People across the Fall River Diocese receive award paying tribute to Pope Francis

In 1972, a priest from Joyce Clough’s parish at St. Julie Billiart in Dartmouth invited her to join the religious education teaching team. She accepted, and now, after 53 years, she remains dedicated as a catechist, guiding young individuals in the Catholic faith.

“Who could have imagined I’d stick with it this long,” Clough remarked with a grin recently. “I’ve focused on second graders for roughly 33 years. This age group is special to me since it’s when they receive their First Penance and First Communion, and I enjoy guiding them through these milestones. I can’t step away because the rewards I receive far outweigh what I contribute.”

Over the weekend, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., honored Clough and 35 other lay volunteers who dedicate themselves to faith education in their parishes with the Pope Francis Catechist Award. This distinctive recognition from the Fall River Diocese was part of the Jubilee Holy Year 2025 festivities. The award honors the late Pope Francis for his contributions to the Church’s evangelization and catechetical efforts.

“I am thankful that this unique award allowed the Diocese to acknowledge the committed service of our parish catechists,” Bishop da Cunha commented. “Collaborating with priests and deacons, these individuals assist in instructing our community members and shaping them as followers of Jesus via educational initiatives and various roles. I appreciate their selfless dedication and extend my ongoing blessings and support for their work.”

David Carvalho, the Diocese’s Secretary for Evangelization, highlighted that the awardees “have devoted themselves consistently, frequently in understated ways, accompanying children, youth, adults, and families with patience as they nurture them in the principles of the faith and Christ’s compassion. They act as faith guides, role models in following Christ, instructors of teachings, and most importantly, examples of a life rooted in faith.”

The following persons received the Pope Francis Catechist Award:

• Susy Bento-Holmes, Holy Trinity Parish, West Harwich
• Nathan Botelho, Santo Christo Parish, Fall River
• Rosanna Byrnes, St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, New Bedford
• Sally Cabral, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, New Bedford
• Joyce Clough, St. Julie Billiart Parish, North Dartmouth
• Judith Crowley, St. Mary Parish, Mansfield
• Kristen Denette, Holy Cross Parish, Easton
• Joseh Daly, St. Pius X Parish, South Yarmouth
• Joseph DellaMorte, Corpus Christi Parish, East Sandwich
• Dennis Desnoyers, St. Gabriel Parish, New Bedford
• Donna Dolack, St. Mary Parish, Norton
• Michael Fougere, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Pocasset
• Megan Gernt, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Attleboro
• Lidia Guiomar, Espirito Santo Parish, Fall River
• Linda Hamilton, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth
• Jennifer Hart, Holy Family Parish, East Taunton
• Edward Houde, St. Anthony Parish, New Bedford
• Sarah Jones, Immaculate Conception Parish, North Easton
• Arlene LeJava, Our Lady of Victory Parish, Centerville
• Elaine Lucas, St. Bernard Parish, Assonet
• Theodore Machado, Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, New Bedford
• Lina Matos, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, New Bedford
• Ellen McGovern, St. Nicholas of Myra Parish, Dighton
• Grace McGroarty, Good Shepherd Parish, Martha’s Vineyard
• Ana Lucy Mello, St. Michael and St. Joseph Parishes, Fall River
• Yaitza Mojica-Rodriquez, Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Parish, New Bedford
• Carol Peixe, Divine Mercy Parish, Westport
• Lucy Pinhancos, St. John Neumann Parish, East Freetown
• Camille Raymond, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, New Bedford
• Karyl Scrivener, Christ the King Parish, Mashpee
• Elin Slavin, Our Lady of the Cape Parish, Brewster
• Cathy Sousa, St. John of God Parish, Somerset
• Nancy Sousa, Our Lady of Fall River Parish Collaborative, Fall River
• Amanda and Matt Turner, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Seekonk
• Ellen Ugi, St. Patrick Parish, Wareham