empowers homeless youth through transitional housing program
By Joan D. Warren Editor joandwarren@anchornews.org
NEW BEDFORD— For many young adults, the path from adolescence to independence is filled with uncertainty. For those experiencing homelessness or housing instability, the journey can be especially daunting. Recognizing this growing need, Catholic Charities of Fall River launched its Transitional Youth Housing Program in 2023 — and already, lives are being transformed.
Designed for individuals ages 18–24 from the Bristol County area, the program serves young adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness under Massachusetts state guidelines. Funding comes from a $492,500 contract with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS).
Since its inception, the program has helped more than 25 young adults move into stable, independent housing. In just the past quarter, 11 participants successfully transitioned into longterm living arrangements.
“Our goal is to help each participant become fully self-sufficient and independent within 24 months,” said program coordinator Rosa Albassan, who brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the role. Once homeless herself at age 20, she
knows the challenges firsthand. “It was a Catholic organization that helped me. We lived in a shelter for seven months. I worked three jobs and eventually became self-sufficient. I know how hard it is — but I also know it’s possible.”
The program offers 14 beds across several scattered-site apartments in New Bedford and Fall River, including studio units, two-bedroom apartments, and one emergency occupancy unit. All apartments are fully furnished and privately owned by local landlords, providing a sense of dignity and normalcy that traditional shelters often cannot.
Participants, who average 21 to 22 years old, enter the program through self-referrals, shelters, or partner agencies. Many are navigating their first episode of homelessness, while others are aging out of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) system or can no longer remain with family due to conflict or changes in public housing policy. Each resident may bring up to three bags of belongings and typically stays for about a year.
From day one, each young adult is paired with one of three dedicated case managers who support them at every step — beginning with mental health evaluations and weekly in-person
The Jubilee Year of Hope ends
with a special Mass on
the Feast of the Holy Family
Bishop Edgar M. da
celebrated Holy Mass on Sunday, December 28, in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River. The Mass was said in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Strengthening the Sacrament of Marriage through Worldwide Marriage Encounter
By Joan D. Warren Editor joandwarren@anchornews.org
NORTH EASTON — Couples in the region are invited to renew and strengthen their marriages at the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) experience, January 23–25, a weekend designed to help engaged and married couples grow deeper in love, communication, and faith. Marriage is one of the Church’s most beautiful and demanding vocations. In the sacrament, a man and a woman promise before God to walk together in love, fidelity, and self-gift for a lifetime. Most couples begin this journey filled with hope, imagining a joyful home, shared dreams, and enduring companionship. Yet
even strong marriages encounter seasons of strain. When they do, many couples discover that renewal is possible when they intentionally seek grace, guidance, and practical tools rooted in faith. For more than 50 years, Worldwide Marriage Encounter has quietly and faithfully served the Church by helping couples strengthen their marriages from the inside out. What began as a
Cunha, S.D.V.,
Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools celebrate 51st annual Catholic Schools week
FALL RIVER – The annual tradition of celebrating Catholic Schools Week at the end of January continues in its 51st year in the United States with the theme of “Catholic Schools United in Faith and Community” front and center during the week of January 25 –31, 2026.
All 17 of the Diocese of Fall River Catholic schools will join thousands of Catholic schools across the country by inviting their local communities to experience the uniqueness of Catholic education through open houses, school Masses, tours, and a myriad of other traditions reserved for this time of year.
One of the goals of Catholic Schools Week is to communicate what sets Catholic schools apart from public, charter, or other private schools.
Pope Leo XIV said in his recent Apostolic Letter, Drawing new maps of hope,” ‘‘The Catholic school is an environment in which faith, culture, and life intertwine. It is not simply an institution, but rather, a living environment in which the Christian vision permeates every discipline and every interaction.”
While other school systems
can only offer academics and skills, it is the goal of Catholic schools to “Educate for Eternity” by opening the minds, transforming the hearts, and igniting the souls of students in order to cultivate each person’s desire to become the person God created them to be.
Dan Roy, Superintendent of Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools, said that “most fundamentally, Catholic schools set themselves apart from other schools in the way that they view all children as being made in the image and likeness of God, and having a soul, and believing that soul is the divine within each student. When you approach education with those understandings, it enriches the entire experience.”
Derrick Borgess, parent of a student at Holy Name School in Fall River, indicated that, “Holy Name helps children become the people God created them to be because it is fabricated into their daily routines here at school. From the morning prayer to those little moments with their prayer partners, to just recess moments, showing good sportsmanship and humility and just how to be a good person and live in God's eyes.
† January 9, 2026
‘‘Also, Holy Name launched Hallow, a spiritual app at the beginning of the school year for both students and families to use. This confirms to me that the school is taking the students’ spiritual and emotional health very seriously and that of their families.”
Finally, affordability is always a concern for many new families as they engage in learning more about the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River.
Christina Duggan, Vice President of Operations for the Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, indicated, “Families with children in grades kindergarten to grade 8 are encouraged to apply to the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE) which helps reduce the cost of tuition by providing scholarships.
‘‘For this school year, nearly 1000 students have received a needs-based award ranging from $250 - $2750 per student and can cover up to 50% of tuition, depending upon the school. FACE scholarships can result in a monthly tuition payment of $300 or less.
‘‘Awards are determined by a family’s financial circumstances at the time of application and families must complete their application by the March 31, 2026 deadline for the best chance of receiving an award.”
“Our faith tells us that each student is made in the image and likeness of God, and we are just so blessed to bring students, teachers, staff and families together on the holy ground of each Catholic school classroom, hallway, or gymnasium,” according to Marian Desrosiers, Director of Catholic Identity and Mission.
“And in doing this, every day and throughout each day, they will begin to learn the necessity of prayer. Hallow is a tremendous instrument also of education, education in the faith, abilities to enrich the heart, the soul, the mind. It is just a tremendous gift that we have been given and that we will see great growth from just the prayer surging in our schools.”
For more information about the Catholic Schools Alliance or to view principal videos, please go to www.catholicschoolsalliance.org/ meet-our-principals/.
Continued from page 1 Transitional housing program
This is an original piece by program participant Angelena. She described the picture as a beacon of hope, envisioning the road ahead as positive and fulfilling.
meetings. Once emotional and mental wellness is stabilized, the focus shifts to education, employment, and long-term planning.
Currently, five participants are enrolled in college working toward associate degrees, two are studying for their HiSET (formerly GED), and three are employed full-time. Those attending college also hold part-time jobs, and all participants are encouraged to save money during their stay. The program covers all living and educational expenses.
“This program gives them the breathing room to focus on goals instead of just survival,” Albassan explained. “I set the tone during intake. They need to know this is an opportunity — one that requires commitment. But many are so grateful just to have a bed, a roof, and the freedom to seek help without fear.”
While the program is currently at capacity, openings arise periodically. The need remains high, with referrals for young women
single weekend experience has grown into a worldwide movement offering multiple formats, including traditional weekends, seven-week series, online experiences, making it accessible to couples in every season of life.
At the heart of Marriage Encounter is a simple but powerful invitation: to encounter one another more deeply and to rediscover God’s presence within the marriage. Each experience unfolds through a series of presentations given by a priest and married couples who share honestly from their own lives. Topics include communication, listening with the heart, appreciating differences, understanding personality styles, addressing difficult issues, and placing the marriage relationship at the proper center of family life.
arriving at nearly twice the rate of those for men.
Many participants also serve on the program’s Youth Action Board (YAB), an advisory group that meets monthly to discuss services, identify needs, and plan community outreach initiatives. This year, the YAB organized a Christmas give-back project to assist local teen parents.
One participant, Angelena, described how the program has restored her sense of stability: “I was just thinking about the small things — how having a sink to do my dishes or having privacy felt. I was so grateful and happy just to do mundane tasks again. The road ahead is kind of how I feel about the program — how I feel a hope at the end of the road.”
In true Catholic spirit, the Transitional Youth Housing Program reflects the Church’s mission to serve the most vulnerable, offering not just shelter, but hope and a path forward. As Albassan puts it: “It takes hard work — but, believe me, it can be done.”
While some group interaction occurs, the most important moments are private. Couples are given sacred, uninterrupted time to reflect, write, pray, and share with one another, often in ways they have not done for years. Many describe the experience as a turning point.
“What have you done for your relationship lately?” is a question often posed during a Marriage Encounter. The movement gently reminds couples that strong, joyfilled marriages do not happen by accident. Like any vocation, marriage requires intention, prayer, and ongoing formation. For many, the experience becomes a moment of rediscovery of tenderness, romance, forgiveness, and the grace that first united them.
Marriage Encounter also focuses on four personality styles: Organizer, Thinker, Helper, and Catalyst. Couples learn methods for understanding and responding to their spouse’s personality style. By building on this knowledge, they gain tools to overcome obstacles and become better listeners. Listening is the cornerstone of marriage and one of the most
A Local Witness to God’s Healing Grace
Doug recalls that the grace of that day surprised him. “At first, I assumed nothing would really change,” he said. “But we experiContinued from page 1
loving gifts spouses can share with one another.
Among those who now accompany couples on this journey are Debbie and Doug Sousa, parishioners of St. John of God Parish in Somerset, who serve as local leaders for Worldwide Marriage Encounter and help facilitate experiences both locally and beyond. Their own marriage stands as a powerful testimony to the healing grace of the sacrament.
Debbie had been previously married and was raising a daughter. Doug at the time was out of ministry for two years. Through a mutual friend, they met, and over time a deep connection formed. Doug already had discerned to leave ministry well before they met and sought a laicization. With an undeniable love for one another, they entered into a civil marriage.
As their life together unfolded, they sensed God inviting them into a deeper understanding of marriage as a sacrament. Debbie entered the annulment process, an experience she now describes as profoundly healing.
“We had been married for eight years when I began the annulment process,” Debbie said. “It was the best thing I could have done for our marriage. It helped me understand what went wrong and allowed real healing to begin.”
When the annulment and laicization ( the loss of clerical state) was complete, the couple celebrated the convalidation (the process by which a couple’s marriage is recognized as valid by the Catholic Church) of their marriage. On January 19, 2009, they exchanged vows before God and the Church at St. John of God Parish.
8 Turn to page nine
New Anchor e-newsletter to launch next month sign up now to stay informed
FALL RIVER — As the New Year begins, plans are moving forward for the launch of The Anchor’s electronic newsletter and new website next month.
As announced in December, The Anchor will discontinue its mailed monthly printed paper and replace it with a free weekly newsletter available by e-mail.
The final print version will be the February 6, 2026 issue. The inaugural electronic newsletter will follow later in the month along with an expanded, newlydesigned, and mobile-friendly Anchor website.
Members of the Diocese of Fall River are encouraged to sign up now to receive The Anchor e-newsletter.
Please visit www.bit.ly/Anchornewsletter or the diocesan website, fallriverdiocese.org, to provide your name and e-mail address.
In its expanded digital formats, The Anchor will continue to provide coverage of diocesan news along with information on upcoming events and local commentary.
In addition, The Anchor will be partnering in these formats with OSV News, a national Catholic news and information service, to offer much more: national and international Church news and Vatican updates, a wider variety of images, inspirational stories, and more faith-formation resources.
“I want to be sure the Diocese is sharing the Good News in the most effective ways available with the aim of reaching as many people as possible,” explained Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., in a letter last month to Anchor subscribers.
“More and more people get their news and information online, and digital platforms allow
Published monthly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720, Tel. 508-675-7151; FAX 508-675-7048; email: joandwarren@anchornews.org. To subscribe to The Anchor online visit www.fallriverdiocese.org;subscribe Subscription price by mail, prepaid $29.00 per year for U.S. addresses. Please send address changes to The Anchor, PO Box 318, Congers, NY 10920, call or use email address.
us to share stories more quickly, reach more people, and use our limited resources more effectively.”
The Anchor’s transition to an expanded digital presence is part of other changes recently implemented for diocesan communications endeavors reflecting shifts in media consumption, increased reliance on digital platforms, and rising operational costs.
The Diocesan Television Mass was discontinued at the end of December given the growing number of parishes in the diocese livestreaming their Masses and the availability of Masses on popular and readily available Catholic cable networks. For those unable to attend a parish Mass because of age or infirmity, information about alternative ways to access Sunday Mass — including livestream, broadcast, and cable television options — is available at fallriverdiocese.org
Scan the QR code above to be directed to the sign-up page for the new online Anchor newsletter, debuting in February 2026.
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Editorial thE ChurCh’s MillEnnial Pastoral Plan 25 YEar in
Earlier this week, on Jan. 6, the Church marked the 25th anniversary of the pastoral plan St. John Paul II boldly gave to the Church for the third Christian millennium.
Entitled Novo Millennio Ineunte, “On entering the New Millennium,” it brought to conclusion the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 celebrating the incarnation of the Son of God and answered the question where the Church ought to proceed moving ahead.
Insofar as the Church concluded the Jubilee of Hope on Tuesday as well, St. John Paul’s reflections likewise provide fitting categories for its evaluation as well as orientations to ensure its long-term impact.
To formulate a pastoral plan for 1,000 years was a mature manifestation of the spirituality of someone whose papacy began with the forceful echo of Jesus’ words “Be not afraid!” Conscious of how quickly things change, we live at a time of three- and five-year plans not just in industry but also parishes and dioceses. How was John Paul II able to give us something that he was confident wouldn’t expire in its relevance for centuries? Because he was convinced that his ideas on what the Church is and must do in every age would never go out of date, because they were firmly rooted in Gospel ecclesiology and fully consistent with the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, which he called “the great grace bestowed on the Church in the 20th century” and a “sure compass by which to take our bearings” in the millennium then and still beginning.
John Paul II’s clarity is super helpful today because some of the post-conciliar confusions that he personally strived to remedy have rearisen.
The last 60 years have featured a battle between the authentic teaching of the Second Vatican Council found in its documents and the so-called “spirit of Vatican II” by which some have sought to justify many things the fathers of the Council would never have imagined and certainly never approved.
The “spirit of Vatican II,” understood as a general desire to “update” the faith for the modern world, has
† January 9, 2026
been cited to try to change whatever teachings and practices of the Church — moral, sacramental, ecclesial and liturgical — that some today don’t like or want to believe. This “spirit” has received new life in a corrupted understanding of synodality — certainly but not exclusively in Germany — whereby synods are understood as compass-less processes to determine what the Church “should” hold, rather than as means by which the Church seeks literally to “walk together” (syn-odos) in faithful following of Christ.
What are the main ideas by which St. John Paul II sought to guide the Church for centuries to come? There are five.
The first is that everything the Church does begins with the contemplation of Jesus, with taking the reality of the incarnation, words, works, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus seriously. “Christ is the foundation and center of history, he is its meaning and ultimate goal,” John Paul II wrote.
2,000 years have passed since the Son of God has taken on our humanity, but Jesus must still be encountered with the “freshness” of Christmas morning or his post-Resurrection appearances, he emphasized. Jesus is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, and everything the Church is and does must begin from and be directed toward him. The Church constitutes the branches of Christ the Vine through whom he bears fruit in the world. We are mystically united to him as his Body and his Bride and without him, we can do nothing.
Second, when determining a pastoral plan for the Church, we should therefore avoid the temptation to invent a “new program” because, he accentuated, “the program already exists: it is the plan found in the Gospel and in the living Tradition, it is the same as ever. Ultimately, it has its center in Christ himself, who is to be known, loved and imitated, so that in him we may live the life of the Trinity, and with him transform history until its fulfilment in the heavenly Jerusalem. … This program for all times is our program for the Third Millennium.”
Third, because Jesus is holy and came to introduce us into the very life of the triune God who is “holy, holy, holy,” everything the Church is and does — the Church’s whole pastoral plan, in every “institution” of the Church — should be ordered to holiness. St. John Paul II wrote, “I have no hesitation in saying that all pastoral initiatives must be set in relation to holiness.” Everything the Church is and does must be part of its mission as a vocational-technical school of sanctity.
He stressed that the Church can’t settle for a life of “mediocrity, marked by a minimalist ethic and a shallow religiosity,” but rather must remind all the faithful that the universal call to holiness “remains more than ever an urgent pastoral task.” The vocation to be a saint, flowing from baptism, is, he said, an “intrinsic and essential aspect” of Vatican II’s teaching on the Church, and demands a “genuine training in holiness” so that “all the Christian faithful, of whatever state or rank” might attain the “fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity.” The time has come, he stated, “to re-propose wholeheartedly to everyone this high standard of ordinary Christian living: the whole life of the Christian community and of Christian families must lead in this direction.”
He gave six pillars of the Church’s training in holiness: prayer, Sunday Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the life of grace, meditatively listening to the Word of God, and living and proclaiming that Word. These are six basic practices that every believer — and everyone who works for the Church — must be trained in, prioritize, and live. These are six things that leaders of dioceses, parishes, and Catholic educational institutions must expertly teach and exemplify.
The fourth emphasis of John Paul II’s pastoral plan is the witness of love, which means far more than isolated acts of charity, but must begin with and flow from true spirituality of loving communion in the Church. God, who is love, is a communion of persons and, like with the early Church, the Church’s communion flows from God and must pervade all the Church is and does.
St. John Paul II stated that we need to get beyond “masks” of communion to form sincere, mutually loving relationships in all aspects of Church life: among bishops, priests and deacons; in families, parishes, and religious communities; in the solidarity of the Church across dioceses, countries and continents; in ecumenical and interreligious relations; and in the Church’s outreach to everyone, especially the poor and those in need. Everyone must be helped to see that his or her vocation, like that of St. Therese of Lisieux, is to be “love in the heart of the Church.”
The fifth and last emphasis is mission. He stated that the motto of the Church for the third millennium should be “Duc in Altum” (Lk 5:4), Jesus’ words to St. Peter to “put out into the deep” as a fisher of men, at Jesus’ words lowering his nets for the catch.
The more we focus on Christ, the incarnate mission of God the Father’s love, the more we will take the call to holiness and communion seriously, and the more we will be impelled to bring others into a holy communion with Christ and each other.
“We must rekindle in ourselves,” he said, “the impetus of the beginnings and allow ourselves to be filled with the ardor of the apostolic preaching that followed Pentecost.” Christ, he said, “must be presented to all people with confidence” as he “bids us to set out once more on the journey: ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.’” This missionary mandate, John Paul II stated, “accompanies us into the Third Millennium and urges us to share the enthusiasm of the very first Christians” in the “great adventure of proclaiming the Gospel.”
As we mark the silver Jubilee of one of John Paul II’s clearest, most practical and most inspiring documents, and conclude with Pope Leo the Jubilee of Hope, John Paul’s pastoral plan continues to chart the course by which each and all of us, and the Church, will effectively “always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for [our] hope” (1 Pet 3:15).
Opening Doors to Catholic Education
The FACE tuition assistance application for the 2026-27 school year is now open for students entering Kindergarten through Grade 8 at Diocese of Fall River Catholic schools. As Catholic education remains a vital ministry of the Church, FACE continues its mission of helping families choose a faith filled education for their children.
cation are encouraged to schedule a school tour and speak directly with a principal about academic programs, faith formation, and financial support options.
All families are encouraged to apply. FACE awards are based on demonstrated financial need and range from $250 to $2,750 per student. Depending on the school, assistance may cover up to 50 percent of tuition.
During the 2025-26 school year, FACE awarded more than $1 million to over 900 students, with an average award of $1,000. These scholarships help ensure that a Catholic school education remains accessible to families across the diocese.
Families new to Catholic edu-
For the best chance of receiving tuition assistance, applications must be fully completed by March 31, 2026. Learn more about eligibility and the application process at www.facedfr.org/how-to-apply. To explore Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River, visit https://www. catholicschoolsalliance.org/findyour-school/.
In 1991, the St. Mary’s Education Fund was founded to give students with financial need access to a Catholic education in the Diocese of Fall River. Today, now called the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education, FACE carries on this tradition of making Catholic education a reality for all families who desire one for their children.
Embryo Adoption: An Open Question?
When it comes to the plight of the hundreds of thousands of IVF embryos frozen in the U.S. and elsewhere, it is often claimed that the Catholic Church has never definitively addressed the liceity, or moral allowability, of “embryo transfer” (also known as embryo rescue or embryo adoption).
I recently had the chance to participate in a public debate on this topic in Indianapolis. I argued that the Magisterium of the Catholic Church has, in fact, settled this question. If we scrutinize the two major teaching documents of the Church dealing with this issue, the immorality of the practice of embryo transfer becomes clear.
The 2008 document entitled Dignitas Personae states: “The proposal that these embryos could be put at the disposal of infertile couples as a treatment for infertility is not ethically acceptable” (19). It identifies a specific situation, namely, attempting to treat a couple’s infertility by embryo transfer, as being always immoral.
The document then goes on to point out that these moral objections extend beyond this single case, so that the same set of concerns will apply in other instances where embryo transfer might be proposed or considered:
“It has also been proposed, solely in order to allow human beings to be born who are otherwise condemned to destruction, that there could be a form of ‘prenatal adoption.’ This proposal, praiseworthy with regard to the intention of respecting and defending human life, presents however various problems not dissimilar to those mentioned above."
This passage reveals that even
when we face the stark prospect of the outright killing of frozen human embryos (“otherwise condemned to destruction”), this does not allow us to bypass or ignore the substantive moral objections inherent in embryo transfer proposals.
The final section of the passage concludes with a forceful and unambiguous assertion: “All things considered, it needs to be recognized that the thousands of abandoned embryos represent a situation of injustice which in fact cannot be resolved.”
be conceived and to be born within marriage and from marriage.” For embryos to be “born from marriage” points also to the moral significance of the circumstances of our gestation.
Despite the tragedy of the countless embryonic humans “frozen in time” (with thousands more each day being added to the stockpiles), Dignitas Personae rejects the practice of embryo adoption.
A second, older Church document released in 1987 and entitled Donum Vitae references the “absurd fate” to which human embryos have been exposed by freezing them, and then notes that there is “no possibility of their being offered safe means of survival which can be licitly pursued” (5). Hence, it would seem even as far back as the late 80s, a negative judgment had already been made by the teaching authority of the Church regarding the question of embryo adoption.
In addition to there being no morally permissible means of a path to survival for these embryos, Donum Vitae declares the basic human right of every person “to
Interestingly, Donum Vitae repetitively employs the phrase, “IVF and ET” (in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer). This conjoined phrase appears a remarkable sixteen times throughout the document as it seeks to explain the ethical concerns surrounding assisted reproductive technologies.
The deliberate inclusion of “ET” points to the fact that it is not merely the “in vitro” or “extracorporeal conception” aspect that renders the procedure immoral, but also that the ET step itself violates sound ethics.
In other words, it seems that a double moral evil can be identified in each instance of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer:
(1) The manufacture of human beings in glassware, outside-thebody (and outside-the-marital-act); and
(2) The importation/implantation of an outside-the-body generated embryo into the uterus.
Number two, of course, would constitute an action largely synonymous with "embryo adoption" or "embryo rescue."
Taken together, these doc-
uments point to the fact that transferring a stranger’s embryo into one’s wife violates the inner structure of marital fruitfulness.
Based on these texts, we can also begin to grasp how embryo transfer, even motivated with the best of intentions, nevertheless involves a form of “pirating” the wife’s body for designs that are not proper to its intrinsic order within marriage. Dignitas Personae also compares embryo adoption to “any form of surrogate motherhood,” which the Church teaches to be morally unacceptable.
Couples who have done IVF and ended up with frozen children face an excruciatingly difficult situation as they try to figure out what to do with their “leftover” embryonic offspring. I offered some possible approaches to this situation in a previous article (see https://tinyurl.com/4eua5j5p). So it is clearly problematic to assert that embryo adoption remains an “open question” for Catholics. Close scrutiny of key magisterial texts and reflection upon the explanations provided by those documents indicate that the practice of embryo transfer involves fundamentally unethical actions.
Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, MA, and serves as Senior Ethicist at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org and www. fathertad.com.
Our Lady of Lourdes School
52 First Street
Taunton, MA. 02780
508-822-3746 www.ololtaunton.com
Preschool-Grade 8
Have faith in your child’s future. Explore Catholic Education at Our Lady of Lourdes School.
Open House January 31, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Or call us for a tour.
Doug and Debbie Sousa traveled to Houston, Texas for a meeting of the North American Secretariat of Worldwide Marriage Encounter, as part of their marriage ministry.
enced a grace that helped me see our marriage in a different light.”
Shortly afterward, they came upon Worldwide Marriage Encounter, attended a weekend experience and felt called to make the movement their ministry.
“On our weekend, we learned a new lifestyle, perhaps even a somewhat radical one, that reflects God’s desire for marriage. It opened a floodgate for us,” they shared.
Central to that lifestyle is the daily practice of dialogue, a 20-minute conversation focused not on opinions or problem-solving, but on sharing feelings and listening with love.
“This is the most precious gift we can give each other,” they said. “It takes practice and patience, but it brings deep intimacy and healing.”
In the past 11 years of their commitment to this ministry, Debbie and Doug have traveled throughout all the New England states, New York, and parts of New Jersey.
“Every day we write a love letter to one another, highlighting our day and how we are feeling,” Doug said. “We then have a dialogue and share our feelings.”
“Now that I understand his
feelings, I can be more attentive and tender, knowing where he is coming from,” Debbie said. “It puts us on the same playing field. If he is not telling me, how will I know?”
A Global Movement of Service Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a Catholic, nonprofit movement present in nearly 100 countries, organized into six world secretariats spanning North America and the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Pan Africa, and Asia-Pacific. At every level, the movement is led by servant leaders, married couples and priests, who volunteer their time, following the example of Christ.
Through their witness and service, Debbie and Doug now walk alongside other couples, helping them discover that marriage, when nurtured with intention and grace, can be continually renewed. They are planning a trip to Italy in March to celebrate their anniversary.
In a world that often undervalues commitment, Worldwide Marriage Encounter quietly proclaims a powerful truth: the sacrament of marriage is not only meant to endure, but to flourish.
St. Joseph School (PS-8)
OPEN HOUSE:
January 25TH, 11:30am - 1pm 100 Spring Street Fairhaven, MA 02719 (508) 996-1983 www.saintjosephschool.org
All Saints Catholic School (PK-8)
OPEN HOUSE:
January 25TH, 11:30am - 1pm 115 Illinois Street
New Bedford, MA 02745 (508) 995-3696 www.ascsnb.org
St. Teresa of Calcutta School (PK-8)
OPEN HOUSE:
January 27TH, 6pm - 8pm 180 Orchard Street New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 996-0534 www.stocschool.org
Bishop Stang High School (9-12) 500 Slocum Road Dartmouth, MA 02747
CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE A TOUR (508) 996-5602 www.bishopstang.org
Kaique Santos ordained to the transitional diaconate
will be called to help the Bishop and priests in this ministry and to show himself as a servant of the Gospel.
Kaique Santos was ordained to the transitional diaconate on December 13. I gave thanks to God for calling him to this day and offered gratitude to all who supported and formed him throughout his ongoing journey.
As Mary said yes to God, I thanked Kaique for giving his “YES” to the Lord and for coming all the way from Brazil to join our diocese. His “YES” is not to honor or privilege but to serve the Lord, His Church, and all God’s people with joy.
As the Gospel reminds us, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you,” and Kaique is on this journey because God called him and he answered, “Here I am.”
I spoke first about his duty to carry on the ministry of the Word. Like Samuel who answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening,” Kaique must listen to the Word of God before proclaiming it to the people he will serve. He
† January 9, 2026
I then reflected on Kaique’s second duty, to serve at the altar. He will prepare for the celebration of the Sacrifice, distribute the Lord’s Body and Blood, and teach
the Faith by word and example. His third duty is the ministry of Charity, in which Kaique is called to imitate Jesus by washing the feet of others and serving as one who came “not to be served but to serve.”
I encouraged him not to be afraid to be human, imperfect, or
vulnerable, for “we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.” He will not have all the answers and is not expected to. Instead, he will need to recognize his need for God, for others, and for prayer.
Finally, I reminded everyone who joined us for the Mass of Jesus’ words: “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant,” and urged Kaique to serve the people in love and joy, following the Lord in love, prayer, service, and charity.
He will find great joy in his ministry by remaining firmly rooted in faith, a steward of God’s mysteries, expressing by his actions the Word he proclaims, so that one day he may hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter the joy of the Lord.”
Go to https://www.fallriverdiocese.org to read more of the bishop’s blog.
Bishop da Cunha shared this reflection on the ordination of Kaique Santos in his December 17 blog.
Additional Permanent Diaconate Information Nights Scheduled
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., has authorized the formation of a new class for Permanent Deacons beginning in the Fall of 2026.
Those interested in pursuing the vocation of the diaconate, scheduled to begin the Aspirancy phase in the Fall of 2026, are invited to submit a preliminary application.
Additional details and a preliminary application are available on the website – fallriverdeacons. com.
Upcoming general Information meetings will delve into the
process of formation of a deacon for the Diocese of Fall River.
The info nights will be held at 7 p.m. at several locations in the Diocese and via Zoom. They are:
January 27 – via Zoom
February 13, 2026 – St. Ann’s Parish Hall - Raynham
April 27, 2026 – via Zoom
If you have any questions, please contact Deacon Frank Lucca or Deacon Joseph McGinley, Co-Directors of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate at office@frpermanentdiaconate.com or contact the Office of the Permanent Diaconate at 508990-0341.
Deacon Lawrence A. St. Onge, 81, of Gilbert, AZ, passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Born in New Bedford, MA, he was a lifelong resident of Massachusetts until he retired to Arizona to enjoy the sunshine and play golf.
As a young man, Larry served his country in the US Marines for six years. He graduated with a BS in Accounting from Southern Massachusetts Technological Institute (now UMass Dartmouth) He then enjoyed a long career as a Special Agent for the Internal Revenue Service.
A devout Catholic, Larry consistently gave his time and attention to his church and the com-
Deacon Lawrence A. St. Onge
munities in which he lived. He was a Deacon in the Catholic Church for more than 35 years, serving parishes in both Massachusetts and Arizona.
Larry shared 59 years of marriage with his loving wife, Jacqueline (Brillo). Together they raised four children and enjoyed the blessings of making memories as a family. In addition to his family, Larry spent time playing poker with friends and on the golf
course, as an avid golfer. He also enjoyed indulging in coffee ice cream and a good nap. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Adelard and Annette (Medeiros Barboza) St. Onge, and his oldest son, Jeffrey. He is survived by his wife Jackie, their two daughters Kim McCormack (Bruce) and Lisa Blackmore (Don),their youngest son, Brian (Fonya), his 6 grand children Kassandra and Ashley
McCormack, Christopher and Jaime Shinnamon, Erica and Jacob St. Onge, his sister Sandra Sevigney (Mark), and his only niece, Jennifer Durand (Bert).
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. John Neumann Church in Freetown on Friday, December 19,.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org or Alzheimer's Association, 245 Waterman St., #306, Providence, RI 02906.
For online tribute, go to: www. rockfuneralhome.com.
Maria Victoria Montoya Rua, mother of Father Juan Munoz
Maria Victoria Montoya Rua, 65, of Fall River, Massachusetts, died unexpectedly Dec. 10, 2025, at Charlton Memorial Hospital.
Born March 28, 1960, in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia, she was the daughter of the late Albeiro Montoya and Maria del Socorro Rua. The eldest of nine children, she developed early a strong sense of responsibility, compassion and dedication to family.
A devout Catholic, Maria Victoria lived her faith daily. She was deeply devoted to the Virgin Mary
and the Holy Eucharist and was an active member of the St. Francis of Assisi Community at Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral in Fall River, where she formed lasting bonds of faith and friendship.
She was a loving and selfless mother to Andres Munoz, the Fr.Juan Munoz and Ivan Munoz, and a devoted grandmother to
† January 9, 2026
Santiago, Alana and Jacob Munoz. She cared faithfully for her late sister Adriana Montoya and her mother, and was a constant presence in the lives of her nieces, nephews and extended family.
Known for her generosity, warmth and resilience, she was always willing to help others and found joy in cooking, music and dancing. Her smile, kindness and quiet strength were felt by all who knew her.
She is also survived by her mother, Maria Rua; her sister, Monica Montoya, of Colombia; her brothers Reynaldo, Luis Enrique, Wilson and Carlos Mon-
toya; her grandchildren Juan Jose, Isabela, Martina and Sebastian; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws in the United States and Colombia.
She was preceded in death by her sister Adriana Marfa Montoya; her father; her brothers Armando and Mauricio Montoya; and her grandparents Adan Rua, Gabriela Piedrahita, Jesus Montoya and Leonarda Mira.
The Funeral Mass took place on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in New Bedford. Burial was in St. Patrick Cemetery, Fall River.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of her late sister, Adriana, to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or to Catholic Charities of Fall River.
In Your Prayers
Please pray for these bishops, priests and deacons during the coming weeks:
Jan. 7
Rev. Alfred R. Forni, Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, New Bedford, 1970
Rev. Gustave Gosselin, M.S., La Salette Shrine, Attleboro, 1989
Rev. Jude Morgan, SS.CC., Former Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Wellfleet, 2003
Rev. Raymond Robida, 2003
Jan. 8
Rev. John Kelly, Founder, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1885
Rev. Alfred J. Carrier, Founder, St. Jacques, Taunton, 1940
Rev. Arthur C. Lenaghan, USA Chaplain, Killed in Action, 1944
Rev. Evaristo Tavares, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of the Angels, Fall River, 2000
Rev. Louis Joseph, 2000
Jan. 9
Rev. William F. Morris, Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1982
Jan. 10
Rev. Jourdain Charron, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1919
Rev. George H. Flanagan, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1938
Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Sousa de Mello, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Taunton, 1977
Rev. Robert Baker, C.S.C., 2021
Jan. 11
Jan. 12
Rev. Thomas P. Grace , Pastor, St Patrick, Fall River, 1918
Rev. Manuel C. Terra, Retired Pastor, St. Peter, Provincetown, 1930
Rev. Ralph D. Tetrault, Retired, Former Pastor, St. Patrick, Wareham, 2007
Jan. 14
Rev. John J. Lawler, M.M., Maryknoll Missioner, 1977
Jan. 15
Rev. Thomas F. Kennedy, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, Woods Hole, 1948
Rev. Vincent Marchildon, O.P., Director, St. Anne Shrine, Fall River,1972
Rev. Msgr. John E. Boyd, Retired Pastor, St. Patrick, Wareham, 1977
Rev. Harold A. Whelan, Jr., SS.CC., Ph. D., 1997
Jan. 17
Rev. John F. Laughlin, Retired Pastor, Holy Ghost, Attleboro
Rev. Daniel J. McCarthy, SS.CC., Former Provincial Superior, Retired Pastor, Holy Redeemer, Chatham, 2002
Rev. Gilles M. Genest, M.S., 2012
Jan. 18
Rev. Paul J. Duff, C.S.C., Retired, Holy Cross Parish, South Easton, 2012
Rev. Deacon James Paul Leavitt, 2018
Jan. 20
Rev. Roland J. Masse, Assistant, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1952
Jan. 21
Rev. Msgr. Henri A. Hamel, USAF, Retired Chaplain, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, New Bedford, 1983
Jan. 23
Rev. Deacon John Cwiekowski, 2001
Jan. 24
Rev. Aaron L. Roche, O.P., Immaculate Conception Mission, North Easton, 1870
Rev. Louis A. Casgrain, Pastor, St Mathieu, Fall River, 1920
Rev. Edward H. Finnegan, S.J., Boston College Faculty, 1951
Rev. Thomas F. McMorrow, Assistant, Our Lady of Victory, Centerville, 1977
Rev. Cornelius J. O’Neill, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1999
Jan. 25
Rev. Jack Hickey, O.P., Dismas House, Nashville, Tenn., 1987
Rev. David M. Andrade, Pastor, St. Louis de France, Swansea, 2018 Jan. 27
Rev. John T. O’Grady, Assistant, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1919
Rev. Joseph M. Silvia, Pastor, St. Michael, Fall River, 1955
Rev. Thomas E. Lockary, C.S.C., Stonehill College, North Easton,1988 Jan. 28
Rev. Joseph M. Griffin, Pastor, St. Mary, Nantucket, 1947
Rt. Rev. Msgr. John J. Shay, V.F., Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro, 1961
Jan. 29
Rev. Christiano J. Borges, Retired Pastor, St. John the Baptist, New Bedford, 1944
Rev. Albert J. Masse, Pastor, St. Joseph, Attleboro, 1950
Jan. 30
Rev. Peter A. Carlin, 1880
Rev. Raymond F.X. Cahill, S.J., Assistant, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1983
Rev. Sebastian Slesinski, O.F.M., Conv., 2006
Rev. Raul M. Lagoa, Pastor, St. John of God, Somerset, 2012 Jan. 31
Rev. Charles J. Burns, Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1901
Rev. William F. Sullivan, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1930
Rev. Manuel C. Terra, 1930
Feb. 1
Rev. Msgr. Michael J. O’Reilly, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1948
Rev. Msgr. Patrick H. Hurley, V.F., Pastor, St. Joseph, Taunton, 1968
Rev. Anatole F. Desmarais, Pastor, St. Jacques, Taunton, 1975
Rev. Msgr. Gerard J. Chabot, Pastor, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, South Attleboro, 1983
Rev. William F. O’Connell, Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford, 1995
Rev. Arthur T. DeMello, Retired Pastor, St. Elizabeth, Fall River, 2004
Rev. Albert J. Ryan, Retired, U.S. Air Force Chaplain, Former Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, New Bedford, 2015
Feb. 2
Most Rev. William Stang, D.D., First Bishop of Fall River: 1904-07, 1907
Rev. Patrick F. McKenna, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1913
Rev. John L. McNamara, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1941
Rev. P. Roland Decosse, Pastor, St. Hyacinth, New Bedford, 1947
Rev. Daniel F. Morarty, Assistant, St. Brendan, Riverside, R.I., 1991 Feb. 3
Rev. Antonio O. Ponte, Pastor, Our Lady of Angels, Fall River, 1952
Feb. 4
Rev. Msgr. Hugh J. Smyth, P.R., Pastor, St. Lawrence, New Bedford. First Vicar General, Fall River, 1904-07. Administrator of Diocese, February-July 1907, 1921
Rev. Raymond Graham, S.M.M., 1988
Feb. 6
Most Rev. Frederick A. Donaghy, M.M, Bishop of Wuchow, 1988
January, 9 2026
As the New Year begins, clergy, parish, catechetical and ministry leaders are invited to the Parish Leader Dinner on Thursday, January 29th at Holy Family Parish, 438 Middleboro Ave., E. Taunton.
Dinner and wine will be available beginning at 5:30 pm, with the evening's keynote beginning at 6:30pm.
Additionally, the evening will offer development for parish leaders in the area of parish ministry, evangelization and catechesis.
Deadline for registration is Wednesday, January 21st, or once capacity is reached.
This year’s keynote speaker is Jim Jansen, M.T.S.
Jansen serves as Director of the Parish Support Team for the Archdiocese of Omaha, where he
Around the Diocese
leads the Archdiocese's efforts to coach pastors and train disciples for mission.
A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Jansen has more than 20 years of experience in evangelization and parish renewal, founding "Anchor Consulting" to help coach parishes for mission.
He is the author of "A Clear Path: How to Make Missionary Disciples in Your Parish", a practical and step-by-step guide for how to build a path for fostering disciples in parishes.
Jansen holds a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology from Madonna University in partnership with Ave Maria University. He and his wife, Kim, live in Nebraska, with their six children. Catechetical leaders attending this evening will receive a copy of Jim's book "A Clear Path".
Divorced and Separated Healing Mass
The second annual Divorced and Separated Healing Mass, a part of the Divorced and Separated Ministry in the diocese, will take place on Sunday, January 25th at 10:30 am at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Fall River. The Mass will be celebrated by Father Jeffrey Cabral, J.C.L., Judicial Vicar for the Diocese. For more information, email dledoux@dioc-fr.org.
Wedding Anniversary Mass
On Sunday, February 8th at 3 pm, Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V., will celebrate the annual Wedding Anniversary Mass on World Marriage Sunday. at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Fall River. Married couples interested in taking part in the Mass should contact their parish office.
National March for Life
The annual March for Life in Washington D.C. will take place on January 23, 2026. Join the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world.
This year’s rally will be held before the march will feature Sanctus Real and the Friends of Club 21 Choir, along with inspiring pro-life speakers from across the country.
The March for Life will begin immediately following the rally, usually around 1 p.m.
For more information and how you can participate, got to https:// marchforlife.org/national-march-for-life/
Daily Readings † January 10 — February 6
Sat. Jan. 10: 1 Jn 5: 14-21/ Ps 149: 1-2. 3-4. 5 and 6a and 9b/ Jn 3: 22-30
Fri. Feb. 6: Sir 47: 2-11/ Ps 18: 31. 47 and 50. 51/ Mk 6: 14-29
Parish Leader Dinner
Sister Laurette DeChamplain, SUSC
Sister Laurette DeChamplain, also known as Sr. Albina Marie, SUSC, the oldest Holy Union Sister in the United States, died Nov. 24 at Clifton Nursing Center in Somerset. She was 103.
Born Sept. 24, 1922, in Taunton, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Albina (Marrotte) DeChamplain.
DeChamplain was educated at St. Jacques School in Taunton, where she was taught by the Holy Union Sisters. A classroom visit by Mother Marie Helena, the provincial superior who led the first Holy Union Sisters to America, inspired her vocation at a young age. After graduating with highest honors from Taunton High School, she entered the Holy Union Sisters on Sept. 8, 1940, and professed final vows Aug. 15, 1948.
She was educated at the Sacred Heart School of Education, received a bachelor’s degree in history from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and a master’s degree
in French from Rivier College in New Hampshire.
Sr. Laurette devoted more than 50 years to teaching. She began her ministry in junior high schools and later taught French and history at the Academy of the Sacred Hearts in Fall River and Holy Union Preparatory School in Tiverton, Rhode Island. She taught French and served as a part-time administrator at Holy Family High School in New Bedford. From 1981 to 1994, she taught French at Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton, where she concluded her classroom career.
In addition to teaching, she served as the official scorer for several school sports teams and was widely respected for her accuracy and dedication. In 1994, she began volunteering in the Coyle and Cassidy Development Office,
continuing until her retirement in 2007. Though not an alumna, she received the Coyle and Cassidy Alumni Alliance Service Award in 2005 in recognition of her contributions. She received grants for summer study at New York University and the University of Tours in France and led students on cultural tours of France during several summers. Fluent in French, she served as a translator at international meetings of the Holy Union Sisters in the United States and Europe. She also taught English to Holy Union Sisters in formation in Cameroon and later taught French culture and civilization in a summer program at the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore.
In 2008, Sr. Laurette joined the Holy Union community at River Falls Senior Living, formerly The Landmark, in Fall River. A decline
in health in 2021 led to her move to Clifton Nursing Center, where she celebrated her 101st, 102nd and 103rd birthdays, as well as her 85th anniversary as a Holy Union Sister.
Known for her high standards and dedication, she emphasized spoken language in French instruction long before it became common practice. She regularly offered after-school help to students and remained a trusted presence on team buses during away games, often assisting students with homework.
At age 66, she volunteered to spend a summer in Cameroon teaching French. Her final milestone was joining the Century Club at Clifton Nursing Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 5 at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Taunton. Burial followed at St. Francis Cemetery, Taunton.
In addition to her Holy Union Sisters, she is survived by her sister, Rena Marvel. She was predeceased by her sister Doris and her nephew and niece, Karl and Marlene Marvel.
Women’s Advent Retreat a reminder that we are never alone
EAST FALMOUTH —
More
than 280 Catholic women gathered Dec. 6 at Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich for the Diocese of Fall River’s third annual Women’s Advent Retreat, a day of prayer, fellowship, and spiritual preparation for Advent. The retreat was organized by the Secretariat for the New Evangelization, led by Secretary David Carvalho and Adult Ministry Director Deacon Chris Paul.
The day began with Mass and continued with opportunities for fellowship, confession, and Eucharistic adoration. Allison Gingras, Director of Digital Evangelization for Family Rosary and Catholic Women, served as master of ceremonies, while Catholic musician
Liz Cotrupi Pfunder of East Providence provided music for worship and prayer.
Keynote speaker Catherine DiNuzzo, a licensed therapist and founder of Sacred Heart Mental Wellness, addressed Catholic mental health awareness, focusing on anxiety and healing through faith. She encouraged practical coping tools alongside spiritual practices such as the sacraments, adoration, and prayer, reminding participants that God’s love is the foundation of healing. Gingras later offered reflections on Scripture highlighting Christ’s healing mercy and invitation to trust.
The retreat concluded with a renewed sense of peace and hope as participants entered the Advent
season. The next Women’s Advent Retreat is planned for
Dec. 5, 2026.
Master of Ceremonies Allison Gingras kept the crowd entertained and enlightened with stories of the healing powers of Jesus.
Sister Annette Roach, OP (Sister Mary Daniel) of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, died December 6, 2025, in the Bronx, NY. She was 96 years of age.
The daughter of the late John Joseph and Rhea Castonguay Roach, she was born October 30, 1929, in Fall River.
Sister Annette entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Fall River on February 1, 1948, made her First Profession August 30, 1949, and Final Profession August 30, 1952.
Sister Annette earned her BA in English and History from Regis College in Massachusetts, and her MA in English and Masters in Education from Boston College.
Sister Annette started her education ministry as an elementary level teacher at Dominican Academy in Fall River MA and then served at St. Peter’s Elementary School in Plattsburgh NY. She taught at St. Peter’s High School in Plattsburgh. She was assis-
Sister Annette Roach, OP
tant principal and teacher at St. Bernadette School in New Haven CT, and then principal of St. Francis Xavier Elementary School in Acushnet MA. Sister taught secondary level at Dominican Academy in Fall River MA. She was assistant director of Model Cities for the New Bedford Public Schools, New Bedford MA. She then moved to Seiling, Oklahoma, where she did social work with the Dominican Sisters United for Ministry.
Following that she was a reading specialist at St. Michael’s Indian School in St. Michael, AZ.
Returning to the northeast, Sister Annette was principal at Jesus Saviour School in Newport RI. She then began parish ministry at St. Gregory the Great Parish in Warwick RI.
In 1992, Sister Annette was elected Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Fall River MA. At the completion of her term Sister Annette moved to the
Parish of Christ the King in Mashpee MA in 1996, as director of Christian Formation. In 2018 she retired to the Wartburg in Mount Vernon, NY.
Sister Annette was an educator, a Prioress, and a pioneer traveling to Oklahoma and Arizona, teaching and working with the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Navaho people. Sister loved to have fun and had a smile that would light up your day! She loved to travel, often joining in on Parish trips. Her travels also took her to the lands of her ancestors, Ireland and Canada. While living in Cape Cod, she enjoyed spending time at the beach and even while at Wart-
burg she rarely missed her afternoon walk outside and sitting in the sun (of course first she had her afternoon siesta).
Sister Annette is survived by her Dominican Sisters of Hope and nieces, Claire Green, Frances Willcox, and Susan Warburton. She is predeceased by her parents and her siblings Blanche Roach, Claire Bishop, Estelle Roach, John Roach, Mary Walsh and Rhea Reilly. A celebration of Sister Annette’s life took place on
Friday December 12 at the Center of Hope at Mariandale, Ossining, New York. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., Sister is buried in the Dominican Sisters of Hope Cemetery on the grounds of the Center of Hope at Mariandale in Ossining, New York. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister Annette’s name can be made to the Development Office of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 North Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562.
TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel
Sunday, January 11 at 7 p.m.
Broadcast from Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, Providence ***
Sunday, January 18 at 7 p.m.
Broadcast from St. Francis Xavier Church, East Providence ***
Sunday, January 25 at 7:00 p.m.
St. Anthony Church, Taunton ***
Sunday, February 1 at 7 p.m.
Broadcast from
Immaculate Conception Church, New Bedford ***
The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women
All women of the Diocese are invited to attend a meeting on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at St. Bernard Church, 30 S. Main St. in Assonet. Speaker will be Fr. Mike Racine. Light refreshments will be served. A raffle will be held and donations are welcome. Snow date is February 21, 2026.
Any questions please contact Ann Marie Melanson at 508631-0533 or email at frdccwannmarie@gmail.com.
They are collecting grocery store gift cards for the TCN (Taunton Catholic North) Meal Ministry where lunch is served every Saturday from 11:30 to 12:30 to approximately 100 people. Your help is greatly appreciated.
CYO Basketball Jamboree is on Jan. 19th
The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), with the Knights of Columbus, Diocesan Office of Vocations, and the Secretariat, which oversees CYO, will be holding a basketball jamboree at Bishop Connolly Gymnasium in Fall River.
The evening will begin at 5:30 pm with the annual Knights of Columbus free throw contest, followed by the CYO All Stars vs Priests Basketball Game . All are invited to support the youth in the diocesan CYO and our Priests!
Catholic Schools Announce Winners of 2025 Christmas Card Contest
The Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools last month announced the winners of its annual Christmas card contest, which drew more than 110 entries from students across
the region, from Attleboro to Cape Cod.
Top honors went to Jeronimo Pacheco, an eighth grader at St. John Paul II School in Hyannis. His artwork graced the cover of
the Catholic Schools Office’s official 2025 Christmas card, inspiring the true meaning of the season.
The first runner-up was Cali Bordieri, a fourth grader at St. Mary Catholic
School in Mansfield. Her design was featured on the inside cover.
Honorable mention was awarded to Finley Gomes, a fifth grader at Holy Trinity School in Fall
First Runner Up: Cali Bordieri, grade 4
St. Mary Catholic School, Mansfield. Cali’s drawing was featured on the inside cover of the Catholic Schools’ Office Christmas card
January 9, 2026
River, whose drawing appeared on the envelope.
The Catholic Schools Office expressed gratitude to all participants and encouraged families to follow its social media channels, where many of the creative entries will be showcased.
The announcement concluded with warm wishes for a joyful Advent and Christmas season.
Honorable Mention: Finley Gomes, grade 5
Holy Tinity School, Fall River. Finley’s drawing was featured on the envelope for the Catholic Schools’ Office Christmas card
Top Honor: Jeronimo Pacheco, grade 8
St. John Paul II School, Hyannis. Jeronimo’s drawing was on the cover of the Catholic Schools Offices’ 2025 Christmas card.
