News - December 2018 RSS Feed

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."

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.