Bishop da Cunha Building Faith Blog Fall River Diocese

Catholic Schools Week

As I mentioned in last week’s blog, our Diocesan Catholic schools are celebrating Catholic Schools Week. Each school has welcomed families to open houses and is participating in a variety of activities and exciting programs to mark this special week.


 
The Catholic School Alliance chose to laud the “leadership and commitment of our school principals,” as one of the many reasons the Diocese Catholic schools “are able to offer rigorous academics and spiritual development.”  Each principal recorded a video so we might have the opportunity to “meet the amazing women and men of the Diocese of Fall River who have given so much of their time and talent to our students and families!”  The videos are available here: https://www.catholicschoolsalliance.org/catholic-schools-week-2023
 

 
I invite you to scroll through the Fall River Diocese Facebook page, available here, to see more ways our schools are celebrating this week. 
 

Diocesan Phase of the National Eucharistic Revival

June 2022 until June 2023 marks the Diocesan phase of the National Eucharistic Revival. During this year, diocesan bishops, priests, staff, and lay leaders are invited to encounter the transforming power and mercy of Jesus in the Eucharist. Each Diocese is to offer events that encourage the faithful to grow in understanding and devotion to Christ in the Eucharist, complemented by online formation and resources to raise up Eucharistic Missionaries at all levels of the Church!

 
The Diocese of Fall River is hosting in-person and online events throughout the year; those scheduled in the next few months include a virtual Biblical Walk Through the Mass on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m. and the Women’s and Men’s Conference on March 11th. Also coming in March, the Diocese will offer three Eucharistic Nights and Relic Tour with Fr. Roger Landry. I hope you try to take part in these events as your schedule allows.
 

Keep informed throughout the revival on the Diocesan Eucharistic Revival webpage: HERE.
 

“I AM HERE” 

The Diocese is participating in a wonderful movement to share personal encounters with Jesus in the Eucharist—either during Mass or while adoring the Blessed Sacrament. Your story can inspire others to find in Jesus what they are looking for. If you would like to submit a testimony, visit IAmHere.org and select “Diocese of Fall River” from the drop-down menu. 

Upcoming Opportunities to Pray for Others

As part of the Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, I will gather with Religious in the Diocese on Saturday, Feb. 4, for a day of prayer, reflection, and celebration. 
In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day, the day on which candles are blessed, symbolizing Christ, who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. For parishes, the celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday (this year, it falls on February 4, 2023) in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church. 
Please join me in praying for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life, and be sure to thank them on their special day for their generous response to God’s gift of their vocation. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God’s gift of their vocation.
Yours in Christ,
Bishop da Cunha

The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Bishop of Fall River