More than 500 attend diocesan youth rally

November 6, 2017

Bishop McManus told personal stories about meeting saints, and national speakers emphasized God’s love and truth, at the Worcester Diocese’s high school youth rally, held Nov. 5 at Assumption College.

St. Vincent Healthcare Grants awarded for 2017

November 2, 2017

During the month of October, 41 programs received St. Vincent Healthcare Grants for 2017 totaling $62,199. The Fund is under the oversight of the Diocese of Worcester. Since it began awarding grants in 1999, it has distributed over $1 million, averaging over $55,000 per year. According to Bishop Robert McManus “The Diocese of Worcester is committed to continuing the mission of the St. Vincent Development Foundation which raised the initial funds to provide for medical and healthcare assistance in the community in keeping with the Catholic mission of the hospital’s founders, the Sisters of Providence.”

Local Grants Being Awarded Monday to Fight Poverty

October 29, 2017

Twenty-nine grants totaling $19,550 are being presented today as part of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. The collection is taken up nationwide each year on the week before Thanksgiving and 25% of the donations are used for local organizations who are working to combat poverty and the root causes of poverty in America. Last year's collection was higher than recent years and resulted in larger grants this year ranging from $200 to $1,000. The grants are being presented by Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, on behalf of the local CCHD committee at a ceremony on Monday, October 30 at 1 pm at Clark University LEEP Student Engagement Center, 931Main Street, Worcester, in SECOND FLOOR CONFERENCE CENTER.

Bishop Issues Decree regarding future of Mount Carmel Church

October 26, 2017

Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, announced today that he received notification last week from the Congregation for the Clergy of the Holy See that the appeal made to them requesting that they overturn the Bishop’s decisions regarding Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Ann Parish has been denied. That appeal was filed by Carmelita Bello and 10 individuals following a failed appeal to Bishop McManus regarding his decree of February 1, 2017 establishing a single, personal parish at Our Lady of Loreto church “for the care of souls of Italian descent.” As a result of the Congregation’s decision, the Bishop is decreeing that the property on Mulberry Street, formerly used by the parish prior to its merger with Our Lady of Loreto Parish, be deconsecrated and reduced to “profane but not sordid use.” (click headline for complete release)

Retired Religious Mass is Sunday at St. Paul Cathedral

October 20, 2017

Sister Ann Mary Cobb is to receive this year’s Retired Religious Award for her community, the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, at 10:30 a.m. Mass, Oct. 22, St. Paul Cathedral, Worcester. A venerated, retired teacher at the age of 96, Sister Ann Mary is thought of as a much deserving vowed religious by all who know her.

St. Joseph School, Webster, marks 125 years

October 20, 2017

This year marks the 125th anniversary of St. Joseph School in Webster. The school headmaster, Mgsr. Anthony S. Czarnecki, welcomed Bishop McManus, priests, parents and students to an anniversary Mass Sunday. He paid tribute to the Felician Sisters who were there in 1892 to welcome the school’s first students.

Annual Red Mass to Honor four individuals

October 19, 2017

The St. Thomas More Society of Worcester County will honor four people from the community as part of its sixtieth annual Red Mass on October 29 at 10:15 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul, 19 Chatham Street, Worcester. The Mass is open to the public. The awardees are: Chief Justice Timothy F. Sullivan, attorneys Patricia Finnegan Gates and Jeffrey P. Greenberg, and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent. The Red Mass references the color of the vestments traditionally worn by the celebrants and Judges attending the King’s Bench in Westminster, England. A private reception will follow in the Cenacle located in the lower level of the Church.

Bishop prays at 40 Days for Life

October 16, 2017

WORCESTER – Bishop McManus, joined by adults, children and teenagers, led the rosary across from the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic Oct. 16 as part of the 40 Days for Life campaign to end abortion. The international campaign, held twice a year, includes fasting and peaceful prayer each day outside abortion clinics. It has saved and changed lives. Photo by Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press

Webster community prays rosary on Fatima anniversary

October 13, 2017

WEBSTER – The Respect Life Committee of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and All Saints Academy students in grades 5-8 prayed the rosary on Oct. 13 outside the Emmaus Center across from the church. “This was a wonderful way to celebrate the Fatima apparitions,” said Father Adam Reid, pastor.

Holy Name Central Catholic Jr. Sr. HS unveils storage system to complement wind turbine in Worcester

October 5, 2017

Solar and wind work great as renewable energy sources - when the sun shines and the wind blows. But supporters of an energy storage project unveiled Thursday at Holy Name High School said it may be a solution to this conundrum.

St. Mary's Schools hold first blessing of the animals

October 4, 2017

St. Mary's Schools, Worcester, held its first blessing of animals Wednesday to mark the feast of St. Francis. The day began with Mass celebrated by Father James Hoey, chaplain of the schools. The day concluded with the blessing of animals.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to visit Holy Name in Worcester for energy event

October 3, 2017

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., son of slain former presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy, will be in Worcester Thursday, Oct. 5 as a representative of Woburn-based Vionx Energy at Holy Name Central Catholic High School.

Alan Martineau ordained to diaconate in St. Peter's Basilica

September 29, 2017

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.

Church's missing bronze doors turn up at salvage yard; woman charged

September 27, 2017

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.

Communications Ministry reaching out

September 26, 2017

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

September 19, 2017

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!

St. Anna Catholic School, Leominster

September 19, 2017

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.

Appeal Recognizes Parish Volunteers and Major Donors

September 16, 2017

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

Bishop Calls for Hurricane Irma Relief Collection

September 15, 2017

...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...

Hispanic and Latino Communities Celebrate Annual Feast

September 10, 2017

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.