Celebrating Vocations, Graduations, our Nation, and Stewardship

A Day of Grace for the Diocese

Last Saturday we celebrated a presbyteral and diaconate ordination in the Diocese of Fall River. It was my joy and privilege to ordain Deacon Kaique Santos a priest and seminarian Lucas daCosta a transitional deacon. St. Mary’s Cathedral was filled for the Mass with many of our priests, deacons and religious and family and friends of the two men being ordained. The warmth and joyful mood inside the church were almost palpable.

I shared with both Kaique and Lucas that the entire Church of Fall River rejoices with them on their Ordination Day. I thanked them for their generous response to the Lord’s call and assured them that they were there only because the Lord found something in the depths of their hearts, an openness to serving Him and His people. No one takes this upon himself, I reminded them, but by God. He called you, you have been selected, chosen, and you said yes. No one is ordained for themselves, but for God and His people. With ordination, they are called to conform their lives to the life of Christ. They must always remember the greatest treasure they can share is Jesus.

In the Gospel during the Mass, we heard Jesus’ command to Simon Peter to “feed my sheep.” In their new respective ministries, Father Kaique and Deacon Lucas will do that. Their ‘yes’ to God’s call will bear fruit to the Church of the Diocese of Fall River and the people they serve. I am grateful to God for calling both these men and ask everyone in the Diocese to pray for them as they begin their ministry.

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s about learning to dance in the rain”

In recent weeks, I was pleased to attend graduation ceremonies at our three Catholic high schools in the Diocese. Graduation season is a time to celebrate achievement, but it is also an opportunity to reflect on the values that lead to a meaningful life. As we congratulate the Class of 2026, we do so with gratitude for their gifts, talents, and contributions to their schools, families, parishes, and communities. Their accomplishments remind us that true success is rooted not only in what we achieve, but in who we become. A positive attitude toward ourselves and others, respect for human dignity, and a willingness to serve are the foundations of a happy and fulfilling life.

That message feels especially timely following the publication of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), which explores the protection of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence. I reflected on the encyclical in my talk to our high school graduates. The Holy Father writes that humanity faces a decisive choice. Use technology to undermine human dignity or to safeguard and strengthen it. While technological advances continue to transform how we communicate, learn, and work, Pope Leo reminds us that our task is not to fear innovation but to ensure that our lives remain deeply and authentically human.

The Holy Father also cautions against allowing digital technology to dominate our lives. His invitation is one that all of us can embrace: to disconnect from our devices from time to time and reconnect with God, nature, family, and friends. As St. Augustine famously wrote, “, Lord, we are made for you and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” As we celebrate this year’s graduates, may we look to the future with hope, remembering that life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but about learning to dance in the rain.

Consecrating a Nation to the Sacred Heart

As part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Thursday, June 11, at 4 p.m. Rooted in the Church’s long tradition of devotion to the Sacred Heart, the consecration serves as a reminder that true renewal begins with conversion of heart and a commitment to the common good. As Catholics across the country join in this moment of prayer, I invite you to ask the Sacred Heart of Jesus to bless our nation, strengthen our communities, and inspire us to live as faithful witnesses to the Gospel. I encourage you to join Catholics across the country in prayer by watching the livestream of the consecration on the USCCB YouTube channel.

Lumen Christi Dinner: A Celebration of Faith and Stewardship

Last week, we celebrated the annual Lumen Christi Award Dinner, an important opportunity to support restoration work at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River, the mother church of our Diocese. The event brought together clergy, parishioners, and friends from across our communities  whose participation will help ensure that the Cathedral remains a vibrant center of worship, prayer, and diocesan life for generations to come. A highlight of the evening is the presentation of the Bishop’s Luminary Award  to recognize an individual whose life reflects the light of Christ through  faith, service, and leadership. This year, it was my pleasure to present it to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III. I congratulate him and thank him for his decades-long leadership in public service, commitment to positively impacting the wider community, and steadfast support of our Diocese.

Sincerely,

+Bishop da Cunha