The theme for 2023 is “Do This in Memory of Me.” Since 1942, the Appeal has helped people in all phases of life – from children, to youth, to parents, to the elderly. Your support sustains the numerous agencies, programs, and ministries providing food and shelter, educating children and adults, and meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of thousands. We encourage you to support the Appeal as generously as you can. You can make a one-time gift, or, a pledge with convenient payments throughout the year. You can give by mail, use a contribution card located in church, or make your gift or pledge securely online by clicking the “Make a Donation” button below.
My dear friends in Christ,
The theme of our 82nd Annual Catholic Appeal, “Do This in Memory of Me,” inspires us to keep the sacred mystery of our faith – the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist – at the center of how we live each moment of our lives. We are in the middle of a National Eucharistic Revival: an important opportunity for us to reconnect with our Savior, with the Church, and with our faith. What better time to rekindle a flame of hope across the Diocese of Fall River, by sharing the gifts our Lord has so lovingly bestowed upon us.
Our modern world makes it very difficult to pass along the traditions and values we have shared as a Church for 2,000 years; this includes the practice of going to Mass. But it’s precisely because of these secular distractions that we must fight to uphold the teachings of our Catholic faith. Something as simple as gathering around a table and sharing a meal together binds us. This particular meal of the Eucharist, when we gather around the table of the Lord, promotes and brings about our unity in Jesus and with each other.
By participating in the Liturgy, we gain the strength and the purpose to look outward and see the needs of the world around us. Thousands in our midst are crying out for healing, for caring, for assurance and hope. Each and every day, our diocesan programs and ministries help individuals and families receive the physical, emotional, and spiritual assistance necessary to grow closer to God and to each other.
Additionally, in the past year Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River established a much needed Mental Health Ministry, providing education and awareness and offering companionship for those affected by mental health issues and their loved ones. As a diocese, we are working to meet a need that has become quite literally, mission critical – reminding those struggling they are never alone. Our donations to the Appeal truly save lives.
Each year at this time I ask for your support of the Catholic Appeal. Should your circumstances allow, please consider making a contribution of any size to help us carry out our mission. Let us unite our faith with our action by sharing the bread of life with all of God’s children.
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
Bishop of Fall River