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Ordination to Priesthood

On Octobder 16, 2021, at 10 am, in the presence of the faithful of St. Joseph parish, the Sacred Hearts community, priests of the Diocese of Fall River, and friends and family gathered Deacon Brother William (Bill) S. Gural, ss.cc. was ordained to the priesthood. The ordination ceremony took place at St. Joseph Church in Fairhaven, MA. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha S.D.V. D.D. Bishop of Fall River presided and conferred the sacrament of ordination.

Most Rev. Lane Akiona, Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts U.S. Province presented Br. Bill for ordination and attested to his worthiness. In his homily Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha reminded BR. Bill that this was not his doing. God chose him to serve God's people, called him and gives him the gracee to respond and follow. He is to shepherd God's people, preaching with joy, celebrating the sacraments with faith and counciling and careing for the people with love. Humility is an essential aspect of that service, modeling the Good Shepherd.

After the laying on of hands by Bishop and the concelebrating priests, Fr. Bill was vested  with stole and chasuble by Fr. Pat Fanning, who had been his novice master and Fr. Stephen Banjare who had mentored him during his diaconal service in St. Joseph Parish. After the liturgy there was a grand celebration at the Century House in Acushnet.


On Sunday, October 17 Fr. Bill celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Joseph Parish. Most Rev. Lane Akiona preached. After the Mass there was a pancake breakfast in the parish hall. Father Bill's first assignment as preist will be as a parrochial vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in Edinburg, Texas.

Facebook video link: https://www.facebook.com/stjosephfairhaven/videos/852155698805472

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