Navigating Immigration Law: Catholic Charities of Fall River Offers Legal Assistance and Advocacy
By Joan D. Warren Editor joandwarren@anchornews.org
FALL RIVER — Immigration law is constantly evolving, with federal and state leadership changes requiring ongoing updates to policies. The Immigration Department at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River remains committed to providing high-quality, low-cost legal services and education to communities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, including Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton, Attleboro, Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard.
Kenneth Amoriggi, Legal Director Immigration Services, acknowledges the confusion that policy shifts can cause. “Policies change all the time, leading to a lot of misinformation. By keeping our staff informed, we help our clients navigate the legal process efficiently,” he stated.
Catholic Charities Immigration Services is staffed by four full-time employees, three accredited U.S. Department of Justice representatives, three paralegals, one intake coordinator, and numerous volunteers. Services are strictly provided to individuals who have entered the country legally. “More than half of those who seek our help have entered through legal channels and have a notice to appear in court. We cannot assist those who have crossed the border illegally,” Amoriggi clarified.
A common misconception, he noted, is that individuals can apply for citizenship on their own. “They must be connected to a visa or green card first. After six months, they can apply for work authorization and receive a temporary Social Security card. About 85% of our clients have documentation, jobs, and pay taxes,” he said.
Individuals can also obtain driver’s licenses by proving their identity with documents such
8 Turn to page nine D iocese of f all R ive R , M ass . † f R i D ay , a p R il 4, 2025
In the summer of 2023, migrants were flown from Florida to Martha’s Vineyard, where they received assistance from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River.
as passports, leases, and utility bills. Many of those seeking assistance are from Haiti and South America. Under current law, asylum seekers must demonstrate a personal threat of harm if they return to their home country. Previous policies under the Biden administration had allowed broader asylum qualifications.
A Faith-Based Commitment to Immigration Support
Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V., reaffirmed the Diocese’s stance on immigration, emphasizing the Church’s teachings.
“Every country has the right and obligation to secure its borders, but we must also
An invitation to the faithful
Bishop Edgar da Cunha invites the faithful to attend the Chrism Mass on April 15 in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, Fall River. Please turn to page 2 for the Bishop’s personal invitation.
April 4, 2025
Catholic school educators meet for professional development
By Joan D. Warren Editor joandwarren@anchornews.org
DARTMOUTH —
While students had the day off, educators from Diocese of Fall River schools gathered at Bishop Stang High School on Friday, March 14, for a day of professional development. The event featured keynote speaker Noel Foy, multiple breakout sessions, and an opportunity for the more than 500 attendees to connect over lunch. A highlight of the day was the presentation of the Caritas Christi Award, which honors educators with over 25 years of dedicated service to the Diocese.
Superintendent of Schools Daniel Roy served as the emcee for the opening session, held in the John O’Brien Gymnasium. During his remarks, he reflected on the origins of the Caritas Christi Award, which was introduced five years ago as part of the annual Spiritual Day. The name “Caritas Christi,” meaning “the love of Christ,” was chosen to reflect the dedication and selflessness of the educators who embody Christ’s call to humility, compassion, goodness, and justice in their service to students and families.
Each year, the Diocese updates a commemorative banner displaying the names of all Caritas Christi honorees. This banner, located near the cafeteria entrance, serves as a visual tribute to those who have devoted decades of their careers to Catholic educa-
tion. Among those recognized are two religious sisters, Sister Donald Kerr and Sister Muriel Lebeau, who have each contributed more than 50 years of service to the Diocese’s schools. Though not in attendance, their combined 100 years of dedication were acknowledged with gratitude. This years recipients are listed below.
Following the award presentation, keynote speaker Noelle Foy delivered an hour-long session on neuroeducational consulting.
As the owner of Understanding Neuroeducational Consulting and an expert in anxiety management, executive function coaching, and cognitive science, Foy provided insights on reducing stress and enhancing learning through neuroscience-based strategies. Her approach emphasizes the connection between emotion and learning, fostering supportive environments, and implementing techniques that improve attention, motivation, and overall academic performance.
“There is a direct correlation on the impact of stress on learning, Stress equals anxiety, frustration, anger, boredom, and lack of relevance. We see trends that stress is up and learning is down. If we can help students reduce stress, [they will have a] better chance on building better brains,” she said.
Thomas Marcotte, a middle school science teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Mansfield was most impressed with
Foy’s discussion on stress response.
“We see a lot of test anxiety in seventh and eighth graders that can interfere with academic progress. We strive at re-framing executive function so stress is reduced,” he said.
Breakout sessions varied in topics relevant to the specialties of staff. They included sessions on library skills, study skills and strategies, enhancing
and maintaining your well-being as a educator and many more. One such session was Educating For Eternity: Moving Forward With Catholic Academic Integration.
Clare Kilbane, a fellow at the University of Notre Dame McGrath Institute For Church Life, presented on the integrating of the Catholic faith across all subjects, not just theology.
‘‘Building Catholic
identity is a slow and gradual process. Integrating the Catholic faith across the disciplines contributes to its Catholic identity and therefore the mission of Catholic school is to educate, evangelize and catechize its students.
‘‘This increases the possibility that students will be good people, citizens, employees, but more importantly, saints,” she said.
Educators welcomed into the Caritas Christi group for 2025
Paula Boissoneou - Holy Name School, Fall River
William Butler - Bishop Stang High School, Dartmouth
Pamela Caradimos - All Saints Catholic School, New Bedford
Daphne Costa - St. Teresa of Calcutta School, New Bedford
Cheryl Ferreira - Holy Trinity School, Fall River
Patricia Gracia - St. Teresa of Calcutta School, New Bedford
Robert LeBouef - St. John the Evangelist School, Attleboro
Steve McGonigle - Bishop Stang High School, Dartmouth
Marie Merrill - St. Pius X School, South Yarmouth
Benjamin Ryder - Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro
Gorett Sousa - St. Michael School, Fall River
Linda Thurston - St. John the Evangelist School, Attleboro
Keynote speaker Noel Foy discussed ways to reduce student stress and anxiety.
84th Annual Catholic Appeal “HOPE LIGHTS THE WAY”
FALL RIVER—The 84th Annual Catholic Appeal of the Diocese of Fall River will begin on May 1 and run through June 30. This year’s Appeal theme, “Hope Lights the Way,” reminds us that Christ’s light continues to guide and inspire us to be instruments of His love and mercy in the world. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha S.D.V., shared, “Hope is needed for life, a life lived in peace and in the light.”
The Catholic Appeal has been a beacon of hope since it was first launched in 1942. Thanks to the generosity of its donors,
of Fall River—from Mansfield, Easton and the Attleboros, Swansea and Seekonk, through the Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford areas, and to Cape Cod and the Islands. Gifts and pledges to the Appeal uphold all the agencies, programs, and ministries of the Diocese, offering physical, emotional, and spiritual assistance to tens of thousands in their moments of need, weakness, and uncertainty. These gifts, which last year totaled more than $4.5 million through the generosity of more than 15,000
donors, propel the Catholic faith in action and make so much work possible. Highlights of some of the ministries supported with gifts to the Catholic Appeal follow:
• In December of 2024, the Stronger Priests, Stronger Parishes, Stronger Church initiative launched, providing opportunities for spiritual, personal well-
ness, and professional growth and development to clergy serving in the Diocese.
• The Diocesan Evangelization ministry has helped renew spirituality and strengthen parish life across the Diocese through sustained outreach and events, including the Diocese’s Eucharistic Revival last September, which drew 1,200 attendees.
• Catholic Charities’ work continues to serve those in need by feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and caring
for the vulnerable. The agency recently opened a new shelter in Attleboro, the Ascension House, in partnership with Father Bill’s and Mainspring and Neighbor Works.
• More than 15 Catholic schools provide faithfilled settings and educate thousands of children from preschool to grade 12. Many families receive financial aid that allows them to send children to these schools, regardless of their economic circumstances.
• The Community Action for Better Housing provides single-residence occupancy,
8 Continued on page 19
On February 18, President Trump issued an executive order entitled, “Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization” (IVF), in which he stated, “My Administration recognizes the importance of family formation, and as a Nation, our public policy must make it easier for loving and longing mothers and fathers to have children.”
The order sets in motion a review process to obtain policy recommendations for “protecting IVF access and aggressively reducing out-of-pocket and health plan costs for IVF treatment.”
Although it seeks the good end of fostering family building, it embraces a reckless and unethical means of pursuing that goal. By doing so, it champions wrongdoing and cooperates in evil.
The use of IVF to bring new human life into the world always involves a disordered choice on the part of a couple or an individual. By allowing various third parties and employees from the infertility industry to build their children for them, parents commodify, objectify and instrumentalize both their own sexuality and the vulnerable bodies of their embryonic children.
The Trump Executive Order on IVF
Because of IVF, an industry has arisen that, at its core, produces and markets human beings, and treats persons as products. This has had the effect of establishing a subclass and dehumanizing an entire segment of humanity: those who can now be sold, exploited, manipulated or handed over to stem cell researchers for destruction.
Every human being has the right to be conceived under his or her mother’s heart, in the safety of her body, and under the loving embrace of his or her parents. Instead of receiving their offspring as “gift” through their own marital embrace, those who seek IVF pursue a false “right” to manufacture their sons and daughters in laboratory glassware. This results in collateral damage on multiple levels, including the freezing and destruction of embryonic children, eugenic screening of those children for specific traits or sex selection, heightened rates of birth defects, the taking advantage of surrogate mothers, and the “selective reduc-
tion” of multiple pregnancies.
Given the moral objectionability of IVF, what should the administration do when it comes to IVF?
Simply put, the opposite of what it has done thus far.
It should seek to forbid the practice through statutory mechanisms, or, if that is not yet politically possible, limit and circumscribe the practice by bringing it under tight regulation and oversight.
Rather than cooperating with the multi-billion dollar infertility industry and playing into its agenda by expanding IVF funding and availability, the Trump administration ought to clamp down on this largely unregulated behemoth.
The golden rule in the IVF industry has long been that if it makes gold, it’s got to be good and ethical. Its unique and much-touted “self-regulation” has made it into something of a laughingstock, so much so that the industry is often branded by the epithet, “the wild west of infertility.”
freezing and storage of the youngest human beings by clinics.
For couples facing infertility, the administration could take the ethically upright approach of promoting, and assuring coverage for, restorative reproductive medicine in place of IVF. This medical approach pursues a thorough evaluation of the underlying causes of a couple’s infertility, and provides tailored therapies so they can bring new life into the world through the marital embrace. It seeks to address the causal mechanisms of infertility such as an inability to ovulate, low sperm count, endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, and/or early miscarriages during pregnancy. Among the better-known examples of this approach are NaPro Technology, FEMM and NeoFertility.
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Strict regulation of IVF has a strong precedent even in some of the more progressive countries in Europe. If Germany and Italy have been able to regulate IVF by passing laws that restrict the production of embryos to a maximum of three at a time, with the requirement that all three be implanted, why couldn’t the administration, at a minimum, establish similar regulations to limit the collateral damage of IVF in the US?
In our country, hundreds of thousands of cryopreserved human embryos have been abandoned and condemned to perpetual stasis in liquid nitrogen. The practical effect of the Italian and German laws has been to preclude the production of supernumerary embryos during IVF, and to eliminate the humanitarian tragedy of
The laudable goal of making it easier for “loving and longing mothers and fathers to have children” could also be promoted through other creative strategies, including changing tax structures to incentivize stay-at-home spouses, subsidies for childbirth expenses, the expansion of healthcare access and coverage, educational vouchers and other steps to increase the likelihood that more children will be welcomed into a family.
Rather than governmental intrusions promoting exploitative technologies like IVF, Americans are entitled to upright approaches that beckon life into society through loving acts of marital intimacy and nurture and support it within the sanctuary of the family.
Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, MA, and serves as Senior Ethicist at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org and www. fathertad.com.
Editorial
An ecclesiastical holy year is meant to have an influence, to give added meaning, to everything the Church does over the course of that year. The Jubilee of Hope is, therefore, like a fresh set of wineskins by which to receive the effusion of grace that Christ wants to pour into us during the end of Lent, Holy Week, the Easter Octave, and beyond.
The essence of hope is, St. Paul implied to the first Christians in Ephesus, is to live with God in the world (Eph 2:14). When we realize God-with-us is indeed still very much with us, all of life changes.
Holy Week is an invitation to be with him up close, to accompany him on Palm Sunday into Jerusalem, to eat with him the Passover he eagerly desired to eat with us in the Upper Room, to stay awake with him prayerfully in the Garden, to stand with him, like his mother, on Calvary, and then to meet him risen from the dead as he seeks to journey with us through life like he did the disciples on the Road to Emmaus.
Holy Week is a privileged opportunity to examine just how much we are with the One who took on our humanity to abide with and within us.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines hope as “the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (1817). It’s a rich definition that helps us to see how we’re supposed to live not just the holiest week of the year, but our whole life.
To call something a theological virtue means that it’s a gift directly from God by which we’re called to relate to him.
That stable moral muscle features, first, the Catechism says, a trust in Christ’s promises. As we enter spiritually into the zenith of
† April 4, 2025
The Jubilee of hope, holy Week and easTer
the Church’s liturgical calendar, we stake our life on what he told the apostles multiple times: that he would be betrayed, handed over to religious leaders, mocked, crucified, killed and on the third day raised. We trust in all the Old Testament prophecies that he fulfilled. We trust, too, in what Jesus says every disciple must do to enter into his victory: deny ourselves, pick up our Cross daily and follow him.
The theological virtue of hope similarly features a dependence on the Holy Spirit rather than a self-reliance. We see an illustration of those two possible types of dependence on full display in the betrayals of Peter, James and John and the other apostles. Their spirits were willing, but their flesh was weak, During the Last Supper they protested that they would never betray Jesus, even should they have to die him. They relied on their own sense of strength and loyalty — and it came up far short. After Pentecost, however, filled with the Holy Spirit and depending on him, they were able to remain intrepidly faithful even to martyrdom. The same Holy Spirit wants to strengthen us to remain faithful this Holy Week and beyond.
The virtue of hope, the Catechism underlines, is foremost about a hunger for the kingdom of heaven and eternal life. We are able in some sense to participate in that kingdom and life embryonically in this world, because eternal life is, as Jesus says, knowing God the Father and himself (Jn 17:3), and the kingdom of heaven is wherever Christ the King of Heaven reigns, including on the throne of the Cross. Holy Week is supposed to strengthen us in that knowledge and communion on earth and help us grow in a desire for their everlasting fulfillment.
Holy Week is a time during which we make our own the prayer of the Good Thief on the Cross
and open ourselves to Jesus’ offer of paradise. We recognize, as we sing in the Exultet at the Easter Vigil, that “our birth would have been no gain had we not been redeemed,” had Christ not broken “the prison-bars of death and [risen] victorious from the underworld.” Holy Week is a time during which we see on full display the battle between good and evil, life and death, and heaven and hell. And it’s an occasion to exercise the moral muscle that has us desire eternal life and the kingdom of heaven that Jesus paid such a precious price to obtain.
The Jubilee of Hope is also meant to help us become more equipped to carry out St. Peter’s exhortation, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you a reason for your hope” (1 Pet 3:15), and Holy Week strengthens us in that witness. We see on display how much God loves us that he sent his own Son to die for us on Calvary so that we might not perish but might have eternal life (Jn 3:16). His resurrection is a sign of the triumph of life over death, sanctity over sin, light over darkness, a type of first fruits of all those who will rise again (1 Cor 15:20).
That’s why the kerygma, the essential proclamation of the Christian faith, has always involved what we mark in Holy Week. St. Paul summarized it this way: “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; he was buried; he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; [and] he appeared” to Peter, the Twelve, 500 brothers, James, and finally to Paul himself (1 Cor 15:3-8). The meaning of those saving events and post-Resurrection appearances is at the core of Christian hope, life and evangelization. Death does not have the last word; life and love do. Therefore, Christian hope is grounded and reasonable: if not even crucifixion can keep Jesus
in the grave, the first Christians grasped, then why should they fear anyone or anything?
The traditional symbol of hope is the anchor. The Letter to the Hebrews, which is an extended meditation on what Christ won for us as Priest and Victim during the first Holy Week, urges us to “hold fast to the hope that lies before us,” which it calls “an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil, where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever” (Heb 6:18-20). Holy Week is the time when the whole Church, the great assembly of fishers of men in the barque of Peter, casts our anchor not into the sea but beyond the clouds, where Jesus, by his triumph, has entered to prepare a place for us.
That anchor is cruciform. Catholic tradition has sung on Good Friday for centuries, “Ave, O Crux, Spes Unica!” “Hail, O Cross, our only hope!” It’s our sole hope because without what Christ gained for us on the Cross, eternal life would not be possible. But it’s also our only hope because unless we embrace that sign, lifting the Cross high, the love of God proclaiming, losing our life so as to gain it, we will not be able to experience what Christ gained for us on the Cross.
That’s why we enter these sacred days as “pilgrims of hope,” the theme of the Jubilee. The upcoming celebration of the holiest week of the Christian year is indeed an interior pilgrimage during which we retrace with Jesus the central events of our salvation, as he bids us follow him through the new and eternal Passover from death to life, from this world to the next. Let us respond to the grace of the Holy Spirit, to trust in Jesus’ promises, and follow him up close on the way of the Cross that is the sole road to our great hope’s fulfillment.
When the Pope declares a Holy Year every 25 years, it does not automatically make the days of that year qualitatively different from those of any other year. Still, it is rather an invitation for us to make intentional efforts to do so. One of the traditional ways to make the year special is to set aside the time, sacrifice, and resources required to make a memorable pilgrimage to the heart of the Church centered in Rome. Having done so once before during the Great Jubilee Year at the turn of the new millennium, and assessing the odds of still being here in 2050 for the next holy year, it became clear that the time for such a pilgrimage was now; it seemed that the 34 others who joined me felt the same.
Departing on February 17, our pilgrim journey began in southern Italy and would conclude on February 28, in Rome. There we would fulfill our ultimate goal of passing through the Holy Doors of four major basilicas and visiting the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul which are located in two of them. While the month of February is not the most popular month to travel to Italy, the weather is less wintery than in New England. The crowds that can overwhelm the Eternal City in the more popular tourist months can usually be avoided. I frequently reminded the group that our journey was not a vacation, but a pilgrimage; thus, we should welcome and endure with patience any hardships our travel might entail as these would be far less than those endured by most religious pilgrims in the Holy Years across the centuries.
With a less-than-direct flight schedule and a full itinerary, one of our persistent difficulties, along with unpleasant weather, was fatigue; yet, we forged on, appreciating the opportunity to visit
Jubilee Year Pilgrimage to Rome
many significant places in this special year. Our first stop was in San Giovanni Rotondo, the town where St. Padre Pio resided and ministered for so many years and where his body now rests in view of the faithful who visit there. In surveying those who participated in the pilgrimage, they unanimously agreed that while we were privileged to visit and see many sacred places and historic sites, the Masses we celebrated together beginning in San Giovanni Rotondo and other significant churches each day along the way, were the most meaningful and memorable. As the spiritual guide on a pilgrimage, it is the responsibility of the priest celebrant to plan these Masses and to ensure readings proper to the day and prayers and hymns appropriate to the place are chosen to enhance the message we might receive there. Celebrating Mass as a small group of pilgrims, many of whom start as strangers and end up as friends, is an experience of a Christian community that isn’t always easy to create in our larger parishes.
Our group was blessed to have Deacon Brendan Brides of our parish to assist at the Masses. We coincidentally had several among us who regularly serve as cantors or choir members, such that our singing, even though
which we would pass. Over the following days, we would also pass through the doors of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls, mirroring the order in which Pope Francis had opened these Holy Doors during the Christmas season.
acapella, was significantly better than just remaining on key! In addition to the church where Padre Pio had offered his final Mass before we arrived in Rome, we celebrated Mass at the altar over the tomb of St. Nicholas in Bari, an 11th-century Romanesque church dedicated to St. John the Baptist in Matera in the Duomo at Sorrento, and the Chapel of the Relics at Monte Cassino. While in Rome, we would celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica; St. Thomas Church in Castel Gandolfo; the Catacombs of Domitilla; and the ancient Church of St. Clement, the fourth Pope. Our first Mass was most appropriately a concelebrated Mass at the "Altar of the Chair" in St. Peter’s Basilica. We were sadly disappointed that we would not have the opportunity to participate in a general audience with Pope Francis, as he was hospitalized with complications of serious respiratory problems. Thus, the Mass at St. Peter’s served to remind us that while it’s all too human occupants do change, the Chair of St. Peter, representing the teaching authority bestowed on St. Peter and his successors, is a gift that ever remains among us to help preserve the blessing of unity that we enjoy as Catholics even to this very day. The Holy Year Door at St. Peter’s Basilica was the first
In reflecting on that unique aspect of a pilgrimage to Rome in a Jubilee Year, one of the pilgrims stated: “By God’s grace I was in Rome and was privileged to walk through four Holy Doors. It is difficult to put into words the faith-filled joy I experienced in doing so. Being Catholic and being in Rome for this Jubilee Year is truly a gift from God and blessings beyond words. I am both grateful and thankful for my faith and especially for God’s great mercy towards this prodigal daughter.” I would suggest that in many ways this pilgrim speaks for all of us who enjoyed that same privilege. The other experience that shed greater light on the meaning of this Holy Year came when we were in Matera. We used one of the special texts and the suggested readings designated for Mass during the Jubilee Year. The Gospel passage from the fourth chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel is one in which, while reading from the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah at the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus describes His mission to inaugurate a year of favor from the Lord. This provided us with a deeper insight into the call to be what Pope Francis has dubbed “Pilgrims of Hope!”
Indeed, we hadn’t come all this way only to find new hope for ourselves, but rather to be spiritually strengthened to be able to bring that hope to others! By making deliberate efforts to demonstrate compassion and mercy towards others, particularly within our social circles where individuals may face vulnerabilities and marginalization, we can transform this period into a truly Holy Year. This transformation will bring joy not only to them but also to us.
by Fr. Edward Healey, Pastor Christ the King Parish, Mashpee
Pilgrims from Christ the King Parish, Mashpee, at the Basilica Paapele di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family livestreams with International Space Station
FALMOUTH —On Sunday March 2nd, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish welcomed Astronaut Sunita Williams via livestream from the International Space Station.
Astronaut Williams’ family lives in Falmouth and her sister and nieces and nephews are parishioners of St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish.
Astronaut Williams spoke with young parishioners in grades 3 through 8 along with other interested parishioners who enjoyed this unique conversation.
She provided an inspiring tour of the International Space Station (ISS) while blending the awe of space exploration with reflections on faith.
As Williams floated weightlessly within the ISS, she showcased various sections of the spacecraft, explaining the technology the astronauts use to live and work in space. Her ability to narrate the complex nature of space exploration while remaining approachable to her audience made the tour educational and engaging for everyone, especially
the kids.
During the tour, Williams also delved into a more personal and spiritual dimension, discussing her belief in a higher power and the profound sense of wonder that space exploration evokes.
She reflected on the beauty and grandeur of Earth from space, describing it as full of “miracles that we encounter every day” and a testament to the power and creativity of a higher being. She shared how the experience of seeing the planet from space strengthens her faith, offering a perspective that underscores the interconnectedness of all life.
Williams’ words serve as a reminder of how exploration, faith, and science can intersect and complement each other, offering a sense of reverence for both the vastness of the universe and the intimate presence of a Creator.
The spectators wished Astronaut Williams and the entire Space Station Team a safe tour in space and prayed for their safe return which is scheduled to happen in a few weeks. They also expressed grati-
tude for taking time out of her busy day of astronaut duties to connect with St. Joseph Guardian of the Holy Family Parish.
Watch a recording of the livestream at www. FalmouthCatholic.org and on the St. Joseph Parish Falmouth YouTube page.
UPDATE: On Tuesday, March 18, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Wil liams splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Fla., marking the end of their unexpectedly lengthy stay in space. The pair returned home after a momentous 286 days in space—an astronomical increase from the mere eight days that were initially planned for their mission.
The NASA astronauts had been “stuck” at the International Space Station since June 6, 2024, after Boeing’s Starliner, the vehicle they rode to get there, ran into multiple hardware problems.
† April 4, 2025
NASA Astronaut Suni Williams livestreamed with parishioners at St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Parish and gave the audience a tour of the ISS.
recognize every person’s right to life and dignity. Accepting and welcoming those in legitimate need is an obligation, particularly for Christian nations.
‘‘The Diocese of Fall River, historically shaped by immigrants, takes pride in supporting those who settle in the area. “We see immigrants not as burdens, but as gifts to be nurtured within our faith communities,” Bishop da Cunha stated.
Key Programs Offering Legal Aid and Advocacy
(VAWA) green cards, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. The project also collaborates with law enforcement and family service providers, offering training on immigrant survivors’ needs. IVRP is partially funded through a VOCA grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, and all services are provided free of charge.
8 Continued from page one training sessions for community groups, law enforcement, health and social service providers, schools, faith-based organizations, and workplaces. These initiatives help keep communities informed about changing immigration laws and the rights of immigrants.
There are two key programs that guide the department with immigration services. They are the Immigrant Victims Representation Project (IVRP) and Immigration Law Education and Advocacy Project (ILEAP).
Founded in 2008, IVRP serves immigrant survivors of abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and other crimes. The program exclusively assists victims of domestic violence, labor and sex trafficking, and other crimes, with a caseload of approximately 200 clients. “These cases can take years to fully process. Labor and sex trafficking are particularly underreported, and we work to address that,” Amoriggi noted.
IVRP staff educate clients about their rights, connect them with survivor services, and help them apply for legal status through options such as the U-visa, T-visa, Violence Against Women Act
Established in 1996 and funded through private grants, ILEAP provides a broad range of legal services for low-income refugees and immigrants. The program assists with applications for permanent residency, political asylum, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), deportation defense, citizenship, and naturalization. It also handles Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases for children who have been abused or neglected.
Beyond direct legal representation, ILEAP hosts educational workshops, training sessions, and conferences on immigration law and policy. The department’s multilingual staff—fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Cambodian Khmer, with access to additional language support—ensures accessible communication for diverse communities.
Community Outreach and Education
In addition to legal services, the Immigration Department conducts frequent workshops and
Catholic Charities of Fall River Legal Director Kenneth Amoriggi gives a presentation to local service providers at Health First Family Care Center late last month.
Catholic Charities empowers immigrant families to lift themselves out of poverty and contribute positively to their communities. Through their ongoing advocacy, education, and legal services, the Immigration Department remains a vital resource for those navigating the
Supporting Immigrant Families
Susan Mazzarella, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Fall River, emphasized the importance of their work.
“The immigrant families we serve are seeking freedom from violence, hunger, and extreme poverty. Through legal representation and community outreach, most of our clients gain lawful work authorization and may attain citizenship or other legal statuses that allow them to fully participate in society.
‘‘By helping individuals secure stable employment and legal protections,
complexities of U.S. immigration law, she said. Currently, in-person appointments are available at the Fall River office and regional locations, though walk-ins are not accepted. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact the office at 508-674-4681.
Paralegals and interpreters for Catholic Charities attended a community resources event at Universal Life Church in Fall River. Pictured are Marisol Delpilar (sitting) and Emily DeMelo (standing).
Turn to Page 14 to read about a recent success story of a local family granted asylum.
Pro-Life Diocesan awards given at special Mass
DARTMOUTH — On Thursday, March 27, the Annual ProLife Mass took place in Julie Billiart Parish.
The special Mass, celebrated by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., was an opportunity for the diocesan family to pray for the protection of all human life, from conception to natural death.
The Mass also served as an opportunity to recognize pro-life members of the faith community.
Four students and an adult received awards presented by Bishop da Cunha.
Teresa of Calcutta School, 7th Grade - second-place winner of the junior high school division; Serena Fernandes, Bishop Stang High School, 11th Grade - firstplace winner of the high school division; and Zachary Jones, St. John Paul II High School, 10th Grade - second-place winner of the high school division.
Bishop da Cunha also presented the Person of the Year John Cardinal O’Connor Pro-Life Award to Michael Duarte, a parishioner at Holy Name Parish in Fall River.
‘‘Recipients of this award express, by their actions, a deep understanding of the sacredness and dignity of all human life from conception to natural death,” Bishop da Cunha said.
WALK FOR LIFE
SATURDAY,
MAY 17, 2025
Event to take place at The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette 947 Park St, Attleboro, MA 02703 from 8:00am 2:30pm
ECIAL
, S ONGWRITER , AND SINGER
ALICIA KO WALSKI
Hi! My name is Alicia Kowalski, I am the mother to three beautiful children. I am the founder of His Grace Ministries , where I seek to share the Healing Gospel of Jesus Christ through testimony, spoken word & worship. I believe that life is a precious gift from God. We need to not only protect it but also respect it. This ministry strives to bring hope and encouragement to all people by sharing how God's love has impacted my life.
BRING YOUR WALKING S HOES AND A BAGGED LUNCH.
This prayer filled day includes a full agenda at The Beautiful National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette: Rosary for Life, Keynote Speaker, Alicia Kowalski, Mass with Most Rev Edgar Da Cunha,S.D V., D.D., Prayer Walk to Cyril M. Angell Park and Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. To register yourself, family, friends, or a group visit our website at fallriverdiocese.org/events
The Diocese of Fall River Secretariat for the New Evangelization 423 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720 Irina Robinson, Family and Respect Life Director Phone: (508)-669-7966 | Email: irobinson@dioc-fr.org fallriverdiocese.org fallriverfaithformation.org
† April 4, 2025
Catholic school principals and teachers in the Diocese nominated students who express a deep understanding of the sacredness of life. They encouraged students in grades 6 to 12 to write essays that reflect on the inspiring courage of St. Gianna Molla, who defended the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, famously declaring, “I wish that my child should live.”
Catholic students attending a religious education program in the Diocese were also eligible to submit essays.
The 2025 Pro-Life Diocesan School Pro-Life essay winners are: Liam Rodriguez, St. Michael’s School, 6th Grade - First-place winner of the junior high school division contest; Olivia Rosas, St.
Duarte currently holds the office of District Deputy and Council Grand Knight of the 86th council for the Knights of Columbus. Among other volunteer positions, he has spent the last 10 years as a volunteer with Abundant Hope Pregnancy Resource Center in Attleboro, a non-profit organization that provides life-affirming care to mothers conflicted about their pregnancies; served for 12 years as president to the Holy Name parish “St. Vincent de Paul Conference”; and 10 years as a general volunteer at “My Brother’s Keeper” in Easton, aiding in the preparation and delivery of food and furniture to families in need.
‘‘Michael is receiving this award today not only because of many years of ministry work but also for the humility with which he extends himself, day in and day out, trusting back to the Lord the gift of his time, talent, and treasure. We could not be more honored to give this award to Michael in recognition of his many years of service, which seems to be only beginning. Thank you, Michael, for building up a culture of life and inspiring us all to live every moment in God’s will,” Bishop da Cunha said.
Bishop Edgar da Cunha with Pro-Life essay award winners (from left to right): Olivia Rosas, Liam Rodriguez, Zachacy Jones and Serena Fernandes.
Michael Duarte and Bishop Edgar da Cunha.
Saving a Miracle: A Journey of Faith and Film
By Robert J. Grant Special to The Anchor
The miracle of life surrounds us, and the responsibility to protect the most innocent falls on our shoulders as Catholics. Saving A Miracle is a pro-life documentary that I produced alongside Helmut Guti of Stellar Cinematics. This one-hour film delivers deeply personal and often emotional stories—some tragic, some triumphant, but all profoundly moving.
Since airing four times on EWTN last year, Saving A Miracle has received praise from Bishop David Toups of Beaumont, Texas, who strongly recommends it to his priests. He describes it as an ‘‘amazing pro-life/pro-woman documentary” and stresses that real change begins with a conversion of heart.
The documentary has already made a tangible impact. Suzanne Guy, a featured activist from Georgia, shared that after urging a friend’s daughter to watch Saving A Miracle, the young woman chose life for her unborn baby.
The inspiration for this project traces back to a conversation in St. Francis Xavier Church in Acushnet. Helen, a dedicated parishioner active in the St. Anthony’s Pro-Life group, sparked the idea. From there, faith and persistence paved the way.
One of my first key connections was Helmut Guti, a filmmaker whose willingness to collaborate made the project possible. While I handled the interviewee selection and question drafting, Helmut captured their stories on film. Our journey led us to the March for Life in Washington, where we interviewed Dr. John Bruchalski, a former abortionist turned pro-life advocate.
Helmut, initially unfamiliar with many of the activists, re-
marked that the documentary ended up featuring an ‘‘all-star team” of the pro-life movement. His commitment to praying with each interviewee before filming further deepened the film’s spiritual foundation.
The defining trait of those featured in Saving A Miracle? Moxie—the rare ability to touch and transform hearts. Among them is Jeff Joachim, once a star football player from Dartmouth, Massachusetts, who now works with That Man is You and attends Our Lady’s Chapel in New Bedford. His emotional testimony stands as a centerpiece of the documentary.
Another compelling story comes from Micah Parsons, the first face to appear on-screen. A former Marine who struggled with personal darkness during his
worked through the night, guided by faith, to meet the deadline. Now, work is underway on a sequel, with new interviews already filmed, including one with Dr. Jane Adolphe, a former Calgary Crown Prosecutor and Vatican legal expert.
The sequel will also explore the connection between abortion and domestic violence. One of the most compelling voices is Kelly Lester, keynote speaker at the San Francisco March for Life, who has endured both abortion and abuse. Her testimony underscores the transformative power of intercessory prayer and faith.
service in Japan, he now belongs to the Love Crucified Catholic Community. His experience highlights the often-overlooked male perspective on abortion— men who regret stepping aside when a woman in their life chose to end a pregnancy.
Brenda Sharman, a former Ms. Georgia, and chastity speaker Jason Evert address the dangers of immodesty and the consequences of abandoning Catholic teachings on purity. Bethany Janzen provides a striking reflection on a visit to Auschwitz, drawing a parallel between past atrocities and the silent crisis of abortion today.
The journey to bring Saving A Miracle to life was not without its obstacles. A last-minute technical failure nearly derailed its submission to EWTN, but Helmut
Though the path ahead is uncertain, faith fuels the journey. Discussions are in motion to bring filmmaker Jim Wahlberg into the editing process. I’m also hoping that the Brown sisters— Denise, Tanya, and Dominique— will participate, though contractual obligations linked to The Life and Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson have so far prevented their involvement.
As these stories continue to unfold, Saving A Miracle and its sequel aim to inspire change, urging viewers to listen, to share, and to take action. Through the voices of those who have encountered Christ, I hope hearts will be moved and lives will be saved.
Copies of Saving a Miracle can be found on the EWTN website at www.ewtnrc.com.
Rob Grant lives in Mattapoisett and is a Stonehill College graduate, a longtime member of the Legion of Mary, and Executive Producer of Saving A Miracle: Raw Stories from the Heart and its upcoming sequel, Saving A Miracle: Lifting the Lid on Domestic Violence.
St. Joseph School in Fairhaven celebrates Ash Wednesday
FAIRHAVEN — Students at St. Joseph School entered into the Season of Lent on March 5 after a festive Mardi Gras celebration.
Students received ashes on their foreheads to remind them to “turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” and to “Go forth to love and serve the Lord” through the way they live their Lenten promises in preparation for the great and beautiful feast of Easter.
Left: St. Joseph School eighth graders Nathan and Myrick carry the cross as the school begins the 40 day season of Lent. Right: Preschool students Isla and Joseph received ashes from school pastor, Fr. Maiki Kamauoha.
PROVIDENCE R.I — Providence College (PC) recently announced that a new Master of Arts (MA) in Catholic Theology and Culture will be offered beginning in the Fall 2025 semester.
This new program is in addition to two other graduate programs in Catholic Theology which are the Master of Arts in Theology, and the Master of Theological Studies.
The application is currently open, and students may complete the program full-time or
Providence College announces new graduate program in Catholic Theology
part-time with evening courses.
“The MA in Catholic Theology and Culture provides graduate students with a theological foundation and an understanding of how these foundational truths in Catholicism have enriched culture more broadly,” said Graduate Program Director Dr. Sandra Keating.
“The program was also designed with the needs of Catholic schools in mind, specifically for faculty and administrators seeking additional oppor-
tunities and knowledge on how to foster the faith of their students both in the classroom and within the broader community,” she said.
The new program
offers an interdisciplinary exploration of how Catholic thought engages with various aspects of culture and is designed for those who want to bridge theology with other fields including literature, art, philosophy, and history. The curriculum combines traditional theology courses with specialized Catholic Theology and Culture classes.
Students also take electives that explore how Catholic themes manifest across different discplines.
Founded in 1917, Providence College is the only college or university in the United States administered by the Dominican Friars.
The Catholic, liberal arts college has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 4,500 students, 450 graduate students, and offers degrees in over 60 academic majors.
Instead of a thesis, the program culminates in a capstone experience, allowing students to synthesize their learning in a meaningful project.
Catholic Charities successfully advocates for asylum for family of four
Catholic Charites of Fall River is pleased to announce that a family of four has been granted asylum by an immigration judge in Boston.
They are one family among hundreds seeking refuge in the Diocese of Fall River.
The young parents became targets of political persecution in their home country of Nicaragua for acting to protect their fellow citizens from harm directly caused by their government.
After months of being followed while trying to keep their babies safe, they fled the country to protect their young children.
The family made the long
journey to the U.S./Mexico border just as COVID hit, leaving them to sleep on a church floor for more than a year before they could enter the U.S.
The family waited another three years for an immigration judge to hear their case before they could finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing their children would remain safe.
Catholic Charities Immigration lawyers and staff work tirelessly to help families and individuals find asylum, safety and a path to a better life for those they serve.
Go to their website for more information at www.ccfrdioc.org
Maurice Gauvin, pastor of Espirito Santo and St. Anthony of Padua Parishes in Fall River, led a group of faithful from various parishes on a pilgrimage to Rome last month. These “Pilgrims of Hope” had their photo taken with The Anchor at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.
Bring The Anchor on your next trip and take a picture with it in front of a church, statue or other religious setting. The only stipulation is that the person(s) photographed must be from the Diocese of Fall River and the location be outside the Diocese. Let’s see how far The Anchor can travel! Send submissions to joandwarren@anchornews.org.
The Praying the Way of the Cross on April 14 will be livestreamed and can be accessed by going to: olfallriver.com.
Father
April 6
In Your Prayers
Please pray for these priests and deacons during the coming weeks:
Rev. Philip Lariscy, O.S.A. Founder of the New Bedford Mission, 1824
Rev. Edward J. Mongan, Retired Pastor St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1920
Rev. Msgr. John A. Chippendale, Retired Pastor, St. Patrick, Wareham, 1977
Rev. Lorenzo Morais, Retired Pastor, St. George, Westport, 1980
Rev. Msgr. William D. Thomson, Retired Pastor, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1987
Rev. Gerald E. Conmy, CSC, Associate Pastor, St. Ann, DeBary, Fla.,1994
Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Gilligan, P.A. STD, Archdiocese of St. Paul, 1997
Rev. Lucien Jusseaume, Chaplain, Our Lady’s Haven, Fairhaven, Retired Pastor, St Roch, Fall River, 2001
Rev. Msgr. Ronald Tosti, Retired Pastor, Christ the King Parish, Mashpee, 2024
April 7
Rev. James A. Dury, Retired Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1976
April 8
Rev. Alvin Matthews, OFM, Retired, Our Lady’s Chapel, New Bedford, 1988
April 9
Rev. Cornelius McSwiney, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1919
Rev. Edward F. Dowling, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1965
April 10
Rev. John P. Doyle, Pastor, St. William, Fall River, 1944
April 11
Rev. John F. Downey, Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1914
Rev. John Mackey Fee, SS.CC., 2012
April 12
Rev. John Tobin, Assistant, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1909
Rev. Msgr. Alfred J. Gendreau, S.T.D., Retired Pastor, Notre Dame, Fall River, 1996
Rev. Edward P. Doyle, O.P., St. Raymond, Providence, R.I., 1997
Rev. Bertrand R. Chabot, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony of Padua, New Bedford, 2002
April 13
Rev. Deacon Joseph Stanley Jr., 2006
April 14
Rev. Louis N. Dequoy, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1935
Rev. Cosmas Chaloner, SS.CC., St. Francis Xavier, Acushnet, 1977
Rev. John Godelaer, SS.CC., 1990
Rev. Christopher G. Hughes, D.D., Retired Rector, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River, 1908
Rev. Deacon Oscar Drinkwater, 2011
Rev. Deacon George H. Zarella, 2021
April 16
Rev. Arthur E. Langlois, On Sick Leave, Denver, Colo., 1928
Rev. Norman F. Lord, C.S.Sp., Hemet, Calif., 1995
April 18
Rev. Hugh B. Harrold, Pastor, St. Mary, Mansfield, 1935
Rt. Rev. John F. McKeon, P.R., Pastor, St. Lawrence, New Bedford, 1956
Rev. Joao Vieira Resendes, Retired Pastor, Espirito Santo, Fall River, 1984
Rev. Wilfred C. Boulanger, M.S., La Salette Shrine, Attleboro, 1985
Rev. George E. Amaral, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony, Taunton, 1992
Rev. Deacon Vincent Patrick Walsh, 2014
April 19
Rev. William Wiley, Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1855
Rev. Msgr. Leo J. Duart, Pastor, St. Peter the Apostle, Provincetown, 1975
Rev. Daniel E. Carey, Chaplain, Catholic Memorial Home, Retired Pastor, St. Dominic, Swansea, 1990
Rev. Msgr. Antonino Tavares, Retired Pastor, Santo Christo, Fall River, 2008
April 20
Rev. Edward F. Coyle, S.S., St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, Md., 1954
Rev. James E. O’Reilly, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Seekonk, 1970
Rev. James P. Dalzell, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, Woods Hole, 1999
April 21
Rev. John O’Beirne, Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1859
Rev. Thomas M. Feeley, C.S.C., Author, Former National Director of Family Rosary of Holy Cross Family Ministries, Easton, 2004
Rev. Gerard Shanley, SS.CC., 2017
April 22
Rev. James L. Smith, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1910
Rev. Thomas F. Fitzgerald, Pastor, St. Mary, Nantucket, 1954
Rev. Richard J. Segreve, C.S.C., Retired, Holy Cross Residence, Stonehill College, Easton, 2017
April 23
Rev. John J. Murphy, Retired Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford, 2007
Rev. Deacon Robert G. Lorenzo, 2021
April 25
Rev. John J. Wade, Assistant, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1940
Rev. Raymond J. Lynch, Chaplain, Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River, 1955
Rev. Charles A. Murray, M.M., Maryknoll Missioner, 2017
April 26
Rev. Ubalde Deneault, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, Attleboro, 1982
Rev. James F. Greene, Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima, New Bedford, 2002
Chorbishop Joseph F. Kaddo, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony of the Desert parish, Fall River, 2024
April 27
Rev. James Murphy, 1869
Rev. Francis J. Bradley, D.D., Retired Rector, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River, 1925
Rev. Romeo D. Archambault, St. Anne, New Bedford, 1949
Rev. Edward F. O’Keefe, S.J., Retired, St. Francis Xavier, Boston, 1973
April 28
Rev. Stanislaus J. Goyette, Pastor, St. Louis de France, Swansea, 1959
Rev. Wilfrid J. Vigeant, S.J., 2011
April 29
Rev. James Leo Maguire, Pastor, Diocese of Monterey, Calif., 1987
Rev. Adolph Szelagowksi, OFM Conv., Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Bedford, 1989
Rev. Peter P. Mullen, M.M., Maryknoll Missioner, 1999
Rev. John M. Breen, M.M., Maryknoll Missioner, 2005
April 30
Rev. John A. Hurley, Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1900
Rev. David F. Sheedy, Pastor, St. John Evangelist, Attleboro, 1930
Rev. John Moda, Pastor, St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ford City, Pa., 1993
May 1
Rev. Francis J. Quinn, Founder, Immaculate Conception, North Easton; Founder, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1882
Rev. Joseph F. D’Amico, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Oak Bluffs, 1996
Rev. Walter A. Sullivan, Pastor, St. Mary, South Dartmouth, 1997
May 2
Rt. Rev. Msgr. M.P. Leonidas Lariviere, Pastor, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1963
April 4, 2025
Praying the Way of the Cross for Healing
and Protection
All are welcome to join in a special Way of the Cross for Healing and Protection during Holy Week as the Diocese of Fall River marks April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 14, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River, following the celebration of the daily noontime Mass. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will preside.
This Way of the Cross will include reflections from survivors of clergy abuse and prayers for all children who suffer abuse.
Youth
of Diocese
Around the Diocese
A livestream of the service will be available for those who are not able to attend in person. Please visit https://www.olfallriver.com/watch.
This Way of the Cross for Healing and Protection is being planned by the Diocese of Fall River Office of Safe Environment. Please contact Carolyn Shipp, Director of Safe Environment, with any questions at cshipp@dioc-fr.org.
Bishop’s Easter Message
This year, Easter Sunday falls on April 20, between our April and May issues of The Anchor. Your parish bulletin will likely include Bishop da Cunha’s Easter Message on Easter Sunday, but if you miss it there, please visit the diocesan website at fallriverdiocese.org where it will be available in its entirety in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
invited to Jubilee for Teenagers and Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis
During the Church's Jubilee Year of Hope, the Church will celebrate a Jubilee of Teenagers April 25-27th in Rome. As part of this, on Sunday, April 27th, Blessed Carlo Acutis will be canonized, becoming the first Millennial Saint.
Young people and parishes are invited to celebrate a local jubilee for teenagers and Carlo Acutis' canonization on Wednesday, April 30th at 6PM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in New Bedford which is one of the designated jubilee pilgrimage sites for the diocese.
Young people and parishes
are invited to celebrate a local jubilee for teenagers and Carlo’s Acutis’ canonization during this free evening which will include: Gaming, food, fellowship, a talk on St. Carlo Acutis, 1st Class Relic of St. Carlo for veneration, worship, adoration, and opportunity for Confession.
The first 50 registered teen participants get a copy of ‘‘Digital Disciple: Carlo Acutis and the Eucharist” Comic Book. For more information email Youth Minister Oscar Rivera at orivera@dioc-fr. org and to register go to the Diocese website at www.diocesoffallriver.org.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter is April 25-27
Any married couple that desires a richer, fuller life together deserves a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. Worldwide Marriage Encounter is designed to deepen and enrich the joys a couple shares together, whether they have been married a short time or many years. The next residential Marriage Encounter will take place April 25-27th at Corpus Christi Church in E. Sandwich. This is a non-residential (overnight) weekend encounter. For more information, go to wwmema.org/applyWeekend.php
Men’s Meat N’ Greet Saturday, May 3
The third annual Men’s Meat N’ Greet is set for Saturday, May 3, on the Cathedral Camp grounds in East Freetown, from 5 to 8 p.m. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m.
The gathering will feature a barbeque, team events and supersized yard games, opportunities for fellowship, and a presentation by Jay Hamel, youth minister and men’s ministry leader at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet. All men of the Diocese are welcome to attend.
The event is being sponsored jointly by the Fall River Diocesan Secretariat for the New Evangelization and the Men of St. Joseph apostolate of St. Francis Xavier.
Planners say this Men’s Meat N’ Greet is not only for men who are already plugged into their parish and practicing their faith, but
also for men who do not yet know the Lord or who are not currently living a life of faith.
Deacon Christopher Paul of the Secretariat for the New Evangelization, said, “The book of Proverbs says that ‘just as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another’ (Prov 27:17). The Meat N’ Greet is an awesome opportunity to facilitate this sharpening and support for the men of our Diocese. Plus, what’s not to love about a great BBQ, a ton of bacon, catapult cornhole, potato cannons, and an inspiring talk by a great local speaker? It’s always a really fun atmosphere.”
On the grill at the Men’s Meat N’ Greet will be pulled pork, burgers, hot dogs, and 50 lbs. of bacon. There will be a variety of games such as catapult cornhole and target shooting with potato
cannons and a giant slingshot. A team tractor pull will conclude the outdoor portion of the festivities before men will move inside for the presentation. The talk by Hamel, entitled “By Any Means Necessary,” will focus on the power of the cross and helping our families to get to Heaven.
The cost is $20. and registration is required. Interested men may sign up online in the Upcoming Events section of the diocesan website (fallriverdiocese.org) or by using the QR code on the event flyers above. Questions should be direct-
ed to Deacon Chris Paul at 508658-9089 or cpaul@dioc-fr.org.
Reverend Monsignor Edmund J. Fitzgerald Jr.
Reverend Monsignor Edmund J. Fitzgerald Jr., 82, of Fall River passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River. Monsignor Fitzgerald had been residing at the Cardinal Medeiros Residence for the past several years.
Monsignor was born in Taunton, the son of Dr. Edmund J. Fitzgerald, Sr. and Eunice (Drum) Fitzgerald. He was a graduate of Monsignor James Coyle High School, class of 1960. He attended Boston College for two years before enrolling at St. John’s Seminary. He was ordained to the Roman Catholic Priesthood on May 18, 1968, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River by the Most Reverend James L. Connolly.
Father Jack served as a priest in the parishes of St. Joseph and Holy Name in Fall River. He then served as Pastoral Minister at St. Anne’s Hospital. In 1974, he was in residence at the former Sts. Peter and Paul Church. Monsignor was Diocesan Coordinator of Pastoral Care of the sick, the Moderator for the Catholic Nurses, and a judge for
the Diocesan Tribunal. He became the pastor in 1986 at St. John the Baptist in Westport. In 1988, he became the Director of the Diocesan Health Facilities Office. In 1999, he was named Chaplain to His Holiness with the title of “Monsignor”, and in 2012 was elevated to a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness. From 2006-2019, he was pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Somerset.
Father Jack’s work and commitment to the activities and responsibilities of the Diocese preceded his appointment as pastor of his first parish, St. John the Baptist in Westport. Father Jack brought with him the skills and ability to create and sustain his new parish community, making all feel welcome and included. He was dedicated to his parish and parishioners. Father Jack made himself available at all times to everyone. He loved the vitality and spirit the parish generated.
He helped organize and attend the parish events while encourag-
ing his parishioners to become involved. Over his tenure the community of his parishioners became his extended family. He loved the cycle of faith as he was involved in parishioners lives from Baptism, Communion, Marriage, and the Sacraments of Life. Father Jack had a strong and unwavering sense of faith and character. His compassion was evident in his caring for the needs of the parish. He had a quick sense of humor, was gentle, receptive and kind.
Father Jack loved spending time at his home in West Harwich. He enjoyed gardening and looked forward to each spring. His Cape time was also the opportunity to visit with family, especially his nieces and nephew, Katie, Meghan, and Marc. Monsignor is survived by his brothers, Dr. Paul F. Fitzgerald, and his wife Anne (Bunny) of Cape Cod, Dr. Brian E. Fitzgerald and his wife Maria of Fairfield, CT. , along with nephew Marc Fitzgerald (Al-
yssa), Kathyrn Day (Matthew)and Meghan Almquist (David), and his grandnephews and nieces, Brady, Lucy, Connor, Caitlin Day, Maddie, James, Ellie Fitzgerald, and Charlie, Henry and Edmund Almquist.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday April 10, from 4-7 p.m. in St. Thomas More Church in Somerset, with a Wake Vigil Service held at 6:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday April 11, 2025, celebrated by the Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas More Church. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Taunton.
In accordance with the season of Lent, flowers are omitted.
The family would like to thank Sandy Moniz and her team at Catholic Memorial for the care and compassion they provided to Monsignor Fitzgerald.
Memorial donations in his memory may be made to the Catholic Memorial Home c/o the Alzheimer’s Care Unit.2446 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Ma. 02720.
Annual Catholic Appeal 2025
8 Continued from page two studio, multi-family, and multi-unit properties for low-income individuals and families. It is currently renovating and reconstructing the Talbot Apartments which will bring 26 single residence occupancy units back to New Bedford after a fire in November 2022 left the building uninhabitable.
The actions of donors to the Catholic Appeal have a ripple effect by providing sustenance to brothers and sisters in need. States Miriam Finn Sherman, CEO of the Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts which manages the
Catholic Appeal, “Each year the incredible generosity of parishioners and friends to the Diocese of Fall River is truly humbling. All gifts, no matter their size, have a demonstrable impact and send a tangible message of the importance and value of so many vital ministries.”
Additional information on this year’s Catholic Appeal is available on its website: www. catholicfoundationsema. org/appeal - the website features a video message from Bishop da Cunha and videos highlighting evangelization initiatives and the impact Catholic Charities is making.
Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel
Sunday, April 6 at 7 p.m.
Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6
Sunday, April 6 at 11:00 a.m.
Broadcast from St. Francis Xavier Church, East Providence ***
Sunday, April 13 at 7 p.m.
Broadcast from St. Michael Church, Fall River ***
Good Friday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Broadcast from Our Lady of Mount Church, New Bedford
Easter Sunday, April 20 at 7 p.m.
Broadcast from Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, Providence
Sunday, April 27 at 7 p.m.
Broadcast from Immaculate Conception Church, New Bedford
Celebrant is Father Christopher M. Peschel, Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, New Bedford
Sunday, April 13 at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrant is Father Ryan Healy, Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet
Easter Sunday, April 20 at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrant is Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., Expanded hourlong Television Mass
Sunday, April 27 at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrant is Father Edward A. Murphy, Pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Taunton
Daily Readings † April 5 — May 3
Sat. April 5: Jer 11: 18-20/ Ps 7: 2-3. 9bc-10. 11-12/ Jn 7: 40-53 Sun. April 6: Ez 37: 12-14/ Ps 130: 1-2. 3-4. 5-6. 7-8/ Rom 8: 8-11/ Jn 11: 1-45. Otherwise: Is 43: 16-21/ Ps 126: 1-2. 2-3. 4-5. 6 (3)/ Phil 3: 8-14/ Jn 8: 1-11
Mon. April 7: Dn 13: 1-9. 15-17. 19-30. 33-62 or 13: 41c-62/ Ps 23: 1-3a. 3b-4. 5. 6/ Jn 8: 12-20. Tues. April 8: Nm 21: 4-9/ Ps 102: 2-3. 16-18. 19-21/ Jn 8: 21-30
Wed. April 9: Dn 3: 14-20. 91-92. 95/ Dn 3: 52. 53. 54. 55. 56/ Jn 8: 3142
Thurs. April 10: Gn 17: 3-9/ Ps 105: 4-5. 6-7. 8-9/ Jn 8: 51-59 Fri. April 11: Jer 20: 10-13/ Ps 18: 2-3a. 3bc-4. 5-6. 7/ Jn 10: 31-42
Sat. April 12: Ez 37: 21-28/ Jer 31: 10. 11-12abcd. 13/ Jn 11: 45-56
Sun. April 13: Lk 19: 28-40. Mass: Is 50: 4-7/ Ps 22: 8-9. 17-18. 19-20. 23-24/ Phil 2:6-11/ Lk 22: 14 - 23: 56
Mon. April 14: Is 42: 1-7/ Ps 27: 1. 2. 3. 13-14/ Jn 12: 1-11. Chrism Mass: Is 61: 1-3a. 6a. 8b-9/ Ps 89: 21-22. 25. 27/ Rv 1: 5-8/ Lk 4: 16-21. Tues. April 15: Is 49: 1-6/ Ps 71: 1-2. 3-4a. 5ab-6ab. 15 and 17/ Jn 13: 21-33. 36-38
Wed. April 16: Is 50: 4-9a/ Ps 69: 8-10. 21-22. 31 and 33-34/ Mt 26:1425
Thurs. April 17: Ex 12: 1-8. 11-14/ Ps 116: 12-13. 15-16bc. 17-18/ 1
Cor 11: 23-26/ Jn 13: 1-15
Fri. April 18: Is 52: 13 -- 53: 12/ Ps 31: 2. 6. 12-13. 15-16. 17. 25/ Heb 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9/ Jn 18: 1 -- 19: 42 Sat. April 19: Gn 1: 1 -- 2: 2 or 1: 1. 26-31a/ Ps 104: 1-2. 5-6. 10. 12. 1314. 24. 35 or Ps 33: 4-5. 6-7. 12-13. 20-22/ Gn 22: 1-18 or 22: 1-2. 9a.
10-13. 15-18/ Ps 16: 5. 8. 9-10. 11/ Ex 14: 15 -- 15: 1/ Ex 15: 1-2. 3-4. 5-6. 17-18/ Is 54: 5-14/ Ps 30: 2. 4. 5-6. 11-12. 13/ Is 55: 1-11/ Is 12: 2-3. 4. 5-6/ Bar 3: 9-15. 32 -- 4: 4/ Ps19: 8. 9. 10. 11/ Ez 36: 16-17a. 1828/ Ps 42: 3. 5; 43: 3. 4 or Is 12: 2-3. 4bcd. 5-6 or Ps 51:12-13. 14-15. 18-19/ Rom 6: 3-11/ Ps 118: 1-2. 16-17. 22-23/ Lk 24: 1-12
Sun. April 20: Acts 10: 34a. 37-43/ Ps 118: 1-2. 16-17. 22-23/ Col 3: 1-4 or 1 Cor 5: 6b-8/ Sequence Victimae Paschali Laudes/ Jn 20: 1-9or Mk 16: 1-7 or, at an afternoon or evening Mass, Lk 24: 13-35
Mon. April 21: Acts 2: 14. 22-33/ Ps 16: 1-2a and 5. 7-8. 9-10. 11/ Mt 28: 8-15
Tues. April 22: Acts 2: 36-41/ Ps 33: 4-5. 18-19. 20 and 22/ Jn 20: 11-18
Wed. April 23: Acts 3: 1-10/ Ps 105: 1-2. 3-4. 6-7. 8-9/ Lk 24: 13-35
Thurs. April 24: Acts 3: 11-26/ Ps 8: 2ab and 5. 6-7. 8-9/ Lk 24: 35-48
Fri. April 25: Acts 4: 1-12/ Ps 118: 1-2 and 4. 22-24. 25-27a/ Jn 21: 1-14
Sat. April 26: Acts 4: 13-21/ Ps 118: 1 and 14-15ab. 16-18. 19-21/ Mk 16: 9-15
Sun. April 27: Acts 5: 12-16/ Ps 118: 2-4. 13-15. 22-24/ Rv 1: 9-11a. 1213. 17-19/ Jn 20: 19-3
Mon. April 28: Acts 4: 23-31/ Ps 2: 1-3. 4-7a. 7b-9/ Jn 3: 1-8
Tues. April 29: Acts 4: 32-37/ Ps 93: 1ab. 1cd-2. 5/ Jn 3: 7b-15
Wed. April 30: Acts 5: 17-26/ Ps 34: 2-3. 4-5. 6-7. 8-9/ Jn 3: 16-21
Thurs. May 1: Acts 5: 27-33/ Ps 34: 2 and 9. 17-18. 19-20/ Jn 3: 31-36. Proper Gospel for Joseph: Mt 13: 54-58
Fri. May 2: Acts 5: 34-42/ Ps 27: 1. 4. 13-14/ Jn 6: 1-15
