Thanksgiving, the Arrival of Advent & Transforming Lives Through Catholic Schools

A Time to Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! Following, please find my 2025 Thanksgiving message in English, Español, and Português.

This week, we celebrate a day of gratitude formally proclaimed a holiday in 1789 by President George Washington. Similar to the different celebrations of Thanksgiving that had preceded it, there are also different ways we celebrate this holiday. Most gather with family and friends to enjoy a meal and the company of one another. Some will gather for the first time with empty seats at the table. Others will begin the day with Mass to thank God for all bestowed upon us. However you celebrate, many will pause before eating to pray, giving thanks for one another’s company, their health, and the food before them. Here is a prayer of Thanksgiving from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that I invite you to share before your meals.’

Why do we thank God on this day of Thanksgiving? Because it is through God that all things are made possible.

Honoring Catholic Education Advocates Patricia and Tom Marmen

Last Wednesday, we enjoyed our annual FACE Fall Scholarship Dinner. FACE -the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education– works to make financial assistance available to families who want to send their children to a Catholic school in the Diocese.

This year’s gathering marked two milestones: it was the 30th annual Fall Scholarship Dinner and it was celebrated during the 120th anniversary year of the Diocese of Fall River. It was wonderful to see so many advocates for Catholic education whose presence at the dinner demonstrates their belief in the mission of our Catholic schools. Again, I want to thank them and all who contributed to the event for the support they continue to offer to so many children who benefit from FACE. Since its founding in 1991 as the St. Mary’s Education Fund and continuing as FACE, more than $21 million in aid has been distributed across grades K-12 in our schools throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.

As

As it was the 30th anniversary of the Fall Dinner, I shared with those attending that I would be remiss if I didn’t remember and recognize those who were instrumental in launching the St. Mary’s Education Fund and the annual Fall Dinner to benefit it. Many of those people have gone on to their eternal reward, but their example continues to shine as a light to all of us. They were determined to find a way to help families address the challenge of tuition, to make our Catholic schools available to more children. Now these many years later, it is heartening to see many of their children now involved, working to support the Fall Dinner and FACE. Clearly, the legacy of the founders of the St. Mary’s Education Fund lives on in and through their children.

It was my pleasure during the event to present the Timothy J. Cotter Friend of Catholic Education Award to Patricia and Tom Marmen. Their contributions to strengthening Catholic education are many and go back decades. Most recently, they are three-time Chairs of the FACE Summer Gala on Cape Cod, where they reside and are parishioners of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Osterville. Pat served as principal of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Worcester and upon coming to the Cape became the founding principal of St. Pius X School in South Yarmouth. Through the years, Tom has been an active member of several Catholic school boards. I congratulate them both and thank them for their generous service to Catholic education.

Arrival, or Advent

Prior to Halloween, many stores were already displaying Christmas decorations, and perhaps you’ve noticed homes adorned with Christmas lights as early as a few weeks ago. This year, with Thanksgiving falling so late, it seems the season has been moving forward with great anticipation. Yet, these early decorations remind us of something more profound—the beginning of Advent on Sunday, December 1, just days after Thanksgiving.

Advent is a season that coincides with the shortening of daylight and the lengthening of darkness in our days. This darkness symbolizes a world without Christ—a world longing for hope, peace, and salvation. Yet, from this darkness comes the great light of Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. His light shines into the shadows of our lives, bringing hope, renewed purpose, and unconditional love.

The homes decorated with Christmas lights, even long before the season officially begins, serve as a reminder of that divine light—of the love and redemption Christ offers through His birth and resurrection. As Scripture tells us: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

So, let your Christmas lights shine brightly! Let them be a witness to the light of Christ in your hearts and homes.

During this Advent season, I encourage you to open your heart to Jesus. Take time for prayer, Eucharistic adoration, or the many events happening in our parishes and schools. Attend Mass and reflect on the beautiful Advent readings that prepare us for the joy of Christmas.

May this holy season be a time of grace and light for you and your loved ones.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop da Cunha