Busy and Blessed October

The month of October in the Diocese of Fall River is busy and blessed with many Masses and celebrations happening throughout the month. October is the month of the Rosary, Respect Life, and Mental Health Awareness, in addition to a time when we will celebrate the 120th Anniversary of our Diocese and hold our annual Masses for Peace, the Red Mass (for the legal community), and Catholic Youth Day. While I strive to keep my blog from being a calendar of events, I believe this month warrants a break from that to assure you are aware of all the wonderful opportunities to come together in prayer across the Diocese.

Masses For Mental Health Awareness

This year, I will celebrate Masses in two different areas to raise awareness of mental health and substance use challenges and the impact they can have on individuals, their families, and caregivers in two areas of the Diocese of Fall River. The Masses will take place at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, October 13, in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River and at 4 p.m., Saturday, October 26, in Corpus Christi Church in East Sandwich. 

October is designated annually as a time for greater focus on mental health awareness and on mobilizing efforts to support it. World Mental Health Day is October 10, and Mental Illness Awareness Week runs from October 6-12. The Masses in both churches will be offered for those who have lost a loved one to suicide, drug and alcohol use, or mental illness and for those who are currently experiencing mental health or substance use challenges. All are welcome to attend. The celebration of these Masses is an outreach of the mental health ministry of our Catholic Charities here in the Diocese of Fall River. I share the hope of those involved in the ministry that these Masses will help to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations about mental health and substance use, and raise awareness of the need for suicide prevention.

Jack Weldon, who is a licensed clinical social worker, serves as the mental health coordinator for Catholic Charities, and he and others at the agency are working with diocesan pastors and parishes to initiate mental health ministry and develop mental health ministry teams within their parish. The aim is for these teams to provide comfort and support for those impacted by mental health and substance abuse challenges, to help educate on these issues, and to assist with finding area mental health services. Jack recently shared this overview of their efforts: “We are working intentionally to affirm the dignity of every human being and create places of belonging and healing for those who are experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, and those who care for them.”

A Book of Remembrance will be offered during the Masses for Mental Health Awareness for those who have died. Anyone who would like to submit a name/names of loved ones for inclusion in the Book of Remembrance can email FR-Reception@ccfrdioc.org, with the subject line: Name for Remembrance Book or call Catholic Charities at 508-674-4681 Ext. 1101. Both Masses for Mental Health Awareness will be livestreamed on the website of the respective parish, www.olfallriver.com (St. Mary’s Cathedral) and www.corpuschristiparish.org.

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Annual Candlelight Procession and Mass for Peace

Our annual Procession and Mass for Peace is on Monday, October 14, 2023, the Columbus Day holiday. I hope you can join us. As in years past, participants in the procession should meet by 5:30 p.m. in the area of St. Anne’s Shrine, across from Kennedy Park on South Main Street in Fall River. At 6 p.m., we will march approximately one-half mile to St. Mary’s Cathedral, carrying candles, reciting the Rosary, and singing hymns to Our Lady. I will celebrate the Mass for Peace at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 7 pm. Anyone unable to process and needing extra assistance should proceed directly to the Cathedral; a special seating area is available there.

I encourage all the faithful to join us either in person or in prayerful solidarity. We’ll gather to pray, particularly as wars continue in the Holy Land and Ukraine and as deep divisions exist among citizens of our nation. Our Mass and Procession for Peace is a response to the urgent appeal of the Blessed Mother in Fatima in October 1913 to pray for peace. That need clearly remains today. For those unable to join us in person, the Mass for Peace will be live-streamed on the website of St. Mary’s Cathedral at www.olfallriver.com.

Yours in Christ, 
Bishop da Cunha