The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River traces its roots back to the 1800s when it was constructed as the church of St. Mary of the Assumption to serve the influx of immigrants arriving to Fall River, working in the textile mills, and registering as Catholics.

As Dr. Richard Grace further shares in his essay The life of a church that became a cathedral, “Many of the workers whose families would attend Mass at the new church took a hand in assisting in the construction of the church after their day’s work in the mills. Never did it cross their minds that this building would one day be a cathedral.” 

More than 160 years later, many hands continue to assist the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption—joining together to support needed repairs and renovations.

The Lumen Christi Cathedral Gala is celebrating its fourth year on June 25, 2025 at White’s of Westport, continuing what has become a diocesan tradition of raising funds to address the Cathedral’s needed restoration.

In the course of the Gala, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will bestow the Luminary Award on Madeleine and Richard Grace. Madeleine leads the Cathedral’s choir of which Richard is a member. Richard is also an Emeritus Professor of History at Providence College. They are being honored for their devotion to the Cathedral community as well as their dedication and generosity to the Diocese of Fall River. Hundreds of attendees –from parishes, businesses and corporations, and friends—will gather to celebrate this honor as well as the Cathedral’s historical and spiritual significance. 

Lumen Christi Cathedral Gala co-chair Angela Barcelos, a parishioner at St. Andrew the Apostle in Taunton, recently reflected on the Cathedral’s value to the Diocese as well as to her personally.

“The Cathedral is not just a building—it is a hospital for the spiritually sick, a repose for the ‘weary and burdened’, and a cafeteria that feeds those who hunger for more than this world can offer,” she said. “It is a refuge from the hustle and bustle of a noisy world. It is a place where families and the community come together to pray, mourn, worship and celebrate. And it is where in 2022, after many years of wandering like the prodigal son, I found my way back home to the Church and received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.” 

Mrs. Barcelos is joined as co-chair this year by Carl Sawejko, last year’s emcee and an inaugural supporter of the Gala. Owner of Sawejko Enterprises and a parishioner of Our Lady of Peace Somerset/Swansea, he has supported the Gala since 2022 and has been a staunch advocate for its importance and its role.

“To me, the Gala is so much more than an event,” he shared. “We celebrate our parishes and parishioners. We gather to celebrate all of our priests, deacons, clergy, and religious. As the oils blessed at the Chrism Mass each year flow to each corner of our diocese, so too does all their work in supporting and spreading the Catholic faith.”

Miriam Finn Sherman, CEO of the Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts that is coordinating the event, expressed her appreciation to supporters.

“We are so grateful to all the parishes, individuals, corporations, foundations, and area businesses that are joining us again this year. Their support, commitment, and leadership are fueling the resources and the momentum that we need to carry on this costly and multi-year effort—and the impact of the repairs thus far has been immediate.”   

For more information, to purchase tickets, sponsor, or donate, please visit www.catholicfoundationsema.org/cathedral-gala/.

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Diocese of Fall River
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