Synod, Retirements, and FACE

Synod Report Released

The Diocese of Fall River has submitted to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops its report for the Synod on Synodality, providing a summary of key themes and takeaways from local meetings held earlier this year. I am thrilled that close to 5,000 people from all perspectives leveraged this opportunity to share their thoughts and most importantly listen to viewpoints on our Church. Our diocesan submission will become part of a comprehensive national report prepared for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican in 2023.

A special thanks to the Vicar General Father David C. Frederici, who served as the point person for the synod in the diocese. I am also grateful to the revitalization committee of lay and clergy who worked together and stepped up to help in this process. And lastly, a thank you to the many in our diocese who were involved, from those who served on the committee, to our Parish Ambassadors who gave much of their time with the two diocesan gatherings, multiple online meetings, as well as the planning and implementation of the synodal process that took place in the parishes. 

The report offers a snapshot of our Diocese at this point along the synodal journey. It shares the joys and disappointments, and the successes and struggles being experienced by people in our diocese. All of this helps us to better understand how we can better support one another as a Church and continue to walk with one another more effectively as we seek to live our lives as Christian disciples. However, as I have stated before, the synodal process will be ongoing, and we as a diocese will continue to listen, learn from each other, and journey together in faith.
The Report is available in its entirety here.
 

Two Priests Retire

Father Andrew Johnson, parochial vicar of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich, and Father Daniel O. Reis, pastor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish in New Bedford, retired from their respective parish posts as of last Friday, July 1, 2022. Father Reis has served as a priest for 47 years, Father Johnson for 31. I thank them for their ministry over the years and wish them good health and happiness in their retirement. I invite you to learn more about the dedicated service of Fr. Johnson and Fr. Reis, here.
 
 

FACE Summer Happenings

I want to let you know that there are two ways you can support  Catholic education this summer through the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education :

• Join the 25th Anniversary FACE Summer Gala, on August 4, 2022, at the Wianno Club with a Special Appearance by Hyannis Sound: here
• Support the FACE Falmouth Road Race Team participating in the 50th Anniversary Falmouth Road Race Number for Non-Profits: here

Yours in Christ,
Bishop da Cunha
 

O Reverendíssimo Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.

The Bishop of Fall River