May 7, 2021
The 80th Annual Catholic Appeal
“Time to Gather, Time to Heal, Time to Love”

The 80th Annual Catholic Appeal officially kicked off on Saturday, May 1 and runs through June 30. “Time to Gather, Time to Heal, Time to Love” – takes place as we work to emerge from the numerous challenges presented by the Coronavirus, and a year when demand for diocesan support reached all-time highs. Annual gifts and pledges to the Catholic Appeal support all the agencies, programs, and ministries of the diocese, providing food and shelter, educating children and adults, and meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of tens of thousands of individuals and families.

Donations may be mailed to the Catholic Appeal office, 450 Highland Ave., Fall River, MA 02720, made online at www.givefrdiocese.org/2021, or dropped off at any parish in the diocese.
Please contact the Catholic Appeal office at 508-675-1311 with any questions.
Awesome act of generosity keeps the road to recovery wide open for area women

Catholic Social Services, has served countless women, children and men who lack the basic necessities over the years — and continues to do so during this pandemic that has placed so many more in dire need. Recently, CSS itself, faced a great need as two of its vans necessary for day-to-day operations were in disrepair. Learn how this need turned into a wonderful collaboration that resulted in being doubly blessed by a generous donor whose guiding principles are “Family. Faith. Future." and turned a crisis situation into an amazing blessing. Read more
Stella Citrano, Parishioner at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee

Why I Joined the Anima Christi Legacy Society

"When it came time to prepare a will, I knew it was important to help the Diocese foster spiritual growth among all its flock. What better way to honor my relationship with my parish by choice than to help them continue their fellowship with a gift. One way I can make a difference is making the world a better place." Learn more about why Stella felt remembering her parish in her estate plans was so important and how you can make an impact with a planned gift. Read Stella's Inspiring Story
FACE is excited to participate in the Falmouth Road Race Number for Non Profits for the first time! TEAM FACE is hard at work training and raising funds to support scholarships for Catholic school students in need in the Diocese of Fall River.
TEAM FACE

Bishop Edgar da Cunha
Jim Bouchard, member of St. Francis of Assisi, Swansea
Joe Harrington, member of Immaculate Conception Parish, N. Easton
Sean Kane, Principal, Bishop Feehan HS
Sara Seals, Teacher, Bishop Feehan HS
Daniel Roy, Superintendent of Diocesan Schools
Jane and Cassandra Robin, St. John the Evangelist, Pocasset & FACE
More details to come...
AJ'S ARMY UPDATE
Injured Bishop Feehan High School hockey player AJ Quetta spoke to the media for the first time since his injury in January. Hear about his progress and inspirational story. Keep the prayers coming for AJ's continued recovery!

Teacher Appreciation Week!
 
The Diocese of Fall River is blessed to have over 700 teachers, principals, administrators and staff working in our 20 Catholic schools! What a historic year it has been! Because of the dedication and commitment by our teachers, staff and leaders, here is a list of what has been accomplished since March 2019 to the present:

  • When Governor Baker called for all schools to close on March 13, 2020, all of our Catholic schools immediately pivoted to full remote learning on March 16, 2020. 
  • All Catholic schools completed the 2019-20 school year in June with between 90-100% attendance rates.
  • All 20 Catholic schools used the summer of 2020 to plan how their school would re-open for the 2020-21 academic year on time with in-person learning.
  • All 20 Catholic schools opened their doors to welcome students back in school in September with much joy and excitement.
  • All 20 Catholic schools offered synchronous remote learning for families requesting distance learning due to medical concerns or quarantine for the entire 2020-21 school year.
  • As of May 2021, all 20 Catholic schools were able to remain open for the entire school year and expect to close out the year in June with full in-person learning.
  • The positive impact of in person education by our Catholic schools has yielded a high rate of re-enrollment for the 2021-22 school year, including families who joined us for the first time this year!

We also welcome you to publicly announce your favorite Catholic school teacher or staff member by

THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE TRULY AMAZING MEMBERS OF OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL COMMUNITIES!!
The schools are always looking for dedicated people who are committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Our students need your time and talent and hope that you will find it in your heart to serve God as a member of one of our schools. 
You can learn about job opportunities here. 

~ The power of prayer is very powerful ~

Send one of our beautiful cards and enroll your loved one for prayers.

Your loved one will be remembered in prayer by
Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, Bishop of Fall River during his monthly Mass.