Families helping families; Appeal assists Pro-Life efforts

FALL RIVER—The end of May marks the halfway point of the 81st Catholic Appeal of the Diocese of Fall River and as of press time, the annual campaign has raised $2.1 million. The Appeal is nearly halfway to its $4.8 million goal to support the agencies, programs, and ministries of the diocese. 

One of the largest diocesan pastoral ministries funded by gifts to the Catholic Appeal is the Office of the Secretariat for the New Evangelization (formerly the Office of Faith Formation). Contributions to the Appeal help the Office of the Secretariat serve parishes, schools, and college campuses by equipping Catholics of the Diocese of Fall River to take active roles in the Church. The office’s vision is “for people of all ages to engage as disciples of Jesus; for Catholic communities to be evangelically capable; for married couples and families to live as the domestic Church; and for every human life to be protected and loved from conception to natural death.” The Secretariat works to achieve this vision through parish evangelization, consultations and general support, talks and workshops, and life-long formation efforts across a number of ministries. One of these ministries is the Office of Family and Respect Life.

“The family, the bedrock of society, must have strong roots if it is to withstand all that comes its way,” said Irina DeLucca, Director of Family and Respect Life. “This means as parents we must do our best and then let the Holy Spirit do the rest. We must speak with authority and provide clear direction for our children so they may navigate today’s society. Come Holy Spirit, You are welcome here.”

For nearly 30 years, the Diocese of Fall River has provided life-changing support to expectant mothers, the unborn, married couples, and families. Diocesan-wide Pro-Life events include the chance to participate in the March for Life in Washington, D.C., a Pro-Life Mass with Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V, a Pro-Life essay contest for junior high school and high school students at all our diocesan schools, and the annual Pro-Life Boot Camp for Catholic youth. Family and Respect Life also includes Project Rachel and marriage enrichment offerings and activities. 

Last summer, the annual Pro-Life Boot Camp returned to action after a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Students from across the diocese came together on the Bishop Connolly High School campus to participate in a day filled with activities, education, and friendship. 

Thanks to the generous support of Appeal donors, this July the Pro-Life Boot Camp will once again be offered as a multi-day event at Stonehill College for the first time in three years. Additionally, the diocese will sponsor a group to attend the 2023 March for Life in Washington, D.C. for the first time since before the pandemic began in 2020. 

Contributions to the Catholic Appeal, which runs through June 30, 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.

It’s a girl!: Office of Family and Respect Life holds baby shower

FALL RIVER — On May 12, the diocesan Office of Family and Respect Life held a baby shower for a local mom in need as part of The Lighthouse Keepers of Christ in Action Program. This initiative encourages diocesan employees and friends to engage in the Spirit of Christ through service by assisting local ministries in need of essential items to fulfill their missions.