Food pantries in the diocese and in Worcester County are doing the work of Christ, caring for the homeless, caring for the poor and taking care of those who are much less fortunate than ourselves, Bishop McManus said. He spoke recently to a meeting of about 50 people who serve at food pantries in Worcester County.

January 25, 2018, WORCESTER, MA – Following a complete audit of its financial accounting, the Diocese of Worcester has issued online Financial Statements and online and printed editions of the Annual Report on Financial Activities for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2017. That report also highlights many of the accomplishments of the diocesan ministries and Partners in Charity recipient agencies during that timeframe. In his letter, Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, S.T.D., Bishop of Worcester, wrote that "diocesan operations were challenged and experienced a loss of $278,802 before unrealized gains on investments." That deficit amounted to slightly more than 1 percent of the total expenses of $26,169,629. After including unrealized gains on investments, the annual report on financial activities reports a surplus of $1,116,885 or 4.25% of total support and revenue. CLICK TITLE for full release and reports

WORCESTER – Visiting Haitians shared some of their struggles – and faith and love – with people in the Worcester Diocese, before leaving for home Wednesday. The visitors – students and others involved with the diocesan Haitian Apostolate – prayed for benefactors, received Bishop McManus’ blessing, lunched with Chancery staff and school children and visited the zoo in Providence.

WEBSTER – Bishop McManus will celebrate a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, in St. Joseph Basilica for Father Joseph R. Bielonko, 85, who died last Sunday in St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester.

A celebration last month paid tribute to the reach and accessibility of the Religious of the Assumption, and their collaboration with St. Peter Parish in Worcester.

Community – leading to Christ. That’s a key reason to be “religious,” not just “spiritual,” according to Father Donato Infante, associate pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Charlton. He was speaking Jan. 9 at The Compass Tavern in Worcester for Theology on Tap, a monthly gatherings for people ages 18-39, organized by the diocese’s youth and young adult ministry.

Jane Gutowski wasn’t making a big deal of her birthday Jan. 9. Family members, special guests and her fellow residents and staff members at St. Mary Health Care Center in Worcester made more of it. The three candles on her cake explained why: they formed the number 103.

A celebration with seven Haitian students who are sponsored through the Worcester Diocesan Haitian Apostolate is to be held Sunday at 12:30 p.m., at St. Joseph Church, 35 Hamilton St., Worcester. A reception follows.

LEOMINSTER - Bishop McManus will celebrate a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Cecilia Church for Father Richard G. Roger, 80, former pastor of Notre Dame-St. Joseph Parish Worcester, who died Jan. 6 at home.

The tug of war over the future of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Mulberry Street in Worcester continued throughout 2017 and into 2018. Hurricanes and natural disasters brought out the generosity of the people here. Two schools closed their doors. See the highlights and photos from the year.

WORCESTER – On these days of bitter cold, what’s available for those who don’t have a home? Shelter and food are being provided by volunteers at several Catholic organizations. How you can help?

The diocese’s African Ministry has declared 2018 a year for youth and children – to help them get to know Jesus – according to Father Enoch K. Kyeremateng, chaplain. Goals for the year also include outreach in Leominster, and strengthening leaders, marriages and other bonds, he said.

Mary Plante, a first-grade teacher at Our Lady of the Angels Elementary School, formed an after-school club that would give students the chance to learn how to knit and crochet. The Nifty Knitters and Crochet Club lets the students experience more than the joy of creating beautiful hand-crafted items. It gives them the chance to use what they’ve learned in the club to make a difference in their community.

Father Juan G. Herrera and some parishioners created a new Nativity scene with old roots in Notre Dame Church of St. John Paul II Parish in Southbridge. “This manger scene is a reflection of our community, a community trying to be together, a community which is walking in the path of unity and peace, a community that, little by little, is realizing that we are called to be one body in Christ,” he said.

Officials of the Worcester Bravehearts baseball club delivered 11 sets of mattresses and boxsprings to Crozier House before Christmsas. Crozier House is a Catholic Charities home for men in recovery from substance abuse.

A Fitchburg native who cares for the poor in Japan has been named a bishop there. Pope Francis appointed Franciscan Father Wayne Berndt, 63, bishop of the Diocese of Naha, in the Okinawa Prefecture. His ordination is scheduled for February.

Hearing the personal struggles and everyday challenges of refugees living in the Worcester area inspired Riley Benner to restart a business he began in high school that employed refugees. (Catholic News Service)