{"id":39357,"date":"2025-01-08T10:38:12","date_gmt":"2025-01-08T15:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fallriverdiocese.org\/?p=39357"},"modified":"2025-01-09T14:12:31","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T19:12:31","slug":"2024-year-in-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fallriverdiocese.org\/es\/uncategorized\/2024-year-in-review\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 Year in Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Commencing a New Year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we begin a new year, I often like to pause and reflect upon the year that passed. These reflections highlight how we, as a Diocese, and I, as a Bishop, helped bring the faithful closer to Christ. Equally important, I hope they help us to think about how we can build on successes to improve our evangelization efforts and to support our priests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I again express my gratitude to the priests and laity who are building vibrant communities of faith in our parishes and schools through their tireless work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prayer for the New Year
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.<\/p>\nUSCCB<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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January – National Eucharistic Revival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the beginning of 2024, the Church in the United States, including our Diocese continued events as part of the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival<\/a> with a focus on planning for the National Eucharistic Congress to be held in July in Indianapolis and our Diocesan Day of Eucharistic Encounter<\/a> in September. (More on both to follow in later sections.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The month concluded with the annual Catholic Schools Week in which we celebrated the rich traditions of Catholic education in our Diocese, with creative initiatives like Car Magnet Bingo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

February – Year of Prayer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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During February, we also welcomed Pope Francis\u2019 proclamation of 2024 as a \u201cYear of Prayer\u201d<\/a> in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee of Hope<\/a>, emphasizing the value of prayer in strengthening faith and fostering hope. Back home in the Diocese of Fall River, we launched a creative and innovative vocations initiative in which \u201cbaseball cards<\/a>\u201d were created for each of our seminarians and newly ordained priests to inspire vocations among young Catholics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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February also marked the beginning of Lent<\/a> when I encouraged the faithful to make the season more intentional by dedicating their prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to three specific intentions for their family, community, or the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

March – A Spiritually Rich Month for the Diocese<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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As we journeyed through Lent, I reflected on the importance of listening to God with open hearts, using the examples of Abraham\u2019s faith and the Transfiguration to encourage us to embrace God\u2019s guidance, even when facing challenging situations. Opportunities to listen and open our hearts were amplified as we celebrated the 120th anniversary of the Diocese<\/a> and emphasized the central role of the Eucharist in our faith. In March, after months of arduous work, we unveiled a new website <\/a>for the Diocese that was created to better connect the faithful with resources and events to deepen their spiritual lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

April – Celebrating the Easter Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we reaffirmed the Diocese\u2019s commitment to healing and protecting the vulnerable by encouraging prayers for survivors of abuse. We also held a special Prayer Service for Healing<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To \u201cRenew the Face of the Earth\u201d by funding programs that serve the Diocese\u2019s social, pastoral, and educational missions, the 83rd Annual Catholic Appeal was introduced, which invited support through acts of charity and faith. It is through the Appeal that the work of Christ can be performed in our community. The Appeal<\/a> raised over $4.5 million thanks to the generosity of more than 15,000 donors, enabling us to continue vital ministries throughout our diocese. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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