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A Vatican-requested delay in adopting practices that are expected to boost accountability among U.S. bishops in their response to clergy sex abuse will not be voted on during the bishops' fall general assembly going on now. “I was disappointed, but not surprised,” Bishop McManus said Monday. “The laity are looking for the bishops to be held to the same accountability as the priests."

St. Denis Catholic Women’s Council at St. Denis Parish is marking 100 years of existence with a Mass and banquet on Nov. 11, Veterans Day, after months of anniversary activities. Less that two weeks after the end of World War I – on Nov. 24, 1918 – the St. Denis branch of Catholic Women’s War Service Council was formally organized.

All week schools around the diocese hosted and presented various events to Discover Today's Catholic Schools in New England. A sampling of events and photo album of activities give us a glimpse.

The Massachusetts Veterans’ Service department has sent out a request that churches and public buildings with bells ring them at 11 a.m., Nov. 11 “to recognize the World War I centennial of the Armistice on this Veterans Day.”

“Begin to model your life after Jesus. That’s how we transform the world – not by shouting,” Ennie Hickman told hundreds of high school students Sunday at the end of a youth rally with the theme “Transformed.”

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Nov. 10 for Deacon Paul J. Dacri, 65, who died Wednesday at UMass Medical Center after a short illness. The Mass will be held in St. John's Church, 40 Temple St., Worcester, were he has served as deacon since 2012.

The superintendent presented challenges facing Catholic schools. A teacher suggested they pray. The response? Eucharistic adoration in schools throughout the diocese.

Catholic Charities, Worcester County has opened an office and home care center at 200 Main St. in Milford. The new office will allow Catholic Charities to become more involved in a larger, more diverse, community, according to Timothy J. McMahon, executive director.

During this 50th anniversary year of “Humanae Vitae,” those attending the Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference will hear from an expert on the subject. Janet E. Smith, Ph.D., author of “Self-Gift: Essays on ‘Humanae Vitae’ and the Thought of John Paul II” will speak at the conference, Saturday, Nov. 10 at Assumption College. The title of her talk is, “The Sexual Mess that We Are In and How We Got Here.”

By Catholic News Service SPENCER (CNS) – A funeral Mass will be celebrated Nov. 3 at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer for Trappist Father Thomas Keating, a leading figure in the centering prayer movement that got its start in the 1970s. He died Oct. 25 at the abbey.

The Vatican Signatura, the Holy See’s highest court, has rejected appeals by the Mount Carmel Preservation Society aimed at saving Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Msgr. F. Stephen Pedone, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish at Our Lady of Loreto Church, said Bishop McManus was told of the Signatora’s decision when he visited the Vatican recently.

Equality and friendship were themes sounded for the visit 15 Haitian priests made to the diocese last week. They came from Haiti to renew covenants between their parishes and parishes here.

Bishop McManus, in a message to the priests of the diocese, has asked that the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel be recited by the faithful at Mass. The prayer, “which the Church has prayed in turbulent times,” was composed in 1886 by Pope Leo XIII, the bishop said.

Msgr. F. Gilles Roy, 91, of Worcester, passed away peacefully, Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home. A Mass of Christian burial was held Saturday, Oct. 27, at St. Cecilia’s Church, 180 Mechanic St., Leominster.

At the “Celebrate Priesthood!” gala in St. Vincent Hospital’s atrium Thursday night, hundreds of people gathered for a "Taste of the Diocese," but more importantly to honor their spiritual leaders. The event raises money for retired priests.

Felician Sister Jeanne Marie Akalski accepted the annual Retired Religious award Sunday for her twin sister, Sister Mary Valenta Akalski, who, among other things, taught religion to kindergartners at St. Joseph Elementary School in Webster. Sister Mary Valenta died in June.

The possibility of starting a new Catholic school in Milford is the focus of a survey just posted online. Father Peter J. Joyce, pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Milford, told The Catholic Free Press this week about his dream for a school closely tied to the parish in teaching the faith and incorporating diversity.

It was saved from the wrecker’s ball once. An attempt to save it again has failed. So now Notre Dame des Canadiens Church is coming down. It has been a landmark facing the Worcester Common since it was dedicated on Sept. 15, 1929.

WORCESTER – Singing and dancing. A consecration to the Blessed Mother – inspired by an unexpected voice. Awards for church and city leaders. These were among ways the Ghanaian Catholic community celebrated its 10th anniversary at St. Joan of Arc Parish Sunday, Oct. 7.

SOUTHBRIDGE – The Hispanic Catholic community in town celebrated its 60th anniversary with Mass, memories and ministers past and present. Bishop McManus and Father Kenneth R. Cardinale, pastor of St. John Paul II Parish, greeted the 200-plus worshippers in Spanish and they applauded.