Bishop da Cunha celebrates 10 years leading Diocese
By Joan D. Warren Editor joandwarren@anchornews.org
FALL RIVER — On Sunday, October 6, 2024, the Diocese of Fall River will celebrate Bishop Edgar Moreira da Cunha’s tenth anniversary of installation. He is the eighth Bishop of the Diocese.
In the past ten years, the bishop has embraced his spiritual family, made necessary changes to streamline chancery operations, weathered a pandemic and continues to lead the Diocese through a Eucharistic revival.
In a recent interview, the Bishop said, referring to Jesus, ‘‘It is his Church. He just hired me.”
He was installed as Bishop of the Diocese on September 24, 2014, taking the helm from his predecessor, the late Bishop George W. Coleman. He was installed in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral by Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston, and Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha is congratulated by Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM, Cap., after being installed as the eigth Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River on September 24, 2014.
Cathedral renovations ready
By Joan D. Warren Editor joandwarren@anchornews.org
FALL RIVER — God said, “Let there be light” and there was light. The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River has received God’s light for 120 years, but now, the lighting inside the church is brighter, thanks to the latest round of renovations recently completed.
The work, which began on August 18, was conducted by Palanza Group, Inc., a Mansfield company owned and operated by Deacon Tom Palanza. He and his team have 34 years of experience renovating churches in the Diocese and have worked on the cathedral through past renovations.
“We had a timeline to adhere to. The Bish-
A Mass in his honor will be held on Sunday, October 6 at 3 pm in the Cathedral. The Mass will also observe the 120th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Fall River.
A native of Brazil, Bishop da Cunha came to southeastern New England from the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey where he spent 11 years as one of five auxiliary bishops in a Diocese of 1.3 million Catholics - six times the size of the Fall River Diocese.
“I wasn’t in charge of the entire Diocese in Newark. I had one of five areas where I was an Auxiliary Bishop, as well as a Vicar General. I arrived with a lot of experience but I had to learn about this Diocese, the priests, and the culture,” he said.
To his advantage, his ability to speak Portuguese was helpful with the abundance of faithful who speak the language.
“There were many people of different cultures and languages in New Jersey. I felt comfortable coming to Massachusetts,” he said.
One of the first priorities he sought to
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for 120th anniversary
Mass
New interior lighting illuminates the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption.
op’s anniversary celebration and 120th anniversary of the Diocese are October 6. I think when people come to the Mass, they will be amazed at how much more detail they can see in the craftsmanship of the Cathedral.”
He gave credit to Deacon Alan Thadeu for the lighting upgrade.
“It was Alan’s idea to let donors ‘see’ where there donation money goes.
“We have increased lighting by 200 percent. Toggle switches were installed to the light panel to make control of illumination easier. We moved to LED which is much more efficient. The uplights were replaced, the pendant lights changed to LED as were the track head spotlights. The stations of the Cross will have
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October 4, 2024
† Diocese of fall RiveR † official appointments
Diocese of Fall River
His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River
has accepted the recommendation of the Very Reverend Stephen Ehiahuruike, S.D.V., Provincial of the Vocationist Fathers, and has made the following appointment:
Reverend Shiju Chittattukara, S.D.V., as Administrator of Saint Margaret of Scotland Parish in Buzzards Bay
Effective: September 14, 2024
Has appointed Reverend Brian Connors to Parochial Vicar of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich
Effective: September 23, 2024
has accepted the recommendation of the Very Reverend Lane Akiona, ss.cc., Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts – United States Province, and has made the following appointment:
A subscription to the Anchor would make a wonderful gift for a loved one, a friend, or yourself. It’s a publication that provides a Spiritual uplift and keeps Catholics connected to our Church — locally and beyond.
Reverend Sioneata Kaitapu, ss.cc., as Parochial Vicar of Saint Mary’s Parish in Fairhaven
Effective: October 1, 2024
has accepted the recommendation of the Very Reverend Andrew E. Whiting, I.V.E., Provincial Superior of the Institute of the Incarnate Word – Province of the Immaculate Conception, and has made the following appointment:
Reverend Marcelo da Silva, I.V.E., as Minister to the Hispanic Community and Parochial Vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis
Pastoral Care Ministry at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis
Effective: October 1, 2024
subscription as a gift, please consider subscribing for $29;year at www. fallriverdiocese.org;subscribe or mailing a check to: Anchor Press, P.O. Box 318, Congers, N.Y., 10920.
Salt, Light and Leaven
Meet Deacon Alan Thadeu: Equipped
By Joan D. Warren Editor joandwarren@anchornews.org
Deacon Alan Thadeu is a busy man. He currently is the Master of Ceremonies for Bishop da Cunha, is the assigned deacon at three Fall River parishes and is the new Director of Parish Life for those three parishes: St. Stanislaus, Good Shephard and the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. He has been hands-on throughout the latest renovation of the Cathedral.
Where are you from? I was born in Taunton and continue to make the city my home.
Why did you become a Deacon? The short answer is God chose me, like he chooses all of us, to go and bear fruit. As to why he chose me for the Diaconate, well that remains a mystery. I have always felt at home in the church. I was blessed to have wonderful and warm relationships with all the priests that have and continue to walk with me on my spiritual journey. The diaconate is all about service and that is what attracted me. I prefer to be in the background, working quietly, although lately those moments are becoming scarce. But it is the service and support aspects of my ministry that continue to inspire me.
How did you get involved in the Cathedral renovation? As the Director of Parish Life for the Cathedral as well as Good Shepherd and Saint Stanislaus, I kind of didn’t have a choice. In truth my role is very limited. Mainly I have welcomed the cathedral parishioners to our other parish locations, and I try to support the crew doing the work any way I can.
What is your favorite part of building/ renovations? So far it has to be the upgraded lighting. The cathedral was such a dark place, especially in the winter. People will stand in awe when they return and see what a difference the new lighting has made. Not only is it brighter but the lighting is bringing out the many architectural details that have remained hidden for decades. I promise everyone, it will be a treat for the eyes when we reopen.
Best vacation taken: I don’t get to take many vacations – but I think my favorite spot is the southwest. As a photographer, I find the land-
October 4, 2024
scapes there to be just stunning. When you have a painter’s canvas of beautiful pastel colors in front of you and all you hear is the wind whispering through the pines – I can understand how we find God in the quiet places. I would love to spend a year serving in the mission churches located throughout the region. The best time I had on vacation has to be when I visited a wildlife park in Florida getting chased by an Emu and having a wonderful en-
counter with an armadillo on a hike.
Hobbies: Photography is my main hobby. I try to get out to take pictures every opportunity I get. The big event this year was photographing the solar eclipse in April – that was awesome! I also read and garden when time permits.
Jesus and Lazarus, Martha and Mary to be just fascinating. The third book in the loop is “The Loudest Quiet Girl: Messages of Hope in a Dark World.” There is a family in my former parish who tragically lost their daughter in a car accident, and they compiled a lot of her photographs and writings. It is a very emotional book at times.
Goals in his new role as Director of Parish Life: It’s a very simple goal: I want our three parishes to be places where our parishioners always feel welcome, where they always feel safe – and where they know we care about them and that we will always be there for them. During his homily at the Eucharistic Encounter Day in September, the Bishop said we are not here to start a program – we’re here to start a fire, a fire of God’s love. I want our parishes to be places where our people can come and feel the love God has for them and be inspired to start and share their own fire of God’s love.
Favorite part of the MASS? That’s a difficult question. I love the liturgy. When celebrated well, the liturgy is a beautiful opportunity to spend some precious time with our Lord. I love the simplicity of it. I love how you can be anywhere in the world and go to Mass and understand everything that’s going on – I love how our funeral liturgy is the same if you’re the president, or a homeless person who lived in a tent. I love how the liturgy can trace itself back two thousand years and how we still celebrate the heritage of Jesus’ Jewish upbringing.
Currently reading: I literally have stacks of books throughout my house waiting to be read – when I retire maybe! I’ve got three books I’m working on right now – “Chasing Shadows” which is about the tagging and tracking of the Great White Shark off Cape Cod. “Come Forth” by James Martin, a favorite author of mine. It’s about the resurrection of Lazarus. I find the relationship between
Image of Our Lady of Aparecida enthroned in National Shrine
By the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River
For the first time in history, on Saturday, September 14, the faithful of the Brazilian community in the United States gathered from so many distant parts of the country, from Florida to California, to celebrate the enthronement of the image of Our Lady of Aparecida in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. It is a moment to endure in history and in our memory for years to come. When the planning committee began organizing the event, we hoped for at least 300 people; our Lady, however, surprised us beyond our wildest dreams, when just under 7,000 pilgrims showed up!
Although there are 80 different chapels within the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception honoring the many different titles of Our Blessed Mother, there has never been one for Our Lady of Aparecida. When the Basilica was approached about adding one, the initial determination was that, unfortunately, they didn’t see a place to accommodate one. Thanks, however, to the persistence of the Vice Provost of the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and the initial grassroots efforts of the local Brazilian Community (and I believe, a little bit of intercession from Our Lady), space was finally found in the Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima. The joke became that the two should get along very well since they could speak Portuguese together. Yet, there remained the need to raise the money for this little chapel for the enthronement to take place. We determined that if the effort involved the Brazilian Apostolate and all the Brazilian communities from across the country, we could certainly accomplish this feat of raising enough funds to add Our Lady of Aparecida to the Immaculate Conception Basilica. We mobilized everyone, and I personally began writing letters to bishops and priests across the country, working together to build momentum for this historic event. The response was overwhelming, sparking the idea that this event should be more than just a ceremony but a pilgrimage. As I mentioned earlier, the Brazilian Community came together from across the country, and this was broadcast live for all of Brazil and live streamed across the world.
I said in my homily, “We come to commemorate, to celebrate, to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Aparecida. To ask for her intercession and her blessings, as well as to promise to imitate her virtues. What does she have to say to us here today? She says to
Pictured, from left to right: Reverend Monsignor Vito A. Buonanno, Associate Rector and Director of Pilgrimages of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Most Rev. Bruce Lewandowski, Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore, Most Rev. Adilson Pedro Busin, Bishop of Tubarao, Most Rev. Luiz Fernando Lisboa, Archbishop of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, Seán Cardinal O’Malley, OFM Cap., Christophe Cardinal Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio in the United States of America, Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, Bishop of Fall River, Most Rev. Jacques Fabre-Jeune, C.S., Bishop of Charleston, Most Rev. Cristiano Borro Barbosa, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, Reverend Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, Rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Father Ismael “Mel” Ayala, Associate Rector and Director of Liturgy of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
us: ‘Do whatever he tells you!’ This is what Our Lady did, this is what she asked the disciples of Jesus to do, this is what she recommended to those present at the wedding feast in Cana and this is what she suggests to each one of us here today. For Mary there was nothing more important in the world, and in her life, than doing the will of God.”
The weekend celebration included an opening Mass on Friday night. On Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m., there was a procession with the Our Lady of Aparecida statue from Sacred Heart Church to the National Shrine. This was followed by the recitation of the Rosary, done very prayerfully with reflections and beautiful music. Deacon Manoel Maria, who is from Brazil, offered a short conference followed by a lunch break. A Solemn Mass of Enthronement began at 2 pm with Cardinal Sean O’Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston as the main celebrant. It was also beautifully done and lasted two hours. The day concluded with a praise and worship concert on the nearby campus of the Catholic University of America, featuring Sister Kelly Patricia, who is also from Brazil.
As God came through Mary, he also came to the aid of the people of Guaratinguetá (a city in Brazil) when they needed food to welcome the Count of Assumar, D. Pedro de Almeida e Portugal, Governor of the Province of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, who was passing through there on his way to Vila Rica, MG. Without having any food available, they sent the fishermen João Alves, Felipe Pedroso, and Domingos Garcia to
get fish from the Paraíba River and thus receive the Governor with a decent dinner. The fishermen despaired because they could not get fish from the river for the banquet that day. And behold, Mary appeared on the scene from the depths of the dark waters of the Paraíba River to rescue the people from an embarrassing situation. From the mud and dark waters emerged a small statue of clay, broken, headless, apparently without any value in the eyes of humans or of those who have no faith. But it was precisely in this simplicity—this poverty — that God chose to manifest His power and His love for His sons and daughters.
The fishermen could have ignored and abandoned that old, broken image, but they were able to see beyond appearances. They did not despise the sign that God had given them that day. They did not throw away the pieces of that symbol, of that mystery. After this find, they caught such a large quantity of fish that they had to return to port for fear of the boat capsizing. The fishermen arrived in Guaratinguetá euphoric and moved by what they had witnessed, and the entire population understood the fact as divine intervention. God and Mary arrived at a difficult time in the lives of the fishermen and the people of Guaratinguetá to tell them: we are with you. You are not alone or abandoned.
When we think, we are, and seem, insignificant, worthless, and powerless in the eyes of the world, God values us. Because He “has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.”
October 4, 2024
Editorial
October is Respect Life Month and October 6 is Respect Life Sunday.
In anticipation of both, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, the Chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities published a statement in which he soberly stated:
“We thankfully no longer live under the regime of Roe v. Wade, and our elected officials are now empowered to reduce or end abortion. But what we now see is that fifty years of virtually unlimited abortion has tragically created a national mindset where many Americans have become comfortable with some amount of abortion. This allows the abortion industry to continue to provide any amount of abortion. Given this challenge, the U.S. bishops have affirmed that, while it is important to address all the ways in which human life is threatened, ‘abortion remains our pre-eminent priority as it directly attacks our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, destroying more than a million lives each year in our country alone.’”
Noting the many candidates for elected office for whom the destruction of innocent human life in the womb is their major campaign emphasis, he added:
“Abortion has become the pre-eminent priority for others as well. We see many politicians celebrating the destruction of preborn children, and protecting access to abortion, even up until the moment of birth. Few leaders are standing up to limit the harm of chemical abortion (abortion pills) to mothers and children, which is now the most common form of abortion. And heading into the November elections, as many as ten states face gravely evil ballot initiatives that would enshrine abortion in their state constitutions.”
He urged all Catholics to join in a “concerted month of prayer” from the beginning of October through the Nov. 5 elections and to renew their commitments to work for the legal protection of innocent human life, vote for candidates who will defend the life and dignity of every human person, call for policies that assist women and children in need, assist in the Church’s Walking with Moms in Need parish initiative, and extend a merciful hand, like through Project Rachel, to all those suffering from participation in abortion.
Bishop Burbidge’s comments about the “national mindset” on abortion, in which the majority of Americans have sadly become “comfortable with some amount of abortion,” is a clearsighted read of polls and ballot initiatives since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022. Understanding this mentality and how to change it are, therefore, urgent issues for Catholics and pro-life leaders.
Ryan Anderson, the President of the Ethics
October 4, 2024
CHANGING THE NATIONAL MINDSET ON ABORTION
and Public Policy Center in Washington, DC, ably took up that challenge in a brilliant, nearly 5,000word article in the October 2024 edition of First Things.
In “The Way Forward After Dobbs,” Anderson noted first the good news. “Over the past few months, children have been born, and some have celebrated their birthdays, because Dobbs allowed their states to provide them with legal protections against the lethal violence of abortion. Some of these little ones are already walking, talking, and giggling, thanks to fifty years of work by pro-life activists.”
But he quickly got to the problem: “Every time abortion policies have appeared on state ballots since Dobbs, the people have voted against life” and “public opinion has shifted drastically in favor of abortion in the past decade.” He said that just as it took 50 years to overturn Roe, “it may take even longer for us” to change that national mindset and protect every unborn child. He urged us to be “committed for the long haul.”
The reason why it will take that long is because “our entire constitutional, political, and social order was corrupted by fifty years of Roe,” which darkened our national conscience. “Generations of Americans were catechized in the beliefs that abortion is a right and that unborn babies have no rights—and that we have no duties to the unborn.” The results are that even though most Americans support restrictions on abortion, they will opt for a “radically permissive legal regime if they think the alternative is a complete prohibition of abortion.” That’s because, he wrote, “most Americans, even some who consider themselves pro-life, support four [abortion] exceptions: rape, incest, life of the mother, and . . . ‘my case.’ Or ‘my daughter’s case,’ or ‘my girlfriend’s case.’”
He noted the trends in the mentality among women and among young people. Among American women — who as mothers, teachers, counselors and nurses have a powerful influence on succeeding generations — support for unlimited abortion has grown from 30 to 40 percent over the course of the last decade. And now 83 percent of 18-29-year-olds say they support first-trimester abortions. Sociologically dubbed the “anxious generation,” the young are particularly anxious and fearful of unwanted pregnancies.
Because of advances in medical technology like ultrasounds, he said, few are vulnerable to the pro-abortion propaganda of yesteryear, that what’s being killed in an abortion is just a clump of cells or potential life. The new mentality, he noted, was candidly articulated by Bill Maher on his television program in April, “They think it’s murder. And it kind of is. I’m just okay with that.”
That’s what 50 years of Roe helped to produce.
To convert that mindset, and to help create a culture of life, will require a few things, Anderson argued.
The first is to recognize that the abortion mindset flows from the sexual revolution. The reason why many Americans who believe that human life begins at conception nevertheless hold that a mother should have the choice to abort is because, “so long as nonmarital sex is expected, large numbers of Americans will view abortion as necessary emergency contraception.” That means “our primary task isn’t to persuade people of the humanity of the unborn … but to change how people lead their sexual lives.”
That will involve renewing a culture of marriage. “Four percent of babies conceived in marriage will be aborted,” he noted, “compared to 40 percent of children conceived outside of marriage. Meanwhile, 13 percent of women who have abortions are married, and 87 percent are unmarried. Nonmarital sex is the main cause of abortion. Marriage is the best protector of unborn human life.”
For the pro-life movement to succeed, he suggested, there needs to be a pro-chastity movement and a pro-marriage movement. “The root cause of virtually all of our social problems is the collapse of marriage and family following the sexual revolution. Yet so little sustained, organized, strategic effort has gone into responding to this collapse. We must think … through: How can we reach ordinary people … and help them reject the lies of the sexual revolution? How can we help people live the virtue of chastity? How can we help people get married and stay married?”
That, he insisted, should fittingly begin within Christian Churches, where data show that the vast majority of Christian young people, including 62 percent of young Catholics, believe that casual sex before marriage is morally acceptable and do not live chastely before marriage.
He added, “Seventy percent of women who have abortions identify as Christian. More than one-third report attending Church at least monthly. Of these monthly attendees, just over half said their local churches had no influence over their decisions to abort. Apart from Respect Life Sunday, when do we hear about life from the pulpit — or, for that matter, about chastity?”
He concluded, “The Church must devise ministries that will transform lives, because short of religious revival, none of the changes we need will be possible.”
That necessary revival can begin this Respect Life Month — and from the Church’s pulpits on Respect Life Sunday.
October 4, 2024
On Friday, September 20th, Darian Dias received her 1000th career dig for the Bishop Stang Spartans. Dais, of New Bedford, is a senior captain for the volleyball team, and set a school record.
Darian Dias of the Bishop Stang High School volleyball team reaches career goal at the net
Some of you may know and remember the name Alexander Peloquin. Known to his friends as “Alex,” he was quite well-known in our little corner of the world - in fact, he was well-known nationally and internationally, too! Peloquin was a renowned composer of liturgical music. He was the organist and director of music ministry at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence, Rhode Island. He performed at Tanglewood with the likes of Leonard Bernstein, and consulted with Dave Brubeck on his composition “Hope!,” a musical setting of Eucharistic music.
But there’s a story about Alex Peloquin that has nothing to do with his fame, his expertise, or the long list of his accomplishments. Quite the contrary — it’s a story about a funeral that he played for at the cathedral where he served. The funeral wasn’t for someone rich or famous. By all accounts, it was for someone who was forgotten. There were only five people in attendance – the priest, the organist, the cantor, and two people sitting in the front pew. I don’t know who those two people were; they may have been friends or family, or they may have been two folks associated
I played my best for him
with the funeral home. I do know this: when the funeral was over, Alex Peloquin said, “I played my best for him.”
I always recall this story at this time of year. Why? Well, in a few weeks we will celebrate two important days in the liturgical calendar: All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day. In fact, the entire month of November is traditionally a time when our Catholic communities remember those who have gone before us in faith. Our celebrations during this time are the end of the liturgical year, with the new liturgical year beginning on the First Sunday of Advent. The Church takes these last weeks of the year to look toward the end of life and our own mortality, and of course, to honor and remember the dead.
flowers. I must admit, I did not particularly enjoy those cemetery visits. I’d get bored and I’d start wandering around the graves in close proximity, looking at names and dates, imagining who they were and what their lives were like, and wondering how and why they died. There was one small stone with a lamb on the top. It was the grave of a young child. I’d spend a bit of time at that grave until my mother called out for me to get more water or help load up the car. I didn’t really understand the
significance of our visits at the time, and I didn’t understand why I spent so much time at the grave of that little child who was about my age when he or she died. But I know now. Like my mother, I was honoring the dead.
hungry and thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and the prisoners— with a seventh one, burying the dead, added in medieval times.” Jesuit Father James Keenan has theorized why burying the dead was added: “The significance of burying the dead is rooted in the profound respect that Christians have for the human body. The human body created and redeemed by God is to be raised up by God in glory.”
I remember going to the cemetery with my mother when I was a youngster, to visit the graves of our deceased relatives. My job was filling the watering can so my mother could wash the gravestones and water the plants and
Do you remember learning the seven corporal works of mercy? Perhaps you didn’t know that initially there were only six. In 2016, when Pope Francis described caring for our common home as a new work of mercy, a Vatican news release noted, “Since biblical times, Christians have been called to carry out six acts of mercy, listed in St. Matthew’s Gospel—giving food and drink to the
Burying and remembering the dead is an expression of our faith in the resurrection. And so, like Alex Peloquin, we are called to do our best to honor our dearly beloved departed. We are called to pray for them, as we do each Sunday during the intercessions and the Eucharistic prayer. We are called to honor the dignity of each human being, created in the image and likeness of God. We are called to show compassion for both the deceased and their grieving loved ones, providing comfort and showing solidarity with those who mourn. And we are called to live in the great hope that our earthly end is a transition into a new life with God in heaven. We give thanks for those who have gone before us, and we look with prayer and hope to their new life in heaven and our desire to join them there one day. And that, my friends, is the Good News.
Procession with a First Class Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis in Fall River
On Sunday September 8, the parish communities of Saint Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Parish and Saint Anthony of the Desert Maronite Rite Catholic Church gathered for a Procession accompanied by a First Class Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis. The caravan traveled east up Bedford Street to Savoir St. to the outdoor Shrine on the property of St. Anthony of the Desert Church, where Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament took place according to the Maronite rite.
Bishop da Cunha reflects on 10 years since his installation
8 Continued from page one improve was the restructuring of the Chancery administration. His vast experience in the mechanics of running Church institutions since becoming a pastor just three years after his ordination, provided a sound foundation in administration practices.
“We have come a long way to becoming more efficient. When I arrived, we had one person managing the finances. There was no human resources or technology offices. I brought on Kevin Kiley as Chief Financial Officer and Chancellor. Up until then, there was never a [published]financial report for the Diocese. It was important to me to have complete financial transparency,” he said.
Other improvements he made include creating the office of the Secretariat for the New Evangelization, whose mission is to aid the Diocese of Fall River’s parishes and personnel to form engaged disciples for Christ. The Secretariat’s vision is to transform the culture by being a leader in effective evangelization, transformative catechesis, and relational outreach that leads people to Christ and His Church.
Led by David Carvalho, the office includes Adult & Child Discipleship, Family and Respect Life and a Youth Ministry office.
Balancing the number of priests and parishioners is an ongoing task and he works closely with Laura Carrillo and her team in the Strategic and Pastoral Planning office to study the needs in the Diocese.
“We have been working continuously and our goal is to create the number of parishes in the Diocese that can be viable and sustainable. We have more parishes than are needed. The number of parishioners has gone down, especially since the pandemic. We are slowly recovering to pre-pandemic levels. Our goal is to get back to where we were before everything shut down,” he said.
Attracting young men to join the priesthood is and has always been a challenge, especially in the past decade.
“We are doing what is necessary to promote more vocations,” the Bishop said.
To help assist in vocations, the Diocese recently engaged a company, Vianney Vocations, to increase the number of priests and lay people to support ministries.
“The vocations office is working with Vocations Pathways, a vocation council of priests on ways to attract quality candidates.”
As Bishop, his responsibilities are numer-
October 4, 2024
From Bishop da Cunha’s 2014 Installation Mass, from left to right: Bishop George W. Coleman, newly installed Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston and Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin of Hartford.
ous, but he says his favorite aspect of his office is the ability to visit parishes and spend time with the people in the Diocese.
“It is a busy time every year, but I enjoy Confirmations. I see so many families and young people embracing their faith,” he said.
The future of the Diocese has potential to grow, he said.
‘‘I hope that with the new rail system and
the increase in population to the Southcoast there will be an increase in Catholics coming to the area with young families. We are mindful of this and will do what we can to serve those who will benefit from the Diocese and grow their faith. I pray for our priests and the entire Diocese that we continue to see the wisdom of God and be good stewards of his love” he said.
National Vocations Awareness November 4 -10
National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life through prayer, invitation, and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. For more infomation, go to www. nvaw.org.
Diocesan Eucharistic Encounter day a huge success
FALL RIVER — More than 1,200 faithful Catholics filled the former Bishop Connolly High School for a Diocesan Eucharistic Encounter on Saturday, September 7. People of all ages and ethnic backgrounds came to honor Jesus Christ and the Eucharist and in some cases, to learn why the body the Christ is the cornerstone of the faith.
The multifaceted day long event included dynamic presentations in multiple languages, Mass, Adoration, music, vendors, and more.
Catholic author and speaker Chris Stefanick, Boston Archdiocesan Auxiliary Bishop Cristiano Barbosa, and Worcester diocesan Hispanic Ministry leader Father Hugo Cano were the featured speakers.
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., was celebrant and homilist of the opening Mass.
His opening words during the homily were, ‘‘It is good to be here,” echoing those of St. Peter at the Transfiguration as he gazed upon Jesus in His glorified state.
‘‘This sentiment should be in each of our hearts as we look upon Jesus in His Eucharistic state. We came together for prayer, reflection, Adoration, and since the gymnasium was quite warm, maybe even a little penance,” Bishop da Cunha said.
His homily had three connecting themes: meeting, meal and memory.
‘‘We come together to encounter Jesus and hear His word. We meet one another and share our faith in each other. We see that people who have a true and meaningful encounter with Jesus, whether those we read in the Scriptures or the saints and even those we meet in ordinary moments are never the same again.”
Next, he discussed how the word meal was significant to the time spent together at the Eucharistic Encounter. ‘‘
A lot happens around the table. We remember
things, laugh, cry, fight and forgive. During Jesus’ time on earth, we often read about how people come to Him for that meeting or encounter. They were hungry spiritually for what Jesus had to offer; however, as carnal beings, Jesus saw the need to feed them. We witness this in a most miraculous way during the multiplication of the loaves and fishes,” he said.
The final theme of memory and how each of us would take different memories from the day and carry those with us to the rest of the world as missionaries.
‘‘In the Mass, we heard the words Jesus shared at the Last Supper with the Apostles — take and eat, take and drink, and do this in memory of Me. They were tasked with keeping Jesus’ teachings alive. Two thousand years later, we are still keeping that memory alive! Can you imagine the world if those men kept all that to themselves and never shared the message with others?”
After Mass, the crowd dispersed for the first session then came together for a boxed lunch under a large tent behind the school. Confessions
were offered and vendors in the cafeteria provided information including Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Schools Alliance, St. John Seminary Theological Institute and the Knights of Columbus.
After session two concluded, the faithful converged in the gymnasium once more for Adoration.
Katie Gorman, a parishioner at the Annunciation of the Lord in Taunton attended the Eucharistic encounter to get a better understanding of the significance of the Eucharist.
‘‘I am hoping to feel what other people feel,” she said.
By the close of the event, she said she felt more clear on how taking the body of Christ is the nourishment needed to be closer to God.
‘‘I am glad I came and I learned a great deal of the importance of the Holy Eucharist,” she said.
The Eucharistic Encounter culminated the Fall River diocesan observance of the National Eucharistic Revival now underway across the country.
Pictured Above: The lobby of the school was teaming with people having refreshments. Below, left: Bishop da Cunha with the Monsrtance at the Adoration. Below, right: Bishop da Cunha gives a moving homily to the audience of more than 1,200.
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption reopens October 6
8 Continued from page one
lighting as well,” Deacon Palanza said.
With funds acquired from the Lumen Christi Galas over the past three years, in addition to the lighting, interior work was completed to repair the clerestory windows, which are the stained glass windows near the roof line of the Cathedral. The approximate cost for this round of renovations is $300,000, a majority of that for the window restoration.
“The windows were leaking and deteriorating. The flashing hadn’t been replaced for 70 years. We are continuing work on the bell tower and masonry work,” Deacon Palanza said.
The last major renovation to the cathedral was in 2001 where major improvement were made including a new boiler and air conditioning, radiant floor heating and a restroom in the narthex (the entry way to the church).
The cathedral was originally built to serve as a parish church, St. Mary’s, and was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Matthew Harkins of Providence on September 7, 1901. It became the Cathedral Church when the Fall River Diocese was created in 1904 by Pope Pius X.
This, of course, was not the beginning of the Catholic Church in this area. Since 1872 the territory of the new Diocese of Fall River had been a part of the Diocese of Providence and previous to that part of the Archdiocese of Boston.
There were, however, only nine parishes in this portion of Massachusetts when it became part of the newly created Diocese of Providence. When the Diocese of Fall River was established, there were forty-four parishes serving 130,000 Catholics. The first bishop of the new diocese was the Most Reverend Wil-
liam Stang, who was born in Germany, taught at the University of Louvain in Belgium and had served with distinction in parishes, in the curia and on the mission band of the Diocese of Providence.
Bishop Stang was recognized as a man of learning and holiness. During the his tenure as bishop, which was cut short by his untimely death in 1907, he established parishes, zealously implemented the directives of the pope on catechetical instruction and encouraged the founding of St. Anne’s Hospital.
Today, the Diocese of Fall River has a Catholic community numbering 265,000 faithful who worship in 69 parishes and 10 mission churches. The Diocese is divided into five territories or deaneries, with one priest in each appointed by the Bishop to serve as Dean to assist him in the coordination of ministry in that area.
There are a total of 134 active, retired, or sick Diocesan priests, three Catholic high schools, and 15 elementary school with a total of more than 5,100 students.
Above: The newly renovated cathedral has been closed for Masses since August 18. Services have been held in the chapel.
October 4, 2024
A worker caulks around the stained glass windows, known as clerestory windows, located near the roofline.
In Your Prayers
Please pray for these priests and deacons during the coming weeks:
(Continued)
Oct. 5
Rev. Jean D. Pare, O.P., Assistant Director, St. Anne Shrine, Fall River, 1999
Oct. 6
Rev. Stephen B. Magill, Assistant, Immaculate Conception, North Easton, 1916
Rev. Roland Brodeur, Uniondale, N.Y., 1987
Rev. Thomas McElroy, SS.CC., Former Pastor, St. Joseph, Fairhaven, 2017
Oct. 7
Rev. Caesar Phares, Pastor, St. Anthony of the Desert, Fall River, 1951
Rev. Andrew Jahn, SS.CC., Sacred Hearts Seminary, Wareham, 1988
Rev. Lawrence Pratt, 2021
Oct. 8
Rev. Thomas R. McNulty, 1875
Rev. Roger P. Nolette, O.S.B., Former Chaplain, Cape Cod Hospital, Hyannis, 2006
Oct. 9
Rev. Paul J. Dalbec, M.S., La Salette Shrine, Attleboro, 2000
Oct. 10
Rev. James C.J. Ryan, Assistant, Immaculate Conception, North Easton, 1918
Rev. Boniface Jones, SS.CC., Chaplain, Sacred Heart Home, New Bedford, 1987
Rev. Joseph A. Martineau, Retired Pastor, St. Theresa, New Bedford, 1990
Oct. 11
Rev. James A. Downey, Pastor, Holy Ghost, Attleboro, 1952
Rev. Deacon Chester O. Cook, 2016
Oct. 12
Rev. Felician Plichta, OFM Conv., Parochial Vicar, Corpus Christi, East Sandwich, Former Pastor Holy Cross, Fall River, 1999
Rev. David I. Walsh. MM, Maryknoll Missioner, 1999
Oct. 13
Rev. David I. Walsh, M.M., Maryknoll Missioner, 1999
Rev. James J. Doyle, C.S.C., Holy Cross Resi-
dence, North Dartmouth, 2002
Rev. J. Marc Herbert, C.S.C., 2006
Oct. 14
Rev. Dennis M. Lowney, Assistant, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1918
Rev. Msgr. Edward B. Booth, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1972
Rev. Frederick G. Furey, SS.CC. Former Pastor, Our lady of Assumption, New Bedford, 1999
Rev. Andre P. Jussaume, Pastor, St. Louis de France, Swansea, 2003
Oct. 15
Rev. Msgr. Raymond T. Considine, PA, Retired Pastor, St. William, Fall River, 1996
Oct. 16
Rev. Raymond M. Drouin, O.P., Former Pastor, St. Anne, Fall River, 1987
Oct. 17
Rev. Gerald E. Lachance, M.Afr., 1984
Oct. 19
Rev. Manuel A. Silvia, Pastor, Santo Christo, Fall River, 1928
Oct. 21
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Edward J. Carr, P.R., Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall River; Chancellor 1907-21, 1937
Rev. Francis E. Gagne, Pastor, St. Stephen, Attleboro, 1942
Rev. Walter J. Buckley, Retired Pastor, St. Kilian, New Bedford, 1979
Oct. 22
Rev. John E. Connors, Pastor, St. Peter, Dighton, 1940
Rev. Jerome F. O’Donnell, OFM, Our Lady’s Chapel, New Bedford, 1983
Oct. 23
Chorbishop Joseph Eid, Pastor, St. Anthony of the Desert, Fall River, 1970
Oct. 24
Rev. Marc Maurice Dagenais, O.P., Retired Assistant, St. Anne, Fall River, 1982
Most Rev. Joseph W. Regan, M.M, Retired Prelate of Tagum, Philippines, 1994
Oct. 25
Rev. Reginald Chene, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1935
Rev. Raymond B. Bourgoin, Pastor, St. Paul, Taunton, 1950
Rev. James W. Connerton, CSC, Founder, Stonehill College, North Easton, 1988
Rev. Msgr. John J. Steakem, Pastor, St. Thomas More, Somerset, 1999
Rev. Henry J. Dauphinais, M.S., 2018
Oct. 27
Rev. Francisco L. Jorge, Assistant, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, New Bedford, 1918
Rev. Edmond L. Dickinson, Assistant, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1967
Rev. Joseph F. O’Donnell, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception, North Easton, 1990
Oct. 28
Rev. Alfred E. Coulombe, Pastor, St. George, Westport, 1923
Rev. Stanislaus Kozikowski, OFM Conv., Pastor, St. Hedwig, New Bedford, 1956
Oct. 30
Msgr. Robert L. Stanton, Retired Pastor, St. Paul, Taunton, 1992
Rev. Denis Sughrue, CSC, Director of Postulancy, Holy Cross Novitiate, North Dartmouth, 2002
Rev. Conrad Salach, OFM., Conv., 2021
Nov. 1
Rev. William H. McNamara, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, Mansfield, 1924
Rev. Louis N. Blanchet, Assistant, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1927
Rt. Rev. Msgr. John F. Ferraz, Pastor, St. Michael, Fall River, 1944
Rt. Rev. Msgr. George F. Cain, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1953
Rev. William E. Farland, Pastor, St. Joseph, Taunton, 1987
Rev. William F. Gartland, C.S.C. Stonehill College, North Easton, 1988
Rev. John F. Sullivan, SS.CC., Retired Pastor Holy Trinity, West Harwich, 1994
October 4, 2024
Save the date for the 30th Anniversary
FACE Fall Dinner
The Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE) was first founded as the St. Mary’s Education Fund in 1991 and has been advancing a proud mission of educational access since! The Fall Dinner raises critical funds to assist in providing support for families in need of financial assistance seeking a Catholic education for their children. Bishop Edgar da Cunha and event co-chairs John Feitelberg of HUB International and Janna Lafrance of Lafrance Hospitality are leading a dedicated committee. Patricia and Tom Marmen will receive the Timothy J. Cotter Friend of Catholic Education Award in recognition of their dedication and commitment to Catholic education and FACE—including as three-time chairs of the FACE Summer Gala. Pat also served as the founding principal of St. Pius X School on Cape Cod. This year’s Guest Speaker, Matthew Leonard, is sure to inspire attendees. He is an international author, speaker, podcaster, and founder of the online teaching program, the Science of Sainthood. Kait Walsh, WPRI news anchor and Bishop Stang High School alumna, will again serve as Emcee for the evening.
Visit www.FACE-dfr.org for more information or scan below.
Annual Golf Classic
On October 15, the Diocesan Health Facilities will be hosting the Fifteenth Annual Golf Classic to benefit the more than 700 adults served in its skilled nursing communities. It will held at Crestwood Country Club in Rehoboth, MA.
Participation opportunities include sponsorships, golf foursomes, prize donations for raffles, advertising on tee signs and advertisement in the event program booklet and much more.
For additional information on the various levels of sponsorships, call the Diocesan Health Facilities Office at 508-679-8154 or email DebraM@ dhfo.org.
Respect Life Mass & Conference
The annual Respect Life Mass followed by a conference will be held on Sunday, October 20. The Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River.
This annual Mass, celebrated by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, marks October as National Respect Life Month.
Following Mass, the Diocesan Respect Life Conference will take place at White's of Westport, featuring lunch and keynote speakers.
For more information, go to Family and Respect Life Office site at www.dioceseoffallriver. org
Annual Rosary Festival
The annual Rosary Festival will take place Saturday, Oct. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., at St. Joseph Chapel, 500 Washington St., North Easton, on the campus of the Father Peyton Center. The event features praise, worship, Marian hymns, rosary procession, and refreshments.
Rosaries and candles will be distributed. Registration is requested at museumoffamilyprayer.org/annual-rosary-festival.
Around the Diocese
Annual Candlelight Procession and Mass for Peace
Members of the Fall River Diocese are invited to join Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., in the annual Procession and Mass for Peace on Monday, October 14, the Columbus Day holiday.
Participants in the procession should meet by 5:30 p.m. in the area of St. Anne’s Shrine, across from Kennedy Park on South Main Street in Fall River, to march approximately one-half mile to St. Mary’s Cathedral. The procession will begin at 6 p.m. Faithful will carry candles, recite the rosary, and sing Marian hymns.
At 7 p.m., Bishop da Cunha will celebrate the Mass for Peace at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The bishop will be homilist at the liturgy as well. Those who are handicapped or disabled should proceed directly to the Cathedral, where a special area will be designated for them.
Legal Community to gather for annual Red Mass
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will celebrate the 26th annual Red Mass for the Fall River Diocese at 4 p.m., Saturday, October 5, in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.
Offered widely throughout the country, the Red Mass is celebrated to invoke God’s guidance on judges, attorneys and others working in the areas of law and justice. All are welcome to attend.
At this year’s Red Mass, Bishop da Cunha will recognize the Honorable Philip G. Rapoza (retired) with a special honor for his many years of service to the Diocese of Fall River as a member and chairperson of the Ministerial Review Board. The Ministerial Review Board serves as an independent and consultative body made up primarily of lay members to advise the bishop on alleged abuse and misconduct by clergy.
For more information, please contact Red Mass Committee Chairman Attorney Michael Harrington at harringtonpc@aol.com or by telephone 508-9945900.
Bishop da Cunha to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Masses
October is World Mental Health Month and the Diocese of Fall River will hold two special Masses for those suffering from a mental illness or who have lost someone to mental illness.
The two special Masses during October are meant to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world, to help efforts within the Diocese of Fall River in support of those impacted by mental health challenges and to highlight the need for increased awareness. The two Masses are:
Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River; Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 4 p.m. at Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich.
The Diocese of Fall River recognizes the importance of acknowledging the feelings associated with mental health and substance use challenges, and is working to eliminate the stigma felt by those who experience such challenges by creating a safe, welcoming, caring, and healing presence for those impacted by these challenges.
To remember in a special way those who have died, a Book of Remembrance bearing their names will be offered at the Mass. All are invited to submit the names of loved ones for inclusion in the Book of Remembrance for this purpose. Please email the names to FR-Reception@ccfrdioc.org with the subject line indicating Name for Book of Remembrance. You may also call Catholic Charities Diocese of Fall River at 508-674-4681 ext. 1101.
The celebration of this Mass is a dimension of a Mental Health Ministry (MHM), recently brought under the umbrella of services of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River.
33 day Consecration to Jesus through Mary
St. Anthony of Padua Church in New Bedford invites everyone to a 33-Day Consecration to Jesus through Mary starting on November 5th and finishing with consecration on December 8, 2024. Sign up now. For information, call the parish rectory at (508) 993-1691 or email: cfpilgrimage@ comcast.net.
Sister Eileen Kitchen, RSM
Sister Eileen Kitchen, RSM (formerly Sister Richard Mary), 82, a Sister of Mercy for 64 years, died on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River. She was the daughter of the late Margaret (Lavigne) and Richard P. Kitchen. She is survived by her sister, Eleanor Kitchen, and several cousins.
Sister Eileen taught school and was a dedicated teacher known for her patience. Young children of all ages in Fall River and Taunton, Massachusetts as well as in Providence, West Warwick, and Central Falls not only learned their "ABC's”, but benefited from her artistic ability. And, as if those gifts were not sufficient, she went back to school herself and
earned a Master's degree in Computer Science. T he words "gratitude to others" typify Sister Eileen's life. She never failed to thank anyone who served her, especially the staff of Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at St. Stanislaus Church, 36 Rockland Street, Fall River, Massachusetts. Interment was in St. Patrick Cemetery, Fall River, Massachusetts.
In place of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 15 Highland View Road, Cumberland, RI, 02864. www. sistersofmercy.org.
Sister Barbara Rose McCarthy, OP
Sister Barbara Rose McCarthy, OP (formerly Sister Mary Gerald) of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, died September 9, 2024, in Caldwell, NJ. She was 93.
The daughter of the late Harry E. and Agnes Devlin McCarthy, she was born June 12, 1931, in North Bangor, New York.
Sister Barbara entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Fall River, Massachusetts in August 1948, made her First Profession in August 1950, and Final Profession in August 1953. Sister Barbara earned her BA in English from Regis College and her MA in English from Boston College.
Sister Barbara taught various levels at Dominican Academy in Fall River from 1948 to 1970. Within this time span she held the position of principal of both elementary and secondary levels at Dominican Academy. From 1970 to 1977, Sister was a supervisor for the Fall River Diocesan School Department and later on, assistant superintendent for schools in the Diocese of Fall River. Sister Barbara was a member of the general council of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Fall River and Prioress General of the Congregation. After leaving office she was pastoral associate at St. Alphonsus parish in Tupper Lake, NY. In addition, she served on the Tupper Lake Community Food Pantry
October 4, 2024
Board, the Tupper Lake Disaster Preparedness Committee, and the Tupper Lake Alliance for Community Service.
She was Congregational Representative for the Ogdensburg Diocesan Council of Religious, a member of the Bishop’s Fund Committee for the Diocese of Ogdensburg, and CORE-Diocesan Organization of Parish Ministers.
Sister sang with the St. Alphonsus Parish folk Choir. She was an avid reader and had a great love for music. She is remembered for her love of studying, her keen sense of humor and the particular interest she took in the lives of her students.
Sister Barbara is survived by her Dominican Sisters of Hope and her nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, Harry and Agnes McCarthy, and her siblings Geraldine Leanard and John McCarthy.
A celebration of Sister Barbara McCarthy’s life took place on Friday September 20, 2024, at Holy Trinity Church in Fall River. Immediately following the liturgy Sister will be buried in Notre Dame Cemetery in Fall River, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister’s memory can be made to the Dominican Sisters of Hope Development Office, 299 North Highland Ave, Ossining, NY 10562.
Anchor’s Away!! 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.
Pictured: Anchor Editor Joan Warren reads The Anchor in front of Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church in North Conway, NH.
Sister Joanne Bonville, OP ( formerly Sister James Marie) of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, died September 12, 2024, in Bronxville, NY. She was 92.
The daughter of the late John and Florence (Mayville) Bonville, she was born December 4, 1931 in Malone, New York.
Sister Joanne entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena in Fall River in August 1949, made her First Profession in August 1951, and Final Profession in August 1954. She earned her BA in English/ History from Regis College, an MA in Administration from Fairfield University, and an MA in Religious Studies from Providence College.
Sister Joanne taught at Dominican Academy in Fall River from 1949-53; in the religious education program at St. Ann’s Parish in Mooers Forks, New York from 1953-54; at St. Peter’s School in Plattsburgh, New York from 1955-60; and at St. Bernadette School in New Haven, Connecticut from 1960-67. She was principal of St. Peter’s School in Plattsburgh
Sister Joanne Bonville, OP
from 1967-78. She served on the general council of the Dominican Sisters of Fall River from 1970-82 and was vocation director and director of on-going formation from 1982-87. Sister Joanne was administrator of St. Catherine’s Convent in Fall River from 1987-90.
Since 1990, she taught 6th grade at Holy
Family/Holy Name School in New Bedford.
In addition to her regular ministry, Sister Joanne volunteered in the Visitors & Eucharistic Ministers Program at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford from 1979-84, and also served as a lector and Eucharistic minister at St. Julie’s Parish in North Dartmouth.
Sister Joanne was an avid sports fan, favoring the Yankees and the Patriots; she enjoyed reading mysteries, and loved to entertain guests. Her greatest love was being with people and just gabbing about anything and everything. No visit ever went unappreciated. She will be remembered for her generosity.
Sister Joanne is survived by her Dominican Sisters of Hope and her sister, Carol Mullen, and brother, Robert Bonville, and several nieces and nephews and their children. She is predeceased by her brother, Jack Bonville, and her sister, Elaine Hidy.
Sister’s funeral took place on Thursday September 26 in the Chapel of the Center at Mariandale, Ossining, NY. Burial was immediately after the liturgy in the Dominican Sisters’ Cemetery at the Center at Mariandale.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister Joanne’s name can be made to the Development Office of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 N. Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562.
October 4, 2024
Daily Readings † Oct. 5 — Nov. 1
Sat. Oct. 5: Jb 42: 1-3. 5-6. 12-17: Ps 119: 66. 71. 75. 91. 125. 130: Lk 10: 17-24
Sun. Oct. 6 : Gn 2: 18-24: Ps 128: 1-2. 3. 4-5. 6: Heb 2: 9-11: Mk 10: 2-16
Mon. Oct. 7: Gal 1: 6-12: Ps 111: 1b-2. 7-8. 9 and 10c: Lk 10: 25-37
Tues. Oct. 8: Gal 1: 13-24: Ps 139: 1b-3. 13-14ab. 14c-15: Lk 10: 38-42
Wed. Oct. 9: Gal 2: 1-2. 7-14: Ps 117: 1bc. 2: Lk 11: 1-4
Thurs. Oct. 10: Gal 3: 1-5: Lk 1: 69-70. 71-72. 73-75: Lk 11: 5-13
Fri. Oct. 11: Gal 3: 7-14: Ps 111: 1b-2. 3-4. 5-6: Lk 11: 15-26
Sat Oct. 12: Gal 3: 22-29: Ps 105: 2-3. 4-5. 6-7: Lk 11: 27-28
Sun. Oct. 13: Wis 7: 7-11: Ps 90: 12-13. 14-15. 16-17 (14): Heb 4: 12-13: Mk 10: 17-30
Mon. Oct. 14: Gal 4: 22-24. 26-27. 31 - 5: 1: Ps 113: 1b-2. 3-4. 5a and 6-7: Lk 11: 29-32
Tues. Oct. 15: Gal 5: 1-6: Ps 119: 41. 43. 44. 45. 47. 48: Lk 11: 37-41
Wed. Oct. 16: Gal 5: 18-25: Ps 1: 1-2. 3. 4 and 6: Lk 11: 42-46
Thurs. Oct. 17: IEph 1: 1-10: Ps 98: 1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4. 5-6: Lk 11: 47-54
Fri. Oct. 18: 2 Tm 4: 10-17b: Ps 145: 10-11. 12-13. 17-18: Lk 10: 1-9
Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel
Sunday, October 6, at 7 p.m.
Broadcast from St. Francis Xavier Church, East Providence ***
Sunday, October 13 at 7 p.m.
Broadcast from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, New Bedford ***
Sunday, October 20 at 7 p.m.
Broadcast from Holy Rosary Church, Providence
Sunday, October 27 at 7 p.m.
Broadcast from St. Anthony if Padua Church, Fall River
October 4, 2024
Sat. Oct. 19: Eph 1: 15-23: Ps 8: 2-3ab. 4-5. 6-7: Lk 12: 8-12
Sun. Oct. 20 Is 53: 10-11: Ps 33: 4-5. 18-19. 20. 22 (22): Heb 4: 14-16:
Mk 10: 35-45
Mon. Oct. 21: Eph 2: 1-10: Ps 100: 1b-2. 3. 4ab. 4c-5: Lk 12: 13-21
Tues. Oct. 22: Eph 2: 12-22: Ps 85: 9ab-10. 11-12. 13-14: Lk 12: 35-38
Wed. Oct. 23: Eph 3: 2-12: Is 12: 2-3. 4bcd. 5-6: Lk 12: 39-48
Thurs. Oct. 24: Eph 3: 14-21: Ps 33: 1-2. 4-5. 11-12. 18-19: Lk 12: 49-53
Fri. Oct. 25: Eph 4: 1-6: Ps 24: 1-2. 3-4ab. 5-6: Lk 12: 54-59
Sat. Oct. 26: Eph 4: 7-16: Ps 122: 1-2. 3-4ab. 4cd-5: Lk 13: 1-9
Sun. Oct. 27: Jer 31: 7-9: Ps 126: 1-2. 2-3. 4-5. 6 (3): Heb 5: 1-6: Mk 10: 46-52
Mon. Oct. 28: Eph 2: 19-22: Ps 19: 2-3. 4-5: Lk 6: 12-16
Tues. Oct. 29: Eph 5: 21-33: Ps 128: 1-2. 3. 4-5: Lk 13: 18-21
Wed Oct. 30: Eph 6: 1-9: Ps 145: 10-11. 12-13ab. 13cd-14: Lk 13: 22-30
Thurs.Oct. 31: Eph 6: 10-20: Ps 144: 1b. 2. 9-10: Lk 13: 31-35
Fri. Nov 1: ALL SAINTS S. Holy Day of Obligation
Rv 7: 2-4. 9-14: Ps 24: 1b-2. 3-4ab. 5-6: 1 Jn 3: 1-3: Mt 5: 1-12a
Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6
Sunday, October 6 at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrant is Father David C. Deston Jr., Parochial Administrator, Annunciation of the Lord Parish, Taunton, and St. Nicholas of Myra Parish, N. Dighton
Sunday, October 13 at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrant is Father Bernard Baris, M.S., National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Attleboro
Sunday, October 20 at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrant is Monsignor John J. Oliveira, Director of Diocesan Society for the Propagation of the Faith, and a Retired Priest of the Fall River Diocese
Sunday, October 27 at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrant is Father Thomas C. Lopes, Retired Priest of the Diocese of Fall River
The Prayer of Thanksgiving of St. Thomas After Communion
The Catholic tradition is deep and wide, full of richness and mystery. If we open our minds and hearts, the inexhaustible nature of Scripture and Tradition never fails to offer something new to disciples. I was recently reminded of this when, in my own parish, our pastor had laminated copies of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Prayer of Thanksgiving placed in our pews. The prayer was meant to coincide with the Eucharistic Revival currently taking place across our Church, but it was new to my spiritual life! It has proven to be a discovery of great value and impact.
Since my First Communion, I have spent time after receiving Christ in the Eucharist in silent prayer. While I continue to take this time of prayer after first kneel-
ing, I have now started the habit of reading the prayer of St. Thomas at least three times after Communion. I find the prayer to be a tremendous occasion for solace, but also a guide to understand the centrality of the Eucharist in my life and the life of the Church. I truly believe that if Catholics understand and live the meaning of the Eucharist as articulated in this prayer, we will see a transformative impact on our own lives, the life of the Church and society.
of my worth but in the kindness of your mercy, You have fed me with the Precious Body & Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.”
‘‘Lord, Father all-powerful and ever-living God, I thank You, for even though I am a sinner, your unprofitable servant, not because
The prayer starts by recognizing that God is our Father and that grace is utterly unmerited. Our God is not a distant force but rather a merciful Father who only wants what is good for his children. Like any good Father, He feeds us with spiritual food that we need in order to live as we are called. We are reminded that we are wholly dependent on God for everything in our lives. The Eucharist is no symbol, but rather the real Body and Blood of Jesus Christ given for our sustenance on this earthly journey.
‘‘I pray that this Holy Communion may not bring me condemnation and punishment but forgiveness and salvation. May it be a helmet of faith and a shield of good will. May it purify me from evil ways and put an end to my evil passions. May it bring me charity and patience, humility and obedience, and growth in the power to do good.”
St. Thomas continues the prayer by reminding us that we should always worthily receive the Eucharist.
Serious or mortal sin should be confessed before receiving, but we should also not fall into an overly scrupulous approach to the Eucharist. The “helmet” and “shield” references remind us that we are in a spiritual battle against forces that want to do us harm.
With God’s power, however, evil ways and passions can be transformed into virtues. As St. Augustine taught, “Receive the Body of Christ, so that we might become what we receive.” The Eucharist starts by transforming us so that we might go out into the wider world and glorify God through our lives.
‘‘May it be my strong defense
against all my enemies, visible and invisible, and the perfect calming of all my evil impulses, bodily and spiritual. May it unite me more closely to you, the One true God, and lead me safely through death to everlasting happiness with You.”
St. Thomas repeats a prayer for a “strong defense.” Clearly this is an important theme that St. Thomas wishes to emphasize. While St. Thomas is known for his incomparable intellect, he had a beautiful and powerful devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist. Only one with such great spiritual power could know the forces arrayed against believers. Today, we see direct assaults against believers throughout the world, and many who are persecuted for their faith in nations in which religious freedom is not protected. In addition to this “visible” opposition to God, we must also take care to discern the “invisible”manifestations that seek to excite our impulses, and divide us from our Father.
And I pray that You will lead me, a sinner, to the banquet where you, with Your Son and holy Spirit, are true and perfect light, total fulfillment, everlasting joy, gladness without end, and perfect happiness to your saints, grant this through Christ our Lord, AMEN.
Lastly, St. Thomas reminds us of our ultimate destiny. During our darkest moments of loneliness, mourning, illness or depression, the Eucharist can bring us to the realization and hope that God’s plan is for healing and happiness. God does not want to limit our happiness, but rather, give us more than we can ever imagine! The divine life is given to us so that we might share in the divine Trinitarian life of love and communion for all of eternity.
In conclusion, I encourage you to say this prayer with conviction and purpose as a true thanksgiving for the great gift of Jesus in the Eucharist. In order to transform our world, we must first transform our lives. The Eucharist is the gift that will allow us to do just that.
October 4, 2024
