Bishop da Cunha Building Faith Blog Fall River Diocese

National Eucharistic Revival Launch

A special Mass, Eucharistic procession, and Adoration hour was held on Saturday, June 18, at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River to launch the National Eucharistic Revival here in the Diocese of Fall River. This was an important opportunity for us to re-kindle our love for the Eucharist, to recognize the presence of Jesus in the gift of the Eucharist, and to re-connect with Him, with the Church, and with our faith. My thanks to the Diocesan Secretary for the New Evangelization David Carvalho and the committee of clergy and lay members who worked very hard to plan this special event, and the many events to come during the next two years. I was also pleased to see so many of the faithful from parishes across the Dioceses and spiritual groups represented.
 


Passing along the same values, traditions, and memories to the younger generations is becoming harder. Honoring and participating in religious rituals, especially the celebration of the Mass; repeating the rituals that the Church has been doing for 2000 years (with slight variations) are incredibly important in our lives. The rituals and traditions once practiced in our homes are dying away. People fill their days with so many other things, other than God. Something as simple as gathering around a table and sharing a meal together binds us. This particular meal of the Eucharist, when we gather around the table of the Lord, promotes and brings about our unity in Jesus and with each other.

 


The Eucharist is food for our journey. The Eucharist is never just a private encounter of an individual with the Lord. The Eucharist is a foretaste of the communion with God and every person.  The Eucharist is a mystery to be believed, celebrated, and lived. In the Eucharist, the hope of eternal life is revealed. Our parishes can truly become a Eucharistic community when they share the bread of life. We need to integrate our faith with our actions, not just professing our faith on Sundays but bringing Christ living deeply and perpetually within our hearts to our families, communities, and the entire world.

 

Watch Celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi as the National Eucharistic Revival begins here.

The first year of the Eucharistic Revival (June 19, 2022 – June 11, 2023) is designated as a Diocesan Year, focusing on “forming the formers” on the intent of the Revival, and invites leaders to reencounter love for the Eucharistic Lord in their own lives. It will feature opportunities and formation at the diocesan level.

Annual Catholic Appeal

The 81st Annual Catholic Appeal “Journeying Together in Faith and Love” has raised more than $3 million to date, with less than two weeks remaining before its close on Thursday, June 30. There is still time to make a gift or pledge in support of the many agencies and apostolates that carry out the work of the Church throughout our Diocese of Fall River, assisting and ministering to more than 100,000 individuals and families. More than a dozen agencies and apostolates are funded by the Catholic Appeal including Catholic Social Services, Pastoral Care of the Sick, Bereavement Support Group, Guild for the Blind, Catholic Schools, and Seminarian and Clergy Education and Development.

Contributions to the Catholic Appeal may be made either through a one-time donation or through monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual pledges. Donations may be mailed to the Catholic Appeal office, 450 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass., 02720; made online at www.GiveFRDiocese.org, or dropped off at any parish in the diocese. Contact the Catholic Appeal office at 508-675-1311 with any questions.
 

Fr. Richard Chretien

Photo: www.prevost59.org

Last week, the Diocese lost one of our retired priests. Father Richard L. Chretien passed away on June 15 at Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River. He was 80. His funeral Mass will be celebrated today in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Father Chretien was a dedicated and effective parish priest for his 45-years plus in ministry. He served in several parishes before retiring in 2010. Our faith assures us that God has welcomed this good and faithful servant into his heavenly home.


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