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.  His most recent assignment was as pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Mansfield, MA.