Msgr. Avila, a native of New Bedford, MA, was assigned to St. Anthony's Parish in June of 2014.  A graduate of Providence College, "Fr. Steve" prepared for the priesthood at the North American College in Rome and acquired an S.T.B. degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.  He was ordained to the priesthood in 1981 and has served in the Fall River Diocese in a number of ministries, including parish work, a high school chaplain, the former director of the Office for Worship, and the former secretary to Bishop (now Cardinal) Sean O'Malley.

 In 2019, Fr. Steve was asked by Bishop Edgar to help bring St. Anthony, St. Elizabeth Seton, St. Patrick, St. Thomas, & St. Joseph churches together into one parish.  In 2021, with the help of many dedicated parishioners, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish was established uniting the entire Falmouth Catholic community.