2024 Year in Review

Commencing a New Year

As we begin a new year, I often like to pause and reflect upon the year that passed. These reflections highlight how we, as a Diocese, and I, as a Bishop, helped bring the faithful closer to Christ. Equally important, I hope they help us to think about how we can build on successes to improve our evangelization efforts and to support our priests.

I again express my gratitude to the priests and laity who are building vibrant communities of faith in our parishes and schools through their tireless work.

Prayer for the New Year
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

USCCB

January – National Eucharistic Revival

At the beginning of 2024, the Church in the United States, including our Diocese continued events as part of the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival with a focus on planning for the National Eucharistic Congress to be held in July in Indianapolis and our Diocesan Day of Eucharistic Encounter in September. (More on both to follow in later sections.)

The month concluded with the annual Catholic Schools Week in which we celebrated the rich traditions of Catholic education in our Diocese, with creative initiatives like Car Magnet Bingo.

February – Year of Prayer

During February, we also welcomed Pope Francis’ proclamation of 2024 as a “Year of Prayer” in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee of Hope, emphasizing the value of prayer in strengthening faith and fostering hope. Back home in the Diocese of Fall River, we launched a creative and innovative vocations initiative in which “baseball cards” were created for each of our seminarians and newly ordained priests to inspire vocations among young Catholics.

February also marked the beginning of Lent when I encouraged the faithful to make the season more intentional by dedicating their prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to three specific intentions for their family, community, or the world.

March – A Spiritually Rich Month for the Diocese

As we journeyed through Lent, I reflected on the importance of listening to God with open hearts, using the examples of Abraham’s faith and the Transfiguration to encourage us to embrace God’s guidance, even when facing challenging situations. Opportunities to listen and open our hearts were amplified as we celebrated the 120th anniversary of the Diocese and emphasized the central role of the Eucharist in our faith. In March, after months of arduous work, we unveiled a new website for the Diocese that was created to better connect the faithful with resources and events to deepen their spiritual lives.

April – Celebrating the Easter Season

In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we reaffirmed the Diocese’s commitment to healing and protecting the vulnerable by encouraging prayers for survivors of abuse. We also held a special Prayer Service for Healing. 

To “Renew the Face of the Earth” by funding programs that serve the Diocese’s social, pastoral, and educational missions, the 83rd Annual Catholic Appeal was introduced, which invited support through acts of charity and faith. It is through the Appeal that the work of Christ can be performed in our community. The Appeal raised over $4.5 million thanks to the generosity of more than 15,000 donors, enabling us to continue vital ministries throughout our diocese. 

The Pope St. Pius X Youth Awards were presented to 45 young persons. The event was once again a wonderful showcase of young leaders who are already providing faith-filled service and using God-given talents for their parish and the  common good.Earlier in May, we also had our first Local Walk for Life, calling us to the need for an unwavering commitment to defending the dignity of every human life, a message urgently needed in today’s world.

June – Ordination and Graduations

June began with the ordination of Father Bryan Bangs. Vocations to the priesthood are nurtured in the home and parish, and events like the Quo Vadis Days Camp provide young men opportunities to discern God’s call in their lives. Please continue to pray for Fr. Bryan and all those discerning vocations.

Graduation season was another cause for several celebrations! When speaking to graduates of our Catholic high schools, I reminded them of their resilience and encouraged them to embrace a life of service, hope, and faith.

July – Faith and Renewal in the Summer

Despite the change of pace in our lives during the summer months, July provided several opportunities that reflected the vibrancy of our Diocesan Church. This included celebrating the rite of candidacy for 11 men on our Permanent Diaconate program. Their commitment to discerning a life of service and charity is an inspiration to all of us.

September – The Eucharistic Encounter

September was highlighted by an experience of profound faith and celebration in our Diocese. The Diocesan Eucharistic Encounter drew 1,200 participants and marked the culmination of the National Eucharistic Revival. It was a day of grace, reflection, and renewal as we deepened our understanding of the Eucharist through prayer, Mass, and inspiring talks. We also welcomed two seminarians, Evan Mello and John Martin, who joined our formation programs, reminding us of the importance of praying for vocations and supporting those discerning the priesthood.

In September, I was pleased to participate in the enthronement of the image of Our Lady of Aparecida at the National Shrine in Washington, D.C. The event brought together nearly 7,000 pilgrims from across the United States, showcasing the strength and devotion of the Brazilian Catholic community.

October – 120 Years as a Diocese of Faith

We marked the 120th anniversary of the Diocese of Fall River, alongside my 10th anniversary as Bishop, with a joyful Mass of Thanksgiving. This occasion gave us a chance to reflect on the rich history of our Diocese and the faithful who built it, while also looking forward to the future with faith and hope.

More than 400 young people participated in Catholic Youth Day 2024, giving us hope for the future. October also saw our annual Procession and Mass for Peace, where we prayed for an end to conflict and violence, and recognized the importance of peace in our world. 

November – State of the Diocese

During National Vocation Awareness Week, I emphasized the need for prayers and support for those discerning religious vocations. The “Called by Name” campaign was launched, encouraging people to nominate young men discerning the priesthood.

Through the tireless work of many, we published the second State of the Diocese that documents the inspiring work of the Diocese over the past five years. If you did not have an opportunity to review the report, it provides a wealth of information on how your donations to the Appeal make a difference in the lives of so many. 

I also acknowledged the importance of fostering a culture of protection for vulnerable individuals, sharing the Diocese’s ongoing initiatives for child safety. The report, Fostering a Culture of Protection, provided a comprehensive update on Safe Environment initiatives in the Diocese. 

December – Stronger Priests, Stronger Diocese

We also launched the “Stronger Priests, Stronger Parishes, Stronger Church” initiative to address the growing challenges our priests face, including loneliness and burnout. (You can read my pastoral letter here.) This three-year effort will strengthen both the spiritual and practical support for our priests, ensuring they can continue their vital ministry.

As we entered the season of Advent, I was reminded of the incredible service and dedication of our laity, specifically the 64 recipients of the Marian Award. These individuals, nominated by their pastors, embody the joy, kindness, and gratitude that define true Christian service. Their selfless contributions to our parishes are often unseen but deeply felt, and it is an honor to publicly acknowledge their efforts.

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