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The letter stresses the importance of human rights. It addresses the relationship between individuals and the state. It speaks of equality among nations. And it presents the need for greater relationships between all nations. It called for groups of states to assist other states, especially those in trouble. But most importantly, it called for an end to the nuclear arms race - for disarmament.

Last month, Catholic Charities was notified that it will receive a grant for the 46th year, the latest being worth $638,961. The program is for people aged 55 and older. Almost 90 percent of the grant, which originally came from the U.S. Department of Labor, will provide temporary employment to low-income older adults living in Worcester and Franklin counties.

Marybeth Hay, director of catechesis at St. Mary Parish and Our Lady of the Valley Regional School in Uxbridge, organized people from different places in packing shoeboxes of Christmas gifts for children in developing countries through Box of Joy, a ministry of Cross Catholic Outreach, based in Boca Raton, Florida.

The Advent-Christmas season is a time of joy, peace, and celebration, but it can also be a time of sadness, loneliness, and grief for many people. The memories of past Christmases, whether happy or painful, can stir up emotions that are hard to cope with. But such memories can also be a source of healing for us and for others.

Sister of St. Joseph Claire Belforti (formerly Sister Grace Edward), 94, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Framingham on Nov. 24.

There are many Catholic religious communities that sustain themselves through the work of their hands. Many of their products are designed or made by their communities – or other religious communities – to ultimately build God’s kingdom. Many products are also created to bring people closer to God.

There’s nothing more important that a parish can add for Advent than daily Mass. So says Msgr. Thomas J. Sullivan, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Worcester, who has done just that for more than 10 years.

Sister Mary Luke (Margaret Mary) Mulraney died Nov. 24 at Notre Dame Nursing Long Term Care Center, Worcester. She was 97. A wake will be held Dec. 1 at 9:30 a.m. at Notre Dame du Lac Chapel, 555 Plantation St., Worcester. The funeral Mass will follow at 10.

A vespers service was attended by hundreds of people and included many songs, prayers, and the reading of the diploma recognizing Msgr. Richard F. Reidy, who received the title of Reverend Monsignor from Pope Francis.

A shed stocked with free food, winter wear, Bibles and more opened last weekend at St. Joseph Elementary School in Webster. Students said it can help people in need know God’s love – and help the school too.

SHREWSBURY – St. John’s High School Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Benjamin P. Horgan as the new head of school to succeed Alex Zequeira, the current headmaster, at the end of this school year.

Denise Boucher-Garofoli has every reason to feel at home at Boucher’s Good Books. The store has been around for 50 years and she has worked at it for each of them. In addition, the store is located at 254 Lake Ave. in the house in which she grew up. Her father, Lou Boucher, bought the home when Boucher-Garofoli was 3 years old.

A bone from an arm that likely hugged Jesus was venerated 1,033 times by people over a period of about six hours on Nov. 16 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, the only place in the Worcester Diocese where this relic of St. Jude the Apostle was scheduled to stop during its nine-month U.S. pilgrimage.

Divine Mercy Parish in Blackstone and the town community, including the Parks and Recreation Department, celebrated and honored veterans on Sunday.The parish Fellowship Ministry provided a hot breakfast, children in the Religious Education program and the town schools hand-crafted thank you cards, posters, and placemats.

Local Catholics are finding creative ways to express thanks to God by giving. Students and parishioners are donating food for Thanksgiving meals and preparing community meals to share their abundance.

The St. John’s High School golf team won its eighth state championship last month and its first since Joe Plante helped the Pioneers repeat as state champs in 2012. Mr. Plante, 28, died unexpectedly on Oct. 23, but St. John’s coach Sean Noonan believes he helped the Pioneers win their latest state title as well.

A total of $21,000 was awarded on Monday by Bishop McManus at the St. Peter Parish gym in Worcester, which represented the local portion of the annual Catholic Campaign for Human Development collection taken up in 2022.

The United States bishops chose a verse from the Gospel of Matthew for this year’s catechetical theme: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28).

Catholic Charities Worcester County is seeking volunteers eager to lend a helping hand in delivering holiday cheer through Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

From infants to individuals over 90 years old, cremated remains of 167 people who were without a proper burial place and left at funeral homes in Worcester were interred on Nov. 2, All Souls’ Day, at Notre Dame Mausoleum, part of the diocesan cemetery system.