Faith in Action: Building Community, Seeking Justice, and Praying for Peace

Faith, Fellowship, and Lasagna on the Cape

Every year one of the auction items for the Summer Gala is “Dinner with the Bishop”. I very much look forward to those dinners, whether I am the host or a guest. Last week was one of those events when I was invited to one of those dinners that included a small, yet deeply impactful, group of men who meet once a month in Osterville. Each month, they gather to share a meal and discuss their faith. It was an experience I felt was important to share, and the group had no objections to my doing that.

This gathering is a model of what we hope to see in every parish: small groups where people can openly share their faith, pray together, and support one another in their faith journey.  What makes this group unique is that it was entirely initiated by the men themselves. Two members of the group, both former Cursillo participants, have created a space where men can talk about their prayer lives and acts of charity. They wanted to create a community where faith wasn’t just discussed, but was lived out in action.

During the dinner, which included Fr. Chris Hughes and Fr. Balaswami Thippabathini, the men shared stories of how they live out their faith, such as the ways they serve others. One member, a doctor, offers free medical services to uninsured immigrants who cannot afford care. He and other doctors volunteer their time. Another works closely with the Missionaries of Charity in New Bedford, continuing the legacy of Mother Teresa’s (now St. Teresa’s) work. These acts of charity are central to their mission as a group, alongside their prayer time and fellowship.

Each meeting also includes a time for faith enrichment. The men share a book or study they’ve engaged with, which deepens their spiritual lives and understanding of God’s word. The combination of prayer, faith in action, and ongoing learning creates a rich, informal yet structured environment for personal and communal growth.

The group comprises members from two parishes, Our Lady of Victory in Centerville and Our Lady of the Assumption in Osterville. These two parishes share two priests and often collaborate on different initiatives. This shared connection between the two parishes has allowed the men to come together as one group, despite coming from different communities.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal of lasagna and spent the evening discussing faith, prayer, and charity. It was a delightful experience, and I was inspired by the dedication and sense of community among the men.

This group provides a great example for all of us. Whether in parishes where small groups are already active or in places where such initiatives are just beginning, this gathering is a beautiful reminder of what can be achieved when faith is put into action.

The Gift of Faith at the Heart of this Year’s Red Mass

It was a pleasure to celebrate the Red Mass once again last Saturday in St. Mary’s Cathedral for those in the legal profession throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. The Red Mass is the popular name for the Mass of the Holy Spirit offered to invoke God’s guidance and blessings on judges, attorneys, court personnel, and others who work in the administration of justice. Its origins go back centuries, and it’s celebrated widely in dioceses in our country, in Europe and beyond. Because it’s the Mass of the Holy Spirit, the celebrant wears a red chasuble and from that, over time, the Mass got its name.

In my homily, I focused on the gift of faith, calling attention to the Apostles’ plea to the Lord to increase their own faith as shared in Luke’s Gospel for the Mass. Faith is indeed a gift. While we know it doesn’t eliminate human suffering or evil in the world, our faith helps us see it in a different light. It gives us a different perspective. Despite the ills around us, in spite of our own personal challenges, our faith reminds us that God is with us and will remain with us. Knowing that gives us the strength to go forward, addressing the inevitable hardships that will come our way in our work and in our personal lives. God gave us the gift of faith to help us, to enlighten our lives and our ways. Let us rely on our faith always and, like the Apostles, pray to the Lord that our faith may increase each day.

At the conclusion of the Red Mass, I presented the St. Thomas Medallions to members of the justice community in recognition of their service. I congratulate this year’s recipients: Judge Katherine Field, Attorney Stephen Marshalek, Chief Probation Officer Donald Chausse Jr., and Judge Richard T. Moses.

It Begins With You. Let there be Peace on Earth

Next Monday, I invite you to join me for the annual Procession and Mass for Peace, an event where we come together to pray for peace and unity in our communities and the world. Now more than ever, prayers for global peace are needed. 

The procession begins at 6:00 p.m. at St. Anne’s Shrine, where we will walk to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. During the procession, we will carry candles, recite the Rosary, and sing Marian hymns. At 7 p.m., I will celebrate a Mass for Peace at the Cathedral. 

I invite you to join us for the procession and Mass, but if you are not able to join in person, please set time aside for reflection and prayer for those impacted by the violence of war. 

Sincerely,

+Bishop da Cunha