Bishop McManus has asked that parishes consider taking up a collection for Hurrican relief in the Gulf Coast either the weekend of Sept. 2/3 or Sept. 9/10.

The Diocese of Worcester has announced that applications are now available for the St. Vincent Community Healthcare Fund grants. Forms with eligibility requirements are available through the Office of the Chancellor, Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609, phone 508-929-4345 or fax at 508-754-2768 or email jschroeder@worcesterdiocese.org . Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2017.

Click on title for a Q&A document regarding the contract negotiations with DELTA, the association representing Central Catholic School teachers

WORCESTER, MA -- Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, announced the following 23 priest assignments which will take effect July 1, 2017 unless otherwise noted. (Click title for release)

May 12, 2017, WORCESTER, MA – Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, announced today that he has granted faculties for pastoral ministry to Rev. Stephen M. Gemme, effective immediately. He will celebrate Mass and other sacraments in parishes in need of emergency assistance due to the unavailability of a priest. These situations arise due to sudden illness, retreats, vacations, and personal emergencies involving the pastor or associate in a parish. Fr. Gemme will not have any access to or involvement in any administrative duties while assisting in a parish. Bishop McManus removed Father Gemme from ministry in July 2013 after he admitted to a gambling addiction. He pleaded guilty in 2015 to stealing nearly $240,000 from St. Bernadette Parish and School in Northborough. The parish and school were made whole in their loss through Diocesan insurance. Fr. Gemme entered into a restitution agreement with the Diocese and its insurers and has participated in a mental health evaluation and continuing treatment for his gambling addiction. In March, 2016 he was granted limited faculties to return to pastoral ministry in non-parochial settings in accordance with the terms of his probation and his treatment program. He has not functioned in any fiduciary capacity.

Statement from Bishop McManus: This year the Liturgical Memorial of St. Patrick, March 17, falls on a Friday of the Second Week of Lent, a day of abstinence. In light of the number of inquiries about my granting a dispensation from the requirement to refrain from eating meat on the Fridays of Lent, I am granting a diocesan-wide dispensation from the law of abstinence on Friday, March 17, 2017. I would ask the Catholic faithful who take advantage of this general dispensation to perform another act of penance on either the day before or after March 17, 2017.