Bishop da Cunha announces 14 reassignments and three retirements throughout the Fall River Diocese

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has made the following appointments:

Reverend Paul Bernier, Co-Pastor in Solidum of Our Lady of Grace, Saint George and Saint John the Baptist Parishes in Westport, to Senior Priest of Our Lady of Grace, Saint George and Saint John the Baptist Parishes in Westport.

Reverend David A. Costa, from Pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Somerset and Swansea, to Pastor of Transfiguration of the Lord Parish in North Attleboro, with residence at Saint Mary rectory in North Attleboro.

Very Reverend David C. Frederici, V.G., from Pastor of Saint Mary Parish in South Dartmouth, to Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption and Pastor of Good Shepherd and Saint Stanislaus Parishes in Fall River, with residence at Saint Mary’s Cathedral rectory in Fall River, while remaining Vicar General of the Diocese of Fall River.

Reverend Daniel M. Nunes, from Parochial Administrator of Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich, to Parochial Administrator of Saint John Neumann Parish in East Freetown.

Reverend William J. O’Donnell III, from Parochial Vicar of Saint Mary Parish in South Dartmouth, to Parochial Administrator of Saint Mary Parish in South Dartmouth.

Reverend Joseph Pasala, from Chaplain at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, to Parochial Administrator of Saint Mary Parish in Norton.

Reverend David A. Pignato, V.P., from Pastor of Saint Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth and Chaplain of Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth, to Pastor of Saint Ann Parish in Raynham, while remaining Vicar for Priests of the Diocese of Fall River.

Very Reverend Timothy P. Reis, V.F., from Pastor of Saint Mary Parish in Norton and Dean of the Attleboro Deanery, to Pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Somerset and Swansea, with residence at Saint Thomas More rectory in Somerset.

Reverend Peter R. Scheffer, Jr., Co-Pastor in Solidum (Moderator) of Our Lady of Grace, Saint George and Saint John the Baptist Parishes in Westport, to Pastor of Our Lady of Grace, Saint George and Saint John the Baptist Parishes in Westport.

Reverend Laurent M. Valliere, from Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville and Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Osterville, and Chaplain of Saint John Paul II High School in Hyannis, to Parochial Administrator of Saint Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth and Chaplain of Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth.

Very Reverend Thomas Washburn, from Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption and Pastor of Good Shepherd and Saint Stanislaus Parishes in Fall River, to Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich.

Effective June 21, 2023

Reverend Kevin A. Cook, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Seekonk while remaining Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk and Director of Vocations of the Diocese of Fall River.

Reverend Gregory K. Quenneville, from Parochial Vicar of Saint Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth, to Parochial Administrator of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in South Attleboro, with residence at Our Lady of Mount Carmel rectory in Seekonk.

Very Reverend John M. Schrader, V.F., from Pastor of Saint John Neumann Parish in East Freetown and Dean of the New Bedford Deanery, to Pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich, while remaining Associate Director of Vocations of the Diocese of Fall River.

Effective June 30, 2023

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has accepted the request to retire of:

Reverend Raymond Cambra, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Seekonk.

Reverend Jon-Paul Gallant, Pastor of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in South Attleboro.

Reverend George E. Harrison, Pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich.

Effective June 30, 2023

Every few years reassignments typically take place for several reasons. According to the Catholic News Agency, a priest might be moved because the priest has requested a change of assignment or to deal with a health problem he or a member of his family is experiencing or to meet the specific ministerial needs of a parish.