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For the past five years, Mr. Ayim has volunteered for the African Ministry. He runs a program in a few parishes in Worcester called the “Star Program” that teaches financial literacy and financial education to African teens involved in athletics.

“It’s amazing,” Father Flynn said of the interest in this pilgrimage church. “People are coming during the day, wanting to get the stamp,” a rubber stamp they can apply to their “Jubilee 2025 Pilgrim’s Guide,” like a passport. “If I’m not busy, I’ll come up and talk to them.”

DUDLEY – Bishop McManus officially established the Shrine of St. Andrew Bobola, as a shrine attached to St. Andrew Bobola Parish here, on Sunday before a standing-room-only congregation said to have come from at least 10 states.

Ignatian Volunteer Corps New England held their annual Madonna Della Strada awards ceremony April 27 at Boston College High School.

Join with me in a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the election of Pope Leo XIV as our new Holy Father. We are truly blessed to welcome him as the Supreme Pontiff and we pledge our support and prayers for his pontificate. We are also proud that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a native of Chicago and a product of the Church in America, is now the Holy Father of the Universal Church. MORE

The Diocese of Worcester has released its annual report for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2024. The annual report highlights major activities and departments along with details on financial activities. It is published as a supplement in Friday's printed edition of The Catholic Free Press and is posted on the diocesan website. Audited financial statements are anticipated by late Spring.

“Rarely have I worked with such a large group … from such diverse backgrounds … as willing to explore the faith,” Father Adam R. Reid, St. Anne’s pastor, said at the Easter Vigil. He told The Catholic Free Press that he sees the large group as “an outer expression of our cause for hope – during this Jubilee Year and always – our hope that is grounded in the reality that our Lord is at work all around us.”

“I know he will be missed because on Easter Sunday when we watched him ride in the popemobile we were so happy to see him. Many were shedding tears, and I too shed a few of joy to see him again with his flock,” Mr. Tillotson said.

BERLIN – Robert D. Rainville, 86, passed peacefully at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester, April 18.

“For 12 years as our Holy Father, Pope Francis consistently preached to the world that one of the key tenets of being a follower of Jesus Christ is to accompany others who seek God’s love,” Bishop McManus wrote.

U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, announced that Pope Francis had died at 7:35 a.m., April 21.

We are all saddened to hear of the death of our Holy Father on this Easter Monday. I join my prayers to those of Catholics worldwide that God welcome him into eternal life. For 12 years as our Holy Father, Pope Francis consistently preached to the world that one of the key tenets of being a follower of Jesus Christ is to accompany others who seek God's love. MORE

Seeking to accurately portray Christ’s Passion in artistic form, a local Catholic designed what he named the Turin Crucifix™, after the Shroud of Turin.

These priests are to be recognized at the Chrism Mass at St. Paul Cathedral. All clergy and the public are invited to participate in this Mass, at which priests renew their priestly commitment and Bishop McManus blesses the oil of the sick and the oil of catechumens and consecrates the holy chrism, to be used for sacraments in parishes and other places of worship throughout the year. After the Mass, representatives pick up the oils to take back with them.

WORCESTER - St. Paul Diocesan Jr./Sr. High School boys basketball coach Jason Chavoor wasn’t surprised that he found out that Jim Manzello was honored as Athletic Director of the Year for District 2 by the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association.

Reports of Marian apparitions at Medjugorje, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, factored powerfully into the conversion stories of two of the Worcester Diocesan Men’s Conference speakers – Marian Father Donald Calloway and Arthur “Artie” Boyle, a husband, and father of 13. And, by their accounts, they desperately needed heavenly help.

WORCESTER – Follow Jesus – despite the cross. Pray daily and live virtuously – for your family’s sake. Go to confession – even if you’re not the worst person. These were among challenges speakers gave 950-plus attendees of the 24th Worcester Diocesan Catholic Men’s Conference Saturday at the DCU Center.

The annual Mother’s Day Rose Campaign is being reignited this year, the Jubilee Year of Hope, following a hiatus since the COVID-19 pandemic.

WORCESTER – In a collaboration of Catholic institutions, the St. John’s Cemetery System dug a trench for outdoor lighting at St. Paul Diocesan Jr./Sr. High School.

SHREWSBURY – Months of work and time spent after school came to fruition March 27 when St. Mary Elementary School held its first middle school science fair since the COVID-19 pandemic.