The Diocesan Dispatch

Please Cut & Paste items in your bulletin as appropriate to your parish.     
The Diocesan Dispatch is usually published on Monday mornings by 8 am via email and fax to parishes. Submission must be received by the previous Friday for inclusion and should be at least 2 weeks before an event date in order to have an opportunity to be included in parish bulletins the week after the issue date. You can email submissions directly to rdelisle@worcesterdiocese.org.

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Have space available in your bulletin this week? Consider including one of the ongoing resources:  Click HERE for ONGOING RESOURCES

Latest Edition: July 27, 2020

18th Sunday of Ordinary Time
“Jesus said to them,‘There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves’.” (Matthew 14:16)  This is what Jesus said right before he fed the five thousand men. How often do we really place our trust in Jesus when the situation looks grim? With Jesus, no gift is too small or insignificant when offered with love. But, we have to do our part. We should trust that Jesus will provide all that we need. We need to believe that Jesus has a better plan in store for us.

18º domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“Jesús les dijo:‘ No hay necesidad de que se vayan; denles algo de comer ". - (MATEO 14:16)  Esto es lo que Jesús dijo justo antes de alimentar a los cinco mil hombres. ¿Con qué frecuencia confiamos realmente en Jesús cuando la situación parece sombría? Con Jesús, ningún regalo es demasiado pequeño o insignificante cuando se ofrece con amor. Pero, tenemos que hacer nuestra parte. Debemos confiar en que Jesús proporcionará todo lo que necesitamos. Necesitamos creer que Jesús tiene un mejor plan reservado para nosotros.

Daily Mass, Sunday Mass, Family Rosary all continue to stream on worcesterdiocese.org, can be uploaded for automatic updating on eCatholic websites, and are available for viewing on Spectrum/Charter Ch 193. Conversation with Bishop McManus  is playing next week.

Survey of Parish Musicians
The local chapter of National Association of Pastoral Musicians, NPM Worcester, is compiling a directory of parish musicians in the Diocese of Worcester. This information will be used to provide information on local programming, communicate information regarding music ministry during COVID, as well as for future networking and development. We are asking one representative from each parish to complete the survey. The survey link can be found on our website at www.npmworcester.org.

Partners in Charity
TO: Pastors and Parish Staff
According to Philanthropic USA statistics, if a donor skips two consecutive years of giving to any charitable organization it takes a minimum of seven follow up encounters for them to give again. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Below is a sample announcement that we encourage you to “localize” for your parish and include on your social media (Facebook, Flocknote, web site, etc.), your weekly bulletin, and in pulpit announcements. Thank you. 

Partners in Charity relies on your support!
In the midst of this pandemic, thousands of people continue to rely on our diocesan ministries and agencies for assistance. Your gift can be a local stimulus check to help those in need.  Please reflect on God’s great generosity, and prayerfully respond with a gift or pledge. With your support, faith in action is visible every day in the compassionate outreach of our charitable agencies; in the prayerful witness of our retired priests and the joy of new priestly vocations; and to the ministries and programs that teach and inspire those seeking hope. Watch the Video online at www.partners-charity.net and respond with a gift online, by mail or returned to your parish at Mass. Thank you at helping us make our parish goal.

Collection for Central and Eastern Europe
Please share the letter (attached) from Bishop McManus for the annual Collection for Central and Eastern Europe which is scheduled for the weekend of August 9. VIsit worcesterdiocese.org/bulletin-inserts-letters for a text file of the letter.

July 20, 2020

17th Sunday of Ordinary Time
“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”(Romans 8:28)
Do you really trust God? Do you really believe that God will provide all that you need? Faith is a challenge for everyone at times. Putting our trust in God, in everything we do, in good times and in bad, means that God’s plan for our lives may be quite different than what we planned. When one door closes, another one opens. Trust in God, His plan is always better.

17º domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
"Sabemos que todas las cosas funcionan para bien para los que aman a Dios, a quienes se llama de acuerdo con su propósito". - (ROMANOS 8:28)
¿De verdad confías en Dios? ¿Realmente crees que Dios te proporcionará todo lo que necesitas? La fe es un desafío para todos a veces. Confiar en Dios, en todo lo que hacemos, en las buenas y en las malas, significa que el plan de Dios para nuestras vidas puede ser muy diferente de lo que planeamos. Cuando una puerta se cierra, otra se abre. Confía en Dios, su plan siempre es el mejor.

Daily Mass, Sunday Mass, Family Rosary all continue to stream on worcesterdiocese.org, can be uploaded for automatic updating on eCatholic websites, and are available for viewing on Spectrum/Charter Ch 193.
Come Follow Me  is playing next week.

133rd Annual Novena to St. Anne in Fiskdale
This year's Annual Novena to St. Anne will commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the founding of the Assumptionists. It will be held from July 18 through July 26: 5:30 pm Confession (drive up), 6:30 pm Rosary in Outdoor Pavilion (no procession) and 7 pm Mass in Outdoor Pavilion. Celebrants and homilists include: Fr. Alex Castro, AA; Fr. John Franck, AA; Fr. Michel Kalumba, AA; Fr. Vo Tran Gia Dinh, AA; Fr. Peter Omwoyo, AA; Fr. Richard Lamoureux, AA; Fr. Jerome Lively, AA; Fr. Simon Njuguna, AA; and Fr. Dennis Gallagher, AA.  More information at stannestpatrickparish.com/.

Pieta-Worcester
Pieta is an ongoing support group for bereaved parents. Anyone who has experienced the death of a child is welcome to attend. Meetings are held the second Monday of the month at St. George Church, 40 Brattle St. The next meeting will be held Aug.10 at 7 p.m. in the church hall. For more information, please call Terry Gentile at 508-284-0796 or Sue Stevens at 508-852-4887, or email pieta3@gmail.com.

July 13, 2020

Daily Mass, Sunday Mass, Family Rosary all continue to stream on worcesterdiocese.org, can be uploaded for automatic updating on eCatholic websites, and are available for viewing on Spectrum/Charter Ch 193.
Come Follow Me  is playing next week.

The Ignatian Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life Information Night
An Information Night will be held at St. Peter Church, 929 Main St., Worcester on Tuesday, August 4 at 6:30 pm explaining the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life.  A 30 week directed prayer experience in the tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola is being offered by a team of Jesuits and lay people experienced in Ignatian prayer.
Starting on September 29, each weekly session will be approximately ninety minutes and will include reflection, direction and a presentation. Sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings at St. Peter Church in Worcester. Information and an application form is available on the website: ignatianspiritualexercisesworcester.com or contact the team by email at worcspex19@gmail.com or call Dick Kirk at 508-885-4462.

Vendors Wanted for Webster Craft Fair
Applications are available beginning July 1 for vendors to participate in the Vendor & Craft Fair at Sacred Heart Parish Hall, 11 Day St, Webster to be held on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 am - 3 pm. Great opportunity for quilters, crafters, and vendors. for more information visit sacredheartwebster.org. Sponsored by the Sacred Heart Parish Music Ministry.

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FOR PARISH ADMINISTRATION:

Returning to offices Training and Protocols
Even if your parish office is not open to the public, Massachusetts has a protocol for returning to work in offices which includes training and assuring that employees do not come to work if they are symptomatic. Whether you were an essential operation or just returning now to the office, please review the resources that are being used for Chancery employees regarding safety at work during this pandemic and adapting our acknowledgement form for use in your parish. visit worcesterdiocese.org/covid-related-forms.

Guidelines for Visiting Patients by Clergy at Saint Vincent Hospital
As the public health situation has improved, clergy may visit parishioners at the hospital from 10 am until 7 pm. One visitor per patient is allowed at any given time. All visitors—clergy included—must abide by the following: screening process, answer a series of questions, temperature check, adherence to hand hygiene guidelines, and face covering required at all times. Some areas of the hospital are even more restricted. Upon arrival at the hospital, the information desk will inform you if the parishioner you want to visit is subject to the following additional precautions: only one visitor allowed per day, gown and gloves are required throughout the duration of the visit which for quarantined patients is limited to 30 minutes. Hospital staff will assist you with the proper disposal of gown and gloves. REMINDER: A priest-chaplain is always available to provide pastoral and/or sacramental care 24x7 and can be reached through the hospital operator at (508) 363-5000 then asking the operator to “page the priest on duty.” Please stay on the line because those calls are parked calls and it takes some time for the priest to locate a phone and to be linked with the caller. 

Guidelines for Visiting Patients by Clergy at UMass Memorial Medical Center
Thank you for your support during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  While clergy have always been welcome to visit, many denominations have wisely contacted our Pastoral Care Team to visit patients or utilized technology.  Currently, patients are allowed one visitor at a time.  Masks must be worn at all times, and access is through both main entrances.  Masks are required at all times, and visitors must check in at the lobby check-in station, have their temperature taken and let attendants know who they are visiting. You will be given a visitor tag to wear, which allows us to know you have been cleared.  COVID-19 rooms and rule-out rooms do not have visitors, unless a rare exception is made through the Unit Manager.  If you have any questions, or we can be of assistance, please call the Pastoral Care Department at 508-774-6550 or call the main number 508-334-1000 and ask them to page the chaplain on-call.  

MONTHLY AND ONGOING RESOURCES

eCatholic tip: online payments and donations
The monthly fee to use eCatholic payments is waived for parishes in the diocese and transaction fees are as low as it gets in the industry.  The site is very secure, and the money goes right into your parish bank account and you get a report letting you know! You can also use eCatholic Payments for one time or recurring payments and donations for offertory, religious education tuition and more! But, if you already have an online offertory platform you can use eCatholic Payments with their web forms alongside that platform for one time donations for events, etc. Questions: email worcester@ecatholic.com anytime.

Promoting events? Use your eCatholic and Flocknote Resources!
It is EASY to set up an event announcement and registration/ticket form on your eCatholic website. If you have not yet done so, contact them for an online account to accept credit cards via your site. Not only will it make it more convenient than “come to the rectory for tickets;” you can reach more people and plan better for your event. Costs are as low as it gets in the industry, the site is very secure, and the money goes right into your parish bank account and you get a report letting you know! PLUS you can then send everyone a link by Flocknote to go to the site with one click from their phone, tablet or computer and get the tickets, make the donation or at least be aware of the event details to share with family and friends. Let your Communications Ministry tools work for you! Contact Luke at worcester@eCatholic.com if you need to get set up or to learn more.

Include Text-To-Join in your Bulletin each week!
If you are one of the 60 parishes using Flocknote, remember to put your Text To Join (TTJ) number in your bulletin each week – or simply add it to the masthead next time you make changes. You can find the number and phrase when you click on Settings from your Dashboard.
Sample Bulletin notice:
Keep in touch with everything going on in our parish by signing up for our Flocknote emails. Simply text “Your Phrase” to ##### (your TTJ number) and be an informed member of our parish family. You can unsubscribe at any time.

EMAIL NOTICES
We often hear from pastors and parishes saying they are not getting emails from us, even when we have a correct address. No Email system is foolproof (Gmail, MSN, Outlook, aol, Charter.net, Verizon.net,  etc.) and your provider may be very aggressively blocking emails from your inbox based on general algorithms. Please remember to check your junk mail regularly to see if emails from our Flocknote system or from worcesterdiocese.org or other sources are being inadvertently blocked. You can always use your email system’s rules when this happens to “always accept email from this sender.” Usually that option appears when you “Right Click’ on the email in question with your mouse.

Senior Fraud Hotline
RSVP’s Senior Fraud HelpLine is a toll-free resource for seniors and their families to call when they are concerned that they are being targeted by scammers.  If they are in doubt, they should check it out by calling 1-800-297-9760. Confidential. Knowledgeable. Local. Supportive.

Volunteer To Help With Food Distribution In Our Food Pantry
Catholic Charities Emergency Stabilization Services located on Hammond Street in Worcester is looking for volunteers who might be able to assist them with distributing food in our food pantry. Volunteers must be available once a week from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and be able to lift cases of food. Volunteer days: Monday - Friday. Thank you for your consideration. All help is much needed and appreciated! Contact: Maydeé Morales at 508-860-2206 or via e-mail to mmorales@ccworc.org.

DAILY MASS ON TV AND THE INTERNET 

Tune in on Monday through Friday on Charter TV3 on channel 193 at 9 am for the local Daily Mass on cable celebrated by various priests from around our diocese. Also airs at 4:30 pm in Shrewsbury on Ch. 28, and 5 pm in Clinton area on Ch. 8. 

INTERESTED IN LEARNING HOW TO HELP IN TV MINISTRY? 

Whether you like to operate a camera, or would like to learn audio controls or even how to produce, we have a place for you in TV Ministry. We will train – all you need is a desire to learn and some free time. Call Steve at 508-791-203 9 or email tvmass@charter.net for more information. Great service opportunity for high school or college students and retirees alike! 

REDUCED-FEE LEGAL SERVICES IN WORCESTER 
The Worcester County Bar Association has a Reduced Fee Program where household income exceeds the requirements for free legal assistance but makes hiring an attorney unfeasible. You must be a Worcester County resident and legal services include bankruptcy, mortgage foreclosures, wills, divorces, custody and evictions. Call 800-622-9700 800-622-9700 for more information, indicating your interest in the Reduced Fee Program. 

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON ONLINE LEARNING (DIOCESAN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM) 
Have you ever had a desire to expand your knowledge of the faith in areas such as Scripture, Liturgy and Worship, Prayer and Spirituality, Sacraments, Creed, or Church History? Check out the on-line courses available to adults through our Diocesan Partnership Program with U Dayton and the Virtual Community for Faith Formation. You can receive a substantial discount while learning in your own space during your personal hours of availability. If you have any questions, please call Barbara Ramian at 508-929-4308.

PROJECT RACHEL CAN HELP WITH THE PAIN OF A PAST ABORTION 
Hurting from a past abortion? We can help. Project Rachel is the Catholic Church’s ministry of healing and reconciliation to those who have been wounded by abortion. Our services are free and strictly confidential. Call Project Rachel at (508) 791-HOPE. 

FERTILITY CARE PROGRAM 
There is an alternative to artificial methods of birth control and IVF. Learn about The Creighton Model System of FertilityCare, the reproductive science that is 99% effective to avoid pregnancy, highly effective to achieve pregnancy and offers couples who are experiencing infertility hope to achieve their dream of pregnancy without artificial reproductive technologies. This is accomplished while following the teachings of the church. To learn more about the program contact Barbara Meier, RN, FertilityCare Practitioner at 609-457-0108 609-457-0108 or fertilitycare@ymail.com.

CAR DONATION PROGRAM
Did you know you can donate your car, truck, motorcycle or boat to Catholic Charities and help us help your Worcester County neighbors?  It’s quick and easy to do.  Just visit our website to donate your vehicle online atwww.ccworc.org or call 1-888-CAR-7308 1-888-CAR-7308 to arrange a convenient pickup time and confirmation of your donation from Catholic Charities Donation Angel Program.  The car in your driveway can help us to continue to offer many services to children, families and elders in our community so that they may regain home for a brighter future.  Thank you!

Mental Health Providers Directory
An extensive directory of mental health providers in Worcester who serve children and families, as well as bilingual providers, is available from the Worcester Community Action Council, Main St. Worcester.

Employees or Independent Contractors?
The Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has issued new guidance on the classification of hired personnel as employees or independent contractors. Hired personnel are considered employees unless: (1) the individual is free from the employers direction and control in connection with the performance of the service, both under his or her contract for the performance of service and in fact; (2) the service the individual performs is outside the usual course of business of the employer; and (3) the individual is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business of the same nature as that involved in the service performed.