FALL RIVER — In 1972, a priest at Joyce Clough’s parish of St. Julie Billiart in Dartmouth asked if she would be interested in teaching in the religious education program. She said yes and now, 53 years later, she continues to serve as a catechist, helping to pass along the Catholic faith to young people.

“Who would have thought I would last this long,” said Clough recently with a smile. “I have been teaching second grade for about 33 years. I love this grade because it’s the year they make their First Penance and First Communion, and I love preparing them for the sacraments. I can’t give it up because I get more than I give.”

Bishop da Cunha blesses the Pope Francis Catechist Awards

This past weekend, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., presented Clough and 35 other lay persons who work to teach and share the faith in their own parishes with the Pope Francis Catechist Award, a special Fall River Diocesan recognition given as part of the celebration of the Jubilee Holy Year 2025. The award is named after the late Pope Francis for his work advancing the Church’s mission in evangelization and catechesis.

“I am grateful that with this special award the Diocese was able to recognize the dedicated ministry of catechists in our parishes, Bishop da Cunha said. “Working alongside their priests and deacons, these women and men help to educate our faithful and form them into disciples of Jesus through catechetical programs and other ministries in which they serve. I thank them for their generous service and offer my continued blessings and prayers for all that they do.”

David Carvalho, Secretary for Evangelization in the Diocese, noted that the Pope Francis Award recipients “have given of themselves year after year, often behind the scenes, walking patiently with children, teens, adults, and families, forming them in the truths of the faith and the love of Christ. They are spiritual companions, mentors in discipleship, teachers of doctrine, and above all, witnesses of a live lived in Christ.”

The Pope Francis Catechist Award was presented to the following parishioners:

  • Susy Bento-Holmes, Holy Trinity Parish, West Harwich
  • Nathan Botelho, Santo Christo Parish, Fall River
  • Rosanna Byrnes, St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, New Bedford
  • Sally Cabral, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, New Bedford
  • Joyce Clough, St. Julie Billiart Parish, North Dartmouth
  • Judith Crowley, St. Mary Parish, Mansfield
  • Kristen Denette, Holy Cross Parish, Easton
  • Joseh Daly, St. Pius X Parish, South Yarmouth
  • Joseph DellaMorte, Corpus Christi Parish, East Sandwich
  • Dennis Desnoyers, St. Gabriel Parish, New Bedford
  • Donna Dolack, St. Mary Parish, Norton
  • Michael Fougere, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Pocasset
  • Megan Gernt, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Attleboro
  • Lidia Guiomar, Espirito Santo Parish, Fall River
  • Linda Hamilton, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth
  • Jennifer Hart, Holy Family Parish, East Taunton
  • Edward Houde, St. Anthony Parish, New Bedford
  • Sarah Jones, Immaculate Conception Parish, North Easton
  • Arlene LeJava, Our Lady of Victory Parish, Centerville
  • Elaine Lucas, St. Bernard Parish, Assonet
  • Theodore Machado, Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, New Bedford
  • Lina Matos, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, New Bedford
  • Ellen McGovern, St. Nicholas of Myra Parish, Dighton
  • Grace McGroarty, Good Shepherd Parish, Martha’s Vineyard
  • Ana Lucy Mello, St. Michael and St. Joseph Parishes, Fall River
  • Also, Yaitza Mojica-Rodriquez, Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Parish, New Bedford
  • Carol Peixe, Divine Mercy Parish, Westport
  • Lucy Pinhancos, St. John Neumann Parish, East Freetown
  • Camille Raymond, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, New Bedford
  • Karyl Scrivener, Christ the King Parish, Mashpee
  • Elin Slavin, Our Lady of the Cape Parish, Brewster
  • Cathy Sousa, St. John of God Parish, Somerset
  • Nancy Sousa, Our Lady of Fall River Parish Collaborative, Fall River
  • Amanda and Matt Turner, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Seekonk
  • Ellen Ugi, St. Patrick Parish, Wareham

Snapshots from the presentation of the Pope Francis Catechist Awards

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