The Role of the Diocesan Pastoral Council and Accolades for the New Diocesan Website

Listening, Learning, and Leading Together: A Look Inside the Diocesan Pastoral Council

As I’ve mentioned in past blog posts, every other month, I sit down with a group of people from across our Diocese. A few are clergy, most are lay leaders, and all are passionate about helping our Church grow stronger. This group is called the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC), and I’m grateful for the meaningful conversations, creative ideas, and shared commitment they bring to each meeting.

The Council is an advisory group of individuals from diverse parishes and backgrounds, representing every deanery in our Diocese. We meet to discuss important questions and challenges facing our broader Catholic community, things I’m thinking about as bishop, and topics that impact daily life in our parishes. It’s a space where people share genuine experiences, pose challenging questions, and work together to find solutions.

One of our recent projects involved helping to shape the Parish Council Workshops, which took place in May and June. The idea was to bring people together from different parishes to discuss how we can support our priests by strengthening local leadership, sharing ideas, and fostering stronger faith communities. Different members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council presented as part of each of these sessions. The workshops were so well-received that we are considering conducting more in the future. I’m grateful that the input from our Diocesan  Pastoral Council helped make them possible.

The Council also helped review some of the pastoral letters I’ve written over the years. Those letters are messages I share with the whole Diocese on topics I believe matter deeply to our faith and our future. The review of my most recent letter – “A Time for Fortitude: Stronger Priests, Stronger Parishes, Stronger Church” (English, Spanish, or Portuguese) –  is what led the Council to brainstorm the workshops.

What I value most about the Diocesan Pastoral Council is that it’s not just about ideas; it’s about people coming together to learn from one another and make our Church stronger and more faithful to its mission. Their willingness to speak with honesty and care makes a real difference in how we move forward as a Diocese.

I share this with you because I want you to know how seriously we take listening and

collaboration in our Church. Good leadership begins with listening, and I’m grateful to have the

Diocesan Pastoral Council as a trusted voice in that journey.

Diocesan Website Ranked Among the Best New Catholic Sites in the U.S.

I am pleased to share that the Catholic Media Awards (CMA) recognized our new diocesan website with third place in the “Best New Website” category. This recognition was announced during the CMA’s annual conference at the end of last month.

Our current website, launched in March of last year, was honored for reimagining the digital presence of our Diocese by consolidating numerous diocesan resources into a single, modern, and responsive platform. With an increase in web traffic originating from mobile devices, it is more important than ever that we reach people where they are. The new website accomplishes that goal. 

In their comments announcing the award, the judges noted:

“The entry reimagined the digital hub for the diocese by consolidating multiple resources into a single, responsive platform. With its fresh design, clear navigation, and unified access to evangelization resources, directories and news, it significantly enhances user engagement in today’s mobile-driven world.”

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate Laura Carrillo, Director of Strategic and Pastoral Planning; John Kearns, our Director of Communications; and our consultants at ICON Advertising and Design for the countless hours they invested in developing this new online resource with the help of a cross functional committee from across the Diocese. I also extend my gratitude to all those who continue to maintain and update the site, ensuring it remains current and helpful to all who visit.

We do not undertake our work for accolades, but it is encouraging to see the dedication of so many across our ministries and offices recognized in this way. Ultimately, this website serves as a vital tool to share the Good News with the people of the Diocese of Fall River and beyond.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support as we strive to strengthen our mission of evangelization in every way we can, including in the digital world.

Sincerely, 

+Bishop da Cunha