News - March 2018 RSS Feed

As the grieving women walked to the tomb in the pre-dawn darkness of Easter Sunday, their companion was not only grief but worry. How would they remove the stone that blocked the tomb so they could anoint Jesus’ body?

Critically ill patients at St. Vincent Hospital are being wrapped in comfort, care, and love with prayer shawls made by St. Matthias Parish Prayer Shawl Ministry in Marlborough.

Bishop McManus urged priests to remember their ordination and take seriously their promises. He asked everyone to pray for priests and vocations. He was preaching at the Chrism Mass Tuesday at St. Paul Cathedral

At the Adopt-A-Student Recognition Dinner, March 22 at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Father John F. Madden, pastor of St. John Church in Worcester, challenged listeners to be about the work of faith, hope and love.

As families prepare for Easter, some have an extra reason to celebrate: they’re coming into fuller communion with Christ and his family, the Church. At St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fitchburg, babies are partly responsible for bringing these families together – some from different countries.

Organizers of the Worcester Diocesan Men's Conference hosted upwards of 1,000 men at Assumption College’s Plourde Recreation Center on March 17. The crowd turned out to hear inspirational speakers, have lunch, go to confession, network, shop for books and gifts, learn about area Catholic organizations and join Bishop McManus for Mass.

Holy Week services to be held at St. Paul Cathedral. Many will be broadcast on cable TV.

Stories about a “crazy” visitor, a “crazy” pope and a not-so-peaceful Christmas Eve led to lessons about the love of the Lord. Middle schoolers heard these stories at the diocesan youth rally Saturday at St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School in Worcester. About 50 youth and adult leaders attended.

NORTHBOROUGH - In a simple, solemn ceremony, in St. Bernadette Church Wednesday, eighth-grade students at St. Bernadette Elementary School remembered those students and staff who were shot and killed a month ago at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

As we approach St. Patrick’s Day, I often wonder what it might have been like for those who came before us to make the adaptations that were necessary to take up a new life in a new country. My biggest question is whether or not I could have made these adjustments as effectively as my grandparents did.

SHREWSBURY – Sandwiched between two snowstorms, a celebration took place in St. Mary Parish on the afternoon of March 10. The festive atmosphere included music, excitement and plenty of food. But the food wasn’t for the people attending the event … and that’s what made it a celebration.

Bishop McManus censes the Host at the start of the diocese’s “24 Hours for the Lord” Friday at Christ the King Parish in Worcester. With him are Father Richard F. Reidy, in residence there, and Msgr. Thomas J. Sullivan, the pastor.

Father Grzegorz Zielinski, a priest of the Diocese of Radom, Poland, has come here for his vacations – to fill in for local priests, so they can go on vacation! He has freed a priest here for specialized ministry, and offered his own special services at the Chancery. And he does it with a smile.

Temporary housing for families that fled a devastated Puerto Rico may be in jeopardy and Catholic Charities Worcester County is trying to help. March 20 is a looming deadline for certain families who came to the Worcester area after Hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed or damaged homes and infrastructure throughout Puerto Rico last year. 

Students around the country have been moved to action since the Florida school shooting last month. Locally, prayer services will be held at several Catholic schools on March 14 in memory of the 17 students and school staff killed by gunfire Febuary 14 at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. David Perda, diocesan superintendent of  schools, said the programs are perfectly appropriate planned observances by the individual Catholic schools. 

A local Catholic’s first book was just published – in time for St. Patrick’s Day.  The novel looks at life in Ireland and the faith that sustained the people during the 19th-century potato famine. Author Eileen Charbonneau says the idea for the book “started a good 20 years ago.”

Workshop presenters John and Therese Boucher, of St. John Parish in Worcester, offered suggestions for bringing people back to church Saturday at St. Mary Parish in Uxbridge.

Local Catholics, including Catholic Charities Worcester County, continue to help undocumented immigrants, as U.S. bishops call for action and the U.S. Supreme Court buys more time for the DACA program.