Fall River Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha announces reassignments, retirements, involving Bristol County, Cape Cod

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

Reverend John P. Kelleher, Chaplain to Saint John Paul II School in Hyannis, while remaining Pastor at Saint Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth

Effective April 6, 2026

Reverend Bryan R. Bangs, from Parochial Vicar at Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish in East Falmouth, to Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parishes in Seekonk, with residence at Our Lady of Mount Carmel rectory in Seekonk

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

Reverend John P. Garabedian, from Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parishes in Seekonk, to Parochial Administrator at Holy Family Parish in East Taunton and Chaplain to Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton, while remaining Associate Director of Vocations

Reverend Matthew G. Gill, from Pastor at Holy Family Parish in East Taunton, to Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption and Pastor at Good Shepherd and Saint Stanislaus Parishes in Fall River, with residence at St. Mary’s Cathedral rectory

Reverend William J. O’Donnell III, from Pastor at Saint Mary Parish in South Dartmouth, to Pastor at Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset

Effective June 24, 2026

Reverend Peter R. Scheffer, Jr., from Parochial Administrator at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Wellfleet, to Pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Wellfleet and Pastor at Saint Peter the Apostle Parish in Provincetown, while remaining Pastor at Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Orleans

Effective September 9, 2026

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 Thomas A. Frechette, Pastor at Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset

Effective June 24, 2026

Reverend Philip N. Hamel, Pastor at Saint Peter the Apostle Parish in Provincetown

Effective September 9, 2026

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.