Forty days of Lent offers journey of purpose and renewed hope to faithful Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, April 5, 2024
Diocesan solar projects offer green energy, savings and education By Joan D. Warren Editor joandwarren@anchornews.org
FALL RIVER — Father Jay Mello doesn’t like to waste money. Heating his parish school, St. Michael’s in Fall River, has become unmanageable. With the cost of heating oil at $4.00 per gallon, it has been a strain on the operating budget. When he learned that the diocese was looking to renewable energy as a cost effective and environmentally sound option, he jumped at the chance to participate. In the near future, 400 solar panels will be installed on the roof of the school. The energy generated from the panels will not only power the building, but will supply electricity to St. Michael
parish, sister parish St. Joseph’s and eventually air conditioning at the school. “This is a win-win for us. If we installed 150 panels, the school would be powered. We have the space for more so we are installing 400 panels that will save us more money at the school and both parishes,” Father Mello said. The property, located on Essex Street, will receive additional federal funding benefits due to its proximity to Dynegy Brayton Point (the former Brayton Point Power Station) in neighboring Somerset, resulting in up to fifty percent of project savings. The roof at St. Michael’s is about five years old, making it the perfect age to install solar panels. With life 8 Turn to page five
Solar panels have been installed on the roof at Bishop Stang High School. The school will have a significant savings because of both federal and state incentives.
Bishop Edgar M. Da Cunha administers ashes at the Cathedral of St. Mary the Assumption on Ash Wednesday. TIn his blog, the Bishop has asked the faithful to write down their most important intentions and each day spend time in prayer with the Lord, asking for His graces. FALL RIVER —Wednesday, of our souls. As we read in St. February 14 was the beginning John’s Gospel, “No one has greater of the Lenten season and also the love than this, to lay down one’s celebration of St. Valentine, the life for one’s friends” (15:13). patron saint of love. As faithful Catholics, we know In his homily on Ash Wednes- Lent is a time for prayer, fasting, day at the Cathedral of St Mary, and almsgiving (charity). This Diocese of Fall River Bishop Edyear, the Bishop has proposed a bit gar M. da Cunha said it was fitting more from the faithful. that the two events coincide and “In 2024, I would like to proasked the following to go one step pose something that gives those further in their Lenten intentions. acts even more meaning this Lent. In his weekly blog, the Bishop What if we each choose three shared the same message: special intentions for which every “Today, Wednesday, February prayer, every sacrifice, and every 14, begins another Lenten season, act of charity was offered? and how appropriate it should beImagine the fruit of these gin on a day associated with love. 40-plus days if we focused our No act in history showed greater attention on those things we most love for another as Jesus’ dying desire for our family, our commuupon the Cross for the salvation 8 Turn to page eight March 1, 2024 †
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