Dear Friends, On the weekend of July 25–26, we will be welcoming our Bishop, Edgar da Cunha, to St. Mary – Our Lady of the Isle. A bishop’s visit is always a special moment in the life of a parish because it reminds us that we are part of something much larger than ourselves.

Our parish is part of the Diocese of Fall River, which includes most of southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands. Our diocese was established in 1904 by Pope St. Pius X. Interestingly, Bishop da Cunha was born on the feast of St. Pius X—a happy coincidence connecting our bishop to the pope who established our diocese.

From its beginning, the Diocese of Fall River has reflected the rich diversity of the Catholic Church. It was built by faithful Catholics of Portuguese, Irish, Polish, French, Italian, and many other immigrant communities. Today, that tradition continues with vibrant Latino, Haitian, Asian, African, and many other communities that enrich the life of our local Church.

That diversity is a beautiful reminder of what the Church truly is. The word Catholic means “universal.” A diocese is where that universality becomes visible. People of many cultures, languages, and backgrounds come together as one family of faith, united in Jesus Christ.

Sometimes people incorrectly think of a diocese as simply a “branch office” of the Vatican. A diocese is a local Church gathered around its bishop, the successor of the Apostles, who teaches, sanctifies, and shepherds the faithful. Together with the Holy Father and bishops throughout the world, he helps preserve the unity and mission of the Church.

When Bishop da Cunha visits our parish, he comes not simply as a guest, but as our shepherd. His presence is a visible reminder that St. Mary – Our Lady of the Isle is part of something much greater: the Diocese of Fall River, the Catholic Church in the United States, and ultimately the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church throughout the world.

Please join me in giving Bishop da Cunha a warm Nantucket welcome, and please keep him in your prayers, as I know he keeps all of us in his.

God bless you all!

Fr. John