Bishop’s Blog: Peace, Preparedness, and Prevention

Praying for Peace

On Monday, we had our annual Procession and Mass for Peace. It’s a longstanding tradition and very worthwhile endeavor in the Diocese that goes back to 1975. The October holiday is chosen because of its proximity to the feast of Our Lady of Fatima on October 13. which commemorates the last in a series of appearances of Mary to three Portuguese children in 1917. During the apparitions, the Blessed Mother told the children to pray the Rosary each day to bring peace to the world and to bring an end to World War I.

I invited Father Jack Oliveira, one of our retired priests, to offer the homily during the Mass. He explained that while the Procession and Mass for Peace came about in response to unrest in Portugal, it quickly became evident that there is always a need to pray for peace each year, in our world, in our country, and in our families. 

“We gather each year because we know that peace among people is the fruit of prayer; it’s God’s action in the world.”

Father Jack Oliveira

Father Jack pointed out that our prayers need to be united with action to create peace. We all need to become instruments of peace, first working to bring peace within our own families and then as we are able within our communities. Injustice and wrongdoing in our society have become barriers to peace.

I think all of us will quickly agree with the urgency for prayers for peace. We likely think first of Ukraine and the Middle East, where wars are raging, causing needless destruction and suffering to so many people of all ages. Let us respond to the plea of the Blessed Mother in Fatima to pray, especially the Rosary, for peace and an end to wars. As I shared in my closing message at the Peace Mass, prayer can change the human heart; when hearts change, there will be peace.

Catholic Charities Disaster Preparedness

This week, our Catholic Charities Diocese of Fall River is hosting the Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) Northeast Regional Disaster Response Academy. CCUSA supports a national network of agencies committed to helping those in need. In 1990, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops commissioned CCUSA to be the official domestic disaster relief agency to respond to natural and human-made disasters in the United States. CCUSA’s Disaster Response Team coordinates the Catholic Church’s response and grants relief funds to local Catholic Charities agencies to support their relief efforts.

This three-day training session taking place here in the Fall River Diocese is designed to help Catholic Charities agencies in dioceses gain a deeper understanding of CCUSA disaster services and enhance their own capacity to respond to disasters. Representatives from Catholic Charities from dioceses across New England, New York, and New Jersey, along with our diocesan Catholic Charities staff and others from local non-profit service agencies, are participating. I was pleased to welcome them with a blessing to begin their training session and later to celebrate Mass for them.

Happening this Sunday

This Sunday is World Mission Sunday, and we are invited to join Catholics worldwide to offer our prayers and financial support for the Church’s mission efforts. This year’s theme, chosen by Pope Francis, is rooted in the Gospel of Matthew: “Go and Invite Everyone to the Banquet,” reflecting the inclusive and urgent call to bring God’s love to everyone. 

It’s interesting to consider that the Church here in the United States was once mission territory, supported by the generosity of Catholics worldwide. Now, we are invited to do our part to help spread the Gospel to other territories around the world through the Society of the Propagation of the Faith. You can learn more here.

Also, this Sunday, I will celebrate our annual Respect Life Mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Since 1973, the Catholic Church in the United States has observed October as “Respect Life” Month. 

Our prayers and efforts must continue to help convert and recognize the value of all human life, each and every one created in the likeness of God. I have often said while the Supreme Court decision overturning the Roe v. Wade decision was an important step forward in the legal realm, changing hearts is more important and still remains a challenge before us. We need to continue to pray that God will change hearts for a better world, a world of peace, love, and understanding—one that is respectful of every human life.

Our Respect Life Mass is sponsored each year by the Knights of Columbus, and all are welcome to attend.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

I want to close this blog with a reminder that October is also National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To learn more about the Catholic response, visit the U.S. Bishop’s website for their Pastoral Letter, “When I Call for Help.”

If you, a family member, or a friend need help now, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800‐799‐7233 (24 hours); 855-812-1001 (videophone), www.thehotline.org.

This time of the year can be so busy, and with the holidays just around the corner, it is not likely to slow down any time soon for most of you. I want to remind you never to be too busy to make time for prayer; of all the things filling our to-do lists, maintaining a strong relationship with our Lord should be at the very top! Please know of my continued prayer for each of you and your families.

Yours in Christ,
Bishop da Cunha