Celebrating Vocations

Ordination to the Priesthood

Saturday, the Church, particularly in the Fall River Diocese, was blessed by Father Bryan Bangs’ answering the vocational call to the priesthood. We rejoice with Bryan and his family and thank them, particularly for their role in fostering his vocation in their home.

In the First Reading from the Book of Jeremiah, we are reminded that it is indeed God who chooses us, as He did in calling Bryan to discern the priesthood. We are so grateful that he accepted that call. The first movement is always of God, and then, by our generous response, fruits will come of it. We will surely witness abundant blessings from Fr. Bryan’s gracious response. Saturday was also the feast of Saint Justin Martyr, who taught us to use our natural gifts to know and understand the things of God and to use those to help others grow in holiness. He gave his very life to help others know the truth of Jesus Christ.

We must all offer our strength, energy, and gifts to understand in order to believe—yes, imperfection and limitations are expected, as we are only human. We are to lean on Grace to fill in where we fall short. We must pray for each other and have faith; we need each other’s faith to fulfill our call to sainthood. We are called to be Saints in all that say and do. May St. Justin, help to bring our new priest closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In this third year of the National Eucharistic Revival, I would be remiss not to mention the importance of not only priests but all men and women to be rooted in prayer, especially in the presence of the mystery of the Eucharist. Everyone who is baptized is called to follow Christ and be like him. Fr. Bryan will follow ever closer as a Priest of Jesus Christ as he proclaims the Gospel, forgives sins, and celebrates the mystery found in the sacraments. The Diocese needs his faith, his prayers, his fidelity, and his generosity. The Diocese needs all of him unconditionally.

 Please know that my prayers go with all of you, especially at this time, with Father Bryan Bangs as he begins his new life as a shepherd among our people in our Dioceses. Through the Holy Spirit, we can continue to be one family led to Christ and through Him to God the Father. Please join me in keeping this newly ordained young man in your prayers. 

Watch Fr. Bryan Bangs’ Ordination

Vocations / Quo Vadis

Priestly vocations begin in the home, and then are nourished in our parishes. There is also a great need to make time, away from the home, parish, and whatever else distracts in our busy lives, to allow the Holy Spirit to speak the will of God into our lives. Quo Vadis Days Summer Camp is offered for High School-Age boys (13 to 18) to come together with other Catholic young men to participate in talks, small group discussions, Mass, and prayer with a variety of inside and outside activities and games.

It is designed to offer participants a fun and meaningful experience while deepening their faith, growing in virtue, and learning about all vocations.

QuoVadisBoston.com

Learn More and Register

Quo Vadis Days is a four-day overnight camp/retreat to be held June 22-25 at Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass. It is being sponsored collaboratively by the Archdiocese of Boston and the Dioceses of Fall River and Worcester. The cost is $150.00. 

Registration for Quo Vadis Days is now open through this link:  vocationsboston.org/event/8th-annual-quo-vadis-retreat/ or by contacting Father Jack Schrader,  who is the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Fall River. He may be reached by email at frjschrader@diocese-fr.org.

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Lumen Christi Gala

Let me personally extend an invitation to attend a special evening in support of the restoration of St. Mary’s Cathedral and in celebration of the Diocese of Fall River’s 120th Anniversary! The Lumen Christi Cathedral Gala is set for June 18th at White’s of Westport. During the Gala, we will also honor Patrick and Lillian Carney for their faith, service, and philanthropy. I hope you can join us. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

In your generosity, I ask you to take a few moments to listen to this short video:

Yours in Christ, 
Bishop da Cunha