Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, May 3, 2024
Diocese kicks off 83rd Annual Catholic Appeal “Renew the Face of the Earth”
Diocese commemorates two milestone anniversaries while appealing to the faithful for support FALL RIVER—The 83rd Annual Catholic Appeal of the Diocese of Fall River officially kicked off on Wednesday, May 1 and runs through June 30. This year’s Appeal theme, “Renew the Face of the Earth,” reminds us that when the Holy Spirit acts through us, we can change the world. Since it first launched in 1942, annual gifts and pledges to the Catholic Appeal have offered physical, emotional, and spiritual assistance to tens of thousands in their moments of need, weakness, and uncertainty. Donor support of the Appeal upholds all the agencies, programs, and ministries of the diocese, which spans from Mansfield, Easton and the Attleboros, through the Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford areas, and extends all the way to Cape Cod and the Islands. Gifts to the Appeal help combat homelessness on our city streets, eliminate loneliness and fear in hospital rooms, shine the light of Christ in our schools and churches, and strengthen families seated around dinner tables: making a vast and visible impact in myriad ways. In a message to the faithful of the Diocese of Fall River, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. stated: “The theme of our 83rd Annual Catholic Appeal, ‘Renew the Face of the Earth,’ reminds us that our acts of charity and love renew those around us. With each outstretched helping hand, we create a small ripple effect of care. This kindness spreads and allows us to play a part in renewing the face of the entire earth – starting here in our Diocese of Fall River. “Through the intercession of the Holy Spirit, God is constantly reaffirming us. In the Book of Genesis, Noah uses a dove to deliver signs of receding floodwaters back to the arc: the promise of a new beginning after a period of trial and adversity. Even then, hope came on the wings of a dove. 8 Turn to page 8
Two men to be ordained from the Diocese on June 1 By Joan D. Warren Editor
joandwarren@anchornews.org
On Saturday, June 1 at 11 am, two seminarians will be ordained by Edgar M. da Cunha, Bishop of Fall River, in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. Both men have spent numerous years studying and preparing or this important day. Deacon Bryan Bangs will be ordained and Seminarian Lucas DaCosta will be ordained a Deacon. Bangs, 27, is graduating from Theology Immaculate Conception Seminary, in South Orange, NJ. He received a bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University, which is associated with the seminary. His journey to the priesthood has taken a few unorthodox turns. ‘‘I had a couple years at Community College and did six years at Seton Hall, entering as a pre-theologian,” he said. In May 2017, Bangs briefly entered a religious order, The Carmelites of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary in Powell, Wyoming, but he discerned he was not being called to religious life in that order. Over the years different people would en-
Bryan Bangs courage him to think about a calling to the priesthood. He began thinking about a possible vocation in his early teenage years, and though at first he was afraid of a possible vocation, gradually the sense of a calling increased and his
embracing the possible calling grew, especially with the example and encouragement of his pastor, Rev. George Harrison. ‘‘Father George Harrison has been the biggest influence on my vocation. He encouraged me to follow my heart and listen to the Holy Spirit,” he said. He is the son of Robert and Joanne Bangs and grew in a strong practicing Catholic home. Bryan is a very active member of Corpus Christi Church in East Sandwich, MA. He was a past recipient of the Pope Pius X Award, taught faith formation at Corpus Christi, and was an active member of the parish’s youth group, and participated for two years in the diocesan Quo Vadis Days. He is particularly drawn to the beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and it fills him with joy that in becoming a priest, he will able to be an instrument of mercy for others. His sense of the priestly vocation grew in particular through Eucharistic adoration and personal 8 Turn to page 12 May 3, 2024 †
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