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FALL RIVER \u2013 For over a quarter of a century, the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE) has sponsored a fall dinner to raise money in support of scholarships for students to attend local Catholic schools.\u00a0 As with everything else in 2020, this year\u2019s dinner will look much different, but has the same goal in mind.<\/p>\n
One of the highlights of past events has been the presentation of the Timothy J. Cotter Friend of Catholic Education Award for exceptional service in Catholic education.\u00a0 FACE is proud to announce that this year\u2019s award will be given to the entire Catholic school community of principals, teachers, and school staff for their tireless effort in providing students with a robust educational experience despite the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.\u00a0 From the moment schools were closed on March 13th<\/sup>, through the summer, and into the 2020-21 academic year, the Catholic school leaders, teachers and staff rose to the occasion by quickly pivoting to remote learning, re-organizing each classroom and building space during the summer, to welcoming students back into the buildings with joy, happiness, and a bit of \u201cnormalcy\u201d amid masks, social distancing and hand sanitizer.<\/p>\n \u201cI am so pleased to present this year\u2019s award to all of the dedicated staff, faculty and administrators within the Diocese of Fall River Catholic School Community who have inspired us with their continued strong commitment to their students,\u201d said Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.\u00a0 \u201cThey have shown tremendous care for our students and families, exemplified perseverance and flexibility during uncertain times, and demonstrated great concern and kindness for our school communities.\u00a0 Our teachers, principals and staff are a blessing to our Diocese!\u201d<\/p>\n Miriam Sherman, CEO of The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts commented, \u201cI am so pleased that FACE has been able to support our schools, especially throughout this very challenging year \u2013 and there is no one more deserving of this year\u2019s award than the faculty, staff and administrators at each of the schools throughout the Diocese of Fall River.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere are no other more deserving recipients of the Timothy Cotter Award than our very own Catholic staff, faculty, and administrators,\u201d said diocesan Catholic Schools Superintendent Daniel S. Roy. \u201cWords cannot express the gratitude we have for them. Through their humility and commitment, our students are back in school and thriving.\u00a0 This is a unique opportunity to showcase what Catholic education is all about, and our school communities have exceeded expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n Accepting the award on behalf of the entire school community are Andrew Raposo, principal, and Katelyn Larrivee-MacDonald, middle school English and Religion teacher at Espirito Santo Parochial School in Fall River.\u00a0\u201cOn behalf of all of our administrators, faculty and staff, we are honored to be accepting the Timothy J. Cotter Friend of Catholic Education Award. Everyone in our Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Fall River has worked extremely hard during the shutdown in March to reduce learning gaps for our students, and worked even harder to get our schools reopened for September so that we could offer flexible options for our families. It was truly a team effort from all involved. Our families are happy that our students are back in school, as the positive momentum continues.\u201d<\/p>\n Timothy Cotter was chairman of the St. Mary\u2019s Education Fund, which is now FACE. He was a champion of Catholic education in the Diocese of Fall River, and he dedicated much of his time and efforts to FACE to ensure that children in the Diocese could have the same opportunities he did through his strong Catholic school foundation.\u00a0 The crystal award will be presented during the FACE Virtual Fall Scholarship Dinner on Wednesday, November 4th <\/sup>and will be on display at each of the schools throughout the year. Visit www.FACE-dfr.org<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n For more information about the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education, please go to www.face-dfr.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n