Bishop to host Christmas dinner

People in need of food and fellowship are invited to have dinner with Bishop McManus on Christmas Day at St. Paul Cathedral.
Volunteers are needed to help serve that meal, but more volunteers are needed to deliver dinners to the homebound, disabled and others in need, according to Catholic Charities Worcester County, which coordinates these free meals.
“Last year, we delivered over 3,000 meals on both Thanksgiving and Christmas – it would not have been possible without our volunteers,” the website www.ccworc.org/bishopsdinnervolunteer/ says. “As the Holiday Season is approaching, we must keep in mind those who may not be as fortunate to have family and friends to share a holiday meal with.”
The dinner with the bishop is scheduled for 12 to 2 p.m. on Dec. 25, in the lower level of St. Paul Cathedral, 15 Chatham St., Worcester. Guests do not need to register, said Madalyn Sirois, social media and fundraising coordinator for Catholic Charities Worcester County. They may arrive on their own or take one of the buses Catholic Charities provides. (See accompanying bus routes for details.)
Sit-down dinner volunteers should arrive at the cathedral between 11:30 and 11:45 a.m. on Christmas and can register at this link: www.ccworc.org/cathedralregistration/. 
Dec. 17, is the cutoff date for those needing meals delivered. Requests must be made by leaving a message at 508-798-0191, including the person’s name, address, telephone number, number of meals needed and any special instructions.
 Meal delivery volunteers are asked to sign up on the website, www.ccworc.org/bishopsdinnervolunteer/. They are to arrive at 10 Hammond St., Worcester, any time between 8 and 9:30 a.m. on Christmas Day to get their delivery routes and meals, drive-through style. Those willing to deliver more than the standard 11 meals, if there are more meal requests than usual, can indicate that on the website sign-up form. Further instructions are to be emailed to volunteers who sign up.
Money is still needed to help pay for the meals, Miss Sirois said. Those interested in helping can do so through PayPal on the website ccworc.org/bishops-holiday-dinner/. Those interested in being event sponsors, like St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, Assumption College in Worcester, and many businesses are, should email her at msirois@ccworc.org.
The Broadway in Worcester is doing all the cooking, Miss Sirois said. She said Catholic Charities pays The Broadway for the food, The Broadway also asks other companies for food donations and Table Talk Pies donates pies directly to Catholic Charities.