VATICAN CITY – On Sept. 28, Alan Martineau of Spencer was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop James Checchio, of Metuchen, N.J., with 30 of his classmates from the Pontifical North American College. The ordination took place in St. Peter’s Basilica.
HOPEDALE - Four of six bronze and glass doors stolen from Sacred Heart of Jesus Church have been recovered and a Milford woman charged in the theft has pleaded not guilty in Milford District Court, according to a statement of facts filed by police. The doors, valued at about $3,000 each, had been replaced during renovations at the church last July and placed behind a garage on church property.
Bishop McManus expressed hope for the Church’s outreach at the launching of the diocese’s new Communications Ministry for Parish Evangelization, Sept. 18. The ministry is a combination of the diocesan Office of Communications, TV Ministry and The Catholic Free Press. The diocesan ministry has partnered with eCatholic, a company that provides easy-to-use websites, and Flocknote, an email, text messaging tool that will help churches “reach their sheep.”
CATHOLIC SCHOOL APPEAL - WEEKEND During the weekend of September 23-24, parishes in the Diocese of Worcester will conduct the annual Catholic Schools Appeal to support Catholic education. Over 6500 Catholic school students, thank you in advance for your support and generosity. It takes the kindness of many to help Catholic schools fulfill their mission. Click title to make an online donation today!
Mrs. Kaitlyn Smith, a second grade teacher at St. Anna Catholic School, Leominster was one of the winners of the Scholastic Book Clubs & James Patterson’s $1.75 million give away. She won $500 and 500 bonus points for her classroom library. She was one of the winners out of 82,000 entries! Click for complete list of winners.
Donors, volunteers and staff joined Bishop McManus at an annual appreciation dinner on Thursday, Sept. 14 at Tower Hill in Boylston. Those in attendance heard how Partners in Charity helps Catholic Charities meet people’s emergency needs, in a first step to helping them become self-sufficient, the agency’s head told donors. A teenager told them the Appeal helps her – and she helped with it. Timothy McMahon, executive director of Catholic Charities, and Caitlin Moughan, who would turn 14 on in a few days, were speaking at the annual Society Appreciation Dinner. The event gave Bishop McManus an opportunity to thank those who help with the Appeal, some of whom received awards for their years of service. CLICK TITLE for story
...Once again, we are called to respond. I ask that we join with Catholic Dioceses around our nation in taking up a second collection for relief work in the Caribbean and Florida. Given that we have already scheduled the annual Catholic School Appeal on September 24, I ask that we prepare for a Relief Collection at all Masses on September 30 and October 1. We will also provide for an online donation form on our website at worcesterdiocese.org which can be used at any time...
Bishop McManus celebrated Mass for the annual Patronal Feast of the diocese’s Hispanic communities. Members of the various Hispanic and Latino Catholic Communities from around the Diocese gathered for a procession, Mass and celebration on Saturday, Sept. 9 at Cathedral of St. Paul in Worcester. The celebration included breakfast, entertainment and a procession with recitation of the rosary. There was also a litany of the Blessed Mother, with a display of pictures of her as she is honored in different countries. Members of the international group Brotherhood of Emaus, newly established in the Worcester Diocese, were presented to the community. Read the full coverage in this week's edition of the Catholic Free Press.
The leaders of two dioceses joyfully joined their people once again in a covenant of solidarity. Worcester’s Bishop McManus and Haiti’s Cardinal Chibly Langlois of the Diocese of Les Cayes renewed the twinning relationship that began 27 years ago. In true Haitian tradition, with prayer, music and dance, more than 250 people attended a two-hour Mass at St. Joseph Church of Holy Family Parish in Worcester to witness the covenant signing.