National Religious Brothers Day
May 1
Celebrate the vocation and life of Catholic Religious Brothers
Episcopal Representative for Religious
Diocese of Fall River
Sister Paulina Hurtado, O.P.
47 Underwood Street
Fall River, MA 02720
508-675-1311, ext. 6533
sr.paulina@dioc-fr.org
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. Remain in me, as I remain in you. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you to go and bear fruit that will remain” (John 15: 1,16).
“The charism of Religious Life is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, who is always at work within the Church.”
Perfectae Caritatis, no. 11.
Which Way Religious Life?
An Interview with Father David Reid, SS.CC.
When I entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, novices did not take new names when they made their profession of vows. So my name David Patrick is how I was named the day I was baptized back in 1942, two days after birth, no doubt on the way home from the hospital. I was the fifth of seven children born to Alex and Elizabeth Reid. Although there was rationing and some bombing, Dublin where I grew up was spared in the time of the Second World War. Life was frugal, family and church centered Read the interview here.
Which Way Religious Life?
An Interview with Brother Maiki Kamauoha, SS.CC.,
in the Midst of his Pastoral Year
My name is Michael Kamauoha, many people call me Maiki (pronounced Mikey). I am of Hawaiian and Filipino descent. I come from a family of six, two sisters and a brother. I grew up in Hawai’i on the island of O’ahu. I began my journey with the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts in February of 2012. I have been in various parts of our province for different stages of my initial formation; currently I am in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, at St. Joseph’s Parish, on what is called a pastoral year. Read the interview here.
Diocese of Fall River – The Office for Religious –
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- The Office for Religious serves as liaison between the Bishop and the Religious in the Diocese.
It serves as liaison between the local parishes and the religious. - The Office provides pastoral services to religious and consecrated persons who live and serve in the Diocese of Fall River.
- It affirms the contribution which religious life offers to the Church in the Diocese and supports the spiritual development of religious within the Diocese. The Office is a vehicle for communication connecting the various charisms of consecrated life with the needs of the Church.
- The Office also works in initiating and sustaining collegial relationships among laity, members of consecrated life and the clergy, actively promoting a culture of vocations for the good of the total local Church.
- In conjunction with the Vocations Office, it fosters the awareness of the Call of God for each person, as primarily a call to holiness and happiness in the service of others, in the family setting, in society and in the Church. It encourages and supports the creation of Parish Vocation Committees where the whole Community can be invited to sustain and strengthen each one’s call through prayer, hospitality and the affirmation of God’s gifts.
- The Office for Religious serves as liaison between the Bishop and the Religious in the Diocese.
Services Provided by the Office for Religious Include:
- Maintaining the database for religious
- Pastoral presence for religious and others in Consecrated Life
- Planning of events: Jubilee Celebration for Religious, the Day of Consecrated Life with the presence of the Bishop at these gatherings and planning for meetings of Religious Leadership according to the Bishop’s convocation.
- Collaboration with other agencies/departments in matters regarding Consecrated Life.
- Information, advice and referrals according to diocesan policies, canonical issues, housing, networking, ministry, vocations and formation resources.
- Coordination of the Annual Retirement Fund for Religious Appeal throughout the diocese.
- Maintaining contact with the clergy and other diocesan offices in order to effect collaboration between clergy and religious in ministry.
Sr. Paulina Hurtado, O.P., is the Episcopal Representative for Religious.
She may be reached by telephone at 508-675-1311 or by e-mail: Sr.Paulina@dioc-fr.org
To learn about a particular Religious community, click on its name below to be directed to its website.