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A LETTER OF "HEARTFELT THANKS" FROM BISHOP COLEMAN Dear Friends in Christ, As Bishop of Fall River, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the priests, deacons, religious, and lay faithful of this Diocese who have donated to or in any way supported the 2009 Catholic Charities Appeal. Because of your prayers, interest, and help, and also because of your generosity with time and money, this effort will successfully continue to provide for and assist those in our area who are most in need. The people in the Diocese of Fall River have once again demonstrated a spirit of sacrifice and a true desire to share with their neighbors and to help change their lives for the better. find out more...

APPEAL RAISES NEAR-RECORD $4.28 MILLION The Fall River Diocese 2009 Catholic Charities Appeal reached a total of $4,280,141.52, the third highest in Appeal history and only $26,000 -or six tenths of one percent- below the all-time high recorded in 2007. It fell short of last year's total of $4,296,300.63 by just $16,000. Proceeds from the annual springtime Appeal provide the financial support for the programs and ministries sponsored by the Diocese throughout southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands. find out more...

YEAR FOR PRIESTS Pope Benedict XVI has declared a Year for Priests to "encourage priests in their striving for spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends." It begins on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009 and continues through June 19, 2010. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Web site provides a growing number of resources for observing the year, including a section of prayers that can be offered for priests. find out more...

RETIREMENTS OF TWO PRIESTS, NEW ASSIGNMENTS FOR SEVEN OTHERS ANNOUNCED Early summer will mark a new beginning for two long-serving priests of the Diocese. Rev. William P. Blottman, at left in photo, a priest for 44 years, and Msgr. John F. Moore, at far right, a priest for 49 years, will retire from their assignments but remain active in ministry helping out at parishes. Their retirements along with new appointments for seven other priests were announced recently by Bishop Coleman. find out more...

DIOCESE WELCOMES TWO NEW PRIESTS Two men were ordained to the priesthood for service in the Fall River Diocese by Bishop Coleman on Saturday, June 13, in St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River. Pictured with the bishop immediately following their ordination are (on left) Father David C. Deston Jr., a native of Fall River, and (on right) Father Peter J. Fournier of Attleboro. Each celebrated his first Mass on the following day. find out more...

A REFLECTION ON THE ROSARY Bishop Coleman was among speakers at the Holy Cross Family Ministries' June 6th Family Rosary Fest at the W.B. Mason Stadium at Stonehill College. The bishop looked at "two sons of Mary," Father Peyton and Pope John Paul II: They continue to teach us of the importance of the rosary for our world and for our times. They tell us, 'Return to the rosary if you seek peace; return to the rosary if you seek strong family life.' 'The family that prays together stays together.'" Photo Courtesy of The Anchor. find out more...

10 QUESTIONS ON SWINE FLU and the LITURGY From the U.S. Catholic Bishops' Conference Secretariat of Divine Worship find out more...

PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF LIFE Learn more about the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) -and what you can do to stop it- through this PowerPoint presentation prepared by the Diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate. find out more...

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