Mary Lou Verla, 68, died Dec. 19 after battling pancreatic cancer for four years. She worked for the Diocese of Worcester Clergy Benefit Plan for more than 20 years. A wake will be held at St. Patrick Church, 1 Cross St., Whitinsville, on Dec. 29, and her funeral on Dec. 30.
The fourth row-a-thon took place this year from 6 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, until 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. In honor of Grace’s record, 62 rowers filled the official time slots in the row-a-thon at the GRACE Center and Mr. Rett estimated at least that many more rowed along with them at different parts of the weekend.
WORCESTER – William T. Clew, 94, a newspaper man for 65 years, died Monday, Dec. 18, leaving behind many family members, and co-workers he considered family. He was contributing editor at The Catholic Free Press for 28 years. He will be remembered at a Mass Jan. 6 at Christ the King Parish.
The baby will be the first of the four Richard Carons to play Jesus in the pageant, being held on Christmas Eve at St. John the Baptist Parish in East Brookfield, said Richard Jr., who has had great-nieces and great-nephews in that role.
Maritza Cedeno knows which toys are the most popular at Christmas. She oversees the distribution of more than 3,000 Christmas toys to 1,500 children by Catholic Charities of Worcester County.
The Quintilianis struggled to keep the shop from permanently closing. But their faith remained strong. And just in time for Advent and Christmas, their prayers were answered. The shop is located at 360 West Boylston Street.
Annie Kerins does consulting and liaison work with the marketing staff at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts and last fall she suggested producing a Christmas album to promote the theater. The six recording sessions began in October 2021 and finished last June, all at Hanover Theatre. It’s titled, “Holidays at The Hanover Theatre Volume 1.”
This year approximately 10,000 gifts, plus stocking stuffers, are to be distributed to children in about 700 families, through the Christmas Giving Program run by Urban Missionaries of Our Lady of Hope, according to Deacon Walter F. Doyle.
In accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s commitment to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Bishop McManus has announced that James D. Champion has been laicized.
As the chief teacher of faith and morals in the Diocese of Worcester, Bishop McManus has taken steps to address a cultural confusion which has arisen about human sexuality and gender, the Church’s teaching on the subject, and a consistent response to it.
WORCESTER - Patti Kowalchek has volunteered for 19 years to help Catholic Charities pack dinners for delivery to those in need on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ms. Kowalchek, 59, of Auburn also delivered meals for a few of the years because of a shortage of drivers for the Bishop’s Holiday Dinners program.
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.