The Anchor bids farewell to print, leaving a 69-year record
By Joan D. Warren Editor joandwarren@anchornews.org
FALL RIVER — The February issue of The Anchor marks the final time the Diocese of Fall River’s official newspaper will be published in print, bringing to a close a nearly 70-year chapter in diocesan history. While the presses will fall silent after this monthly edition, the mission of The Anchor will continue. The same diocesan news and feature coverage that readers have come to rely on will remain available through weekly e-newsletters and a newly redesigned Anchor website launching in February (See story on page two).
John Kearns, Director of Communications for the Diocese, said the commitment to providing news will continue to be of utmost importance.
‘‘For many years, The Anchor has been the trusted source for news and information from the Diocese of Fall River, and it will continue in that role—now even more effectively—in its new format”, Kearns said.
‘‘Going forward, as an electronic newsletter, The Anchor will be delivered weekly, providing more timely news and more frequent
updates. It will also offer hyperlinks for easy access to additional information, photos, and expanded opportunities for engagement. Best of all, it will be free—available by email to anyone who wishes to receive it”.
The Anchor was founded on April 11, 1957 by Bishop James L. Connolly as the official newspaper of the Diocese, created to inform, unify and strengthen Catholics across Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the islands. From its earliest issues, the paper served as both a news source and a pastoral tool, blending parish coverage with national and international Catholic reporting.
The newspaper’s name and symbol were chosen to reflect Christian hope and the maritime character of the Diocese it served, inspired by Hebrews 6:19.
The inaugural issues were printed weekly, and that weekly rhythm continued for decades as part of its mission to chronicle the life of the local church. At least as recently as 2020, The Anchor was published every other week except for one week in autumn, indicating it had moved to a biweekly schedule by that time. By 2023, diocesan
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Third annual God Squad vs. CYO game unites the community
Members of the God Squad take on the CYO All-Stars at the annual Jamboree on January 19. The All-Stars were victorious in the end.
By Oscar Rivera Jr. Director of Youth Ministry orivera@dioc-fr.org
FALL RIVER — The Diocese of Fall River came alive with excitement, laughter, and plenty of friendly rivalry as it hosted the Third Annual CYO Jamboree: God Squad vs. CYO All-Stars Basketball Game, an event that continues to strengthen faithfilled community bonds across the Diocese.
Parishioners, parents, and young athletes packed the gym, creating an electric atmosphere from start to finish. The evening kicked off with the 2026 Knights Free Throw Contest, proudly sponsored by Msgr. Prevost Knights of Columbus Council 12380. A total of 27 contestants
competed across multiple age divisions, with nine champions crowned in their respective groups, ranging from ages 9 to 14. The contest set the tone for a night filled with sportsmanship, encouragement, and enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
By the time the main event tipped off, the gym was already buzzing with anticipation, echoing with laughter, squeaking sneakers, and the rhythmic bounce of basketballs.
The God Squad, made up of priests, deacons, sisters, seminarians, and lay ministers, took the court under the guidance of retired priest and CYO legend Father Jay Maddock. Serving as team captain and co-organizer, Father John Garabedian from the Vocations Office used the moment
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The Anchor moves forward: A living mission in a digital age
While the final printed edition of The Anchor marks the close of a significant chapter, it does not signal an end to the newspaper’s mission. Instead, it represents a continuation—shaped by changing technology, evolving readership habits, and a renewed commitment to sharing timely Catholic news and stories in ways that best serve today’s Church.
The decision to conclude the print edition was not made lightly. For decades, The Anchor was a familiar presence in parish offices, rectories, and homes throughout the Diocese of Fall River. However, like many diocesan and secular newspapers nationwide, it has faced mounting challenges that made continued print publication increasingly difficult to sustain.
Chief among these challenges were rising production and mailing costs. Printing expenses, postage increases, and distribution logistics have steadily grown, while advertising revenue—long a key support for print newspapers—has declined as businesses and organizations shift to digital platforms.
At the same time, readership habits have changed dramati-
cally. Fewer readers now rely on printed newspapers for news, instead turning to email, websites, and mobile devices for more immediate access to information. Technology has also reshaped expectations for news delivery,
san initiatives, Catholic education, social ministries, and national and global Church news will continue through weekly e-newsletters and a newly redesigned Anchor website launching in February.
A new Anchor logo incorpo-
sible. Readers can continue to follow diocesan news and features online, ensuring that the stories, ministries, and celebrations of the local Church reach parishioners and friends alike.
The form has changed, but the mission remains. Rooted in tradition and responsive to the present, The Anchor moves forward committed to telling the story of diocesan life—locally, nationally, and globally—for generations to come.
with readers increasingly seeking timely updates, multimedia content, and articles that are easy to access and share.
Digital platforms allow The Anchor to respond more quickly to breaking news, highlight diocesan events as they happen, and reach readers not only locally but well beyond diocesan boundaries.
Importantly, the move to digital does not diminish The Anchor’s identity or purpose. The same commitment to accurate reporting, thoughtful storytelling, and faithful witness remains at the heart of the publication.
Coverage of parish life, dioce-
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER
Vol. 70, No. 2 www.anchornews.org
P ublished monthly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720, Tel. 508-675-7151; email: joandwarren@anchornews.org.
rates the diocesan crest and the familiar anchor symbol.
John Kearns, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Fall River, said the new format will make communication more immediate and convenient.
“As more people turn to their phones and other digital platforms to stay informed and connected, it is essential that The Anchor be available through these channels,” Kearns said.
A QR code (right) allows readers to sign up easily for the weekly newsletter using a smartphone. Visitors to the digital edition can explore current stories, browse archives, and enjoy photographs and videos. To receive news directly in your inbox, readers can sign up for the weekly Anchor e-newsletter at www.fallriverdiocese.org.
The digital format also opens new opportunities. Stories can be archived and searched with ease, multimedia content can enrich coverage, and younger audiences—many of whom have never formed the habit of reading print newspapers—can be reached more effectively.
Rob DeFrancesco, Executive Director of the Catholic Media Association of the United States and Canada, noted that the transition reflects a broader shift within the Church.
“The evolution of The Anchor reflects a larger movement in the Church to meet people exactly where they are,” DeFrancesco said. “Dioceses are getting creative and using every tool available to share their story. In his 2026 message for World Day of Social Communications, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that information is a ‘public good’ meant to serve everyone, and that ‘we need to cherish the gift of communication as the deepest truth of humanity.’ By moving to a digital-first model, the Diocese of Fall River is breaking down barriers and ensuring the voice of the Church is timely and easy to find.”
PUBLISHER – Most ReveRend edgaR M. da Cunha, s.d.v., d.d.
EDITOR; PRODUCTION
Joan d. WaRRen joandwarren@anchornews.org
† February 6, 2026
ADVERTISING
Wayne R. PoWeRs waynepowers@anchornews.org
In this way, The Anchor continues to fulfill its founding mission: to inform, unify, and strengthen the Catholic community of the Diocese of Fall River. While the loss of a printed newspaper is felt, diocesan leaders emphasize that The Anchor remains fully acces-
Scan the QR code to be directed to the sign-up page for the new online Anchor newsletter.
By Joan D. Warren Editor joandwarren@anchornews.org
FALL RIVER — For nearly 70 years, The Anchor, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River, has chronicled watershed events in the life of the Church and the local Catholic community. Its front pages have served not only as news reports, but as historical records of faith lived in changing times, reflecting both the continuity of Catholic tradition and the realities of each new era.
Vatican II: A Council and a New Catholic Era
When the Second Vatican Council opened in Rome in 1962, the universal Church entered a period of prayer, reflection and transformation. Bishop James L. Connolly, who attended all four sessions, became the Diocese of Fall River’s direct link to the council’s deliberations. At a time when information traveled slowly, The
The Anchor through the years
Anchor served as the primary source through which Catholics in southeastern Massachusetts received clear explanations of major developments, including liturgical reform, ecumenism and the evolving role of the laity.
Coverage of Vatican II helped local readers understand how global Church renewal would take root in their own parishes, well before such changes were widely examined in the secular press.
Mother Teresa’s 1995 Visit: A Saint Among Us
In June 1995, Saint Teresa of Calcutta visited New Bedford, a defining moment for many Catholics in the Diocese. The Anchor devoted extensive coverage to her visit, documenting her encounters with the poor, her quiet witness and her call to recognize Christ in every person.
For readers then and now, those pages remain a reminder that holiness is not distant or abstract, but present in the cities and neighborhoods of southeastern Massachu-
setts.
Remembering Popes Who Shaped the Faith
Over the decades, The Anchor has marked moments of mourning, reflection and hope surrounding popes whose leadership shaped the modern Church. From Pope John XXIII during Vatican II, to Pope Paul VI’s guidance through change, to the long pontificate of Pope John Paul II, coverage consistently provided historical context, local perspective and spiritual insight.
The cover of The Anchor’s 50th anniversary, April 13, 2007.
More recently, The Anchor has chronicled the papacy of Pope Francis, whose emphasis on mercy, care for the poor and pastoral closeness resonated within the Diocese of Fall River, challenging clergy and laity alike to live the Gospel with renewed simplicity and compassion.
A Time for Fortitude and the Stronger Priests Initiative
In late 2024 and throughout 2025, The Anchor turned its focus to internal renewal. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. issued a pastoral letter entitled A Time for Fortitude: Stronger Priests, Stronger Parishes, Stronger Church, launching a threeyear initiative from 2025 through 2027 aimed at strengthening the spiritual health, resilience and ministry of diocesan priests.
Reporting highlighted the initiative’s six strategic priorities, including pastoral planning, presbyteral culture, priestly wellness and holiness, ministerial formation, and support for vocations and seminarians. Coverage also examined how the initiative responds to challenges such as expanding parish responsibilities and the changing landscape of parish life, inviting parishes and parishioners into
deeper prayer and participation. The renewal was further reflected in diocesan events in 2025, including a consecration of the presbyterate to St. John Vianney, underscoring a renewed focus on spiritual support and fraternity among clergy.
A Chronicle of Faith and Change
Across seven decades, The Anchor has woven together faith, journalism and pastoral accompaniment. From Vatican II and Mother Teresa’s visit, to the leadership of popes who shaped generations and local initiatives such as A Time for Fortitude, the newspaper has offered a distinctly diocesan lens on the life of the Church.
As The Anchor continues its transition to a fully digital format, its mission remains unchanged. Coverage of diocesan life, global Church developments and pastoral initiatives will continue through an online weekly newsletter and a newly developed website. While the medium may change, The Anchor’s role as a reliable chronicle of Catholic life in the Diocese of Fall River endures.
communications noted that the paper was transitioning to a monthly publication schedule, a change reflecting broader trends in print media and diocesan publications.
The newspaper became a permanent historical record of diocesan life, documenting ordinations, parish anniversaries, school milestones, social ministries and everyday moments that rarely appeared in secular media.
Several editors left lasting marks on the publication. Msgr. John F. Moore began his long tenure in the late 1960s, guiding readers through years of change in church and society. In later decades, Father Roger J. Landry, who became editor in 2005, expanded local coverage and lay participation in reporting.
Father Richard D. Wilson served as executive editor beginning in 2012, continuing the paper’s focus on diocesan identity and evangelization. Among the lay leaders who shaped The Anchor in its final print era was Dave Jolivet,
Founding Years
1957–1975
Father Daniel F. Shalloo, Founding General Manager
Father Daniel F. Shalloo helped launch The Anchor and establish its mission as the official newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River. He set the publication’s early editorial vision and professional standards, laying the foundation for its long-term role in diocesan communication.
1957–1960s
Hugh J. Golden, Managing Editor
A veteran journalist formerly with The Herald News, Hugh J. Golden shaped the newspaper’s early newsroom operations and reporting style. His professional experience helped bring journalistic structure and credibility to the young publication.
† February 6, 2026
who served as editor and later as executive editor, guiding the newspaper through a rapidly changing media landscape and helping prepare it for its eventual transition to digital platforms.
Longtime business and operations leader Rosemary Dussault was another cornerstone of the paper’s success. Beginning during the planning stages of The Anchor and continuing for more than four decades, she oversaw advertising, circulation and production. Under her leadership, the newspaper modernized its design and printing, gradually moving from blackand-white pages into color as production capabilities and reader expectations evolved. Her efforts earned national recognition in 1982 with the Thomas R. Brennan Memorial Award for Excellence from the Catholic Major Markets Newspaper Association.
In its final years of print publication, The Anchor was led editorially by Joan D. Warren, who served as its final editor and production
manager. Warren is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years’ experience and shepherded the newspaper’s content and production as it readied for the transition to digital formats.
Advertising was a critical part of sustaining the publication. In 2008, Wayne R. Powers was named advertising manager. Powers, who previously worked at The Rhode Island Catholic, served as the newspaper’s last advertising representative, maintaining vital relationships with parishes, Catholic organizations and local businesses in the final years of print.
As readership habits shifted and production costs rose, The Anchor continued to adapt with modern layouts, use of color pages, and an expanding online presence. However, the challenges facing print journalism, particularly for diocesan newspapers nationwide, ultimately led diocesan leaders to announce that the print edition would end and The Anchor would continue its mission through digital platforms beginning in 2026.
Editors of The Anchor: A Timeline
Years of Growth and Change 1970s
Father Edward J. Byington and Father John R. Folster, Editors
Father Edward J. Byington and Father John R. Folster each served as editor during interim periods. Their leadership helped steady the newspaper during transitional years following the Second Vatican Council.
1967–1990s
Msgr. John F. Moore, Editor
Beginning as a columnist and later becoming editor, Monsignor John F. Moore was one of the longest-serving and most influential editors in The Anchor’s history. He was widely known for his weekly column, “The Mooring,” and guided the paper through decades of social, cultural, and ecclesial change.
Honoring Staff and Readers
For nearly 68 years, The Anchor arrived in mailboxes, rectories and parish offices as a trusted companion. Its pages were shaped by the dedication of priests, journalists, photographers, production staff, advertising representatives and countless contributors. It was sustained by generations of loyal readers whose engagement brought diocesan life into clearer focus.
Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V. expressed his appreciation for the dedicated employees, readers and the faithful for their commitment to The Anchor.
‘‘I am deeply grateful to all who have supported The Anchor over the years: our staff, present and past; contributors, and especially our faithful readers…I am certain that through its new website and weekly e-newsletter, The Anchor will continue to be a vital instrument of evangelization and communication within our Diocese.”
Modernization and Digital Transition
2005–2012
Father Roger J. Landry, Editor (now Monsignor Landry)
Father Roger J. Landry expanded local diocesan coverage and increased contributions from lay writers. He emphasized evangelization and engagement with contemporary issues affecting the Church and society.
2012–2021
Father Richard D. Wilson, Executive Editor
Father Richard D. Wilson oversaw the newspaper’s editorial direction during a time of modernization. His tenure coincided with a growing digital presence and evolving approaches to diocesan communication.
1995–2023
Dave Jolivet, Editor and Executive Editor, Columnist
Dave Jolivet guided The Anchor through significant challenges facing print journalism. He strengthened diocesan communication efforts and helped prepare the publication for its transition to a fully digital format.
Final Print Years
2023 - Present
Joan D. Warren, Editor and Production Manager
Joan D. Warren played a key role in shaping The Anchor’s final years in print. Her reporting and editing focused on diocesan leadership, parish life, and Catholic education, helping define the paper’s legacy. She will continue to edit the newsletter and maintain the website.
The Anchor debuts on April 11, 1957
On April 11, 1957, the first issue of The Anchor was published. A subscription was $4.00 per year or 10 cents per issue. What started as a weekly, the paper evolved over the 68 years to bi-weekly and in the past few years, monthly. The founding publisher, Bishop James Connolly, viewed The Anchor as a communications tool meant to bring the Diocese closer, sharing news, pictures, and spiritual information. The name of the paper was chosen to reflect the symbol of the theological virtue of hope and the fact that the Diocese of Fall River is on the seashore where we are anchored together in faith.
Editorial GratitudE for 69 YEars
This is the last print edition of The Anchor.
The Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time for everything, a time to be born and a time to die (3:1-2). The Church continuously lives out the mystery of the grain of wheat falling to the ground and dying so as to bear fruit (Jn 12:24). She marks this reality of life and death and the connection between them in every baptism and every funeral. Institutions, parishes and even dioceses that are brought into existence to fulfill the mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel and make saints, for various reasons, like every human life, inevitably come to an earthly conclusion. Jesus indeed reminds us that all the things of this world are passing away — including all our spoken and published human words — but stresses that his words alone will never pass away (Matt 24:35).
Every death brings with it a natural sense of sadness, proportionate to the connection, dependence on, and love for whom or what one has lost. When the Diocese of Fall River announced two months ago that February would be the last print edition of the Anchor, some of the faithful of the diocese were understandably upset. Such disappointment is one of the greatest tributes the Anchor has ever received. Some who started young have been faithfully reading the Anchor — more than 3,000 editions! — since its debut on April 11, 1957.
In faith, however, as we proclaim at every Mass, it is right and just, our duty and salvation, always and everywhere to give God thanks. And so it is fitting that this final editorial be dedicated to that gratitude to God and to all those who have made the print edition of The Anchor
possible.
In the first edition, Bishop James Connolly wrote that the name of this diocesan newspaper was chosen not just for its nautical significance for Catholics along the Atlantic coastline of southeastern Massachusetts, but because of its Biblical significance as “the symbol of the theological virtue of hope — living hope that animates, consoles, and strengthens the just Christian in the midst of his labors.”
This newspaper has sought ever since to be a sign and instrument of Christian hope — spurring the faithful of the diocese to faith and charity, consoling them during national and Church crises, and striving to help them to become holy in the midst of daily activities. Through information and formation, it has ultimately sought to bring about personal, ecclesial and social transformation, helping those within the Diocese become more knowledgeable about the faith so that they might look at the news through the light of the Good News and share that vision with others.
Since its founding, The Anchor has spanned a lot of history.
It has covered the papacies of Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, Francis and Leo XIV; the episcopacies of Fall River Bishops James Connolly, Daniel Cronin, Sean O’Malley, George Coleman and Edgar Da Cunha; and the pastors of so many parishes without whose work in promoting subscriptions The Anchor would have never gotten off the ground.
The Anchor has likewise followed the presidencies of Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Ford, Carter, Reagan, both Bushes, Clinton, Obama, Biden and the two terms of Trump and
† February 6, 2026
examined the strengths and weaknesses of the tenures of Massachusetts Governors Furcolo, Peabody, Volpe, Sargent, King, Dukakis, Weld, Cellucci, Swift, Romney, Patrick, Baker, and Healey.
It has profited from the dedication and pursuit of excellence of so many executive editors, editors, managers, reporters, and photographers for whom we thank God one more time: Monsignors Daniel Shalloo, John Moore and Roger Landry; Fathers John Driscoll, John Cronin, Stephen Downey, John Crowley, Kevin Harrington, Roland Bousquet, Edmond Rego, Edward Byington, John Folster, and Richard Wilson; Deacon James Dunbar; Sister Gertrude Gaudette, OP; lay apostles Hugh Golden, McGee Winner, Rosemary Dussault, Marcie Hickey, Dorothy Eastman, Cecilia Belanger, Jean Judge, A vis Roberts, Thomas McDonnell, Eileen Lardner, Marion Unsworth, Joseph and Marilyn Roderick, B ill Morrissette, Clement Dowling, Russell Collinge, Jack Smith, Edward Rosa, Ernest Torchia, Hugo Poisson, Ron Baptista, Pat McGowan, Barbara Reis, Dave Jolivet, Ken Souza, Wayne Powers, Mary Chase, Rebecca Aubut, Matt McDonald, Brian Kennedy, and Joan Warren.
Various national columnists — including Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Frank Sheed and George Weigel — have grace our pages as well as too many homegrown regular columnists to enumerate who with dedication have shared their faith, talents, and practical wisdom about living the faith better in season and out. They were augmented by guest articles and columns from diocesan priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful. It has been an earthly image of what the Letter to the Hebrews calls a great cloud of witnesses, all
giving testimony to events as well as the vitality of the faith within the diocese through all circumstances.
To all those who have been part of casting the Anchor beyond the veil (Heb 6:19) as well as planting it firmly in the rich soil between Attleboro to Provincetown, Nantucket and the Vineyard, we owe our sincere thanks and prayers that God to reward them for this service.
What began on Monsignor Shalloo’s rectory floor at St. Joseph’s parish in Fall River, progressed to an office over Lafayette Bank on Bedford Street in Fall River, moved to the linotypes of Leary Press, and later relocated to offices on 432 and finally 887 Highland Avenue, had a very good run. The archives stretching back to the first edition — still available on the Anchor website (anchornews.org) — are a chronicle of faith, the deeds that flow from it, and the challenges that confront it. Those archives will remain a resource for us to know better our diocesan roots so that Catholics today and tomorrow can remain fruitful shoots.
The vast majority of Catholics now receive their news in ways other than weekly or monthly print newspapers. News cycles can make what happened literally yesterday seem like no longer “news.” Sustaining a newspaper financially requires subscriptions, advertisement revenue and fundraising and, as subscriptions decrease so does advertisement income. Bishop da Cunha deserves much credit for keeping the Anchor going for many years as many other diocesan and secular newspapers folded and as the Anchor, despite cutting expenses, still went from black to deep red. He did so out of respect for those
within our diocese who still much prefer their news in print. Good stewardship, however, means that such annual losses cannot continue until the Parousia.
Like in other dioceses, now The Anchor will be cast into the deep through its website (anchornews.org) and through a new digital edition that will be emailed for free each week to anyone who signs up via the same website or by the QR code found elsewhere in this edition. Please sign up and spread the word. Despite the end of the print edition, it’s certainly a welcome development that, because of cost savings, The Anchor will now be able once again to be a weekly organ of the good news happening throughout the Diocese and her parishes, augmented by national, international and Vatican news coverage from OSV (Our Sunday Visitor) News.
Throughout the centuries, Catholics have never really said, “The end,” because the Catholic story never ends. In languages influenced by the Christian faith, we have rather entrusted each other and our works literally “to God” — adeus in Portuguese, adieu in French, adios in Spanish, and addio in Italian. The English goodbye has similar roots: it’s a contraction of the Old English expression godbwye, meaning, “God be with you.”
And so with gratitude to every reader for taking part in the faith-filled conversation that has happened in these pages for nearly seven decades, we entrust each other to God as we take this dialogue online. From there, we now continue the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples across the Southcoast and helping everyone drop their Anchor in God.
Awards granted to top-performing parishes in 2025 Catholic Appeal
FALL RIVER — In a final action on the 2025 Catholic Appeal, Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V. has recognized parishes across the Diocese that demonstrated exceptional commitment through parish wide participation.
The Parish Incentive Program rewards parishes whose communities respond strongly to the call for support. Each year, parish awards recognize community wide participation and stewardship.
All parishes begin the Appeal’s parish incentive award challenge with a clean slate, and awards are based solely on results from that year. Last year, the incentive program was updated to focus on parishioner participation in the Catholic Appeal. The 2025 winners
were determined by the percentage of parishioners who contributed to the 84th Catholic Appeal. To create a level playing field regardless of parish size, the participation rate was determined by dividing the number of parishioners by the number of parishioners who supported the Appeal with a gift. The top three participation rates in each deanery received awards.
Winning parishes received unrestricted funds for pastors to spend according
to their parish’s identified priorities, needs and wishes. Awards were granted to a total of 15 parishes, with three in each deanery. Award amounts were $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place and $2,000 for third place.
Congratulations to the winning parishes. Heartfelt gratitude goes out to all parishioners who participated in the 2025 Catholic Appeal, as well as to pastors, parish staff and volunteers whose leadership and encourage-
ment inspired such strong involvement. Their commitment ensures the Church’s mission continues to thrive.
The Catholic Appeal makes a positive impact in parishes and the broader community by supporting diocesan ministries, out-
reach, education, vocations, Catholic Charities and more. Broad, collective participation across parishes strengthens the Church and community by expanding the work accomplished throughout the Fall River Diocese.
The 2025 Catholic Appeal Parish Incentive winners
Cape Cod Deanery
1st Place: St. Joseph Guardian of the Holy Family, Falmouth
2nd Place: Holy Redeemer, Chatham
3rd Place: Good Shepherd, Martha’s Vineyard
Fall River Deanery
1st Place: St. Dominic, Swansea
2nd Place: St. John of God, Somerset
3rd Place: St. Michael, Fall River
Taunton Deanery
1st Place: Annunciation of the Lord, Taunton
2nd Place: St. Anthony, Taunton
3rd Place: St. Jude the Apostle, Taunton
Attleboro Deanery
1st Place: Transfiguration of the Lord, North Attleborough 2nd Place: St. Mary’s, Norton
3rd Place: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Seekonk
New Bedford Deanery
1st Place: St. Gabriel the Archangel, New Bedford 2nd Place: Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, New Bedford
3rd Place: Our Lady of Mount Carmel New Bedford
The global market for cloning cats, dogs, and other pets reached $300 million in 2024, and has been projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2035. When it comes to the ethics of cloning animals, whether cattle, racehorses, dogs, or cats, it is important to inquire if a “proportionately serious reason” exists for doing the procedure, since the process can cause physical and genetic defects of varying severity in cloned animals. Cloned mice, for example, have aberrant patterns of gene expression in multiple genes, and cloned animals have elevated rates of unexplained gestational or postnatal deaths, as well as anomalies like enlarged hearts or abnormal lungs.
Because cloning involves the bringing together of two remnants of heavily damaged cells— an extracted nucleus from a body cell, plus an egg that has been deprived of its nucleus—it should come as no surprise that these two conjoined elements may have difficulty cooperating and communicating with each other to produce a presentable member of the species.
It is also conceivable that a cloned animal could give rise to a dangerous genetic variation, by making the individual animal, for example, more violent. Even in the absence of such outcomes, regularly described in science fiction, it is still noteworthy that genetic variability and the long-term viability of animal populations, particularly small populations of endangered species, could be affected by extensive animal cloning. Decreasing diversity through cloning could make populations more susceptible to disease and environmental changes, impacting sensitive ecosystems and conservation efforts.
is it Ethical to clonE animals?
Even with the risks of cloning, we can envision situations where a “proportionately serious reason” would exist for attempting to clone animals. A German shepherd, for example, that is exceptionally skilled at sniffing out illegal drugs or other contraband, might be cloned to expand the availability of “super-olfactory canines” for police departments around the country.
If a famous Hollywood celebrity loses his or her beloved Fido to cancer, however, we can validly debate whether a strong attachment to the departed canine constitutes a sufficiently serious reason for embarking on a cloning project with a price tag of fifty or sixty thousand dollars. A generated dog clone will always be an imperfect copy of Fido, and will often have a very different personality from the original animal.
member of the family and once again pull at their owner’s heartstrings.
While animal cloning can sometimes be a reasonable choice, and ethically justifiable, the Catholic Church teaches definitively that the cloning of human beings is morally unacceptable. This conclusion arises from the recognition that human persons, unlike non-human animals, are created in God’s image and likeness, which implies an essential obligation that human procreation and the transmission of human life happen exclusively within marriage through the marital act of spouses.
engineer and clone dairy cows, for example, to produce an improved quantity of milk or better quality meat.
But if animal cloning becomes widespread, as seems likely, it may have the subtle effect of shifting our attitudes and perceptions towards the animal kingdom. By routinely cloning animals, they may come to be seen as little more than “manipulable quantities” or “raw material” for our domination—less as animals, and more as artifacts or objects. We need to be attentive to the prospect of reducing animals, including cloned animals, to market-driven technological commodities, cobbled together under the impetus of unrestrained profit-seeking.
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When actress Barbra Streisand lost her beloved 14-year-old Samantha, she cloned two replicas. She commented that they had “different personalities... I’m waiting for them to get older so I can see if they have her brown eyes and her seriousness.” Later, a somewhat disappointed Streisand remarked, “You can clone the look of a dog, but you can’t clone the soul.”
Given that canines hold a primary position in the animal world as “man’s best friend,” it should not be difficult to find another furry friend, perhaps one waiting to be rescued from a local shelter, who can serve as a new
As we consider animal cloning and other novel biomedical developments of recent years, we face important ethical questions about how best to exercise our limited dominion over the earth, including the animal kingdom. Our dominion is not an absolute right of domination over God’s creation. Instead, we are called to use reasonably, and avoid abusing, the powers we have received.
Exercising proper stewardship over animals ought to be a balanced part of a broader concern of avoiding exploitation of the vulnerable, as we try to be respectful of the given order of creation.
Cloning technology can have useful applications in animal husbandry, helping to generate stock animals that are more resistant to disease or that have a higher productivity rate. Researchers can
So while the cloning of non-human animals is generally permissible when proportionately serious reasons exist, we must also remain attentive to the broader social and environmental implications. The responsible use of the technology requires us to weigh carefully its scientific potential against the duty to avoid causing unnecessary suffering to animals or risks to their populations.
Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, MA, and serves as Senior Ethicist at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org and www. fathertad.com.
Continued from page 1 Third Annual CYO Jamboree
to inspire young parishioners to reflect on God’s call and consider their own unique vocations.
Adding to the excitement was DJ Peter Rivet and his family’s Music On Wheels, who kept the energy high with hype music that had players and spectators alike fully engaged throughout the night.
On the court, the action delivered. The first quarter was evenly matched, with both teams trading baskets and defensive stops. Momentum shifted in the second quarter as the CYO All-Stars surged ahead, building a commanding lead heading into halftime. Refusing to back down, the God Squad mounted an impressive comeback in the third quarter, thrilling the crowd and closing the gap. Ultimately, the CYO All-Stars maintained their intensity, sealing a 48–41 victory.
While the scoreboard crowned the CYO All-Stars as winners, the true victory belonged to everyone in attendance. The night showcased unity, joy, and the shared spirit of faith and fun that defines the Diocese of Fall River.
With the Fourth Annual Jamboree already on the horizon, this beloved tradition is poised for even more growth in 2027—continuing to bring the community together, one joyful game at a time.
Above: The winners of the 2026 Knights Free Throw Contest sponsored by Msgr. Prevost Knights of Columbus Council 12380 pose with their award certificates. A total of 27 contestants competed across multiple age divisions, with 10 champions crowned in their respective groups, ranging from ages 9 to 14. Below: Members of the God Squad included religious and lay participants and the team was once again coached by retired priest Fr. Jay Maddock (rear, third from right).
Looking Back on a Year of Evangelization in 2025
FALL RIVER — As a new year begins, the Secretariat for the New Evangelization office reflected on how parishes and Catholics across Southeastern Massachusetts were supported and engaged throughout 2025.
Working alongside parish leaders, clergy, schools, and campus ministries, efforts expanded existing programs and created new opportunities to help people grow in faith.
Through this work, the mission remained clear: to help build up the Church by equipping Catholics for the New Evangelization. This mission was carried out in four primary ways: partnering with parishes, supporting parish leaders, providing adult sacramental preparation and offering evangelization opportunities for the wider community.
Partnering With Parishes Across the Diocese
In 2025, direct partnerships were formed with 73 percent of parishes in the diocese. Each parish received at least one form of direct support, including trainings, retreats, talks, coaching, consultation, or research to better understand parish needs.
Families were supported through talks and formation at Holy Trinity in West Harwich, St. Anthony and St. Jude in Taunton, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in New Bedford. Seven parishes worked together to assess how best to support parents and families, including Immaculate Conception in Easton, St. Anthony and Immaculate Conception in New Bedford, St. Nicholas in Dighton, and Annunciation in Taunton.
Confirmation preparation remained a major focus. Seven parishes hosted individual day-long Confirmation retreats,
while four regional Confirmation retreats were also offered across the diocese.
In addition, 18 parishes began implementing the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults to better welcome and form adults entering the Catholic faith.
Supporting Parish Leaders
Supporting clergy and parish leaders continued to be a central priority.
Multiple layers of support were offered, including annual in-services, monthly gatherings, leadership cohorts, online resources, and one-on-one coaching.
New initiatives included the launch of the Parish Leader Dinner in January, which focused on evangelization and catechesis. Parish leaders also participated in a virtual summer training series addressing current ministry challenges. Formation opportunities were offered in collaboration with the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, with a focus on ministry to students with special needs.
Six parishes implemented catechist training, and St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family in Falmouth hosted a staff retreat. St. Mary in Dartmouth and St. John in Attleboro received training in new formation methods through the Franciscan Formation Leadership Consortium for Ministry.
Marriage Mentor Couples and Pro-Life leaders also received ongoing formation throughout the year.
Adult Sacraments and Parish Support
Adult sacramental preparation remained an essential part of diocesan outreach.
In 2025, 457 adults were assisted in preparing for and receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, or Marriage.
Marriage preparation and support included processing 143 FOCCUS Marriage Inventories for couples from 26 parishes and hosting marriage preparation programs attended by 116 couples from 41 parishes. Seventy-one adults from 19 parishes prepared for Confirmation.
The Rite of Election was celebrated by 74 catechumens, while 26 candidates celebrated the Call to Continuing Conversion. These participants represented 33 parishes, including young adults involved in OCIA through the Newman House.
Evangelization at Large Evangelization opportunities reached thousands throughout the year. A total of 3,392 individuals attended in-person evangelization events in 2025.
Attendance continued to grow at major diocesan events, including Catholic Youth Day, which welcomed 420 participants, the Advent Women’s Retreat with 250 attendees, and the Parish Leader Convocation with 228 participants.
The diocesan youth trip to the Steubenville Youth Conference doubled in size.
A Carlo Acutis Relic Tour also traveled through Catholic schools as the Church prepared for his canonization as the first millennial saint.
Notable Highlights
The Faustina Center and Walking With Moms in Need opened in May 2025.
The Faustina Center, described as an Island of Mercy for Families, opened at the Emmaus House of the Church of the Holy Name in Fall River. The Center provides material assistance, education, spiritual support, and referrals for those facing difficult pregnancies. This work expanded the existing Walking With Moms in Need initiative.
Several parishes partnered in this effort by donating baby items, including Holy Name, St. Francis Xavier in Acushnet, Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Our Lady’s Chapel.
Campus Ministry and Young Adults
The Newman House continued to serve UMass Dartmouth students and young adults from across the region.
Weekly Sunday and Thursday Masses saw increasing attendance, along with small groups, connect nights, monthly Adoration, praise and worship, and semester retreats.
The Newman House also operated the campus food pantry, serving more than 950 students each month and distributing over 5,000 pounds of food monthly.
Young adults attended the SEEK Conference in Salt Lake City at the start of the year, and outreach efforts began at Bristol Community College in Fall River.
Visit our webpage on the Diocesan website at www.fallriverdiocese.org.
† February 6, 2026
March For Life 2026
‘‘Human life is a precious gift from a loving God. Abortion is the greatest moral crisis faced by our country and by our world. It is a matter of life and death on a very grand scale. Sadly, life is not always seen as a gift. For some, it seems a burden or a curse.”
~ Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley
On the eve of the 2026 March for Life, at a Mass celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Director of Maintenance for the Diocese Chad Brow and his family attended the March For Life in Washington D.C. on January 23. The trip was led by Father Jeremy St. Martin from St. Jude’s in Waltham. Above: the St. Jude pilgrims traveled to the nation’s capital by bus overnight. Below: Three of the Brow children, John (back row, left), Jake, and Jude (first row) served as altar servers at the vigil Mass. They are pictured with altar servers Richard Sylvio and Corey Foster (back row, middle) and Deacon Michael Mott. The Brow family attends the March For Life annually. Photos taken by Fr. Jeremy St. Martin.
Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools releases ‘‘Educating for Eternity’’ video series
FALL RIVER — Pope Leo XIV’s recent apostolic letter, Drawing New Maps of Hope, declares that “education is not an ancillary activity, but forms the very fabric of evangelization: it is the concrete way in which the Gospel becomes an educational gesture, a relationship, a culture.”
With that vision in mind, the Diocese of Fall River’s Catholic schools are working to be more intentionally guided by the Word of Christ, emphasizing that the foundation of a Catholic education is the belief that each student is created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26) and is capable of understanding truth and relationship.
Dr. Brett Salkeld’s book, Educating for Eternity, published in November 2022, helped spark renewed enthusiasm for the Catholic charism present in Catholic schools across the country. National trends indicate that many families are dissatisfied with public education because of concepts that do not align with their family values. Surveys also show a resurgence of young Catholics returning to the Church, along with significant increases in Catholic con-
† February 6, 2026
versions among younger generations at levels higher than at the turn of the 21st century. Additionally, many Catholic colleges and Catholic schools are experiencing enrollment growth, while public and private institutions continue to see enrollment declines.
Local and diocesan experience confirms that while many families desire a different educational option for their children, transferring to a Catholic school can feel unattainable. To address that concern, the Diocese created a 14-video series designed to better communicate what it means for a family to join a school community that views each child as a gift from God.
In the diocesan video, Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V., quotes Pope Leo XIV, saying, “The Catholic school is an environment in which faith, culture and life intertwine. It is not simply an institution, but rather a living environment in which the Christian vision permeates every discipline and every interaction.”
Lena Bevilacqua recently transferred her daughter, Genevieve, to St. Pius X School in
Yarmouth after becoming dissatisfied with the local school system.
“My daughter used to cry every day when she had to go to school because she did not feel any connection with her schoolmates,” Bevilacqua said. “Now, she proudly wears her uniform and is excited every morning as she happily shares stories about her many St. Pius X friends. While I was raised Catholic, I never considered sending her to a Catholic school. We are so blessed to be a part of this amazing school community, where she has been welcomed with open arms and treated as though she’s been a part of the school for years.”
Each of the 13 Catholic
elementary schools in the Diocese of Fall River has released a video highlighting specific ways their communities embrace children as created in the image and likeness of God. Interviews with parents, students, teachers, principals and pastors collectively tell each school’s unique Catholic charism through both visual and personal storytelling. All 14 videos, including the diocesan video featuring Bishop da Cunha, are available at www. RediscoverCatholicSchools. org/educating-for-eternity. The site also provides additional information on what a Catholic education means to students, families, teachers, school leaders and the broader Catholic school community.
Looking ahead to Summer 2026
SAVE DATE
Summer Gala on Cape Cod
Thursday, August 13, 2026
The Wianno Club, Osterville Formal invitation to follow
FACE Summer Gala
Please save the date and mark your calendar for the 29th Annual FACE Summer Gala on Cape Cod to be held on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the Wianno Club in Osterville from 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm. The evening will be hosted by Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V., with a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, and a fabulous program. Event
Chairs Tom and Pat Marmen and the FACE summer committee will be working on the event over the next few months. During the event, the Al Makkay Sr. Award will be presented to the honored recipient, and guests will have the opportunity to participate in the live auction, silent auction, Fund-A-Scholarship and gift raffle with Master of Ceremonies and renowned Auctioneer, John Terrio, of Auction Knights.
FACE Runs Falmouth Road Race for the 6th Year
The Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE) is looking forward to participating in the 54th Annual Falmouth Road Race. This upcoming August will be the 6th year for FACE to participate in the 2026 Numbers for Non-profits program. The Race will take place on Sunday August 16, 2026.
Please note the At-Home Edition is no longer offered as an option.
TEAM FACE will consist of eight team members who will raise a minimum of $1,500 each. Two spots are still available. Please contact Jane Robin, Team Captain if you’re interested in joining the team at jrobin@catholicfoundationsema.org
Learn more about FACE at www.FACE-dfr.org
By Dave Jolivet Guest Columnist davejolivet@comcast.net
When editor Joan Warren called me and asked if I would write a guest column for the final print version of The Anchor, I couldn’t accept more quickly than I did. For those who remember me, I miss you all. To those who don’t know who I am, I spent more than 25 years of my life working at The Anchor, the final 23 as its editor. It’s with a heavy heart and mixed emotions that I write this column on the cusp of the second anniversary of my retiring from the paper, and the final print edition.
My heart breaks for those of you who will miss this publication and especially for those who will have a void with it no longer arriving in your mailboxes. But to those good folks I say without hesitation or doubt, trust in God. He will fill that void. I promise.
The Anchor has such a long and steadfast tradition, beginning with its first edition on April 11, 1957. In Hebrews 6:19, St. Paul writes of hope and trust in God, “This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil.” The Anchor held true to those words for the last 68 years, first as a weekly publication, then a bi-weekly and finally a monthly.
I grabbed on to The Anchor rode on August 11, 1995, thanks to my wife Denise who saw an ad for a writer in the very same paper. She urged me to give it a shot and it was a prompt I never regretted. I had written for some corporate newspapers and was a stringer for a couple of local newspapers, so I had experience, but the folks at The Anchor took me under their collective wing and taught me invaluable lessons in the newspaper industry, particularly General Manager Rosemary Dussault, one the toughest, kindest wom-
† February 6, 2026
Up-Anchor one final time
en I ever met. She more than held her own in what was then a male-dominated field. The other was Patricia McGowan, the most intelligent and interesting woman I’ve ever met – a woman whose Godfather was none other than G.K. Chesterton, and who was a dear friend and frequent companion of Dorothy Day, a journalist, social activist, and co-founder of the Catholic Worker’s Movement.
Without a doubt, Pat evoked talents from me I didn’t know existed. Another friend, colleague and mentor was a man who came on board several years after I did – James Dunbar, a former writer for the Fall River Herald News and Rhode Island Catholic. Jim was a well-seasoned writer, reporter and Christian man and a large influence in my life. To the three of you, live in peace eternally, friends.
Msgr. John Moore named me as editor. It was a great honor, tempered only by the fact that the announcement of my appointment shared The Anchor front page with the devastating terror attacks of September 11.
At that time Msgr. Moore asked if I would consider writing a weekly column. I had been writing one every now and again, but this would be a mainstay.
Over the years, The Anchor became family. I can’t name all the good folks I worked with based on my word count, but they will forever hold a place in my heart. To paraphrase The Beatles, “Some are dead and some are living, in my life, I loved them all.” I made countless friends through my Anchor contacts – diocesan employees, priests, Religious Sisters and Brothers, all of whom kept me grounded and on the right track. To them, I say thank you.
But what captured my love and affection most were you – the readers. When I did a good job, it was you who let me know through letters, phone calls and later emails. When I didn’t do so well, you were there as well, something I greatly appreciate to this day.
My Anchor roles changed through the years and in September 2001, then Bishop Sean O’Malley and Executive Editor
I eagerly accepted and “My View From the Stands,” was born. It originally started as a sports-themed piece, but quickly morphed into something more relatable to more readers. My goal was to write from the heart to the hearts of the readers. I wanted to bring them into my life and also share that it was OK not to be perfect. I began to share my life as a dad, father, friend, and man who succeeded at things and who failed at others. I recently found a story my youngest daughter, Emilie, had written for a school project when she was 10 years old – on June 1, 2005. The topic was why she felt I was the best dad in the world. Among other things, she wrote that her dad was “the editor of a newspaper called The Anchor and I think that’s cool. He puts my family including my dog Igor and me in the newspaper too.” It wasn’t a chore to write the column, even though many were written hours before we went to press (which helped with this column since Joan gave me one week’s notice – we editors are all the same!). I can honestly declare that I poured out my heart and soul in each of my columns. I left nothing behind.
Ever since its inception in 1957, The Anchor has been a source of inspiration, news, a spiritual director, a beacon of hope,
and a retreat for readers who absorbed the content with faith and belief. I hope a played a small role in that. The plethora of men and women who utilized their God-given talents to reach readers and touch their hearts and souls have been a blessing to thousands across the Diocese of Fall River over the years. Not to be forgotten are the many women and men behind the scenes of the publication of each edition. The work wasn’t easy, but it was so fulfilling. In fact, it its 68 years, there were only two Anchor editions that didn’t publish. One was during the week of the Blizzard of 1978 and the other was in November 2022 when I had surgery, and I was the only editorial staff member remaining.
Personally, The Anchor was a source of comfort and hope in some extremely difficult times in my life. When Denise and I lost our infant son David in 1996 The Anchor staff was our rock. During my tenure at the paper, I also lost my dad and my mom and again, my co-workers were there to lift me up and keep me afloat. As an aside (I couldn’t resist), after my dad died, I was going through his belongings and found a thick folder. I opened it and found every column I wrote, each neatly snipped from an Anchor edition. Both my daughters, Emilie and Lauren spent time as part-timers for a while when they were in college. They too, like Denise and me, were welcomed as part of The Anchor family.
I started this column with a quote from St. Paul and it’s fitting to close out with another.
In 2 Timothy 7, he writes, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” For the printed Anchor, the race is finished, and she has competed to excess and kept and spread the faith.
Well done good and faithful servant. Well done, Anchor.
In Your Prayers
Please pray for these bishops, priests and deacons during the coming weeks:
Feb 7
Rev. Arthur N. Robert, O.P., St. Anne Shrine, Fall River, 1991
Rev. José Antonio Ferreira dos Santos, Retired, Former Pastor, Our Lady of Health, 2017
Feb. 8
Rev. Raymond P. Monty, USAF Retired Chaplain, 1996
Feb. 9
Rev. Francis Tuite, 1916
Rev. Msgr. John J. Kelly, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1963
Rev. Peter J. McKone, S.J., Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, 1972
Rev. Vincent R. Dolbec, A.A., Assumption College, 1985
Feb. 10
Rev. Edward L. O’Brien, Pastor, St. Mary, Mansfield, 1966
Rev. Lucien A. Madore, Retired Chaplain, Mount St. Joseph School, Fall River, 1983
Feb. 11
Rev. John O’Connell, Founder, St. John Evangelist, Attleboro, 1910
Rev. John J. Sullivan, S.T.L., Retired, Former Pastor, Holy Rosary, Fall River, 1961
Rev. William J. McMahon, Retired, Former Pastor, St. Joan of Arc, Orleans, 1987
Rev. Christopher (Leo) King, SS.CC., 2013
Rev. John J. Perry, Pastor of Our Lady of Victory, Centerville; Our Lady of the Assumption, Osterville, 2020
Feb. 12
Rev. Stanislaus Bernard, SS.CC, Retired Founder, Our Lady of Assumption, New Bedford, 1961
Rev. Richard Lifrak, SS.CC., 2021
Feb. 13
Rev. Richard R. Gendreau, Retired, Former Pastor, St. Louid de France, Swansea, 2015
Feb. 14
Rev. Charles E. Clerk, Pastor, St. Roch, Fall River, 1932
Rev. Msgr. Francis McKeon, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1980
Feb. 15
Rev. Joseph G. Lavalle, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1910
Rev. James C. Conlon, Pastor, St. Mary, Norton, 1957
Feb. 16
Rev. Alphonse J. LaChapelle, Assistant, Holy Ghost, Attleboro, 1983
Rev. Joaquim Fernandes da Silva, CM, 2001
Feb. 17
Rev. Louis R. Boivin, Retired, Catholic Memorial Home, Former Pastor, St. Theresa, South Attleboro, 2010
Feb. 19
Rev. Andrew J. Brady, Pastor, St. Joseph, Fall River, 1895
Rev. Leopold Jeurissen, SS.CC., Pastor, Sacred Hearts, Fairhaven, 1953
Feb. 20
Rev. James H. Fogarty, Pastor, St. Louis, Fall River, 1922
Rev. Raymond M. Giguere, O.P., Assistant, St. Anne, Fall River, 1986
Rev. Thomas E. Morrissey, Pastor, St. Jacques, Taunton, 2006
Feb. 21
Rev. Msgr. Luiz G. Mendonca, PA, Retired, Former Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New Bedford, 1997
Feb. 22
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jovite Chagnon, Founder, St. Joseph, New Bedford, 1954
Rev. Albert A. Croce, C.S.C., 2014
Feb. 24
Rev. Edward F. McIsaac, Retired Chaplain, Rose Hawthorn Lathrop Home, 2002
Feb. 25
Rev. Leo J. Ferreira, V.G., Pastor, St. Mary, Brownsville, Texas, 1988
Rev. William T. Babbitt, Assistant, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1998
Feb. 27
Rev. Philip Gillick, Founder, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1874
Rev. Joseph N. Hamel, Founder, St. Theresa, New Bedford, 1956
Rev. John G. Carroll, Retired Pastor, St. Margaret, Buzzards Bay, 1995
Rev. Roland B. Boule, Retired Pastor, St. Anne, New Bedford, 2005
Feb. 29
Rev. Msgr. James Dolan, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1980
March 1
Rev. James F. Masterson, Founder, St. Patrick, Somerset,1906,
Rev. Msgr. P L. Damase Robert, P.R., Pastor, Notre Dame, Fall River, 1948
Rev. John McCarthy, C.S.C., Stonehill College, North Easton, 2003
Rev. William W. Norton, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Wellfleet, 2004
March 2
Rev. Antoine Berube, Pastor, St. Joseph, Attleboro, 1936
Rev. James J. Brady, Retired Pastor, St. Kilian, New Bedford, 1941
Rev. Tarcisius Dreesen, SS.CC., Sacred Hearts Monastery, Fairhaven, 1952
Rev. Alphonse E. Gauthier, Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1962
Rev. J. Omer Lussier, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1970
March 3
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Timothy P. Sweeney, LL.D., Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford, 1960
March 5
Rev. James McGuire. Pastor, St. Mary, New Bedford, 1850
Rev. Deacon Manuel H. Camara, 1995
Rev. James A. McCarthy, 2007
March 6
Rev. Joseph F. McDonough, Former Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1906
Rev. John W. Quirk, Founder, St. Joseph, Taunton, 1932
Rev. Bernard P. Connolly, S.S., St. Charles College, Maryland, 1932
Rev. Antoine Lanoue, O.P., 1996
Rev. Jerome Lawyer, C.S.C., 2006
St. Valentine’s Day Date Night
St. Valentine’s Day Date Night, “The Finest Wine”- will be held on Friday, Feb. 13, 6 pm - 9 pm at the Father Peyton Center. It begins with a Marriage Mass and Renewal of Vows followed by dinner, drinks, music, fellowship, and reflection on The Wedding Feast at Cana.
The Father Peyton Center is located at 518 Washington St., N. Easton. This is a free event; donations welcome.
Registration required; and space is limited. Visit https://hcfm. info/valentine-2026. to register. Additional information can be found by emailing mission@hcfm. org or by calling 508-238-4095.
Around the Diocese
Children's Eucharistic Adoration, with Fellowship & Enrichment for Moms
This special adoration will be held at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington St., N. Easton. Adoration is at 10 am with coffee and fellowship to follow. There will be faith-filled playtime activities for children.
The dates are Feb. 18, March 19, April 15, May 20, June 10.
This spring’s enrichment is Lisa Cotter’s book, Reveal the Gift: Living the Feminine Genius.
No advanced reading necessary. Register by Feb. 12, stating “book needed,” to be included in the HCFM book order. This is a free event; and donations are welcome. Registration is appreciated. Visit https://hcfm.info/child-adoration. QUESTIONS? mission@ hcfm.org or 508-238-4095.
The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
Come celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington St., N. Easton, on Wed., Feb. 11, from 12 pm – 2 pm. Mass will be at noon followed by food, fellowship, reflection, and an activity for children. All are welcome. Registration for this free event is not required but appreciated. Go to https://hcfm.info/lourdes2026. Additional information can be found by emailing mission@ hcfm.org or 508-238-4095.
The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women
All women of the Diocese are invited to attend a meeting on Saturday, February 7, at St. Bernard Church, 30 S. Main St. in Assonet. Speaker will be Fr. Mike Racine. Light refreshments will be served. A raffle will be held and donations are welcome. Snow date is February 21, 2026.
Any questions please contact Ann Marie Melanson at 508-6310533 or email at frdccwannmarie@ gmail.com.
They are collecting grocery store gift cards for the TCN (Taunton Catholic North) Meal Ministry where lunch is served every Saturday from 11:30 to 12:30 to approximately 100 people. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Daily Readings † February 7 — March 6
Sat. Feb. 7: 1 Kgs 3: 4-13/ Ps 119: 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14/ Mk 6: 30-34
Sun. Feb. 8: Is 58: 7-10/ Ps 112: 4-5. 6-7. 8-9 (4a)/ 1 Cor 2: 1-5/ Mt 5: 1316
Mon.. Feb. 9: 1 Kgs 8: 1-7. 9-13/ Ps 132: 6-7. 8-10/ Mk 6: 53-56
Tues. Feb. 10: 1 Kgs 8: 22-23. 27-30/ Ps 84: 3. 4. 5 and 10. 11/ Mk 7: 1-13
Wed.: Feb. 11 1 Kgs 10: 1-10/ Ps 37: 30-31. 39-40/ Mk 7: 14-23
Thurs.: Feb. 12 1 Kgs 11: 4-13/ Ps 106: 3-4. 35-36. 37 and 40/ Mk 7: 24-30
Fri. Feb. 13: 1 Kgs 11: 29-32; 12: 19/ Ps 81: 10-11ab. 12-13. 14-15/ Mk 7: 31-37
Sat. Feb. 14: 1 Kgs 12: 26-32; 13: 33-34/ Ps 106: 6-7ab. 19-20. 21-22/ Mk 8: 1-10
Sun. Feb. 15: Sir 15: 15-20/ Ps 119: 1-2. 4-5. 17-18. 33-34 (1b)/ 1 Cor 2: 6-10/ Mt 5: 17-37
Mon. Feb. 16: Jas 1: 1-11/ Ps 119: 67. 68. 71. 72. 75. 76/ Mk 8: 11-13
Tues. Feb. 17: Jas 1: 12-18/ Ps 94: 12-13a. 14-15. 18-19/ Mk 8: 14-21
Wed. Feb. 18: Jl 2: 12-18/ Ps 51: 3-4. 5-6ab. 12-13. 14 and 17/ 2 Cor 5: 20 -- 6:2/ Mt 6: 1-6. 16-18
Thurs. Feb. 19: Dt 30: 15-20/ Ps 1: 1-2. 3. 4 and 6/ Lk 9: 22-25
Fri.: Feb. 20 Is 58: 1-9a/ Ps 51: 3-4. 5-6ab. 18-19/ Mt 9: 14-15
† February 6, 2026
Sat Feb. 21.: Is 58: 9b-14/ Ps 86: 1-2. 3-4. 5-6/ Lk 5: 27-32
Sun. Feb. 22: Gn 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7/ Ps 51: 3-4. 5-6. 12-13. 17/ Rom 5: 12-19 or 5: 12. 17-19/ Mt 4: 1-11
Mon. Feb. 23: Lv 19: 1-2. 11-18/ Ps 19: 8. 9. 10. 15/ Mt 25: 31-46
Tues. Feb. 24: 55: 10-11/ Ps 34: 4-5. 6-7. 16-17. 18-19/ Mt 6: 7-15
Wed. Feb. 25: Jon 3: 1-10/ Ps 51: 3-4. 12-13. 18-19/ Lk 11: 29-32
Thurs. Feb. 26: Est C: 12. 14-16. 23-25/ Ps 138: 1-2ab. 2cde-3. 7c-8/ Mt 7: 7-12
Fri. Feb. 27: Ez 18: 21-28/ Ps 130: 1-2. 3-4. 5-7a. 7bc-8/ Mt 5: 20-26
Sat. Feb. 28: Dt 26: 16-19/ Ps 119: 1-2. 4-5. 7-8/ Mt 5: 43-48
Sun. Mar. 1: Gn 12: 1-4a/ Ps 33: 4-5. 18-19. 20. 22/ 2 Tm 1: 8b-10/ Mt 17: 1-9
Mon. Mar. 2: Dn 9: 4b-10/ Ps 79: 8. 9. 11 and 13/ Lk 6: 36-38
Tues. Mar. 3: Is 1: 10. 16-20/ Ps 50: 8-9. 16bc-17. 21 and 23/ Mt 23: 1-12
Wed. Mar. 4: Jer 18: 18-20/ Ps 31: 5-6. 14. 15-16/ Mt 20: 17-28
Thurs. Mar. 5: Jer 17: 5-10/ Ps 1: 1-2. 3. 4 and 6/ Lk 16: 19-31
Fri. Mar. 6: Gn 37: 3-4. 12-13a. 17b-28a/ Ps 105: 16-17. 18-19. 20-21/ Mt 21: 33-43. 45-46
Lenten Women’s Retreat
In the Footsteps of Mary: Walking the Way of the Cross
This one-day retreat is open to all women and will be led by Johnette Williams of the EWTN program Women of Grace Through reflection on our Blessed Mother and her accompaniment of Christ during His Passion this retreat will serve as a spriritually nourishing way to enter into Great Lent
Saturday, March 7 2026 th
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Four Talks by Johnette Williams
Maronite Morning Prayer at 9:15 AM and Liturgy at 4:00 PM Continental Breakfast and Lunch provided Donation $40.00
Saint Vincent’s Services announces cafeteria renovation project
FALL RIVER — Saint Vincent’s Services (SVS), a behavioral outpatient health and congregate care provider for youth and families in Southeastern Massachusetts, is planning upgrades to its central dining services area this spring.
This Valentine’s Day, Saint Vincent’s Services is launching a fundraising campaign to support the expansion and renovation of its cafeteria, a shared space used daily by children and staff. Fundraising for the project began at the 2025 Summer Celebration Gala in June at Shining Tides.
For the children served by Saint Vincent’s Services, a stable and welcoming environment is essential to their physical and emotional well-being. Shared meals support routine, connection, and a sense of community, all of which contribute to a safe and supportive setting.
The cafeteria project represents an investment of nearly $500,000 and will modernize a space that has not been updated in decades. Planned improvements include an expanded outdoor patio, new outdoor seating, upgraded windows, and other facility enhancements to improve accessibility, functionality, and overall use. Construction is expected to begin this spring and conclude by summer.
Once completed, the upgraded cafeteria will support indoor and
Artist renderings of the inside and outside of the new cafeteria at St. Vincent’s Services slated to be complete in the spring.
outdoor dining, summer cookouts, and daily opportunities for connection among youth and staff.
support, we can create a space that better serves the children in our care.”
Community members are encouraged to support the project this Valentine’s Day. Donations will directly fund the cafeteria renovation, including a refreshed indoor dining area and an outdoor patio designed for everyday use.
For more information about the project or to make a donation, contact Katie Rose, Director of Donor Relations, at development@stvservices.org or 508-2353228.
About Saint Vincent’s Services
Established in 1885 by the Diocese of Fall River as an orphanage staffed by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Vincent’s Services (SVS) is now a separately incorporated 501(c)(3) organization accredited by the Council on Accreditation. SVS is a multi-service behavioral health and child welfare organization serving more than 1,000 children, youth, and families annually throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Fall River.
“This project is about investing in a space where relationships are built and care is delivered every day,” said Kristen L. Dutra, CEO.
“Our cafeteria is central to campus life, and Ashley McGraw Architects helped translate our vision into a practical and welcoming design. With community
Saint Vincent’s Services’ mission is to provide safe, comprehensive care for children, families, and the community through specialized services that build trust, encourage acceptance, and inspire hope.
For more information, visit www.SaintVincentsServices.org.
A Note of Gratitude to Our Advertisers
For nearly 70 years, The Anchor has been privileged to serve as the Catholic newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River, chronicling the life of the local Church and connecting parishes, ministries and families across Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the islands. None of this would have been possible without the steadfast support of our advertisers.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the many Catholic organizations, local businesses, schools, health-care providers, funeral homes and service professionals who chose, generation after generation, to advertise in The Anchor .
Your partnership sustained this publication through decades of change in the Church, the community and the media landscape. More than financial support, your advertisements reflected a shared commitment to faith, service and the common good.
Through your dedication, The Anchor was able to inform, inspire and unify readers, while providing a trusted platform that connected diocesan life with the wider community. Many of you supported the paper faithfully for years — even decades — and your loyalty helped ensure that this newspaper remained a reliable voice of Catholic news and witness.
As The Anchor transitions from print to a fully digital future, we do so with deep gratitude for your role in our history. We look for ward to continuing our relationship in new and evolving ways, and we thank you for being an essential part of The Anchor’s legacy.
With sincere appreciation,
The Anchor Diocese of Fall River
TV Mass
on the Portuguese Channel
Sunday, February 8 at 7 p.m.
Broadcast from St. Michael Church, Fall River ***
Sunday, February 15 at 7 p.m.
Broadcast from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, New Bedford ***
Sunday, February 22 at 7 p.m.
Broadcast from Espirito Santo Church, Fall River ***
Additional Permanent Diaconate Information Nights Scheduled
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., has authorized the formation of a new class for Permanent Deacons beginning in the Fall of 2026.
Those interested in pursuing the vocation of the diaconate, scheduled to begin the Aspirancy phase in the Fall of 2026, are invited to submit a preliminary application.
Additional details and a preliminary application are available on the website – fallriverdeacons. com.
Upcoming general Information meetings will delve into the
process of formation of a deacon for the Diocese of Fall River. The information nights will be held at 7 p.m. at several locations in the Diocese and via Zoom. They are:
February 13, 2026 – St. Ann’s Parish Hall - Raynham
April 27, 2026 – via Zoom
If you have any questions, please contact Deacon Frank Lucca or Deacon Joseph McGinley, Co-Directors of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate at office@frpermanentdiaconate.com or contact the Office of the Permanent Diaconate at 508-990-0341.
† February 6, 2026