From Rome to Our Diocese, Strengthening the Church Through Prayer, Fellowship, and Formation

Strengthening the Bonds of Brotherhood on the Feast of Saint John Vianney

Yesterday, I was so pleased to gather with our priests for Solemn Evening Prayer and a renewal of our collective consecration to St. John Vianney, who is the patron saint for parish priests. We followed the holy hour and reflection with a cookout and some relaxed time together to enjoy each other’s company.

August 4 is the date of the Church’s celebration of the Memorial of St. John Vianney. Canonized a saint in 1925, he is known for his priestly and pastoral work in his parish in Ars, France in the 19^th century, leading to a spiritual transformation of the community. Over time, he became internationally known for his ministry there.

You may recall that our priests and I gathered one year ago on the same date for the consecration of our presbyteral to St. John Vianney as part of our Stronger Priests, Stronger Parishes, Stronger Church Initiative. It is my hope that yesterday’s consecration renewal will become a tradition that we maintain going forward. It is important that we continue to focus on the spirit of brotherhood among priests that is so important to the success of the Stronger Priests Initiative.

Our priests don’t live and minister in isolation; they do so together as the presbyterate of the Diocese of Fall River. It is critical that they support each other and share their priesthood with one another. Opportunities to join together for prayer, fellowship, and friendship help maintain and sometimes rekindle the flame placed in our hearts at the time of our ordination to priesthood.

Looking Ahead to the First Ad Limina Visit with Pope Leo XIV

Over the next several months, the Diocese will begin the extensive preparation for my ad limina visit with the Holy Father, a journey of sorts that every diocesan bishop makes usually every five years. . While the visit itself is in March, the preparation begins well in advance with prayer, reflection, conversations, and documentation about the life of our local Church.

My last ad limina visit was in 2019 with Pope Francis. This visit will be especially meaningful for me because it will be my first opportunity to share with Pope Leo XIV the wonderful work of the laity, clergy and religious here in the Diocese as well as important initiatives such as Stronger Priests, Stronger Parishes; the work of Catholic Charities; the Sacramental life of the Church here in the Diocese; the men who have been ordained are in formation and more. Along with the bishops of the New England region, I will have the chance to share the many blessings of our Diocese, the challenges we face, and the ways we continue to carry out the mission of the Church here in southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands. Just as importantly, it will be an opportunity to listen to the Holy Father as we reflect on how best to serve God’s people. This is likely to be a very different type of visit with us since Pope Leo is the first American-born pontiff. (Knowing that he is a baseball fan, we may gift him a Red Sox hat!)

As I begin this preparation, I ask for your prayers. Please pray for Pope Leo XIV, for all of the bishops who will take part in these visits, and for our Diocese. I look forward to sharing more with you in the months ahead about this important tradition in the life of the Church and what it means for all of us.

Faithful to Gather for the 2026 Parish Leader Convocation

River are invited to come together for the 2026 Parish Leader Convocation on Saturday, September 12, at St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown. This annual gathering provides an opportunity for prayer, formation, and fellowship as parish leaders prepare for the year ahead. The convocation is one of two professional development opportunities provided each year to support those who serve their parish communities through catechesis, ministry, and leadership.

I’ll start the day with a Mass, then gather with parish leaders to discuss the year ahead. Father John Riccardo of Detroit and the ACTS XXIX Team, whose ministry focuses on priestly and Church renewal and helping Catholics move forward on mission with a compelling proclamation of the Gospel, will also speak.

The convocation will include opportunities for learning, discussion, networking, and community building. For more information or to register, please click here. 

Sincerely,

+Bishop da Cunha