The year 2024 brought both celebration and loss.

UPDATED ON DEC. 29, 2024 The Diocese of Worcester will open with a Procession beginning at the Cathedral Chapel at 3:45 and proceed to the Upper Church for Mass at 4:00 pm. This follows the recommendations from the Vatican that the liturgy be “stational,” moving prayerfully from one location to another.... At one point in the Mass, the decrees will be blessed announcing the ten local pilgrimage churches, to be displayed at the local pilgrimage sites. MORE

WORCESTER - It was Wednesday so Bill Gibbons made his weekly visit to the Mercy Centre to volunteer his time with the men and women with developmental disabilities who take part in the training and employment programs at the Catholic Charities Worcester County facility.

BLACKSTONE – Catholics who struggled through a merger found special reason to rejoice, when Bishop McManus blessed sanctuary renovations at their church – renovations which bring together elements of all three former parishes.

Adults and youth from the parish are acting out “The Christmas Story” in the church at 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Performances are free and open to the public.

College students, alumni and donors gathered at North American Martyrs Parish in Auburn Dec. 7 for the diocese’s college Campus Ministry event – a donor appreciation and informal evening to recognize efforts with FOCUS, a Catholic outreach organization for college students.

Thrift store proceeds support parish programs, and are used to assist individuals and families in Leicester who are dealing with a crisis, such as a house fire or other catastrophic event or situation.

Bishop McManus visited Our Lady of the Valley Regional Elementary School in Uxbridge and celebrated Mass in the church on Monday. The school is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Students from Venerini Academy, Our Lady of the Angels Elementary, St. Paul Diocesan Jr./Sr. High and Worcester East Middle School participated in the annual Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Contest for youth ages 11-13 this fall.

Asked if being a Catholic was important to him, he replied, “Oh, absolutely.”

Measurements showed Mary to be about nine months pregnant in the image, appropriate for December, when Jesus’ birth is celebrated, Dr. Colón-Usowicz noted.

Deacon Myles “Ray” Hayes, 84, passed away peacefully on Dec. 3 at Whitney Place of Northborough.

WEST BOYLSTON – Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish has declined to press charges against a man who stole donations from a prayer box in the church.

For the person who has “everything,” you might try something unique that helps support those praying for us. Local monasteries have gift shops that include inspirational, useful and tasty novelties made by the religious who live there or in other communities. You can stop and shop (and visit their chapels) or order by phone or online.

This program – Hope for Housing – has volunteers sell the retailers’ cards at 20 participating local churches, including six Catholic ones, according to Katie Coughlin, executive director of Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance.

“It was an incredible experience ... to see something on such a large scale,” said Sally Jablonski, a member of St. John Parish and owner of Herbert E. Berg Florist Inc. both in Worcester.

His funeral will be held on Dec. 10, at 10:30 a.m.at St. Anne–St. Patrick Church, 16 Church Street, Fiskdale.

Bishop McManus has invited all churches with bells in the Diocese of Worcester to join Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris by ringing them tomorrow at 2 p.m., when the two-day reopening ceremonies will begin.