June2024Anchor

Bishop Emeritus George W. Coleman Dies

On May 25, the Most Reverend George W. Coleman, who faithfully served as the Seventh Bishop of Fall River from July 2003 to September 2014, died at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, where earlier in the week he had undergone surgery. He was 85 years old.

In announcing his death, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., who succeeded Bishop Coleman, said, “While we mourn his passing and will miss him dearly, we are also consoled by the promise of the resurrection, and the certainty that he, a good and faithful servant of the Church, will be rewarded for all the good he has done in this life, and will be our new intercessor in heaven.”

Bishop da Cunha is asked that all join him in prayer for the eternal repose of his “beautiful soul and for the consolation of his family, friends, clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Fall River.”

In December of this year, Bishop Emeritus Coleman would have observed his 60th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. He was recognized for this significant milestone at the diocesan Chrism Mass in St. Mary’s Cath-

edral in Fall River this year during Holy Week. It was in that same cathedral where he was ordained a bishop and installed as the leader

of the Diocese of Fall River on July 22, 2003. That began an 11-year tenure of dedicated, faithful, humble, and competent ministry as he worked to fulfill the many responsibilities of being bishop. He retired at the age 75, as required, and was succeeded by Bishop da Cunha on September 24, 2014. In retirement, while able, Bishop Emeritus Coleman continued to serve the Diocese, often assisting with parish Masses.

His appointment to the episcopacy came as he was serving as administrator of the Diocese of Fall River following the transfer of then Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap. to the Diocese of Palm Beach in Florida in the fall of 2002.

A native of the Diocese, he was born in Fall River on February 1, 1939, the son of the late George W. and Beatrice K. (Shea) Coleman, and raised in Somerset, along with one sister, Eileen, of Milford, Mass.

He graduated from the former Msgr. James Coyle High School in Taunton in 1957 and then attended Holy Cross College in Worces-

ter. He prepared for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton and at the North American College in Rome, where he also earned a graduate degree in sacred theology from the Gregorian University.

He was ordained a priest in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on December 16, 1964.

His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Kilian’s Parish, New Bedford, where he served from 1965 to 1967. He was then assigned to minister in the same capacity at St. Louis Parish, Fall River, until 1972, and from there to Our Lady of Victory Parish, Centerville, until 1977.

He was then appointed to direct the Diocesan Department of Education, a post he held for eight years, overseeing Catholic schools, parish religious education and campus ministry programs in the diocese.

In 1982 he also became pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Fall River.

He left both posts in 1985 to become pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Sandwich, where

Bishop Emeritus Coleman speaks with Pope John Paul II.

Newly ordained priest, Rev. George W. Coleman.

Deacon Bryan Bangs ordained a priest

On Saturday, June 1, Deacon Bryan Bangs, in top photo, was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Middle: Deacon Bangs lies prostrate during the Ordination rite, offering his life to God, as the Litany of the Saints is prayed by all in attendance. Bottom: Newly ordained Father Bangs gives his first priestly blessing to Bishop da Cunha at the conclusion of the Mass.

Walk for Life draws more than 100 faithful at La Salette

By Joan D. Warren Editor joandwarren@anchornews.org

ATTLEBORO— More than 120 faithful gathered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in North Attleboro on Friday, May 10 to participate in a Walk for Life event, organized by the Family and Respect Life Office of the Diocese of Fall River.

The day began with remarks from Alan Silvia, a Massachusetts Legislative Representative, a devout Catholic from Fall River, and ended with Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine.

Rep. Silva, talked about the hurdles he faces as a Roman Catholic among those who believe in the right to abortion.

“Massachusetts is an abortion destination and place where people can go for transgender care. I am outnumbered. There are perhaps seven or eight of us who are pro-life,” he said.

Rep. Silvia cited social media as a way for many to get information and some of it is inaccurate.

“I was censored by Facebook for using the word ‘Jesus’.”

A Rosary for Life was prayed, led by members of the pro-life community.

A special Mass was celebrated by Bishop da Cunha. In his homily, the Bishop said the root of any sin is selfishness and abortion is the ultimate in selfishness.

“Until we change hearts to respect the dignity of human life, to value and respect every person God has created, born and unborn, our work continues’’.

‘‘It never ceases to amaze me how often, without any preplanning or forethought, the

8 Turn to page seven

The Walk For Life event at La Salette will be an annual event.

Eleven men to be admitted as candidates for the permanent diaconate

FALL RIVER — Eleven men will be admitted to candidacy for the Permanent Diaconate of the Diocese of Fall River at St. Mary’s Parish, in South Dartmouth, on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 7:00 P.M.

Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., Bishop of Fall River, will celebrate the Mass during which the admission ceremony will take place.

Assisting Bishop da Cunha, will be Deacons Frank R. Lucca and Deacon Joseph A. McGinley, Co-Directors of the Diocesan Office for the Permanent Diaconate.

The prospective candidates are the eleventh class for the Permanent Diaconate of the Diocese and have been in the formation program for nearly two years.

Admission to candidacy occurs when the prospective candidates have reached maturity of purpose and have demonstrated other necessary qualifications along with their completed required preparatory steps.

During the ceremony, candidates publicly express their desire to be ordained as deacons and the bishop accepts their declaration.

The families of the candidates will be present to join in prayer at this Mass.

The Candidates have completed a period of Aspirancy during which they were advised of the role of the Deacon, expectations for formation and the ministry to which they have been called. Deacon Frank Lucca and Deacon Joseph McGinley, as well as other deacons, formed a team with the purpose of evaluating them and their applications.

During Aspirancy, prospective candidates submitted required documentation and, along with their wives, participated in psychological evaluation.

They have completed one year of study, which included courses in Prayer and Spirituality, Introduction to Theology, Christology and Old Testament. They will continue in three more years of academic and pastoral formation before hoped for ordination as deacons.

The prospective candidates and their parishes are as follows:

Paul DeMeo

Peter DeTerra

Mark Franzoni

Juan Galli

James Johnston

St. Joseph Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth

St. Joseph Parish, Fairhaven

Holy Cross Parish, South Easton

St. Anthony Parish, New Bedford

St. John Neumann Parish, East Freetown

David Lima St. Nicholas of Myra Parish, North Dighton

George MacKoul Christ the King Parish, Mashpee

John O’Neill

St. Theresa Child of Jesus Parish, Attleboro

Marcos Echevarria-Parrilla Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, New Bedford

Mariano Pimentel

Joseph Sollecito

Holy Family Parish, East Taunton

St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Taunton

DIOCESAN

TRIBUNAL FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS

Decree of Citation

Since his present domicile is unknown, in accord with the provision of Canon 1509.1, we hereby cite Fernando A. Couto to appear in person before the Tribunal of the Diocese of Fall River (887 Highland Avenue in Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts) on June 6, 2024 at 2:30 PM to give his testimony regarding the question:

IS THE REBEL0 - COUTO MARRIAGE NULL ACCORDING TO CHURCH LAW?

Anyone who has knowledge of the domicile of Fernando A. Couto is hereby required to inform him of this citation.

Given at the offices of the Diocesan Tribunal in Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts on May 16, 2024.

(Very Rev.) Jeffrey Cabral, J.C.L. Judicial Vicar

(Ms.) Ana Pimentel Ecclesiastical Notary

Bishop George Coleman, seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River, dies at

8 Continued from page one

he served until 1994. From 1990 to 1994 he was dean of the Cape and Islands Deanery.

In August of 1994, Bishop O’Malley reorganized the administration of the Fall River Diocese and appointed then Father Coleman to the position of Vicar General and first Moderator of the Curia.

Later that same year he was named by Pope John Paul II to the rank of Prelate of Honor with the title of Reverend Monsignor.

On October 22, 2002, he was elected to serve as Administrator of the diocese by his peers on the College of Consultors following Bishop O’Malley’s transfer.

At a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated in August 2014, a few weeks before his retirement, Bishop Coleman recalled in his homily that shortly after becoming bishop, he received a letter from a third grader who expressed his hope that the new job would be “fun.” Bishop Coleman continued, “It has been fun, only surpassed by the ever-deepening joy of being Christ’s instrument” in the Diocese.

Father Riley Williams, pastor of Holy Name Parish in Fall River, had a special bond with Bishop Coleman and has many fond memories of their time together.

‘‘I first met then-Monsignor Coleman when I was in high school: he gave me my diploma from Bishop Stang while he was diocesan administrator, and shortly thereafter accepted me as a seminarian. I remember one time, reading my seminary evaluation that noted the importance of physical fitness, he said, ‘You know, there are some who would say that I’m not one to talk about exercise…’ and I didn’t know whether it was safe to laugh or not!

‘‘As I got to know him better, under his qui-

et exterior I came to know Bishop Coleman as a sincere and committed Christian. He felt the weight of the responsibility that rested on his shoulders, and always, according to his capacity and ability, sought to respond to needs as best he could. In particular, he wanted to help bring healing to the wounds caused by sexual

Bishop Coleman anoints the hands of Father Riley Williams during his priestly ordination in 2011. abuse by the clergy.

‘‘I really came to know him best when he retired and lived in my home parish’s rectory in Osterville. There I saw the joy with which he embraced returning to parish life, and the people at my home parish still remember him with great affection. He was also a frequent visitor at Corpus Christi in East Sandwich, where he had been pastor and I was then assigned as Fr. Harrison’s assistant. Once, at the closing of the Year of Mercy, he was giving Holy Communion to the servers, and I saw him stop. When I went over to him, he said, as cool as a cucumber, ‘I think this server has fainted!’ – and, sure enough, a ten-year-old server has fainted right into him, and he stood there to support him until I could come and assist”.

As with many priests in the Diocese from an earlier generation, Monsignor Barry W.

Wall met the future bishop in the 1950’s working at summer camp.

‘‘Back then, seminarians of the Diocese served as counselors at our two summer camps, Cathedral Camp and St. Vincent de Paul Camp. Many enduring friendships among our priests were formed at camp.

‘‘I met George Coleman at Cathedral Camp in 1959. He had completed two years at the College of Holy Cross and was preparing to enter St. John’s Seminary College in Boston.

Usually, on the day the camp season came to an end, the seminarian counselors went to Lincoln Park to celebrate. When I was less than

Bishop Coleman (center) processes into the Cathedral for a Mass of Thanksgiving, a few weeks before his retirement.

eager to get on the roller coaster, George said, ‘It has to be safe, its on a rail’. He was a railroad train enthusiast all his life.

‘‘While he was serving as Vicar General, and Moderator of the Curia under Bishop O’Malley, we would go on short trips to destinations in this country. Cardinal Sean has always been quick to acknowledge the wholehearted support he had for Bishop Coleman.”

When Bishop da Cunha was appointed in Fall River, the transition in leadership was seamless.

‘‘When I became Bishop, he stayed away completely. He respected that I was the Bishop and when I consulted, he would be helpful with information, but he never told me what to do.’’

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Physician-assisted suicide, according to its advocates, offers a good way to wrap up our life as we face extreme suffering. When we think we have reached the limit of what we can bear in terms of pain and discomfort, they assure us we can choose death on “our own terms.” Given supposition that our life belongs to us and no one else, we are told we should feel free to end it, supported by professionals from the medical community. Once our physician has prescribed us a toxic pharmaceutical, we are at liberty to ingest it whenever we are ready and “want out.” This final act will putatively close out our time of suffering, resolving our situation for the better, and giving permanent testimony that we believe we are, quite literally, “better off dead.”

But are we?

What if multiple mistaken ideas and flawed assumptions sustain this whole line of thinking? For example, what if we are mistaken in supposing that our life is exclusively our own? What if it also belongs, in important ways, to God and to others? And what if we are mistaken in supposing that suffering can no longer befall those who pass through death to the other side?

Some might be tempted to reply, “There is no God and no ‘other side.’” Beyond the portal of death, they argue, lies nothing — mere void and blackness. We vanish, and life does not continue on in any form.

Careful thinkers, however, would have to admit that, since we have not actually died yet, we lack the first-hand experience or positive knowledge to be certain about this conclusion. Given that many religious traditions teach strongly about our existence after death, careful thinkers face still greater uncertainty when it comes to the claim that there is no “other side.” It could even be the

case that they may be simply deceiving themselves about something that they wish were true.

Many people today take this same approach when speaking about others who have died. “She is with the angels,” they may declare, or, “He’s in a better place now.” Even though they lack any first-hand or real knowledge that would support such claims about other people’s post-mortem destinies, they simply want it to be so, and because they desire it to be that way, they jump to the conclusion that it actually is so.

This can have a practical impact whereby Catholics, for example, may not pray or have Masses offered for the repose of the soul of

departed loved ones, even though both of these activities, objectively speaking, could be of potentially great assistance to those who have died. Instead, they play along in a kind of cultural fiction tempting us to believe that if we feel or want something to be true, then it must be so.

of our own demise.

Careful thinkers, then, will acknowledge that, at a minimum, they lack certitude regarding the conclusion that suffering, purgation and punishment are impossible in the hereafter. They also need to consider scenarios in which the hereafter may be much longer than they might initially suppose, perhaps even eternal, as they ponder the ethical questions involved in death, dying and self-killing.

Given our lack of first-hand awareness of what awaits us after death, and the potential for serious, extended consequences, we may indeed be foolishly gambling with our most valuable asset, our very selves, if we choose physician-assisted suicide as a means of ending our earthly existence. This could engender profound regret. In thinking through the worst-case scenario, we could even envision the prospect of catastrophic repercussions and the loss of everything through eternal perdition, if we had, with full awareness and intention, and in the absence of mental illness or other mitigating factors, freely pursued the wrongful action of suicide.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

In considering our own death, then, we may similarly entertain a strong wish that there be no more sufferings on the other side, especially when it comes to justifying our decision to engage in physician-assisted suicide. Simply having such a wish, however, does not actually make it so. From our limited vantage point, we cannot safely rule out the possibility that after we die, we could encounter purifications and afflictions similar to, or exceeding, those we left behind, especially if we had chosen to become the direct cause and agent

Looking squarely at these logical possibilities and unpacking some of the flawed assumptions behind physician-assisted suicide can help us avoid the most serious miscalculation of all, whereby we end up, not in deliverance, but in straits potentially far worse than the limited, earthly travails we are seeking to escape. Instead of trusting in worldly slogans and leaning on human wishes, careful thinkers will seek to discern the deeper eschatological order governing human perishing and death.

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.

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Editorial

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is always a jubilant occasion, but this year there are two reasons to celebrate it with greater attention, prayer, joy and resolve.

The first is because we are now six months into the 18-month 350th anniversary of Jesus’ apparitions in Paray-le-Monial, France, to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, which began on December 27, 1673 and continued through June 16, 1675 and in which Jesus poured out the depths of his Sacred Heart to her and through her to the world.

The second reason is because the Solemnity is taking place during the Heart of the Eucharistic Revival in the Church in the United States, 21 days into the 65-day National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, 40 days from the first National Eucharistic Congress in 83 years, and during the Revival’s parish phrase geared toward reinvigorating the worship of Christ at Mass, augmenting personal encounter with him in Eucharistic adoration, more robustly learning and passing with fervor and precision the Church’s Eucharistic faith and love, and going out on mission to invite others to human life’s greatest and most important feast.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus focuses on more than his sacred humanity and the human and divine love that still beats in his pierced but risen heart. By Jesus’ own self-revelation threeand-a-half centuries ago, love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is intensely Eucharistic. Not only did three of his major apparitions to the French Visitation nun take place in explicit connection to the Holy Eucharist — twice in Eucharistic adoration and once while she was preparing to receive Holy Communion — but the fundamental content of what he revealed focused on how to respond to him in his Eucharistic presence.

In his last revelation to the St. Margaret Mary, Jesus pointed to his mystically-visible heart, aflame and crowned with thorns, and said, “Behold the Heart that has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even exhausting and consuming itself in testimony of its love; and in return, I receive from most only ingratitude, by their irreverence and sacrilege, and by the coldness and contempt they have for me in this Sacrament of Love. But what I feel most keenly is that it is hearts that are consecrated to me that treat me in this way.”

Jesus links the “heart that has so much loved men” with our response to him in his “Sacrament of Love,” which is the way he refers to his presence in the Holy Eucharist, which is the efficacious sign he instituted to confer what it signifies, the full outpouring of his love, as he gives his Body and Blood for our salvation, sanctification and spiritual nourishment. Pope Benedict would adopt those words — Sacramentum Caritatis — as the title for his 2007 apostolic exhortation on the Holy Eucharist.

Jesus’ message to the French nun has not lost its relevance. Indeed, the enduring validity of his words is one of the reasons why a Eucharistic Revival is much needed.

Jesus forthrightly laments that his self-giving love, for the most part, goes unrequited. He spared nothing, exhausting and consuming himself to show us how much he loved us, taking on our nature, putting up patiently with us as his creatures, even allowing us to persecute, mock, torture and crucify him, and then going so far as to give us himself under the appearance of bread and wine as our spiritual food. In response, he says, he receives from most — those consecrated to him in Baptism, not to mention religious who live a “more intimate form” of baptismal consecration and priests whose humanity is linked to Christ’s action in the consecration of the altar — only ingratitude, irreverence, sacrilege, coldness and scorn.

Such words, which should pierce anyone who truly loves the Lord, also provide a path of reparation. What Jesus bemoans indicates, when we flip them positively, what he wishes to find. Each of these actions and attitudes should become, therefore, a touchstone for the Eucharistic Revival.

In response to “most” treating him in the “sacrament of love” with ingratitude, we ought to approach the Eucharistic Jesus with unceasing thanks.

In contrast with those who treat him with irreverence, who regard him just as a “piece of bread,” who go through the motions of genuflections or who attend Mass as if it barely matters, he wants us to treat him with deep piety.

In answer to the multitudes treating him sacrilegiously, receiving him in a state of sin or even blaspheming against the Blessed Sacrament, he wants us to receive him with souls fully intent on holiness and cleansed of sin.

Counter to all who relate to him with coldness and lack of enthusiasm, who approach him at Mass or in tabernacles as bored and distracted spectators rather than ardent participants, he wants us more passionate about him at the Mass than the most fanatical Celtics fans are during the NBA finals.

In contradistinction to so many treating him with disdain, he hopes that we relate to him with praise, blessing and, indeed, love.

This is what is being attempted in the Eucharistic Revival, which is meant to help us treat the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament with fitting gratitude, piety, purity, passion and praise.

The upcoming National Eucharistic Congress, to be held July 17-21 in Indianapolis, is an opportunity for all who love the Lord to come together to celebrate the great gift that God-with-us is still very much with us.

The Eucharistic Pilgrimage now ongoing, a

continuous Eucharistic procession from east, west, north and south all converging in Indianapolis, is an unprecedented, some might even say lavish and crazy, manifestation of Eucharist faith and love as young people together with chaplains walk with Jesus, giving witness to the Church’s faith that the same Jesus who once traversed Judea, Jerusalem and Jericho now is journeying — in a modern Emmaus walk — through the United States, even if many who encounter him might not yet recognize him.

The number of parishes holding extended or exceptional periods of Eucharistic adoration, arranging Eucharistic processions, emphasizing the Eucharist more in religious education classes for children and adults, organizing “invite one back” initiatives to encourage fallen away Catholics to return and putting more into the reverential and joyous celebration of Sunday and daily Mass, are all important witnesses to trying to treat Jesus as he deserves and desires.

In his apparitions to St. Margaret Mary, Jesus asked for the institution of a feast of his Sacred Heart immediately after the celebration of the octave of Corpus Christi, then held universally on the second Thursday after Pentecost, to manifest the clear connection between his heart and the Eucharist. The Church has been faithful to that desire. Pope Clement XIII approved it for specific dioceses in 1765, Blessed Pius IX extended it to the whole Church in 1856 and in 1899 — 125 years ago this May — Pope Leo XIII consecrated the world to the Sacred Heart. They have declared June the month of the Sacred Heart and promoted the devotion of first Fridays of the month, when priests are encouraged to celebrate Votive Masses of the Sacred Heart when possible and faithful are encouraged to attend Mass.

These are all acts of Eucharistic reparation — for the ingratitude, irreverence, sacrilege, coldness and scorn Jesus receives in the most Blessed Sacrament — and of Eucharistic love. They are a means to intensify and perpetuate the fruits of the Eucharistic Revival.

As the Church celebrates an especially significant Solemnity of the Sacred Heart during the heart of the Eucharistic revival, let us strive to do so in a way Jesus has suggested will please him most keenly: to spare nothing as we exhaust and consume ourselves to show our thanks, reverence, holiness, ardor and praise.

This Solemnity is an opportunity for the Church to pray, mean and live what we proclaim at the end of the reparative litany of divine praises after Eucharistic benediction: may the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen!

Walk for Life to be an annual event at the Shrine of La Salette

8 Continued from page two

Mass readings perfectly align with the topic of the event. Beginning with Saint Paul’s hearing from the Lord in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you.’ This encouragement to keep speaking, keep sharing the Good News, and keep bringing Christ’s message to the world is also meant for us. We cannot be afraid to speak out, to be the voice for our most vulnerable citizens, regardless of the difficulty or challenges we face; we are not alone, Jesus is always with us.

‘‘Know the Church is with you, behind you, and you can take courage to speak the truth—humbly, respectively, especially to those who criticize your beliefs. We are to use tactics of love, gentleness, and understanding —demonstrating we can live with differences. No violation of human dignity should be tolerated, and this issue goes beyond abortion. We walk for the lives of the elderly, terminally ill, victims of war, and those trafficked. We stand, we walk, we speak, to protect the innocent and defenseless among us,’’ us,” Bishop da Cunha said.

“What we need is to humbly, non-violently and respectfully show our faith to those who criticize us with love and humility,” us,” Bishop

da Cunha said.

He went on to say that the pro-life cause embraces not only the unborn, but assisted suicide and the scourge of human human trafficking.

“We must pray for the respect of human life from conception to natural death and we

must pray to change the hearts of others,” he said.

After a quick lunch break, the group, which included students from Bishop Feehan High School and Bishop Stang High School, began the 2.2 mile loop on Park Street.

Clair Picchielat, a parishioner at Holy Cross Church in Easton and chairperson of the

Respect Life group at the church, walked with her grandson, Nolan.

“This is my first walk. When I was working, it wasn’t possible, but I am retired now and have time to get involved,” she said.

Using a bullhorn, Avary Serpa, a junior at Bishop Feehan, led the group through the Rosary along the walk.

“I wasn’t going to come since I have AP [Advanced Placement] exams coming up, but this takes priority. I listened to the Holy Spirit. My AP exams will be over but this issue is ongoing,” the 16-year old said.

Irina Robinson, Director of Family and Respect Life, and Deborah LeDoux, Coordinator of Family and Respect Life, organized this first local Walk for Life and plan on making it an annual event.

‘‘I am in the clouds happy. The weather cooperated, everybody is happy to be here, including my parents. Seeing all these high school students walking for this important cause is inspiring,” she said.

Sophia Botelho, a freshman at Bishop Stang, took stock in what the Bishop said in his homily.

‘‘I like how He connected the readings to what we are here for today. We are preaching Jesus’s message and will keep going even if we face opposition,” she said.

Bishop Stang girls and boys lacrosse teams raise more than $6,000 for American Cancer Society

On April 29th, the Bishop Stang Girls and Boys Lacrosse programs ran a very successful “Stick it to Cancer” fundraiser event. Capturing wins on the field, however, wasn’t the only accomplishment. Collectively, they were able to raise more than $6,000 to be donated towards cancer research through the American Cancer Society. After a successful event last year, they wanted to aim even higher and begin to incorporate the Boys Lacrosse program as well. The goal for this year was set at $5,000. With the Girls hosting Seekonk at 3:45, and the Boys Hosting Old Rochester at 6:00, this doubleheader was the perfect opportunity to join forces to achieve their goal. The fundraiser was off to a great start, having already raised more than $2,300 towards the goal prior to the event. The players from all teams incorporated pink, purple, and other colors that represented a particular type of cancer as part of their game uniform for the night. It was a packed campus with great energy for the games. Old Rochester and Seekonk were both great partners and their school communities helped surpass the goal.

8 Continued from page four

Bishop Emeritus George Coleman remembered

‘‘It was a gentle, humble and respectful way of not wanting to make his previous experience as Bishop my way of doing things. He was professional and respectful of proper protocols, and let me do things my way,” Bishop da Cunha said.

In addition to his sister, Eileen Keegan, he is survived by one nephew, Christopher Keegan and his wife Diana, two great nephews, Matthew and Patrick Keegan all of Milford, MA, and cousin Cindy Day of Falmouth.

A wake and Vigil service for Bishop Coleman took place on Thursday, May 30, at St. Mary’s Cathedral. A Mass of Christian Burial for him was celebrated on Friday, May 31, also at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

At least 13 bishops from dioceses in New England attended Bishop Coleman’s funeral.

The homily was given by the Very Rev. David Pignato, secretary to Bishop Coleman for four years.

‘‘As we commend the noble soul of Bishop Coleman to the great mercy of God, we have the consolation of knowing that he lived his whole life for Jesus Christ.

‘‘And his faith inspired the choice of his Episcopal motto, Dominique Sumos.

He believed with great conviction that the Paschal mystery explains the reality of our lives and he lived with hope in the resurrection and the gift of eternal life that Jesus Christ offers to those who are faithful.

‘‘I never heard Bishop Coleman speak of the sacrifices that he had made and was continuing to make for God. Instead, I heard him speak often to all that God has done for him by inviting him to be a priest and then a bishop,” Father Pignato said.

The video of the Mass of Christian Burial has been posted on the diocesan YouTube channel. Please visit www. YouTube.com/ frdcomm

Donations in Bishop Coleman’s memory may be made to the Diocese of Fall River Clergy Retirement Fund, c/o Chancery Finance Office, 450 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720.

The Daily Readings for June appear on page 18.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River, and Bishop George W. Coleman, the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River in conversation.

St. Joseph School raises money for St. Damien Food Pantry

FAIRHAVEN — On Friday, May 10th, the faculty, staff and students at St. Joseph School, Fairhaven, dressed in Aloha style, celebrated the Feast day of St. Damien of Molokai. He ministered to people with leprosy (now called Hansen’s disease).

During Lent, as part of Alms Giving, $452 was collected for the St. Damien Food Pantry in Wareham. This food pantry is a ministry of the Congregation of the Sacred of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Pauline Lolly, executive director of the food pantry, came to school and accepted the check on behalf of the clients that are served at the pantry. She also spoke about the workings of the pantry and how grateful the people are for all the kindness they receive.

Pauline Lolly, Executive Director of the St. Damien Food Pantry with a student dressed in aloha style to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Damien of Molokai. The students raised $452 for the pantry.

Following the presentation, students watched a PowerPoint presentation on the life of Father Damien.

The celebration ended with Father Maiki Kamauoha, ss.cc, the pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, blessing everyone with a relic of St. Damien, ss.cc.

Dynamic speakers set to lead sessions at Day of Eucharist Encounter

FALL RIVER — Three speakers with impressive credentials and varied experiences serving the Church will lead the multilingual breakout sessions planned for the Day of Eucharistic Encounter in the Diocese of Fall River in September.

Internationally known author, speaker and television host Chris Stefanick will present at the English sessions; recently ordained Auxiliary Bishop Cristano Barbosa of the Archdiocese of Boston at the sessions in Portuguese; and Worcester diocesan Director of Hispanic Ministry and St. Paul’s Cathedral Rector Father Hugo A. Cano at the sessions in Spanish.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will be celebrant and homilist of the Mass offered during the day’s encounter.

The Diocesan Day of Eucharistic Encounter is set for Saturday, September 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the former Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River. All are welcome. The day will serve as the centerpiece of the diocesan observance of the National Eucharistic Revival now underway across the country and will

include -in addition to the breakout sessions and Mass — adoration, Eucharistic exhibits, vendors, activities for children, and more.

Each of the breakouts will have a presentation by the featured speaker along with prayer and music.

“The Holy Spirit has truly been at work ahead of this Encounter. We are so grateful to have speakers of this caliber for this day,” said David Carvalho, Secretary for the New Evangelization in the Diocese, who is leading a committee planning the Day of Eucharistic Encounter.

“Revival is God stirring up the hearts of his people. It’s the Holy Spirit kindling the fires of his love by leading us back to the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist. Each of these speakers, in his own style, is a gifted, engaging communicator. They will surely encourage and help participants to hear the Spirit’s call, recognize the Eucharistic Lord at work and contribute to an overall great experience at this Day of Encounter.”

Stefanick is the founder and president of

Real Life Catholic, a Denver-based non-profit ministry focused on spreading the Gospel message in contemporary times. Its Facebook page succinctly conveys its mission: “We share the love of Jesus and help others to do the same.”

Through his various initiatives — live seminars, TV, radio, and video ministry, Stefanick has helped to bring the Gospel message to impressive numbers. His live seminars reach more than 85,000 people per year, and his reality TV show, videos, and radio spots reach millions of people through a variety of media and platforms. In addition, he created the Chosen Confirmation program, which has already formed more than 500,000 teens, and has also authored books including Living Joy: ‘‘9 Rules to Help You Rediscover and Live Joy Every Day” and ‘‘The Search’’. He is a recipient

8 Turn to page 19

Chris Stefanick

83rd Annual Catholic Appeal ‘‘Renew the Face of the Earth” at $2.5 million, ends June 30

FALL RIVER — The month of June marks the final chance to support the 83rd Annual Catholic Appeal, which ends on Sunday, June 30. To-date, the annual campaign has raised $2.5 million of its $5 million goal. Appeal leaders say now is the time to make a gift in support of the many agencies assisting tens of thousands in need throughout the Diocese of Fall River each year.

Catholics are all called to be God’s servants: to be there for the community and to lend a helping hand, a spirit of hope and a willingness to renew the teachings of our Lord through their love and actions. The many programs and ministries of the Diocese of Fall River bring these teachings to life, offering a hot meal to the hungry

and a safe place to lay one’s head; bringing emotional peace where there is unrest; and ensuring that young people not only hear the word of God, but understand what it means to live a life in Christ and to love Him. All of this and more, is made possible by the dona-

tions of thousands of generous supporters to the annual Catholic Appeal.

Gifts to the Catholic Appeal help Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River (CCFR) carry out its promise to provide ”Service Anchored in Faith.” For 100 years, CCFR has been the human services arm of the Diocese of Fall River. It served nearly 30,000 individuals in the Diocese in 2023. CCFR helps with basic and emergency needs, homelessness, food insecurity, housing services, mental health ministry, foreclosure help, citizenship services, and much more.

“We are the faith in action. When you think of the corporal works of mercy – feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, welcome the stranger – that is what Catholic Charities does. That is what we embody. We try to respond to whatever is keeping people from

living their best lives or from being able to just survive…and we help them thrive,” said Susan Mazzarella, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River

Support for the Appeal extends past physical assistance to help uphold spiritual and mental well-being. Catholic Charities has launched a much-needed Mental Health Ministry within the Diocese. This ministry’s main purpose is spiritual accompaniment, reminding parishioners impacted by mental health issues that they are not alone. The ministry provides education and awareness; creates a welcoming, accepting environment; offers companionship for those affected by mental health issues; supports family members and caregivers; and provides advocacy and referrals for therapy, counseling, or clinical treatment.

Rose Mary Saraiva, volunteer and Bereavement and Mental Health Ministry Coordinator for Catholic Charities, asked,

“Why is it so important to donate to the Catholic Appeal? Well, because somebody’s mental health and mental wellness is critical.

In Your Prayers

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

June 8

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

June 9

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

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

June 10

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

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

June 11

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

June 12

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

June 13

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

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

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

Rev. Deacon Robert William Alence, 2021

June 14

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

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

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

Rev. Ambrose Forgit, SS.CC., 2010

June 16

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

June 17

Rev. Deacon Claude A. LeBlanc, 2011

June 18

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

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

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

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

June 19

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

June 20

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

June 21

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

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

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

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

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

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

June 22

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

Rev. Christopher Grannell, SS.CC., 1990

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

(Continued)

June 23

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

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

June 24

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

June 25

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

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

June 26

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

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

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

June 27

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

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

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

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

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

June 28

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

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

June 30

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

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

Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, Retired Fire Chaplain, Fall River Fire Department, 2017

July 1

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

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

July 2

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

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

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

July 3

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

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

July 4

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

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

July 5

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

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

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

Act now to contribute to the 83rd Annual Catholic Appeal ‘‘Renew the Face of the Earth”

8 Continued from page 13

We see illnesses and we recognize illnesses, and we sympathize with someone who may be dealing with cancer, or diabetes, or a heart condition. But when it comes to mental health, so often these people are told things like, ‘you can get over it, you can shake that off, it’s just temporary. You’ll be fine. Just smile and get over it.’ It’s critical for

us to deal with the whole person and deal with mental wellness, and get people to a state where they can be completely and totally healthy: physically, emotionally, mentally. The Mental Health Ministry is critical. The key with the Mental Health Ministry is to help individuals find those doors, open those doors, get past the barriers, and get the help they need.”

The Secretariat for the New

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6

Sunday, June 9 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Craig A. Pregana, Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Attleboro

Sunday, June 16 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Marek Chmurski, Parochial Administrator of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Buzzards Bay

Sunday, June 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Maurice O. Gauvin, Pastor of Espirito Santo and St. Anthony of Padua Parishes, Fall River

Sunday, June 30 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Paul G. Canuel, Retired Priest of the Diocese of Fall River

Evangelization serves our parishes, schools, and college campuses by equipping Catholics of the Diocese of Fall River to play active roles in an invigorated Church. The Secre-

tariat’s office’s vision is for people of all ages to engage as disciples of Jesus; for Catholic communities to be evangelically capable; for married couples and families to live as the domestic Church; and for every human life to be protected and loved from conception to natural death. Their team works to achieve this vision through parish evangelization, consultations and general support, talks and workshops, and life-long formation efforts across a number of ministries including: campus ministry; family and respect life; adult and child discipleship; and youth ministry.

“Our department is working hard with parishes to build a culture where people not only come to learn about Jesus; but they know who He is. They fall in love with Him. And that changes our Church. Our office couldn’t func-

tion without the Catholic Appeal. I don’t know if you realize, but when you give to the Appeal, you are helping us continue Jesus’s mission. I see people get changed, and it’s because of what you give.” said David Carvalho, Secretary of the New Evangelization for the Diocese of

Fall River

“We need men to hear the call to carry on the mission of bringing the sacraments to the people,” said Fr. Jack Schrader, Vocations Office Director and Pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich.

The Appeal makes possible this effort of going out to find the men God is calling and supporting them in answering that call.” Catholic Appeal donors provide direct support to our seminarians and the Office of Vocations, which assist men who are hearing the call to a life of service in the priesthood.

“We are striving to bring awareness first and foremost to the vocation to the priesthood, to religious life, to all the vocations. [Donor support of the Appeal] really has made a big difference in the lives of not only me as a newly ordained priest and coming through seminary, but also the

future seminarians of the Diocese,” said Rev. John Garabedian, Vocations Office Assistant Director.

There are multiple ways to give, see page 17 for options

Celebrant is Father Paul G. Canuel, Retired Priest of the Diocese of Fall River

Contributions to the Catholic Appeal

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 508-675-1311 to make your gift, setup a pledge, or to ask any questions.

Congratulations and God’s Blessings on your Ordination, Father Bryan Bangs!

Prayerfully,

Father Jeff Cabral and Santo Christo Parish

Sat. June 8: 2 Tm 4: 1-8: Ps 71: 8-9. 14-15ab. 16-17. 22: Lk 2: 41-51

Sun. June 9: Gen 3: 9-15: Ps 130: 1-2. 3-4. 5-6. 7-8 (7bc): 2 Cor 4: 13 5: 1: Mk 3: 20-35

Mon. June 10: 1 Kgs 17: 1-6: Ps 121: 1bc-2. 3-4. 5-6. 7-8: Mt 5: 1-12

Tues. June 11: Acts 11: 21b-26; 13: 1-3: Ps 98: 1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4. 5-6: Mt 5: 13-16

Wed. June 12: 1 Kgs 18: 20-39: Ps 16: 1b-2ab. 4. 5ab and 8. 11: Mt 5: 17-19

Thurs. June 13: 1 Kgs 18: 41-46: Ps 65: 10. 11. 12-13: Mt 5: 20-26

Fri. June 14: 1 Kgs 19: 9a. 11-16: Ps 27: 7-8a. 8b-9abc. 13-14: Mt 5: 27-32

Sat. June 15: 1 Kgs 19: 19-21: Ps 16: 1b-2a and 5. 7-8. 9-10: Mt 5: 33-37

Sun. June 16: Ez 17: 22-24: Ps 92: 2-3. 13-14. 15-16: 2 Cor 5: 6-10: Mk 4: 26-34

Mon. June 17: 1 Kgs 21: 1-16: Ps 5: 2-3ab. 4b-6a. 6b-7: Mt 5: 38-42

Tues. June 18: 1 Kgs 21: 17-29: Ps 51: 3-4. 5-6ab. 11 and 16: Mt 5: 43-48

Wed. June 19: 2 Kgs 2: 1. 6-14: Ps 31: 20. 21. 24: Mt 6: 1-6. 16-18

Thurs. June 20: Sir 48: 1-14: Ps 97: 1-2. 3-4. 5-6. 7: Mt 6: 7-15

Fri. June 21: 2 Kgs 11: 1-4. 9-18. 20: Ps 132: 11. 12. 13-14. 17-18: Mt 6: 19-23

Sat. June 22: 2 Chr 24: 17-25: Ps 89: 4-5. 29-30. 31-32. 33-34: Mt 6: 24-34

Sun. June 23: Jb 38: 1. 8-11: Ps 107: 23-24. 25-26. 28-29. 30-31 (1b): 2

Cor 5: 14-17: Mk 4: 35-41

Mon. June 24: Vigil: Jer 1: 4-10: Ps 71: 1-2. 3-4a. 5-6ab. 15ab and 17: 1 Pt 1: 8-12: Lk 1: 5-17. Day:Is 49: 1-6: Ps 139: 1b-3. 13-14ab. 14c-15: Acts 13: 22-26: Lk 1: 57-66. 80

Tues. June 25: 2 Kgs 19: 9b-11. 14-21. 31-35a. 36: Ps 48: 2-3ab. 3cd-4. 1011: Mt 7: 6. 12-14

Wed. June 26: 2 Kgs 22: 8-13; 23: 1-3: Ps 119: 33. 34. 36. 37. 40: Mt 7: 15-20

Thurs. June 27: 2 Kgs 24: 8-17: Ps 79: 1b-2. 3-5. 8. 9: Mt 7: 21-29

Fri. June 28: 2 Kgs 25: 1-12: Ps 137: 1-2. 3. 4-5. 6: Mt 8: 1-4

Sat. June 29: Vigil: Acts 3: 1-10: Ps 19: 2-3. 4-5: Gal 1: 11-20: Jn 21: 15-19. Day: Acts 12: 1-11: Ps 34: 2-3. 4-5. 6-7. 8-9: 2 Tm 4: 6-8. 17-18: Mt 16: 13-19

Sun. June 30: Wis 1: 13-15; 2: 23-24: Ps 30: 2. 4. 5-6. 11. 12. 13 (2a): 2 Cor 8: 7. 9. 13-15: Mk 5: 21-43

Mon. July 1: Am 2: 6-10. 13-16: Ps 50: 16bc-17. 18-19. 20-21. 22-23: Mt 8: 18-22

Tues. July 2: Am 3: 1-8; 4: 11-12: Ps 5: 4b-6a. 6b-7. 8: Mt 8: 23-27

Wed. July 3: Eph 2: 19-22: Ps 117: 1bc. 2: Jn 20: 24-29

Thurs. July 4: Am 7: 10-17: Ps 19: 8. 9. 10. 11: Mt 9: 1-8

Fri. July 5: Am 8: 4-6. 9-12: Ps 119: 2. 10. 20. 30. 40. 131: Mt 9: 9-13

27th Annual FACE Summer Gala on Cape Cod

The 27th Annual FACE Summer Gala on Cape Cod will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024, at the Wianno Club in Osterville from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

Overlooking spectacular ocean views at the event, guests will join in the festivities of the evening with a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, and exciting program. Tom and Pat Marmen of Cotuit, Event Chairs, active parishioners of Our Lady of the Assumption in Osterville, and have long been involved in Catholic Education. The Marmens expressed,

“It is an honor to be asked by Bishop da Cunha and the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE) to serve as Chairs for the FACE Summer Gala. The event supports families who desire a Catholic education for their children and who are in need of financial assistance. With your assistance FACE enabled over 1,000 students to have a Catholic school education.”

During the event, The Al Makkay Sr. Award will be presented to the honored

recipient, Rev. Christopher D. Hughes, Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Victory Parish and Our Lady of the Assumption Parishes and Chaplain, at St. John Paul II High School and Preparatory Division. This award is in recognition of outstanding contributions in the Catholic Schools of Cape Cod.

Guests will have the opportunity to participate in the fun-filled Gift Raffle, Live Auction and Fund A Scholarship with Cape Auctioneer, John Terrio, of Auction Knights.

Some spectacular Live Auction items will be for bid including dinner and overnight at the Premier Chatham Bars Inn, a three-night stay vacation destination to Charleston, South Carolina and an exclusive wine tasting for eight friends in their home by Patricia Allen Lornell, Off The Vine, and more. All ar invited to join for a spectacular evening all while raising critical scholarship dollars for students in need. For tickets, sponsorships and donatons, please visit: www.face-dfr.org/2024-summer-gala

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel

Sunday, June 9, at 7 p.m. Broadcast from Immaculate Conception Church, New Bedford ***

Sunday, June 16 at 7 p.m.

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

Sunday, June 23 at 7 p.m. Broadcast from St. Anthony Church, Taunton ***

Sunday, June 30 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Santo Christo Church, Fall River

of the Papal Benemerenti Medal for his service to the Church.

Bishop Barbosa was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Boston this year. He serves as the Secretary for Evangelization and Discipleship for the Archdiocese and as the episcopal vicar for its central region.

Born in Adamantina, Brazil, he was ordained to the priesthood in December 2007 at the Diocesan Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. He later served in several parishes in the Boston Archdiocese and was incardinated as a priest of the archdiocese in 2021.

Bishop Barbosa’s academic record includes a licentiate and training in professional psychology from the Universidade Estadual Paulista, a licentiate of philosophy from the Universidade de Sagrado Coracao, and a master’s degree in psychology from Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Minas Gerais, all in Brazil, and a licentiate in sacred theology and a doctorate in sacred theology from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He previously served on the faculty of St. John’s Seminary and part-time at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston.

san Cathedral of St. Paul.

A native of Columbia, he studied at the Pontifical Bolivarian University there before coming to the United States. While in residence at the Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies in the Worcester Diocese, he continued his education at Clark University and Boston University. He also attended St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.

Visit fallriverdiocese.org to learn more and register for the Day of Eucharistic Encounter. 8 Continued from page 12

Father Cano has led Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Worcester for the past five years. In 2021, was appointed to also serve as rector of the dioce-

He was ordained a priest for the Worcester Diocese in 2012 and served in parish ministry for a while before becoming chaplain at Worcester Polytechnical Institute in 2015. He was also a co-director of the Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies, which houses the diocesan Office of Vocations and different formation programs.

Father Cano

Bishop Barbossa

Alice (Guerra) Avila, mother of Monsignor Stephen J. Avila

Alice (Guerra) Avila, 99, of NewBedford, died on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Sacred Heart Home following a period of declining health. She was the devoted wife of Joseph S. Avila, who died in 2010. They were married for 63 years.

Born in New Bedford on January 1, 1925, she was the daughter of the late John and Guilhermina Guerra. A 1943 graduate of New Bedford High School, she was formerly employed in the office of Hemingway Transport Company.

Alice was a communicant of the former St. John the Baptist Parish. She served as

a Eucharistic Minister and volunteered at various parish activities. She and Joe were active members of the parish Couples Club and cherished the many dear friends they made through the organization. When St. John’s closed in 2012, Alice became a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish. Alice is survived by two

sons: David G. Avila and his wife Maureen of North Attleboro and Reverend Monsignor Stephen J. Avila, Pastor of St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish in Falmouth; two grandsons: John D. Avila and his wife Abigail of Glen Allen, VA , and Michael J. Avila of Burlington, MA, and one great-granddaughter, Charlotte E. Avila, also of Glen Allen.

Visiting hours were held at the AUBERTINE-LOPES

FUNERAL HOME on Tuesday June 4. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, June 5 at St. Julie Billiart Church,

North Dartmouth Interment followed at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, New Bedford. Please consider a donation in Alice’s memory to the St. John the Baptist ` Memorial Window Fund at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church or to the Sacred Heart Home Chapel Fund.

Kindly make checks payable to St. Joseph Parish and mail to 167 East Falmouth Highway, East Falmouth, MA 02536.

Please designate which fund you are donating to on the memo line. For online guestbook, please visit www. aubertine-lopes.com.