Diocese of Fall River, Mass.
F riday , April 24, 2015
Diocese to mark World Day of Prayer for Vocations with Holy Hour By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., speaks to a gathering at the Stoneforge Tavern & Publick House in Raynham during one of several kickoffs for this year’s Catholic Charities Appeal. (Photo by John E. Kearns Jr.)
FALL RIVER — In 1963 Pope Paul VI designated the fourth Sunday of Easter as the “World Day of Prayer for Vocations.” Also known as Good Shepherd Sunday — so named because John’s Gospel reading of the day recounts Christ calling Himself “the Good Shepherd” ( Jn 10:11-18) — it is an opportunity for the Universal Church to pause and pray for increased voca-
tions to the priesthood and religious life. And for more than a half-century now, the Holy Father has issued an annual message for the day, addressing the ongoing need for vocations. In keeping with that trend, faithful from across the Fall River Diocese have been invited to gather at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River on that Sunday, April 26 at 3 p.m., for a Holy Hour Turn to page five
Bishop asks faithful to remember the ‘joy’ of giving as Charities Appeal kicks off By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff
FALL RIVER — The theme of the 74th annual Catholic Charities Appeal may be a bit wordier than past themes, admits Jim Campbell, but “Feed the Hungry, Shelter the Homeless, Comfort the Sorrowful, In His Name … It’s what we do,” encompasses what the Appeal and its donors are about: “We’re putting the imperative out there, that this is what we do as Catholics and as part of our Catholic social teaching,” said the director of
Development for the Fall River Diocese. Last year the Appeal raised $4.3 million, a slight dip from the all time record set in 2013 of $4.4 million: “Last year was strong but it wasn’t a record setter,” said Campbell. “For a diocese of our size, it demonstrates tremendous generosity on a part of most of our parishes. There was an increase — 30 of our 84 parishes showed an increase and 45 met what they had done the year before.” Turn to page 15
‘May we never abandon the poor and less fortunate’
By Linda Andrade Rodrigues Anchor Correspondent
RAYNHAM — There is a call to action around the diocese, as the caring, hard-working and generous folks of our parishes gather in support of the ministries of the Diocese of Fall River. Their mission is to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and comfort the sorrowful because it’s what they do. “Tonight is the first of three kickoff events,” said Catholic Charities Appeal director James A. Campbell at the Stoneforge Tavern & Publick House. “It’s a tradition for all the local parishes to promote the campaign.” The informational session for the Taunton-Attleboro deaneries featured talks by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., and director of Campus Ministries Father David C. Frederici, as well as the premiere of the video, “It’s
What We Do.” “It’s truly good to be here with all of you,” said Bishop da Cunha. “This is my first time sharing this moment with you as we kick off our campaign for Catholic Charities. I am so happy to see so many people who share their talents, time and resources.” The bishop said that his route to Fall River was long — one with many turns. “But from the moment I arrived here, I have felt so much at home, so very welcomed by all the priests, deacons and religious, and the people wherever I go,” he said. “I tell them I really am at home here because I know God sent me here.” He said that he thanked God for the wonderful gift when he first received his appointment as Bishop of Fall River. Turn to page seven
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., posed with several young seminarians from the area during a reception welcoming him on September 24 in Westport. Bishop da Cunha formerly served as director of Vocations for the Society of Divine Vocations. From left: Kevin Brawley, Ryan Healey, Matt Gill, the bishop, Larry Valliere, Steven Booth, and Gregory Bosse. (Souza)
Dynamic faith duo to bring to diocese mission of healing, prayer for priests, love for Eucharist By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor
NEW BEDFORD — In chapter 10 of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus sends out 72 disciples “in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. And He was saying to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.’’’ More than 2,000 years later Jesus’ Church on earth has grown exponentially, yet still, “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Following the lead of their predecessors two millennium earlier, a dynamic faith duo has been traveling the world as a pair, spreading the Good News of the healing power of the Eucharist, the importance of the priesthood, and refueling priests to carry on the mission they professed when they answered God’s call to serve Him. For 30 years Vincentian Father
Kevin Scallon and St. Clare Sister Briege McKenna, both natives of Ireland, have paired to minister to priests and bring messages of hope and healing to countless people across the globe. Father Scallon and Sister Briege will be conducting a parish mission May 4 through 7 at St. Anthony of Padua Church in New Bedford. For four days, there will be two sessions daily, at noon and at 7 p.m. “We wanted to provide times that Turn to page 20
Father Kevin Scallon, C.M., and Sister Briege McKenna, O.S.C., will be directing a mission from May 4-7 at St. Anthony of Padua Church in New Bedford.