Meet the Staff

FATHER JAY MELLO, PASTOR

Pastor | Fr. Jay Mello, S.T.L. was born in Fall River on February 29, 1980. He grew up as a parishioner of Sts. Peter and Paul parish and attended the parish school. He graduated from Diman Regional Vocation Technical High School in 1998 from the culinary arts program. Fr. Jay was inducted into the High School’s Hall of Fame in 2014. He attend the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, graduating in 2003 with a bachelor degrees in Philosophy and Theology and Religious Education. After graduation from the university, Fr. Jay was assigned to the Pontifical North American College in Rome for seminary formation. He attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and earned a Sacred Theological Baccalaureate. On July 7, 2007 Fr. Jay was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop George Coleman at St. Mary’s Cathedral. He was then assigned to return to Rome for continued studies where he earned a Sacred Theological Licentiate from the Gregorian University. In 2008, he was assigned to be the Parochial Vicar at St. Julie Billiart Parish and chaplain of Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth. In 2010, he was assigned to St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth. In 2011, Fr. Jay was made the assistant vocation director for the Diocese of Fall River. In 2012, he was assigned to be the parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Parish in Mansfield. In 2014, he was assigned to be the temporary parochial administrator of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in New Bedford. In January of 2015, he was made the Parochial Administrator of St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s parishes in the city of Fall River. In April 2016, he was installed as pastor of St. Michael's and St. Joseph's. Email frjmello@diocese-fr.org.

DEACON PAUL LEVESQUE

Deacon Paul was born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts. He attended Catholic elementary and high schools and graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, with a Master's degree in engineering. Deacon Paul and his wife Carol have been married for 48 years and have two sons and two grandchildren. The Levesques were active parishioners at St. Bernard parish since moving to Assonet in 1978. Together, they were very involved in RCIA, Adult Faith Formation, and Religious Education. In addition to parish involvement, Deacon Paul was an active member of the Cursillo Movement for many years, serving as Lay Director for the Diocesan Cursillo Secretariat, and also as the Regional Coordinator for the New England/New York region. Paul was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate in 2013. In addition to his parish, Deacon Paul also ministers at Somerset Ridge Nursing Home. Deacon Paul was assigned to St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s parishes by Bishop DaCunha on December 22, 2018.

MRS. SHANNA LUBOLD

Director of Pastoral Services | Mrs. Shanna Lubold has been serving as Director of Pastoral Services for both St. Joseph and St. Michael Parishes since May of 2015. Her goal is to lessen the administrative duties of the clergy, so that they may devote their time to the spiritual needs of their parishioners. She is a lifelong parishioner of Saint Michael's Church. She serves as a Youth Group Advisor, a lector, the Portuguese and Music teacher at our parish school, and has been a member of the parish choir since the age of 4. Shanna, daughter of Paulo and Lourdes Carvalho, is bilingual, speaking both English and Portuguese fluently. She and her husband Michael have been married nearly fifteen years and have a wonderful, smart son named Samuel. Email stjosephsfallriver@gmail.com.

MRS. ANA LUCY MELLO

Director of Religious Education, Confirmation Grades | Mrs. Ana Lucy Mello is a Parishioner of St. Joseph's Church. She is the Director of Religious Education for the Confirmation Program, preparing our 8th and 9th graders for the final Sacrament of Initiation, Confirmation. Mrs. Mello also serves as a lector at Mass. Email analuciamello910@gmail.com.

MRS. LISA OUELLETTE

Director of Religious Education, Grades 1-7 | Mrs. Lisa Ouellette, a parishioner of St. Joseph's Church, is the Director of Religious Education for grades 1-7. Mrs. Ouellette also serves as a Eucharistic Minister. Email loullette@smsfr.dfrcs.org.

MR. AND MRS. MICHAEL AND SHANNA LUBOLD

Youth Group Coordinators | Michael and Shanna are the Coordinators of our Youth Group. Parishioners of St. Michael's Church, together they assist in many different facets throughout our parish community. Together, they have a young son enrolled in our parish school. They are dedicated to the youth of the parish.

MR. AND MRS. Ryan and michelle klein

Junior Youth Group Coordinators | Michelle and Ryan Klein are parishioners at St. Joseph Church, coordinators of our Junior Youth Group, serving kids from 5th to 7th grade. The Junior Youth Group meets once a month at St. Michael Parish Hall for fun and service activities. Michelle is a Kindergarten teacher at St. Michael School where Ryan is the Principal, They are the proud parents of four wonderful children.