different ways from nature to wordless prayer.

“I don’t know if telepathic communication exists between humans, but I know it exists between God and man,” he wrote. “As God can read my mind, my prayer can stay in wordless concepts and images without ever having to worry about speaking and listening, as we communicate both ways in pure thought. The thoughts I have in prayer and the thoughts God transfers to me are often difficult to put in words.”

Schneider added that

The second section of Schneider’s book is titled “52 meditations for autistics and those who love us.” Each meditation is composed of a story, a Bible passage, a reflection and a short prayer. Many of the stories derive from Schneider’s personal life. There are also stories from others including autistic Christians and historical Christians who may have been autistic. The meditations touch on many topics. In the “God’s Peace Overpowers” meditation, Schneider wrote on how autistics can often feel stressed by issues everyone else considers normal and through Jesus’ presence, spiritual lives can lessen anxiety. In “Mary, my mother” he wrote of seeing the humanity of Jesus through Mary. “Thanking God for Autism” contains gratitude for a neurology that gives many blessings.

“I don’t think this book will answer every question or deal with every diversity on the spectrum, but I hope it can help us to pray and help others to pray for us,” writes Schneider.

For more information on “God Loves the Autistic Mind: a prayer guide for those on the spectrum and those who love us,” please visit https://paulinestore. com/god-loves-the-autisticmind-qs1007924-200223. html

Daily Readings † May 6 - June 2

Sat. May 6 , Acts 13:44-52; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 14:7-14. Sun. May 7 Fifth Sunday of Easter, Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2,4-5,18-19; 1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12. Mon. May 8 : Acts 14:5-18; Ps 115:1-4,15-16; Jn 14:21-26. Tues. May 9 : Acts 14:19-28; Ps 145:10-13ab,21; Jn 14:27-31a. Wed. May 10 :Acts 15:1-6;

In Your Prayers

May 6

Rev. Thomas P. Elliott, Founder, St. Mary, Mansfield, 1905

Rev. Asdrubal Castelo Branco, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception, New Bedford, 1980

Rev. Ernest E. Blais, Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1994

Rev. John P. Driscoll, Retired, Catholic Memorial Home, Co-Founder of The Anchor, Former Pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr and St. Francis of Assisi Parishes, New Bedford, 2019

May 7

Rev. Raymond P. Levell, S.J., Professor, Spring Hill College, Mobile, Ala., 1958

Rev. Alphonsus M. Sutton, F.I., 2011

May 9

Rev. J.E. Theodule Giguere, Pastor, St. Anne, New Bedford, 1940

Rev. John P. Clarke, Pastor, St. Mary, Hebronville, 1941

Rev. Lawrence Craig, SS.CC., 2007

Permanent Deacon Marcel G. Morency, 2016

May 12

Rev. John F. deValles, DSC, US Army Chaplain, 1920

Rev. Herve Jalbert, Retired Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1986

May 13

Rev. Msgr. Osias Boucher, USA Retired, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1955

May 14

Rev. Robert E. McDonnell, C.S.C., 2006

May 15

Rev. Eugene Robitaille, SS.CC., 1988

May 16

Rev. William McDonald, SS., St. Patrick, Falmouth, 1941

Rev. Msgr. J. Joseph Sullivan, P.R., Pastor, Sacred Heart, 1960

May 17

Most Rev. James E. Cassidy, D.D., Third Bishop of Fall River, 1934-51, 1951

Rev. Albert Evans, SS.CC., 2003

Rev. Ambrose Lamarre, O.P., 1940

May 19

Rev. Thomas Trainor, Pastor, St. Louis, Fall River, 1941

Rev. Arthur C. Levesque, Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima, New Bedford, 1988

Rev. Thaddeus T. Swertz, C.S.C., 2006

coming weeks:

Rev. Richard Czerwien, SS.CC., 2007

May 20

Rev. Antonio L. daSilva, Pastor, Our Lady of Health, Fall River, 1952

May 22

Rev. Daniel L. Freitas, Retired, Former Pastor, St. John of God, Somerset, 2012

May 23

Rev. William F. Donahue, Assistant, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1944

Rev. Alfred J. Guenette, A.A., 1995

May 24

Rev. James F. Clark, Founder, St. James, New Bedford, 1907

Rev. Patrick Heran, SS.CC., Former Rector, Sacred Hearts Seminary, Fairhaven, 1985

Rev. Msgr. John J. Regan, Retired, Former Pastor, St. Patrick, Falmouth, 2015

May 25

Rev. Michael P. Kirby, Former Assistant St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1925

Rev. James V. Mendes, Pastor, Our Lady of Angels, Fall River, 1961

May 26

Chorbishop Norman J. Ferris, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony of the Desert, Fall River, 2006

Rev. Thomas F. Murray, Assistant, St. Patrick, Falmouth and St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 2012

May 28

Rev. Lionel A. Bourque, Former Chaplain, Cardinal Cushing Hospital, Brockton, 1982

Rev. Kenneth J. Delano, Former Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, New Bedford, and Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 2017

May 30

Rev. Jordan Harpin, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1929

Rev. Edmond J. Potvin, Pastor, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1937

Rev. James M. Quinn, Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro, 1950

Rev. Robert T. Canuel, Assistant, St. Anne, Fall River, 1993

May 31

Rev. Vincent A. Wolski, OFM Conv., Pastor, Holy Cross, Fall River, 1964

June 1

Rev. James A. Ward, Former Pastor St. Peter, Provincetown, 1911

Permanent Deacon Gregory Beckel, 2018

Please pray for these priests and deacons during the

Sister Roberta (Lois) O’Connell FCJ

FALL RIVER — Sister Roberta O’Connell FCJ passed away on March 31 at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, after a brief illness.

The daughter of Charles and Doris O’Connell, Sister Roberta was born in Providence, R.I. on April 30, 1943. In addition to her Faithful Companions of Jesus Sisters internationally, she is survived by her brother Robert and his wife Marilyn; her nephew Andrew and his wife Nicole; and her well-loved grand-nephews and nieces James, Abbie, Hunter, Anne, and Drew.

After attending local elementary and high schools in Providence, the future Sister Roberta decided to enter with the FCJ sisters. She traveled to Calgary, Canada,

FALL RIVER — Maria

Da Conceicão Brilhante, of Fall River, passed away on April 2 at the age of 79. She was the spouse of the late Adelino Medeiros Brilhante, and born in Ponta Graça, São Miguel, Açores. She was the daughter of the late Antonio Da Costa Crancha and Maria Piexão Soares. Prior to retirement, Maria worked

for her formation for life as an FCJ. After that she was sent to Manchester, England, for three years of study at FCJ Sedgley Teacher Training College.

She returned to the U.S. and began what would be 14 years of teaching in junior high and high schools in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. From 19801981 she was missioned to Toronto, Canada, as a teacher of Religion and English. Then she returned to the U.S. and taught Religion at Bishop Connolly (Jesuit) High School in Fall River, for one year.

She served briefly as Religious Education Coordinator at Blessed Sacrament

as a garment inspector for many years at Santoro Manufacturing on Davol Street in Fall River. She was a devoted member of the Holy Rosary Sodality at St. Michael’s Church and had been a longtime parishioner.

Parish in Providence, R.I. — the parish where she grew up. For some years Sister Roberta served as chaplain to the Girl Scouts of the Fall River area. She was hired as a hospital chaplain in St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford. Her ministry at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River began in 2005. She soon became Director of Pastoral Care.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on April 5 at St. Louis de France Catholic Church in Swansea.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Louis de France Parish, 56 Buffington Street, Swansea, Mass., 02777, Blessed Sacrament Parish, 239 Regent Avenue, Providence, R.I., 02908, or the Pastoral Care Department of Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River.

NEW BEDFORD —

Father Samuel Gomes, a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, passed away on April 14 at the age of 53. He was the son of António Gomes and Rosa

Lima Gomes was born on Dec. 30, 1969, on Ilha Brava, Cape Verde.

He professed in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin on Sept. 8, 1991, and was ordained a priest on Oct. 1, 1998 by the hands of Dom Paulino Livramento Évora. He was Custodian of the Order for more than three years.

Father Samuel worked as a parish priest in the parishes of São Nicolau for several years in the promo-

Marian Brilhante, mother of Father Jason Brilhante along with the late Antonio Da Costa, Neonel Da Costa Crancha and Eduardo Da Costa; grandchildren Alexander Echevarria, Destinie Brilhante, Rayra Coelho and Isabel Brilhante; as well as

She is survived by her children Louis Brilhante and his wife Elisa of Saunderstown, R.I.; Connie Rybacki

and her husband Eric of Newport, R.I., Ana Brilhante of Fall River; Paul Brilhante of Fall River; and Father Jason Brilhante of Fall River; siblings Angelina Frais and Helena Furtado, both of Fall River,

tion of the poorest. He also worked in the parish of São Lourenço, Fogo,. In 2016, Friar Samuel, imbued with a missionary spirit, offered to start the Capuchino mission in São Tomé and Príncipe, remaining there, however, for just over a year for health reasons.

In 2018 Father Samuel was assigned to the Boston Mission with the community of Cape Verde.

Father Samuel left behind his mother, Rosa Lima Gomes, siblings: Leopoldina, Eugénia, Henrique, Matilde, Davide, his twin brother, Maria, Manuel, Rosa, Eduarda and Capuchino confreres. His funeral Mass was celebrated on April 21 at St. Peter’s Church, in Dorchester. Burial followed in New Bedford.

many nieces, nephews and other family members. A Mass of Christian Burial took place on April 11 at St. Michael’s Church in Fall River. Interment was at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

Father Samuel Gomes

A sap falling from a maple

we are already in the first week of May. May conjures up many memories; the supposed warm up from a nasty April, my sinuses feeling like a volcano set to blow, and trees filled with vibrant green leaves.

Picking up on the leaf theme, it’s at this time of year I think of “my tree,” a big old maple tree in my mémère’s and pépère’s yard. As many of you know, it’s from that tree I fell and mangled my left arm when I was 11 years old. Despite that, I still loved my tree, may it rest in pieces now.

I never shared the full story. I can remember the day this sap fell from the maple as if it were yesterday. It was a warm spring Saturday,

in mid air (about a 10-foot drop to the lawn below) and then landing face down with a thud. Not feeling any pain, and more than a wee bit embarrassed I got up and immediately saw my left arm in a shape it should not have been. I let out a blood-curdling scream that echoed through the neighborhood.

My dad was sleeping, having worked third shift the night before. But his fatherly instincts awoke him and he knew exactly who it was.

My brother cradled my road map of an arm and led me home, and I remember asking him if my arm was going to stay like that.

He assured me it wouldn’t. Larry rushed me to St. Anne’s Hospital, which would become my home for the next five days. I had completely broken the radius and ulna between the wrist and elbow. The only good thing was that it didn’t break the skin.

2023 diocesan Permanent Diaconate class continued from page eight

cellos) Miranda and they have 2 daughters. They reside in Fall River. He works at Espirito Santo School, Fall River (Vice Principal/Teacher). “To be able to serve God and His people with the joy of the Gospel,” he shared.

When asked what ordination means to him, he replied, “Ordination will give me the opportunity to be a servant in the Church, I feel Ordination is a relationship with God and people.”

and my brother and I headed outside early after wolfing down either cereal or a fried egg. That I can’t remember.

We made the long trek across the street to mem’s and pep’s yard and met up with cousins and friends for a long day of just doing things.

My best friend was already outside, leaping off the fence that separated his yard from our playground. The tree was just kissing that fence, making it the perfect launch point to hurl ourselves onto the branches and just hang with the leaves.

There was a day earlier when my pal had fallen and he ran around the yard screaming, “I broke my back, I broke my back.” He was fine. I still chuckle today at that comical scene.

It was my turn to climb the fence and soar a few feet out to the limb that ran parallel to the fence. I had done it many times. This time was different. The launch was perfect, but somehow my grip wasn’t and my fingers couldn’t bear the strain and slipped off the limb.

I remember doing a somersault

I vividly recall receiving pain killing needles in my rear end, which became a pin cushion by the end of my stay at hotel St. Anne. I spent that day until October carrying around what felt like a 100-pound cast.

The arm healed completely and after time I could be a kid again. Despite that traumatic event I still love that tree and miss it, long since gone.

The sap doesn’t fall far from the maple.

davejolivet@anchornews.org

John O’Brien is a parishioner of St. Mary, Mansfield. He is married to Janis (Wood) O’Brien and they have 2 daughters. They reside in Mansfield, and he is retired. For him, “Ordination is the culmination of an incredible journey of faith, with an amazing group of men, who are called to serve the Lord in a unique and special way.”

David Roderick, a parishioner of Corpus Christi, East Sandwich, is married to Joanne (Creighton) Roderick, and they have 1 daughter. They reside in Sandwich. He works for Plymouth and Brockton Bus Company (Motor Coach Bus Driver).

Shawn Seybert is a parishioner of St. Theresa of the Child of Jesus, Attleboro. He is married to Sylvia (Osborne) Seybert and they have 3 sons. They reside in Attleboro. He works as a School Psychologist. For him, “Ordination is a gift of the Holy Spirit ushering in our role as servant to all God’s people.”

Scott Taveira, a parishioner of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, New Bedford and resides in Mattapoisett.

He works for Afscme Council 93 (Staff Representative) & Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home (Licensed Funeral Assistant). “Ordination means that I will be able to serve God and His people,” he said.

John O’Brien

David Roderick

Shawn Seybert Scott Taveira

Unbelievably,

The sap and the maple.