The Catholic Schools Office announced today that it has appointed Christopher J. Cummings as the first president of St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School (SPM) in Worcester. This new form of school governance will replace the headmaster model which has been in place since SPM was established in 1976 from a merger of St. Peter High School and Marian High School. The last headmaster, Matthew Sturgis, recently retired after having served as headmaster for 20 years. CLICK TITLE FOR MORE
The following was prepared to be offered by Fr. Reidy on behalf of Bishop McManus at the Mayor's Prayer Vigil on June 15: Almighty Father, As we gather tonight shocked, saddened and angered by the reprehensible and senseless killings in Orlando, we turn to you for strength, wisdom and courage. In the face of the hatred and violence that has caused such tragedy and generated such grief, may we remember who we are, what we stand for and upon whom we rely. To those whose lives on this earth have been so unjustly cut short, grant eternal life in your Kingdom. To those who have been wounded, grant healing and health. To those whose lives have been shattered by the loss of loved ones, grant hope and trust in your love and mercy. And to those here and everywhere where hatred darkens minds and hardens hearts, may your light, love and grace pierce those hearts, enlighten those minds and change those lives with the truth that every man, woman and child is created in your image and likeness, is beloved by you and endowed with an inalienable dignity that makes us all brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters who are called to love both friend and foe, to live in peace, to resolve disputes with reason, to respect one another in differences and to shun hatred and unjust violence. As we commend the souls of the slain to your loving care, may we commend ourselves anew to the mutual respect, love and care that Christ showed us with His life and to which the Holy Spirit empowers us with His grace. In your name we pray, Amen.
Given that the request for a waiver to demolish Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church was denied on June 9 by the Historical Commission, the parish will have to proceed with the “makesafe” plan developed by the structural engineers at Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects in the interest of public safety. Overall, this will involve fabricating and installing bands to secure the cupola along with completing the waterproofing of the exposed brick behind the façade. It will also involve securing the façade to the supporting wall at an estimated additional cost of $120,000. The diocese will assist with loans to get this done promptly. All Masses will continue to take place at Our Lady of Loreto Church.
The request for a waiver from the one year delay for demolition of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in order to avoid an undo economic hardship to the property owner was presented on June 9 to the Worcester Historical Commission. Click title for documentation
Partners in Charity has announced that as of its June 8 report it has raised 89% or $4,454,416 of its $5 million goal for this year. 15,435 donors have made pledges and gifts to date. Twenty-two parishes of the 98 parishes and missions have met or exceeded their goals for this year.
Fourteen priests get new assignments and three priests to retire June 3, 2016, WORCESTER, MA – Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, announced the following priests’ assignments which will take effect July 1, 2016 unless otherwise noted. (CLICK HEADLINE FOR RELEASE)