FALL RIVER – The Foundation to Advance Catholic Education -or FACE- will host its 28th annual Fall Scholarship Dinner on Wednesday, November 2, at White’s of Westport. Proceeds from the evening support need-based scholarships to students attending Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River.

Guest speaker for this year’s Fall Dinner will be Devin McCourty (in photo), New England Patriots 3X Super Bowl champion and team captain. In addition, McCourty is a man of great faith who has demonstrated a commitment to making a positive impact for so many through his advocacy, support, and volunteerism. He has been involved with numerous organizations and causes through the years including Tackle Sickle Cell, which he founded with his twin brother; Boston Uncornered; Bottom Line; and the TEARS Foundation.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., and Fall Scholarship Dinner co-chairs John Feitelberg of HUB International and Janna Lafrance of Lafrance Hospitality are leading a committee working to ensure that the event is both an enjoyable evening and a successful fundraiser for FACE, which is the primary source of financial assistance for Catholic school students in the Diocese. Approximately 1,000 students will receive a FACE scholarship this school year.

WPRI Channel 12 news anchor Kait Walsh will be back again this year to emcee the Fall Dinner. (Watch her video message below.)

The dinner program will include the presentation of the Timothy J. Cotter Friend of Catholic Education Award. This year’s recipient will be Sandra Sevigney, a former longtime FACE Board member, who is being recognized for her many years of leadership and support of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River. Sevigney is a member of St. Bernard Parish in Assonet.

Miriam Sherman, who is CEO of The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, said, “I am so pleased that FACE has been able to support our schools and families over the last 30+ years, especially throughout the challenges of the pandemic. We are grateful for all FACE supporters who continue to help make this possible.”

FACE wants to meet the challenges of serving the Diocese’s diverse populations, while addressing the increase in the demand for financial assistance for families striving to send their children to the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River.

From New Bedford to South Yarmouth, Attleboro to Acushnet, Fall River to Mansfield, Hyannis to North Dartmouth, and Fairhaven to North Attleboro, students in the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Fall River are challenged to achieve their highest potential, and are called to grow in faith and academic excellence. They are future leaders and the core of the community. And FACE has been a partner in helping students access a Catholic education since its founding in 1991 as the St. Mary’s Education Fund and its renaming in 2015 to the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE). Over the past 30-plus years, millions of dollars in tuition support have been made available to thousands of children.

For more information about the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education and/or to purchase tickets to the Fall Scholarship Dinner, please go to: www.face-dfr.org 

For more information about the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River, please go to: www.catholicschoolsalliance.org

O Reverendíssimo Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
O Reverendíssimo Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Bishop of Fall River