Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, January 1o, 2025
INSIDE: The Stronger Priests,
Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope
A year to reconnect and come back to God
Stronger Parishes, Stronger Church Initiative FALL RIVER — A new multi-year effort, Stronger Priests, Stronger Parishes and Stronger Church Initiative, was introduced in the December 2024 Pastoral Letter by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., entitled A Time For Fortitude. This initiative is centered on strengthening our priests through six strategic priorities to be implemented over three years. The fruits of this endeavor, as the Bishop explains in his letter, will be “a Priesthood set up for success for years to come and a new positive ministerial environment where Christ can more readily reach every soul in our Diocese through the mediation of His priests.” Please turn to page seven to read Bishop da Cunha’s letter to the faithful and learn about this new and important initiative in the Diocese of Fall River.
Pope confers Honors on Father Landry By Joan D. Warren Editor
joandwarren@anchornews.org
FALL RIVER — As the new year begins, it is one of significant change for one priest of the Diocese of Fall River. In November, Pope Francis conferred papal honors on Rev. Roger J. Landry, naming him a Chaplain of His Holiness. With the honor, he now has the title of Reverend Monsignor. Earlier this month Msgr. Landry began his service as the new National Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. “I was really surprised to get the news that I had been named a Monsignor. I know 8 Turn to page five
Left: Bishop Edgar da Cunha reads from the Rite of the Opening of the Jubilee Year in a December 29 Mass. Right: Pope Francis at the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 24, inaugurating the Jubilee Year 2025. (CNS photo by Cristian Gennari, pool) Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis. By Joan D. Warren Editor In a February 2022 letter, the Holy Father joandwarren@anchornews.org Pope Francis announced 2025 as a Jubilee Year FALL RIVER — 2025 is a Jubilee Year for for the Universal Church, with the theme, Pilthe Roman Catholic Church. A jubilee is a grims of Hope. special year of prayer, reconciliation, and spirPope Francis stated, “We must fan the itual renewal, ordinarily taking place every 25 flame of hope that has been given us and help years. The theme for Jubilee 2025 is “Pilgrims everyone to gain new strength and certainty of Hope.” by looking to the future with an open spirit, During the jubilee, Catholics are ena trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The couraged to make a pilgrimage to Rome. For forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly pilgrims who can’t travel to Rome, the bishops to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a in the United States designate important local prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so shrines and pilgrimage sites as special sites for urgently desire…” the jubilee, according to the USCCB. On Sunday, December 29, in union with Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V., has desigbishops throughout the world, Bishop da nated four sites where pilgrims can visit and Cunha celebrated a special Mass to open the may obtain a plenary indulgence. They are: Fall River diocesan observance of the Jubilee the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption Year 2025. in Fall River, National Shrine of Our Lady of The Mass followed the opening of the Holy LaSalette in Attleboro, Our Lady of Mount 8 Turn to page three Carmel Church in New Bedford, and Saint January 10, 2025 †
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