Strengthening Our Priests, Schools, and Diocesan Community

A Time for Fortitude: Year One Snapshot

Across our Diocese, priests are working harder than ever. They are serving more parishes, navigating increasing responsibilities, and tending to their own health while leading others to a deeper encounter with Christ. In response, we launched Stronger Priests, Stronger Parishes, Stronger Church: A Time for Fortitude, a three-year path of renewal that believes when priests are strong in Christ, our parishes flourish, and the whole Church is strengthened.

Year one focused on supporting priests in their prayer, health, fraternity, and pastoral well-being, deepening spiritual foundations through the consecration of our priests to St. John Vianney, the growth of a quiet but powerful network of prayer across the Diocese, and visits of the saint’s relic to our parishes. (A detailed summary of the first-year success can be read in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.) These were important reminders that priestly ministry is sustained by faithful intercession. 

We also advanced care for priests’ mind, body, and spirit through annual wellness checks, the launch of the Shepherd’s Hub App, the Inner Shepherd Course, Fraternity Teams, and the Ten Priestly Commitments, all intended to foster healthier and more sustainable priestly life. At the same time, task forces strengthened key support systems, including rectory life, formation, parish ministry, and staff training.

Prayer remains the most powerful way we can support our priests, and your response to this initiative has been truly inspiring. We are grateful to share that more than 21,800 prayers and devotions have already been offered for our priests through the diocesan Spiritual Bouquet, surpassing our initial three-year goal of 15,000 prayers in just the first year of the initiative!

Year two will build on the momentum of the past year. Key task forces will move from examination to action, implementing approved enhancements to parish life and ministry, rectory life, and seminarian formation. The Diocese will also strive to strengthen the psychological and ministerial safety of priests through multiple initiatives, introduce individualized professional coaching to help each priest develop a personal life plan, and launch a training program to support and strengthen parish staff.

We have seen how real care for our priests bears real fruit. As we continue this journey, I do so with gratitude and hope, committed to strengthening our priests for the good of our parishes and the life of the Church.

Celebrating Our Catholic Schools

On Sunday, we will begin the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week. This year’s theme, Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community, invites our schools to celebrate the joy and value of a Catholic education. This week is a time to celebrate the vital role our Catholic schools play in forming students in faith, knowledge, and service. During the week, most of our Catholic schools will hold open houses, celebrate special Masses, and host a variety of special events. We give thanks for our dedicated educators, families, and students, and for the ways our schools nurture academic excellence rooted in Gospel values. (The Catholic Schools Office produced several videos sharing the value of Catholic education that can be viewed here.)

Day of Prayer for Unborn Children

The Nine Days of Prayer will conclude on Thursday, January 22, with the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. Let us come together as a people of life and peace, uniting in prayer for the protection of unborn children and an end to abortion. May our prayers also strengthen our commitment to accompany mothers, fathers, and families with compassion, support, and hope.

Sincerely, 

+Bishop da Cunha