Yesterday, Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap. of Boston, Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester) and I released a statement regarding the pending state budget, which includes Senate amendment (No. 180). The statement offers more information as it relates to the Catholic faith, and our opposition to the abortion expansion amendment. The statement said in part:

“Last week, as part of the annual fiscal year state budget process, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed amendment number 759.1. We are concerned that the amendment, if enacted, would expand abortion access in the Commonwealth well beyond what is currently in state law. We are also concerned that the amendment is an effort to expand abortion in Massachusetts by taking advantage of the process of approving a budget for the Commonwealth”.

To read the whole statement, click on the following link: https://bit.ly/2IKb4BN

Parish Excellence Recognition

The Parish Excellence Summit for parish priests, staff members, and volunteer leaders highlighted practices from parishes across the country, particularly during the Covid-19 Pandemic. I was very pleased to learn two parishes from the Fall River Diocese were recognized during this national online event:
Faith Formation for Youth via Technology: 
Parish Excellence Award: Catholic Community of Falmouth (Falmouth, MA) and their Meet You at the Altar program for faith formation. [A video highlighting the nomination and award presentation can be found on the Parish Excellence website for Day 4 at the 11:18 mark].
Website Innovations / Excellence During Covid:
Parish Excellence Award: St. Michael (Fall River, MA) [A video highlighting the nomination and award presentation can be found on the Parish Excellence website for Day 5 at the 6:42 mark]. 
Congratulations to both parishes on being recognized for your innovation and hard work during these difficult and uncertain times.

The Show Went On

The annual FACE (Foundation to Advance Catholic Education) Fall Scholarship Dinner virtual event was a great success. My welcome remarks encouraged those joining us to lean on the power of prayer. We are grateful to all of the generous benefactors and supporters of Catholic Education in our diocese. This event could not have occurred without chairpersons Janna Lafrance, Lafrance Hospitality, and John Feitelberg, President, Hub International, and the entire committee. 
As a faith community, we have enjoyed this event for many years. We look forward to a time when we can all come together again to celebrate those involved in Catholic Education and to raise much-needed scholarship funds to bring it within the financial reach of more students. Our Catholic schools and organizations like FACE work tirelessly to make it possible for our children to learn and to grow in a safe, nurturing, and faith-filled environment.

Catholic School Choir Performance

Click Image to Watch Video

One of the evening highlights was a magnificent performance by talented students from across the diocese led by Bishop Stang Music Director, Melissa Murphy-Leite. The children provided a beautiful rendition of Matt Maher’s Lord, I Need You. 
Let us continue to offer thanksgiving, praise, and our humble petitions to the Lord and to thank God for our families and friends, the work we do, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. May we gratefully accept the grace, help, blessings, guidance, and support provided in abundance from the Lord for all of our work in the Fall River Diocese.
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