World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Sunday, April 25th is World Day of Prayer for Vocations, celebrated annually on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The purpose of the day is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). All are invited and encouraged to pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord’s call to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life. I hope that you will take part.
Specifically, please hold the seminarians from our diocese preparing for their Transitional Diaconate ordination on May 22, 2021.
To learn more about vocations in the Fall River Diocese visit the new Diocese Vocations website and U.S. Bishops’ Conference website offer prayers for vocations.

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.  Amen.
 

Guidelines for the Essential Three Requirements

As we continue our focus in April on Child Abuse Prevention Month, I wanted to share some additional resources, specifically Safe Environment Requirements To Minister/Work/Volunteer In the Diocese, also known as the Essential Three.
All persons aged 18 and older must complete the “Essential Three” as outlined in the Diocesan Policy for the Protection of the Faithful in order to minister, work or volunteer in the Diocese of Fall River.  The Essential Three are a Criminal Background Check (CORI), Safe Environment Training, and a Code Of Conduct For Diocesan Lay Employees and Volunteers. All applicants within the Diocese are provided a Safe Environment Code of Conduct and are required to always maintain their obligations within their respective Code of Conduct. Each diocesan facility, i.e., parish, school, or program, has a representative who can assist in the verification process of the CORI Acknowledgement Form. However, if you have any questions regarding CORI processing, please contact the Office of Safe Environment at 508-675-1311, ext. 6511 or osechancery@dioc-fr.org.
 

Diocesan Consecration to Saint Joseph

Our Diocese began a 5-week preparation period for the Consecration of Saint Joseph that will take place during a Mass on May 1st, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. I will celebrate this Mass at St Joseph’s Chapel in Woods Hole, MA. It will also be livestreamed on the Diocese Facebook page. To reserve a seat, please visit https://bit.ly/StJosephWorker.
The Consecration to St. Joseph preparation continues this week looking at St. Joseph as Patron of Workers. Allison Gingras, Social Media Consultant for the Diocese and wife of Deacon Kevin Gingras, shared a reflection on St. Joseph, not only as a patron of those in the workforce but also in all the ways we are called by God to work. 
The daily prayers include one specific to the patronage of St. Joseph focused on each week and the Litany of St. Joseph. Our week four prayer focuses on St. Joseph, Patron of Workers, and comes from Pope St. Pius X. Pope Pius X established the Fall River Diocese in 1904. You can find all the posts to date, including my reflection on St. Joseph, Protector of the Church, here. 
Yours in Christ,
Bishop da Cunha

The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Bishop of Fall River