Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, June 2, 2023
Four new priests to be ordained for the diocese By Dave Jolivet Editor
davejolivet@anchornews.org
Five youngsters from Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich beam after making their First Communion. (Photo by Barbara-Anne Foley)
Annual Appeal at $2.3 million; ends June 30 FALL RIVER—The month of June marks the final chance to support the 82nd Annual Catholic Appeal, which ends on Friday, June 30. To-date, the annual campaign has raised $2.3 million of its $4.6 million goal. Now is the time to make a gift in support of the many agencies assisting tens of thousands in need throughout the Diocese of Fall River each year. As those who support, or benefit from, the many programs and services of the Diocese of Fall River will attest, this work of charity is more than a ministry. It is a way of life that begins in the heart and is fueled by the Holy Spirit. Gifts and pledges to the Catholic Appeal honor our commitment to ensure all brothers and sisters, no matter their age, background, or circumstances, have the chance to live their best life possible: the life Christ intended for them.
There are several programs that benefit from the Catholic Appeal. St. Clare’s Residential Program, offered by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River, provides a structured six-month drug-free and alcohol-free program for women who have been released from prison and are seeking a place to begin life anew, rooted in a strong, faith-based foundation. While living at St. Clare’s, the women participate in regular meetings, benefit from mentorship, attend weekly Mass, contribute to the household chores, and learn computer skills that will transfer into future employment. “I want to thank the Catholic Appeal donors so much. Your generosity and your kind hearts have helped me figure out what I need to focus on to be a good, productive member of my 8 Turn to page seven
FALL RIVER — This year has been a banner year for vocations in thae Diocese of Fall River. In May Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. ordained one man as a Transitional Deacon, one step closer to the priesthood as well as 15 Permanent Deacons. He also received the consecration of one Diocesan Hermit (see page two). The joy will grow on June 3 when the bishop will ordain three new priests for the diocese at a Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 11 a.m. The three are Deacons Brian Connors, John Garabedian, and Christopher Hughes. Deacon Thiago Menezes Santos will also be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop da Cunha, but that will take place on June 9 in Deacon Santos’ hometown of Aracaju, Brazil. Deacon Santos was scheduled to be ordained with the other three men, but his father and uncle were unable to obtain visas to the U.S., so Bishop da Cunha will make the trip there to culminate all of Deacon Santos’ hard work and study for preparation to the priesthood. “I will ordain him at his own parish in Aracaju,
Brazil,” the bishop told The Anchor. “Since his family was not able to come to his ordination due to visa restrictions, I decided to go and ordain him there with his family, so that he and his family could have the joy of being together in such an important day in his life and also in their lives. I’m glad that I was able to give them this gift of having him ordained with
his family in Brazil.” The bishop went on to say, “The ordination of four new priests for the Diocese of Fall River is a moment of Thanksgiving, great joy and a hope for the future of our church. It is a great joy for all of us, but it is specially such a great joy and privilege for me to be the Bishop of the diocese and to ordain them to the
Deacon Brian Connors
Deacon John Garabedian
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Deacon Christopher Deacon Thiago Hughes June 2, 2023 † Menezes Santos
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