Recently, while listening to a podcast, Sarah Berry, a mother of two small children, was inspired after hearing about Endow, a nationwide association founded on St. John Paul II’s “Letter to Women,” which advocates for the dignity of women.

Bishop McManus will dedicate the Early Childhood Center at St. Bernadette School to the memory of Sister Marguerite Timothy Young, SND, on Jan. 28.

The new year started more than a month ago, with the start of the new liturgical year, for the diocese’s African Ministry. “On the first Sunday of Advent we declared the Year of the Family, with the theme “Ut Omnes Unum Sint (that they may be one),” said Father Enoch K. Kyeremateng, chaplain.

“Only older Catholics like to go to Mass, adoration and confession. The faith is dying. It should be more fun.” Friends say such things to Dale Brown, a student at Nichols College in Dudley. But he has a different perspective after attending the SEEK2019: Encounter Something More” conference.

The Hispanic and the African communities were active in 2018, growing, sharing and evangelizing. Three bishops celebrated significant anniversaries, and so did the diaconate program. Both men and women hosted conventions this year and youth met at rallies, all to build up the faith. The Catholic faithful continued their financial and prayerful support of diocesan ministries. Looking at the highlights for 2018, one can easily see that the people of the Diocese of Worcester are doing their part to transform the culture.

They can’t – or won’t – contain it. It’s bubbling over – to fellow parishioners, neighbors, even strangers. It’s the deepened commitment and joy of people who consecrated themselves to Jesus through Mary, and pastors who consecrated their whole parishes.

Nine-year-old Natalie Jane Smith, a fourth-grade student at St. Joseph Elementary School in Webster, donated more than 100 toys to the Christmas campaign of the Knights of Columbus Council at St. Bernard Church. Her effort put the campaign over the top,

WORCESTER – Children of all ages at St. Stephen Elementary School have the answer. When Santa Claus came to town – a bit early (Dec. 21) – he asked the students what we celebrate at this time of year. No matter their grade, their answer was the same: “Jesus’ birthday.”

FITCHBURG – You could have heard a pin drop. Middle schoolers and high schoolers were waiting for a 93-year-old to speak. And speak he did – with grief, humor and romance. Holocaust survivor Israel “Izzy” Arbeiter was telling his story Dec. 13 at St. Bernard Central Catholic High School.

Bishop McManus offers this reflection on Christmas and his wishes: "The same Jesus, born at Bethlehem, and laid in the manger by Mary comes to us to nourish our souls, to bring us His love, healing and peace. Like Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Magi, may that encounter give you and your loved ones joy and peace on Christmas and each week at Mass."

During a routine audit review, which takes place when there is a change in parish leadership, auditors identified an unauthorized bank account at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Winchendon, according to Raymond L. Delisle, spokesman for the diocese.

Saturday, Dec. 15 at St. Paul Cathedral Bishop McManus ordained Juan-Sebastian Sanchez Guzman, from Colombia, a priest. Thiago Moises Da Silva, from Brazil, and Vijaya Sagar Gundiga, from India, were ordained transitional deacons, preparing for priesthood.

Michael Grenon has delivered meals for the Bishop’s Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to homes for years. He said he started when he was about 7 or 8. Of course, he didn’t do it alone then. His father, David, did the driving and the whole family came along. Besides the delivered meals, Catholic Charities and Bishop McManus host sit-down dinners. On Christmas Day dinner will be served at noon in the Cenacle of St. Paul Cathedral.

There’s no doubt that the Christmas season is upon us. One gift that we can give Jesus is the gift of our heartfelt participation in the Corporal Works of Mercy, which Jesus calls us to perform. Fortunately, in the Worcester Diocese, there are many ministries that offer us the opportunity to fulfill that call.

“Mary is on the move,” says Kimberly Harmon. “Mary wants to be so close” to her children, “especially during this trying time in our Church. Mary’s giving us so much hope.”

St. Bernard Central Catholic High School’s football team won the Massachusetts Division 8 state championship Dec. 1 with a 46 - 35 victory over Pope John XXIII of Everett at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.

Peter Dunbeck, chairman of the Worcester Diocese’s Environmental Stewardship Ministry, suggests that our way of Christmas gift-giving can serve the precepts of “Laudato Si’,” protecting the environment while taking care of those we love, and better providing for the needy.

Men from three different countries are scheduled to be ordained at a special Mass at 10 a.m. Dec. 15 at St. Paul Cathedral. Deacon Juan-Sebastian Sanchez Guzman, from Colombia, is to be ordained a priest. Vijaya Sagar Gundiga, expected to be the first person from India to be ordained for the Worcester Diocese, and Thiago Moises Da Silva, the second Brazilian, are becoming transitional deacons, preparing for priesthood.

When Maryknoll Father Robert Jalbert - a Southbridge native - went to East Africa in 1976 as a young missionary-in-training, he was excited about all he could offer to the poor. He never dreamed that the poor had something to offer him. he said.

WHITINSVILLE – St. Patrick Parish has been helping its people deal with the turmoil caused by the recent revelations about sexual abuse in the Church. Monday it hosted Francesco Cesareo, president of Assumption College in Worcester and president of the National Review Board, to give people a broader picture of the issue and how to respond to it.