FALL RIVER — The planning process underway in the Fall River Diocese reached a milestone on Saturday, September 14th as Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., offered a Mass to celebrate the work of nearly 400 volunteers who have been serving on various planning commissions as part of the diocesan Rebuilding in Faith and Hope initiative.

Planning commissions were formed to address three areas: Catholic Social Services, Youth and Young Adult Ministries/Services, and Diocesan Governance. The latter commission, Diocesan Governance, was then divided into four separate groups to look at communications; finance and administration; human resources; and facilities and real estate.

These recommendations were formally presented to Bishop da Cunha by representative members of each commission in the context of the September 14th Mass.  Allison Gingras presented for the Diocesan Governance Commission, Deborah Cabral for Youth and Young Adult, and Stacia Plumb for Catholic Social Services.

Moving forward, the recommendations are being reviewed by the Bishop who will work with the newly-constituted Diocesan Pastoral Council. It will be their task to prioritize them and map out a strategy for their implementation. Once completed, these next steps will become part of the final version of the strategic plan for the Fall River Diocese to then be presented to Bishop da Cunha for his acceptance.

Watch the September 14 Diocesan Planning Commissions Celebration Mass 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