Diocese mourns four women killed preparing for annual devotion

Published: 2006-06-20

FALL RIVER, Mass. (CNS) -- "Without faith, we are lost and without hope. Without faith, how could we possibly face this calamity that has befallen us? Without faith, how could we continue?" said Father James Ferry, pastor of Espirito Santo Parish in Fall River. His words of comfort came during his homily at an evening memorial Mass June 16 for parishioners Isabelle Raposa, 70, an extraordinary minister of holy Communion, and her aunt, Emiliana Carvalho, 80. Along with two other women, they were killed in a three-alarm fire June 14 at St. John's Holy Ghost Association Hall, as they gathered to say the rosary at an Azorean "dominga" devotion to the Holy Spirit. The other dead were Christina Costa, 33, who had Down syndrome and belonged to SS. Peter and Paul Parish, and 63-year-old Geraldine Andrade of Fall River whose funeral Mass was celebrated June 19 in Holy Trinity Parish. They were among approximately 30 people who came to pray at a shrine honoring the Holy Spirit as they prepared for the June 17-18 weekend feast of the Holy Ghost held annually under the sponsorship of the Holy Ghost Association. The celebrations were canceled.

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