82nd Catholic Appeal raises $4.5 Million Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, August 4, 2023
St. Padre Pio relics coming to Falmouth parish August 25-26 By Dave Jolivet Editor
davejolivet@anchornews.org
FALMOUTH — After several delays, relics of the beloved St. Padre Pio are making a visit to the Diocese of Fall River on August 25 and 26 at St. Patrick’s Church in Falmouth. In 2016, Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, pastor of St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish in Falmouth, made a pilgrimage with a group from Cape Cod on a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, home to Our Lady of Grace Capuchin Friary where St. Padre Pio spent his final years. “While at San Giovanni Rotondo, I was graced with some very powerful
experiences being in the presence of relics of St. Padre Pio,” Msgr. Avila told The Anchor. “I was so moved by the whole experience and felt the need to share what I felt with others who would never get to visit the Friary. I wish others could have the opportunity to experience being in the presence of the relics.” St. Padre Pio was a Capuchin priest, an order that seeks extreme poverty, strict observance of the Franciscan rule and simplicity. He ministered in Italy as a priest for 68 years. He was known worldwide as a healer, a confessor and a mystic who suffered the extreme pains of stigmata. 8 Turn to page eight
FALL RIVER—The 82nd Catholic Appeal, “Do This in Memory of Me,” has closed with the annual campaign raising $4.5 million to support the work of the Church across the Diocese of Fall River. In the midst of an extremely challenging economic environment, more than 15,000 individual donors made gifts and pledges to sustain the Appeal’s longstanding mission of serving those in greatest need. The success of this year’s Appeal is a testament to the commitment of the faithful of the diocese to help those in great need. It is also a strong sign of how parishioners stand collectively to uphold the teachings of the Church by serving as the hands and feet of Christ here on Earth. “I am filled with gratitude to see the number of households across the Diocese of Fall River who came forward in support of
the Catholic Appeal,” said Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. “Each and every contribution, large and small, adds up to create real and beautiful changes in thousands of lives. When we do something good for someone in their moment of need, God sees it — and rewards us in so many beautiful ways. I pray that everyone who donated to the Appeal is blessed immeasurably, and for the Holy Spirit to renew us as a diocesan family.” Even amid challenging economic times, 35 of the 70 parishes in the diocese — one half of all parishes — surpassed their 2022 fundraising total this year. “This year in honor of our Appeal theme, we invited everyone to think of a special individual whose example of loving generosity and faith made a difference in their lives, and to give in remembrance or in honor 8 Turn to page 13
Three diocesan priests retire this summer
FALL RIVER — Three priests of the Diocese of Fall River retired at the end of June after serving for decades in parishes and ministries. Entering retirement were Father George E. Harrison, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich, who this year observed 55 years in the priesthood; Father Raymond Cambra, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish, Seekonk, 46 years in priestly ministry; and Father Jon-Paul Gallant, pastor of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish, South
Attleboro, 45 years. Their retirements were announced by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., and became effective on June 30. Father Cambra is a native of New Bedford and a graduate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in that city and Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth. He prepared for the priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary in Kentucky and St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, Mass., and was ordained on May 14, 1977, by Bishop Daniel A. Cronin in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River.
He began his priestly ministry at Immaculate Conception Parish in Fall River as a parochial vicar and then served in that capacity at Immaculate
Conception, Taunton; Santo Christo, Fall River; and St. Pius X, South Yarmouth. Bishop Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap., appointed him pastor of St. Elizabeth
Parish, Fall River, in 1995, where he remained until 2000 when he became pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, also in Fall River. He was
Father Raymond Cambra
Father Jon-Paul Gallant E. Harrison August 4,Father 2023 George † 1
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