#FallRiverDiocese Bishop's Blog: A Fatima Honor and Prayers for Our Seminarians - Fall River Thiago comes a from a very religious family. Phone: 508-675-1311 This year you can watch a series of Ministry Moments videos featuring individuals reflecting on good works supported by the Catholic Appeal. "St. Bernard tells us that everything has come to us through Mary; and we may also say that everything has come to us through the priest; yes, all happiness, all graces, all heavenly gifts. It is the communion of all the baptized who are listening to each other, dialoguing with each other and praying together to hear the voice of Holy Spirit as we all seek holiness and proclaim the Gospel. I could always share my ideas with him. Diocese Fall River Office of Youth. It is a journey that follows in the wake of the Churchs renewal as proposed by the Second Vatican Council. His home parish is Christ the King in Mashpee. Carmel and Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Parishes in New Bedford. Continuing with his growth in the faith he became very involved in the parish by teaching the faith to children and helping at the parish on a regular basis. of Our Lady of Fatima, St. Joseph-St. Therese, and St. Mary Parishes in New Bedford, to Pastor in solidum (with Rev. What follows is a synthesis of the topics and themes shared in local reports. 101. Eleven diocesan seminarians gear up for another year of classes, Area Holy Union Sisters gather for first time in two years Sisters meet to celebrate Mass and recognize jubilations, Hispanic youth, parents invigorated by the Heroic Examples of Young Saints of our Time, Diocese to offer Eucharistic Nights and Relic tour, Saint Vincents Services announces the addition of Katie Dawkins as the Director of Donor Relations & Fundraising, Diocese to host events as part of National Eucharistic Revival. ODonnell: Prayer. Despite the overarching challenges presented by the pandemic, i t was evident that there are various ways in which churches and communities within the Diocese of Fall River are already proclaiming the Gospel together. But looking back over my life, I can see the Lord leading me each step of the way and preparing my heart so when I did finally surrender my will and asked Him what my vocation was, I had a lot of peace and clarity and a sense of freedom accepting the wonderful journey to the priesthood., The future of the Church is the youth. He saw this as a call from God to go into deeper waters. The Diocesan Vocations Office website and Diocesanpriest.comoffer information and resources to help in your discernment. On Saturday, May 22, 2021, I was blessed to ordain four men to the Transitional Diaconate at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River. 150m Charlton Memorial Hospital At Southcoast Health. But when youre drawn into Jesus, you realize theres more. His father is Sergio Santana Santos and his mother is Laura Teles Menezes Santos. He and Deacon Laird are musicians and part of the band, Vatican III. Very Rev. Give it a try! is the Eighth Bishop of the Fall River Diocese. Join to connect Diocese of Fall River, MA. John Oliveira, P.A.) In the Fall River Diocese, this local-level participatory process will take place between December 2021 and late winter 2022. Fall River, MA 02720 Diocese of Rochester: June 13 Reverend Joseph Martuscello: Ordained by Bishop Salvatore R. Matano on June 13, 2020 as the newest priest of the Diocese of Rochester. His family is very close and the Mass and rosary were an important part of their lives. Led by Rev. Each year, over $500,000 is needed to assist our seminarians with tuition, room and board, health care and other . Their ordination to the transitional diaconate will begin the final leg of their journey toward the priesthood. Bryan Bangs was born in 1997 and is the son of Robert and Joanne Bangs. Your gift helps offset those costs. Gua del Participante, Process for Facilitating Synodal Consultations (Leadership Roundtable), Preparatory Document (Vatican Synod of Bishops), Vademecum for the Synod on Synodality (Vatican Synod of Bishops). I will continue this assignment throughout the coming academic year. With continued support from many people, Bangs entered seminary, after graduating from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. Bangs has assisted at Santo Christo Parish in Fall River, and this past summer he served at St. Louis de France Parish in Swansea and St. Patricks Parish in Somerset. In the words of Saint John Vianney, "we may also say that everything has come to us through the priest; yes, all happiness, all graces, all heavenly gifts." And its a deeper development. What hobbies do you enjoy outside your studies and your work at parishes and in the community? Chris is entering third theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, New Jersey. Rev. Very Rev. He also twice participated in the Quo Vadis Days retreat sponsored annually by the diocesan Vocation Office. All you had to do was walk into her house and you could see that faith was central to who she was: she had religious icons on just about every wall, a Crucifix, rosary beads. The Diocese of Fall River is blessed to have 14 seminarians presently studying for the priesthood. For More information, please contact, Asst. He also has helped at a soup kitchen, been a leader in a youth group, and volunteered at a nursing home. His family, mom, Elizabeth, dad, Donald and two sisters, have been very supportive of his decision to enter seminary. Meet Nick Bennett, Eric Stelzer, Bob Hoffman and Matt King, the four newest priests to serve the Diocese of St. Augustine. Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D. As he discerns a vocation to the priesthood, Dias said in his biography on the diocesan Vocation Office website that he finds strength in helping marginalized people to have a better life, and what excites him most about the thought of becoming a priest is bringing the Sacraments to Gods people. He became very active in his parish and the thought that the Lord may be calling him to the priesthood grew throughout high school. As he grew closer to the Lord so did the sense of being called by the Lord to be a priest. All applications for the program of Priestly Formation at Saint John's Seminary go through the candidate's Diocesan Vocation Office. Fall Discernment Retreat; Close; Vocations FAQ; Close; Paths to Chaplaincy. With the opening of this Synod in October 2021, Pope Francis has called the entire People of God to journey together. Father Roger J. Landry, a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, serves as Catholic Chaplain to Columbia University in New York City and to the Thomas Merton Institute for Catholic Life. Synod is a greek word (synodos) meaning a meeting or assembly. Rev. After that daCosta attended four years at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Providence, R.I., and also studied at Providence College there. If youve been away for a while, if youre new to the area or just visiting, one of our 70 parishes is waiting to welcome you! Laird: Dont be afraid to make use of the resources around you. And I owe that to my mom and dad. The Diocese of Fall River is blessed with devoted seminarians. I think that naturally oriented me to the importance of God, the way He works in peoples lives in a particular way., Peter Scheffer, Pope St. John XXIII Seminary, Weston, MA (St. Pius X Parish, South Yarmouth), The program for priestly formation is more than just academic education. John A. Raposo, from Pastor in solidum (with Rev. We need our priests: to baptize, to anoint, to hear confessions, and to keep parishes vibrant. I cant imagine ever doing anything higher in life., Looking back, theres a lot of people who have influenced my vocation in many ways. Frechette was a big influence on me, too, like he was for Bill. Riley J. Williams, from Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet, to Pastor of Holy Name Parish in Fall River. What aspect of priesthood are you looking forward to the most? June 11, 2021. The priest. Reverend Steven Booth: Ordained by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha on June 13, 2020 for the Diocese of Fall River. He also served in the childhood missionary and was a member of the parish youth group. It has been a longer journey for me, but now that I am an ordained deacon, I have the peace that I had been seeking for all of those years.. He has two younger brothers and a younger sister Anna. Brian Connors comes from a family of his mom, Janice, dad, Michael, and two brothers. He attended St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis, and was involved in many activities there. It is not just academic. At the same time, it awakened a calling within him to enter seminary. Some of our seminarians share thoughts on their summer assignment experiences as well. And a life of joy., Ive been very blessed to be able to play baseball while at Bridgewater State University. As deacons, they will be able to assist the priest at Mass and be an ordinary minister of the Eucharist, proclaim the Gospel and preach, baptize, and minister at other services. Rev. The worthy priest is the living image of Christ in this world, of Christ watching, praying, preaching, catechizing, working, weeping, going from town to town, from village to village, suffering, agonizing, sacrificing Himself and dying for the souls created to His image and likeness. Shayne is fluent in English and Portuguese. Who was it that received your soul, on its entrance into life? The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus. In 2015 he was approved to study philosophy at Our Lady of Conception Major Seminary in Aracaju, where he studied philosophy for three years. Deacon Matt Laird, 28, is a Sandwich resident, who along with his mom, Kathleen, dad, David and two younger sisters are parishioners of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee. Tell us a little about when you first heard the calling to the priesthood. The priest. I always ask myself, how did I miss that? Its fascinating what Christ passed on to us to be able to do in His Church., I believe that the best seminary I ever attended was my home, growing up. The priest -- always the priest. As he prays about the vocation to the priesthood, he is comforted especially with the thought of providing people with the Eucharist. Rather, synodality is the path and process of the Church as communion. The Diocese of Fall River is blessed to have 14 seminarians presently studying for the priesthood. Garabedian told The Anchor, My time at seminary thus far has been very fruitful. The following excerpts were taken from each conversation. Shayne has a love for learning more about the faith. Your gift to the Catholic Appeal helps ensure all our seminarians receive the foundation they need to realize their calling and do Gods work in our parishes, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, missions and other diocesan offices and special ministries. David Costa Endowed Scholarship Fund, 450 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720. Transitional Diaconate Ordination. Daniel M. Nunes, from Parochial Vicar of Holy Name Parish in Fall River, to Parochial Vicar of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton and Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Taunton, with residence at Annunciation of the Lord Rectory. Rev. We invite you to prayerfully consider making the commitment to pray for one priest of the Diocese of Fall River each day. John A. Raposo) of Our Lady of Fatima, St. Joseph-St. Therese, and St. Mary Parishes in New Bedford, with residence at St. Mary Rectory. We are always praying for the Lord to send more workers into the vineyard. After much prayer and speaking with his spiritual director, his Rector, his Archbishop, and his parents, he decided to say yes to the Lord, and is seeking to serve him in the Diocese of Fall River. I did ECHO in high school and was also active in Campus Ministry. They are: Brian Connors, John Garabedian, Chris Hughes and Thiago Menezes Santos. Matthew F. Laird, William O'Donnell III, Gregory Quenneville, and Laurent M. Valliere, now as deacons, will be able to assist the priest at Mass and be an ordinary minister of . Specifically, Pope Francis is asking each local diocese to gather clergy, religious and laity together- to listen to each other in a discussion on the state of the Church. Originally from West Warwick, R.I., he is a 1999 graduate of Tollgate High School in Warwick. 137m Holy Trinity Church . 2021 Fall River Vocations Office | 47 Underwood Street, Fall River, MA 02720 | 508-336-5549 |. Laity, clergy and religious are invited to pray, listen and share in order to better journey together as a Church in living our baptismal mission. After graduating from Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River, Shayne studied at Rhode Island College and last year entered Our Lady of Providence Seminary and transferred to Providence College. And if that soul comes to the point of death, who will raise it up, who will restore it to calmness and peace? Again the priest. Rev. Sudhir C. Nayak, from Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Osterville and Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville, to (Moderator) Pastor in solidum (with Rev. People I dont even know. For more information contact the Vocations office at (904) 262-3200, ext. This Synod is not about changing doctrine or church structures, but rather encountering one another as brothers and sisters in Christ in our post-pandemic world. Reverend David Frederici, Vicar for Pastoral Services,vps@dioc-fr.org, David Carvalho, Secretary for the New Evangelization, dcarvalho@dioc-fr.org, Laura Carrillo, Director of Strategic and Pastoral Planning,lcarrillo@dioc-fr.org, 450 Highland Avenue He has an older sister. Rev. O God, Who wish all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of Your truth: send, we beg You, laborers into Your harvest, and grant them grace to speak Your Word with all boldness; so that Your Word may spread and be glorified, and all nations may know You, the only God, and Him Whom You have sent, Jesus Christ Your Son, Our Lord, Who lives and reigns world without end. ODonnell: Seminary is prayer. Personal . 132m St Vincent Home . Amen. When are we going? I dont think anybody could ever ask for a greater foundation in terms of whats at the center of it all and what its really all about. He attended St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School in Hyannis and went on to St. John Paul II High School, also in Hyannis. I have gone into the hospital, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Boston University Catholic Center. ODonnell, 41, grew up in Harwich, Mass., the son of Patty and the late William ODonnell, Jr. Get locations, contact information and Mass schedules here. Within the area the Catholic population numbers over 350,000 persons. He has been very active in his parish of Santo Christo in Fall River. Schrader talking about the Office of Vocations, can be found on the Catholic Foundations website: www.catholicfoundationsema.org/ministry-moments. He also served there in childhood ministry and was a member of the parish youth group. And help lead them into a genuine relationship with Christ and help them notice and appreciate the Lord working in their own lives. Bishop da Cunha commenced the diocesan phase of the Synod with a Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Cathedral of St Mary of the Assumption on October 17, 2021, with each priest in the diocese asked to do likewise on the same weekend in their own parishes. 149 in- person and virtual sessions were held at churches, local halls, or private homes. After high school, he traveled to Portugal to work on his Portuguese. Christopher Daniel Hughes, son of Daniel and Joanna Hughes, is from Sandwich and is a parishioner of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee. Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE), Rev. Please contact the Catholic Foundation office at 508-675-1311 with any questions. Kevin A. Cook, Director of Vocations and Rev. Under the auspices of the Bishop, the Office of Clergy Support serves a key role in supporting the priests of the Diocese of Fall River. Each year, young men from around our diocese gather for a week long retreat at the Betania II Retreat Center in Medway, where priests and seminarians of our diocese will be there providing conferences, spiritual guidance and fraternity. What lessons have you learned in the seminary that have most resonated with you? With the opening of this Synod in October 2021, Pope Francis has called the entire People of God to journey together. Bring it before the Lord; get the answer. Originally from Sandwich, Deacon Laird is the son of David and Kathleen Laird. Jack M. Schrader, Assistant Director of Vocations. Its long-term goal is to reorient the local Church toward an inherent synodal attitude in decision-making processes through communion, participation, and mission. Laird: I first heard the call in high school, but it was really when I attended college and met others who were having similar experiences, a vocation to the priesthood became a real option for me. To register, click here. Prayer life flows over and into the classroom. With 82 parishes, the Catholic Diocese of Fall River covers 1,194 square miles in Southeastern Massachusetts, including Bristol County, Cape Cod, Marthas Vineyard, Nantucket and the towns of Mattapoisett, Marion and Wareham in Plymouth County. During the upcoming academic year, he will assist at Holy Family Parish in East Taunton on weekends. Resources including models for consultations at the regional and parish level will be provided. During college and after John went deeper in knowing and living his faith, especially growing in his living of the sacramental life (regular Confession, daily Mass, and Eucharistic Adoration). After his first communion in 2006, he joined The Missionary Childhood, a group that helped him to learn how to evangelize other children and by doing this it all the more awaken within him to possibility of a divine calling. Shayne Dias is entering his senior year of college seminary. . Our Priests also work in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, missions and other diocesan offices and special ministries. He is a 2011 graduate of St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis and a 2015 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, from which he earned a bachelors degree in biology. Required fields are marked *. 558 South Ave, Weston, MA 02493 (781) 899-5500 2021 All Rights Reserved. Deacon Gregory Quenneville, 36, grew up in South Attleboro, a parishioner of St. Theresas Parish there. Who could ever have imagined that the voice of man, which by nature hath not the power even to raise a straw from the ground, should obtain through grace a power so stupendous as to bring from Heaven to earth the Son of God? John M. Schrader, from Parochial Vicar of Transfiguration of the Lord Parish in North Attleboro, to Administrator of St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown, while remaining Associate Director of Vocations and Seminarians. He is also Ecclesiastical Assistant to Aid to the Church in Need USA, a Papal Missionary of Mercy, a National Eucharistic Preacher for . John Garabedian was born in 1991, the son of John and Claire Garabedian, and he grew up in a close loving family in Mansfield, MA. He is entering second theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, New Jersey. He graduated from Harwich High School in 1996 and received a bachelors degree in marketing from Stonehill College in Easton in 2000. Hugh J. McCullough, Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Wellfleet and St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Provincetown, Rev. That will hopefully prepare them and equip them for a life of service. He has assisted at a soup kitchen, has been a youth group leader, and did volunteer work in a nursing home. Donations may be mailed directly to the Catholic Foundation office, 450 Highland Ave., Fall River, MA 02720, made online at www.givefrdiocese.org/2021, or dropped off at any parish in the Diocese. Before his entering seminary, he was a social worker working at the Veterans Administration in Brockton. Your email address will not be published. Other News. Thiago is entering third theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, NJ. Laird: I went to Catholic school growing up; at St. Francis Xavier Prep in Hyannis, and John Paul II High School, the priests I met were my biggest role models. Matthew Gill on bass guitar, Larry Valliere on guitar, and Fr. Richard D. Wilson, J.C.L., from Pastor of Holy Family Parish in East Taunton, to Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Parishes in New Bedford, with residence at Our Lady of Mt. He also attended Stonehill College, graduating with a BA in marketing. Deacon Quenneville said that working as a counselor with people helped him realize the great joy of helping and supporting all kinds of men, women and children, leading him to enter seminary. The Catholic Foundation team recently sat down with three seminarians to hear their stories: John Garabedian, Gregory Quenneville, and Peter Scheffer (since his interview, Scheffer has been ordained to the transitional diaconate). Accept the answer. Rev. I also have been blessed to have some time to catch up with friends and family and am picking up the game of golf. He attends the Mass daily, he makes time during the week to be with the Lord in the chapel, prays Lectio Divina, and every day prays the Rosary. The Diocese of Fall River Training Hub This online system will help walk you through training requirements for your organization. Brian Patrick Connors, son Michael and Janice Connors, is a a parishioner of Holy Family Church in East Taunton. Ensure that parishes have active parish councils representative of the entire parish and in keeping with the guidelines promulgated by Bishop da Cunha in December 2021 . His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has made the following appointments: Very Rev. What tongue, human or angelic, may ever describe a power so immeasurable as that exercised by the simplest priest in Mass? Shayne Victor Dias is 21 years old and lives in Westport. And I dont think I realized it at the time, but just like many things in life, you can kind of look back and learn that those experiences did play a role in who I am today. Valliere, 39, is the son of Laurent and Maureen Valliere, and a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Parish in Fall River. He attended Toll Gate High School in Warwick and went on to earn a bachelors degree in Religious studies from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn. Deacon Valliere took a teaching position at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth, and it was there he had the growing sense that he was being called to enter seminary. A recipient of the Diocese of Fall Rivers Pope Pius X Award, he taught in the parish Faith Formation program and was a member of the youth group there. Donations may be mailed directly to the Catholic Foundation office, 450 Highland Ave., Fall River, MA 02720, made online at www.givefrdiocese.org, or dropped off at any parish in the Diocese. Synod information regarding was shared through: the diocesan website and social media accounts, Existing Ministries, Small Groups, and Communal Gatherings, such as retreats, missions, parish festivals, and dinners, Engagement with young people should be the highest priority, There is importance in prioritizing a relationship with God and first focusing on Jesus Significantly better communication is essential, Connection with and visibility within our larger communities are desired, There is a need and desire for more in- person connections, especially after COVID- 19 Developing a more welcoming atmosphere in our churches, Our laity wants to be more involved; most just waiting to be asked Our Pastors should be prioritized as spiritual leaders, There is a desire to grow formation efforts and rethink previous models and methods Our Church continues to struggle with transparency, Clergy sex abuse has not been sufficiently addressed Multilingual communities desire more support, The synodal process was received with mixed emotions, Despite initial skepticism, reports noted participants appreciation for the opportunity to come together and be heard. Jay T. Maddock, V.F., Pastor of Holy Name Parish in Fall River, Rev. Frederici, by April 30, 2022. studies questions concerning the Church in the world (c.f. As a child he joined the childrens choir at his parish and was a member of it for six years (he sees that played a large role in his growing in his faith). Prayerfully discern what was heard and the ideas shared to determine what should or can be addressed locally in the short term while prudently awaiting the final results andexhortations stemming from the 2023 Synod in Rome. And theres also human formation. Now members of the transitional diaconate, Deacon Laird and Deacon ODonnell joined the community of Holy Family in East Taunton while continuing their studies as part of the St. Johns Seminary Ordination Class of 2022. The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts What is the Foundation? On May 22, Laird and ODonnell were ordained to the transitional diaconate at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River. I felt there was something more for my life. E-mail: jkearns@dioc-fr.org, Statistical Overview (as of December 31, 2021), A-Z List of Diocesan Offices & Ministries, Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts/Catholic Appeal, Faith Formation/Secretariat for the New Evangelization, Diocesan Health Facilities (Nursing Homes & Elder Care), Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, FACE Foundation to Advance Catholic Education, Annual Catholic Appeal Supports Vocations Office, Seminarians, www.catholicfoundationsema.org/ministry-moments. Bishop Edgar da Cunha, SDV appointed Rev. Inside the priest portal, priests will find various supportive documents, resources, and video's to assist you in your priestly life and ministry. Activities include prayer (Holy Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, Rosary, etc. Deacon Laird spent this past summer interning at St. John the Baptist and Our Lady of Grace parishes in Westport. Spend the day.