Crowd packs Fall River cathedral for Mass welcoming cardinal

Published: 2006-04-25

FALL RIVER, Mass. (CNS) -- Parishioners, clergy, religious and old friends of Boston Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley jammed St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River to greet him April 18 at an afternoon Mass of thanksgiving. It was his first visit to the diocese he once headed since the March 24 consistory at which he received his red hat. Even with seating limited to four tickets per parish to allow a broader representation from across the diocese, the cathedral, which seats approximately 900, was filled to capacity and standing room was scarce. After Mass about 1,000 people attended a reception for the cardinal. Concelebrating the Mass were Fall River Bishop George W. Coleman and approximately 100 priests, active and retired, who had served then-Bishop O'Malley during his decade of leading the diocese, 1992 to 2002. Dozens of deacons from parishes across the diocese vested and attended the Mass. Bishop Coleman, who succeeded Bishop O'Malley, said he was privileged to welcome the cardinal back to a diocese he "guided for 10 years with the care of a loving shepherd."

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