Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, December 6, 2024
30th Annual FACE Fall Scholarship Dinner raises $300,000
By Joan D. Warren Editor
joandwarren@anchornews.org
WESTPORT — The 30th annual FACE (Foundation to Advance Catholic Education) Fall Scholarship Dinner took place on Wednesday, November 20 with nearly 350 guests in attendance at White’s of Westport. This year’s honorees for the Timothy J. Cotter Friend of Catholic Education Award were Pat and Tom Marmen of Cotuit on Cape Cod. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha presented the award. The Marmens have been loyal advocates for Catholic education and are co-chairing the FACE Summer Gala for the third time in August. “You are a true blessing to us, our Diocese and the schools of the Diocese,” the Bishop said. After accepting the award from Bishop da Cunha, Mrs. Marmen spoke of specific instances where Catholic education scholarships were instrumental in the lives of the recipients Fall River Bishop Edgar da Cunha presents the and of the ripple effect made by the opportuni- Timothy J. Cotter Friend of Catholic Education ties the scholarships provide. Award to Patricia and Tom Marmen at the 30th “The value of Catholic education and the annual scholarship dinner.
light of Christ shines bright,” she said. Shortly after its founding in 1991, then known as the St. Mary’s Education Fund, a group of supporters created the Fall Scholarship Dinner. In addition to raising funds, the evening was a time to honor community members who have championed Catholic education—celebrating the past, present, and future. This year’s attendees hailed from schools, institutions of higher education, parishes, businesses, community organizations and other dedicated partners. Thanks to its donors and supporters, FACE, managed by the Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, makes financial assistance available to families seeking to enroll their children in the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Fall River. It helps to ensure that financial hardship does not deter families from providing their children with faith-filled educational environments. More than $21 million in aid has been distributed across grades K-12 throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod Cod over the 8 Turn to page 10
Fall River Diocese Renews its Call to Support Priests through the ‘Serving the Shepherds Fund’ FALL RIVER – Last year, the Diocese of Fall River launched the “Serving the Shepherds Fund,” designated to support priests. Instead of reaching out to the Diocesan faithful and inviting year-end gifts to support the Diocese generally, Bishop da Cunha is directing attention specifically toward the support of the priests of our Diocese. The Serving the Shepherds appeal allows the community to show gratitude to the priests of the Fall River Diocese by donating to the fund, offering a prayer, or expressing gratitude to the priests
who have made a mark on our lives. The Fund helps ensure that the Diocese of Fall River’s priests receive the necessary resources, mentorship, and financial assistance at every stage of their vocation.
The call to the priesthood is a sacred calling to live a life dedicated to God, serving others through sacraments, preaching, teaching, loving service and spiritual guidance, and striving to represent Christ in the world. The whole Church must facilitatethe path for those called to serve so they recognize the invitation as well as actively support those who have already dedicated their lives to the church as priests. Today, active priests carry increased responsibilities, sometimes serving multiple 8 Turn to page 14 December 6, 2024 †
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