Dynamic Speakers to Lead Sessions at Day of Eucharistic Encounter

Three speakers with impressive credentials and varied experiences serving the Church will lead the multilingual breakout sessions planned for the Day of Eucharistic Encounter in the Diocese of Fall River in September.

Internationally known author, speaker and television host Chris Stefanick will present at the English sessions; recently ordained Auxiliary Bishop Cristano G. Borro Barbosa of the Archdiocese of Boston at the sessions in Portuguese; and Worcester diocesan Director of Hispanic Ministry and St. Paul’s Cathedral Rector Father Hugo A. Cano at the sessions in Spanish.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will be celebrant and homilist of the Mass offered during the day’s program.

The Diocesan Day of Eucharistic Encounter is set for Saturday, September 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River. All are welcome. The day will serve as the centerpiece of the diocesan observance of the National Eucharistic Revival now underway across the country and will include -in addition to the breakout sessions and Mass- Adoration, Eucharistic exhibits, vendors, activities for children, and more.

Each of the breakouts will have a presentation by the featured speaker along with prayer and music.

“The Holy Spirit has truly been at work ahead of this Encounter. We are so grateful to have speakers of this caliber for this day,” said David Carvalho, Secretary for the New Evangelization in the Diocese, who is leading a committee planning the Day of Eucharistic Encounter.

“Revival is God stirring up the hearts of his people. It’s the Holy Spirit kindling the fires of his love by leading us back to the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist. Each of these speakers, in his own style, is a gifted, engaging communicator. They will surely encourage and help participants to hear the Spirit’s call, recognize the Eucharistic Lord at work and will contribute to an overall great experience at this Day of Encounter.”

Christ Stefanick

Stefanick is the founder and president of Real Life Catholic, a Denver-based non-profit ministry focused on spreading the Gospel message in contemporary times. Its Facebook page succinctly conveys its mission: “We share the love of Jesus and help others to do the same.”

Through his various initiatives -live seminars, TV, radio, and video ministry- Stefanick has helped to bring the Gospel message to impressive numbers. His live seminars reach more than 85,000 people per year, and his reality TV show, videos, and radio spots reach millions of people through a variety of media and platforms. In addition, he created the Chosen Confirmation program, which has already formed more than 500,000 teens, and he has also authored books including Living Joy: 9 Rules to Help You Rediscover and Live Joy Every Day and The Search. He is a recipient of the Papal Benemerenti Medal for his service to the Church.

Bishop Barbosa

Bishop Barbosa was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Boston in January of this year. He serves as the Secretary for Evangelization and Discipleship for the Archdiocese and as the episcopal vicar for its central region.

Born in Adamantina, Brazil, he was ordained to the priesthood in December 2007 at the Diocesan Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. He later served in several parishes in the Boston Archdiocese and was incardinated as a priest of the archdiocese in 2021.

Bishop Barbosa’s academic record is extensive and includes a licentiate and training in professional psychology from the Universidade Estadual Paulista, a licentiate of philosophy from the Universidade de Sagrado Coracao, and a master’s degree in psychology from Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Minas Gerais, all in Brazil, and a licentiate in sacred theology and a doctorate in sacred theology from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He previously served on the faculty of St. John’s Seminary teaching theology and part-time at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston.

Reflecting upon his appointment as a bishop when it was announced last December, he shared, “I am happy if I can serve in love God and his people.”

Father Cano

Father Cano has led Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Worcester for the past five years. In 2021, was appointed to also serve as rector of the diocesan Cathedral of St. Paul.

A native of Columbia, he studied at the Pontifical Bolivarian University there before coming to the United States. While in residence at the Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies in the Worcester Diocese, he continued his education at Clark University and Boston University. He also attended St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.

He was ordained a priest for the Worcester Diocese in 2012 and served in parish ministry for a while before becoming chaplain at Worcester Polytechnical Institute in 2015. He was also a co-director of the Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies, which houses the diocesan Office of Vocations and different formation programs.

Learn more and register here for the Day of Eucharistic Encounter.