No Priest Stands Alone

Supporting Our Priests Through Fraternity

Priests of the Diocese of Fall River gather for the annual Chrism Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, a sign of their unity in priestly ministry and service to the faithful. The Diocese recently launched a new program to bring priests together in small fraternity groups for prayer, mutual support, and fellowship to help strengthen their ministry and reduce the isolation many experience while serving alone.

The life of a parish priest can be lonely. But it does not have to be. As part of the Stronger Priests, Stronger Parishes, Stronger Church initiative, we recently began forming priest fraternity groups. These gatherings are intended to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among our priests by giving them time to pray together, share their experiences, and support one another in the challenges and joys of priestly ministry. I prefer to call them fraternity groups because they reflect the spirit of fraternity that is essential to the priesthood.

These groups get together once a month, and in order to show my support to them, each month I host one of these fraternity groups at the Bishop residence in Fall River. When we gather, we begin with prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, placing Christ at the center of our time together. After adoration and Benediction, we share a meal and conversation. These moments are simple but very meaningful. They allow the priests to speak openly about their ministry, hopes, and concerns, and they allow me as their bishop to listen and better understand how they are doing spiritually and pastorally.

In the past, when there were many priests available for parish ministry, it was more common for them to live communally in rectories. Today, many priests serve faithfully while living alone, which can sometimes lead to a sense of isolation. These fraternity groups help remind our priests that they are not alone. By praying together, sharing meals, and simply spending time with one another, they are rediscovering the importance of fraternity and the strength that comes from knowing they are supported by their brother priests. I have already heard how these gatherings are helping to strengthen morale and renew a sense of hope and enthusiasm for their ministry.

I truly believe our presbyterate is strongest when we walk together. When our priests feel supported and encouraged, they are better able to serve God’s people with joy and generosity. These fraternity gatherings are a reminder that priests are not meant to live in isolation, but in communion with Christ, their bishop, and one another. Together, we continue to build a stronger Church rooted in faith, fraternity, and hope.

Called to Live the Gift of the Divine Mercy

As we continue to celebrate the joy of Easter, we also look ahead to Divine Mercy Sunday (April 12), a beautiful reminder that the Resurrection reveals the depth of God’s mercy for each of us. This special day invites us to trust more fully in the Lord’s forgiveness and to become instruments of that same mercy in our relationships with others. In a world consumed by war, division, and pain, Divine Mercy Sunday calls us to be people of compassion, reconciliation, and hope, confident that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love.

On Sunday, I will be in Westport with the Divine Mercy Parish community to celebrate its first patronal feast in conjunction with Divine Mercy Sunday. There will be an 11:30 a.m. Mass in St. George Church, one of the community’s worship sites, followed by a reception.

Prayer, “the True Strength that Brings Peace to Humanity”

In his Urbi et Orbi message on Easter Sunday, Pope Leo XIV announced that he will lead a prayer vigil for peace on Saturday, April 11, and invited everyone to join him. I want to echo the invitation and the “special plea” that has followed from U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ President Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, urging “all people yearning for true peace to join the Holy Father’s Vigil for Peace, whether virtually, or in parishes, chapels, or before the Lord present in the quiet of their hearts to join with our Holy Father as we pray for peace in our world.”

Keeping You Connected to the Church Around the World

The new Vatican News widget has been added to the Diocesan and The Anchor websites, providing you with easy access to the latest news and updates from the Holy See. This new feature allows the faithful to stay connected to the life of the universal Church and follow the words, travels, and initiatives of Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican in real time. It is another way for our diocesan community to remain informed about the universal Church. For news delivered to your inbox each week, sign up for free weekly updates from The Anchor.

With Easter Blessings,

+Bishop da Cunha