Generations have been drawn to our area by its teeming ocean, safe harbors, plentiful lakes, ponds and streams, abundant inland rivers, and picturesque coastlines. Wherever you are in Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod or The Islands, you are close to a body of water. Just as water is a symbol of new life in our faith, our local waters sustain us and are the common connection of the many cities and towns throughout our The Diocese of Fall River.

Our Catholic faith flows through the Diocese of Fall River like the living waters that surround us. Just as these waters connect our communities, so does our faith. We’re refreshed by the Eucharist, and we flow out from it whenever we attend Mass, hear God’s word, receive the ever-present Jesus in the Eucharist, and come together as one family in Christ.

A Living Faith

Like water, the Eucharist is life-giving, driving our desire to want to connect with others. The Eucharist fills our cups so that we, in turn, can overflow into others to strengthen our community’s bond. Your cup needs to overflow into others—to serve them, be hospitable, and help those who are hurting or in need of spiritual support.

A Connection of Communities

These connections occur regularly throughout our community. Sometimes they’re part of a larger collaborative, such as an event at St. Joseph’s in Falmouth that welcomed the relics of St. Padre Pio with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The response was astonishing, with around 2,000 attendees over a two-day period. The event yielded incredible stories of healing fueled by a strong belief in Christ.

On a smaller—yet no less noteworthy—scale, we see local parishes reaching out and connecting to their communities daily. For example, Taunton Catholic North provides meals every Saturday to feed those in need and other parishes across the Diocese reach out in similar ways.

Connected by The Eucharist

The Eucharist transcends a communal connection—it’s also an ontological connection. Regardless of parishioners’ social or economic status, they share a common bond. They all receive the same Eucharist. When you receive the Eucharist, it’s the closest thing to time travel. You’re first connected to Jesus and all He has done for us. You’re also connected to everyone who ever has, is, and will receive the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the epitome of connection when we talk about the Church being one.

Life can often be chaotic. That’s why we need constants in our lives, like the Church. In Scripture, water appears to be connected with chaos. It feels good when that rushing river becomes the still pond. What protects us, brings us together, and calms those waters is the Eucharist. It drives us to turn chaotic waters to living water—by joining fellow parishes in street processions and festivals, serving our Diocese through outreach efforts, and offering spiritual support and healing to those around us.

Our faith transcends language, economic status, diversity, and other barriers. It connects us to Christ, the Church, the Diocese, and our fellow humans.

David Carvalho
David Carvalho
Secretary for the New Evangelization