Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, December 9, 2022
Sixty-six diocesan faithful awarded Marian Medal FALL RIVER — Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., awarded the Marian Medal to 66 members of parishes from throughout the Fall River Diocese on Sunday,
December 4, at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River. First presented in 1968, the annual award recog-
nizes members of diocesan parishes for their dedicated service to the Church. Recipients are nominated for the award by their pastor. The medals were blessed and presented in the context of Evening Prayer of the Church and Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Made of sterling silver, the Marian Medal is embossed with a Miraculous Medal on one side and the Fall River Diocesan coatof-arms on the other. The Marian Medal Awards Ceremony can be found on the diocesan Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ fallriverdiocese. The Marian Medal recipients and their parishes for 2022 are listed on page two.
This presepio, a traditional Azorean Nativity scene, is on display at the Casa da Saudade (the Portuguese library branch of the New Bedford Free Public Library), where it has found a home during Advent and Christmas seasons since 2004. It was a gift of Robert Medeiros.
New Youth Ministry invites young people to grow in Catholic spirituality EAST SANDWICH — Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich recently launched two dynamic, new youth ministries: Fraternus, for boys in grades six-12, and Fidelis, for girls in grades six-12. Through weekly meetings and annual retreats, the programs are designed to help Catholic youth live virtuous lives dedicated to serving God and others. The min-
istries are part of a broader, national program, which began a decade ago in Pensacola, Fla., and has since expanded to more than 30 Fraternus chapters and 24 Fidelis chapters nationwide. Corpus Christi Parish is the first New England chapter. In separate ceremonies held recently, 34 young men and 23 adult male mentors committed to Fraternus, and 24 young girls and 24
adult female mentors committed to Fidelis. “We are ever grateful that our parish is thriving and continuing to grow,” said Father George Harrison, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish. “Along with this abundant growth we are seeking ways to enhance the lives of our youth. We want to impact the youth in their life-long journey by promoting truth, confidence and strong virtues in
this difficult world we live ly,” Joe DellaMorte, comin today.” mander of the new FraterAt the heart of the min- nus chapter, explained. istry are the weekly Fidelis “We end the night with a and Fraternus (Frat) Nights, specific challenge for all the during which participants men to pursue during the share a meal, take part in week.” We are fostering a games and ice breakers, and brotherhood of all the men view and discuss a movie in the chapter with an eye clip chosen to highlight the towards building up virtue virtue being studied. “Frat in our young men as a path Nights are very fast paced. to authentic manhood.” Fun, food and faith makes Fidelis Nights are sim8 Turn two hours go by very quick- 9, 2022 December † to page eight 1