News - September 2017 RSS Feed

VATICAN CITY – On Sept. 28, Alan Martineau of Spencer was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop James Checchio, of Metuchen, N.J., with 30 of his classmates from the Pontifical North American College. The ordination took place in St. Peter’s Basilica. (Photo courtesy of Diocese of Worcester Office of Vocations.)

HOPEDALE - Four of six bronze and glass doors stolen from Sacred Heart of Jesus Church have been recovered and a Milford woman charged in the theft has pleaded not guilty in Milford District Court, according to a statement of facts filed by police. The doors, valued at about $3,000 each, had been replaced during renovations at the church last July and placed behind a garage on church property.

Sam Belluardo of West Boylston was 32 when his boss, Bart Murphy, brought him to a meeting of the diocesan First Friday Club. That was in 1950, the year the club was started by Bishop John J. Wright, soon after the formation of the Worcester Diocese. Now, 67 years later, Mr. Belluardo is still a member, the only original member still in the club. Mr. Belluardo is 99. 

A public hearing about legislation that would allow Massachusetts doctors to prescribe patients a lethal dose of drugs – so they could kill themselves – is to be held Tuesday at the State House. Catholics are among those opposing the Massachusetts End of Life Options Act – House Bill 1194 and Senate Bill 1225. The Joint Committee on Public Health is holding Tuesday’s hearing to listen to the public’s comments about these bills.

Bishop McManus expressed hope for the Church’s outreach Monday at the launching of the diocese’s new Communications Ministry for Parish Evangelization. The ministry is a combination of the diocesan Office of Communications, TV Ministry and The Catholic Free Press. The diocesan ministry has partnered with eCatholic, a company that provides easy-to-use websites, and Flocknote, an email, text messaging tool that will help churches “reach their sheep.”

Timothy McMahon, executive director of Catholic Charities, and Caitlin Moughan, who turned 14 on Sept. 16, were speaking at the annual Partners in Charity Society Appreciation Dinner. It was held Sept. 14 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston.

For the past two summers, Joyce. Leite has been happy to see various churches sharing their VBS resources. She’s also been delighted to be part of a multi-denominational chain of churches that have shared one particular set of vibrant VBS decorations.