FALL RIVER — The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts has announced a new way to support all parishes in the Diocese of Fall River during this coronavirus pandemic though online giving.

The Foundation established the new online Emergency Parish Relief Fund in response to a request from Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., said Miriam Finn Sherman, who is the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer.

It is not intended to replace any individual parish’s online offertory but rather to offer another option through which to support a parish as well as to provide a platform for online giving for those parishes without their own program in place.

“While we know that many parishioners have recently signed on to online offertory through our partner Gabriel Software or already had an existing online offering, this new option ensures that every parish in our diocese now has the opportunity to benefit through online offertory,” she explained.

The landing page of the Emergency Parish Relief Fund extends an invitation to join in supporting our parishes who are experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.

It points out that, “We are one family of faith. When one part of our family suffers, we come together to help alleviate the pain of another…Together, let us rise up and support our local community.”

The online offertory developed for all parishes may be accessed here. The process is streamlined and simple:

  • A donor makes a secure online gift through the giving page, selecting his or her (or any designated) parish from the drop-down menu.
  • The Catholic Foundation receives the donation.
  • The Catholic Foundation runs a report of donations each week.
  • Any parish designated as the recipient of donation(s) made in that week receives one check in the amount of the total of its donations.
  • At this time, checks will be sent every Thursday directly from the Diocesan Finance Office to parishes receiving donations.

“While we know the holiest and safest thing we can all do right now is stay home, we also know the work of our parishes must continue – especially now,” Sherman said.

“We hope that this provides a new way of supporting our parishes and the important ministries each provides.”

The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts is incorporated as a separate 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, fully endorsed by the Fall River Diocese and Bishop da Cunha, S.D.V.  This legal structure ensures that all gifts will be used for their intended purposes and provides a level of efficiency, accountability and transparency for donors as well as the pastors/parishes, schools and ministries it serves.

Anyone with questions on the Emergency Parish Relief Fund should contact Mim Sherman at the Catholic Foundation at 781-697-9478.

Access the Emergency Parish Relief Fund page here.

The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Bishop of Fall River