We are looking forward to having the children back into the classrooms of our schools. We are doing all the preparations, following the State of Massachusetts’ guidelines, to assure the safety of the students and staff. We are prepared with all the necessary equipment and sanitization procedures, as well as putting into place ways to maintain the recommended social distance.
Each school has received ample supplies to sanitize before students arrive and continue to follow cleaning protocols throughout the school year. We are optimistic barring any unforeseen circumstances that the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Fall River will have their students back into their classrooms at the end of summer.
For those students who have health issues or don’t feel they are ready to go back to the classroom, the Diocese is sensitive to parents’ concerns and will offer a hybrid approach. Not only are teachers and staff prepared for in-class learning but also for providing virtual education. Our schools have worked hard to find solutions every family can be comfortable with.
 

 
Fall River Diocesan Catholic schools did a remarkable job pivoting to online learning when the pandemic began in March. They excelled in providing excellent virtual learning opportunities, going above and beyond, across all grade levels and schools. The Catholic Schools Alliance of Fall River has adopted a very fitting saying for the upcoming school year, “We have a place for you.” Smaller class sizes, adaptability of learning settings, an education grounded in the Catholic faith, our schools provide excellent, comprehensive options for families as this unprecedented year continues.
As for reopening procedures, each school will have a detailed plan that best fits their students and families; we recommend contacting the principal of the specific Catholic school you are interested in for more information. Due to the extraordinary generosity of many benefactors, our schools work with parishes, families, and the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE) to make affording a Catholic Education feasible for any family who desires one. To learn more about scholarships and tuition assistance, please visit the Catholic School Alliance website.
 

A New Superintendent

Effective August 3rd, Daniel Roy, began his role as the new Superintendent of Schools for the Fall River Diocese. For the past three years, an associate superintendent for schools in the Archdiocese of Boston, he is an educator with nearly 20-years of experience as an administrator and teacher in Catholic schools.
Daniel Roy was on the faculty at Bishop Feehan High School in North Attleboro from 2007 to 2011, teaching theology for multi-grade levels. I am very pleased to welcome Dan as our new superintendent of schools, and I look forward to working with him. Having taught in one of our schools, he already has a connection with our diocesan school system that will be helpful as he begins his work as superintendent. Through the interview process, it was apparent he has a tremendous love for the Church and brings an extraordinary enthusiasm and hope for our schools.
 

Answering the Why

Recently, I was asked, “This has been a very bad year—racial unrest, pandemic, so many bad things—months of difficulties, why has God done this? What’s the answer?” First, I would not say God did this; he allowed it because we live in an imperfect world. Throughout our lives, we all have to deal with difficulties, challenges, and problems of all kinds, and it just happened that many of them came together in 2020. It was a perfect storm, a horrible combination of these difficulties coming together. I think all those things allow us the opportunity to reflect on our role in this world. How can we, together, make this world a better place for us and, more importantly, for those who will come after us.
Sincerely 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