VATICAN CITY (OSV News) – Pope Leo XIV published his landmark encyclical on artificial intelligence “Magnifica Humanitas” May 25, comparing the attempt to build an AI future that excludes God to the “Tower of Babel” and underlining the need to safeguard human dignity as it is “threatened by new forms of dehumanization.”

The soon-to-be deacon, who said he will be starting his tenure at Immaculate Conception Parish in Worcester, said his came as more of a quiet, consistent calling which regularly came to him.

In a deeply particular way, Alejandro Henao’s new life calling as a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Worcester reflects his thanksgiving to God for what he calls miracles in his family, ones which restarted his own Catholic faith.

The prelates made the decision to do this during a Nov. 11, 2025, session of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ fall plenary assembly in Baltimore – and while they were singularly focused on an exceptional gesture to mark our country’s semiquincentennial, the consecration still probably can’t come at a better time.

These were among topics Christopher West, president of the Theology of the Body Institute in Philadelphia, wove together with St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body May 14 at St. Joseph Church.

Father Conrad S. Pecevich passed away in the early morning hours on Wednesday, May 13.

Final commencement held last weekend

Daniel Malo felt the need to serve God. “I wanted to become more involved, but I didn’t know how,” he said.

Hiroshi Kanamoto, 81, a survivor of the United States bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, shared this personal story May 5. He was part of a delegation from Japan that visited Worcester last week to speak out against nuclear weapons. Also speaking was another member of the hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) – Yoshinori Ohmura, whose family was affected by the bombing in Nagasaki.

WORCESTER – For mothers at St. Mary Health Care Center, “bring your daughter to work” isn’t just a day – it’s a four-generation legacy.

"A night that will enrich your senses, feed your soul and help you to grow closer to the Lord in the Eucharist and feel the Lord’s love more deeply ... the kind of event that helps move your faith from your head to your heart.”

The diocese ended the year with an operational surplus of $529,266, as compared to a deficit of $166,303 the previous year, prior to allowing for unrealized gains on investments and other income restricted to non-operational use.

In the latest step toward unification, on Saturday St. Paul inducted the inaugural class into the Legacy Schools Hall of Fame for graduates of both former schools.

Last Sunday, the second Sunday of Easter, we were still overwhelmed by the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection. The universal Church also celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday. On April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized the Polish visionary Sister Faustina Kowalska – the 21st century’s first canonization – and proclaimed the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday.

Anna Maria College in Paxton is working with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in attempts to fulfill obligations to students in the face of its “financial pressures.” “Anna Maria College has pursued its distinctive Catholic mission since 1946, and its leadership remains committed to ensuring that every currently enrolled student has the opportunity to complete their education,” says an April 10 statement from the college.

The Holy Father’s statements about war have been clear and consistent with his predecessors and the teaching of the Church’s Magisterium in proclaiming the Gospel message, “Blessed are the Peacemakers.” His words do not contradict a country’s right to self-defense but prophetically remind us that religion is not at the service of aggression. In this holy season of Easter, the universal Church recalls that Jesus died and rose to save all humankind. We are all God’s children, even in times of war.

Father Francis A. Roberge, 74, Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Baldwinville, passed away in the rectory on Sunday, April 12.

(OSV News) – As the astronauts of NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby in half a century reached their closest approach to the moon, the team’s pilot reminded the Earth of Jesus Christ’s command to love both God and neighbor.

NORTHBOROUGH – A 15-year-old who said God didn’t exist just felt he should go to church one day. A young husband decided to explore the faith in which his wife wanted to raise their baby. A 54-year-old saw others around his age receiving sacraments, and realized it wasn’t too late for him to do the same.