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.

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.

The Diocese of Worcester welcomes all to participate in a worldwide appeal by Pope Francis to spend “24 Hours With The Lord” by visiting one of four designated churches for Adoration and the Sacrament of Confession. It will begin after morning Mass on Friday, March 9 and conclude with morning Mass on Saturday, March 10 at the following locations: Christ the King, Worcester; Holy Spirit Church at Annunciation Parish, Gardner; St. Joseph Church, Charlton; and St. Roch, Oxford.

The Office of Development of the Diocese of Worcester has announced that it has concluded the advanced gifts phase of this year’s Partners in Charity Appeal prior to the diocesan-wide In-pew Sunday. The appeal has received 2,962 gifts and pledges totaling $1,216,233 or 24% of the $5 Million goal.

William T. Clew, contributing editor of The Catholic Free Press since 1991, is being inducted into the New England Newspaper Hall of Fame. Mr. Clew began his newspaper career at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in 1954. The CFP and T&G jointly nominated Mr. Clew for the honor and many former colleagues offered testimonials to his influence on their career.

Emmanuel Radio will be heard on two new FM frequencies later this year, expanding its coverage in the Worcester radio market. The two new FM Catholic radio stations are to broadcast both EWTN and local programs, Cindy R. Dorsey, general manager of Emmanuel Radio, said this week.

February 16, 2018, Worcester, MA – Hundreds of people gathered at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Worcester on Sunday, where 216 catechumens and candidates along with their sponsors and families participated in various rites leading to completing their initiation into the Catholic Church.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We have begun the 40-day Lenten season of prayer, penance and almsgiving that precedes the re-birth of Easter. You and I need Lent because we are sinners called to repentance. However, Lent’s journey is not just aimed at repentance and, through God’s grace, overcoming sin. Lent and Easter lead us to accept Jesus Christ more fully, that we may have the abundance of life he came to bring. Too often, we settle for less.

The theme of Partners in Charity this year is “Faith in Action – Loving God by Serving Others.” Its patroness, Servant of God Dorothy Day, is quoted as saying that she didn’t know how to love God, except by loving the poor, or how to serve God, expect by serving the poor. The goal again this year is $5 million.

In an effort to combat the pervasive negativity of our world, St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Upton is taking on a simple and gentle message this Lent: Let us be instruments of peace.

The Diocese of Worcester has hired a consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study for a diocesan capital campaign, Bishop McManus said in a letter to the people of the diocese. After interviews and discussions, the bishop chose Guidance in Giving Inc., of Bayport, N.Y., to conduct the study.

Hispanic Catholics told Bishop McManus what they think is needed for evangelization and ministry locally, as they gathered at their Diocesan Encuentro Saturday at St. Paul Cathedral. Their requests included education, outreach to youth, and a full-time director of Hispanic ministry to design a pastoral plan, promote vocations and help with immigration, those involved said.

As the New England Patriots head to the Super Bowl Sunday, a Worcester Diocesan priest is thinking about the team as good men he’s come to know, and spiritual lessons he’s gained – and shared – as a result. “I’ve been with them 27 years,” Msgr. Michael G. Foley told The Catholic Free Press during an impromptu visit to the office recently.

Vatican Upholds Bishop’s Decree to Relegate Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church to appropriate non-religious use FEBRUARY 1, 2018, WORCESTER, MA -- The Office of the Judicial Vicar announced today that the Congregation for the Clergy at the Vatican has upheld the decision by Bishop Robert McManus to relegate Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church to “profane but not sordid use” morally acceptable use other than as a church. According to Msgr. F. Stephen Pedone, diocesan judicial vicar/vicar for canonical affairs, the diocese received word of the decision in mid-January. An announcement was held until he could confirm that the petitioners were aware of the decision. CLICK TITLE TO READ MORE

The College of the Holy Cross has received a $3 million gift to support the college’s Center for Liberal Arts in the World from the family of J.D. Power III, Class of 1953.

We are celebrating Catholic Schools Week. Check back throughout the week for more photos.

The congregation was made up mostly of young adults, whom Bishop McManus called to be apostles. The bishop was preaching to about 40 people at the diocese’s first “Mass mob” Jan. 20 at St. Paul Cathedral in Worcester.The next Mass mob is scheduled for 4 p.m. Feb. 24 at Holy Family of Nazareth Parish, 750 Union St., Leominster.

Food pantries in the diocese and in Worcester County are doing the work of Christ, caring for the homeless, caring for the poor and taking care of those who are much less fortunate than ourselves, Bishop McManus said. He spoke recently to a meeting of about 50 people who serve at food pantries in Worcester County.

January 25, 2018, WORCESTER, MA – Following a complete audit of its financial accounting, the Diocese of Worcester has issued online Financial Statements and online and printed editions of the Annual Report on Financial Activities for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2017. That report also highlights many of the accomplishments of the diocesan ministries and Partners in Charity recipient agencies during that timeframe. In his letter, Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, S.T.D., Bishop of Worcester, wrote that "diocesan operations were challenged and experienced a loss of $278,802 before unrealized gains on investments." That deficit amounted to slightly more than 1 percent of the total expenses of $26,169,629. After including unrealized gains on investments, the annual report on financial activities reports a surplus of $1,116,885 or 4.25% of total support and revenue. CLICK TITLE for full release and reports

January 25, 2018, WORCESTER, MA – Following the Catholic Church’s commitment to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, has announced that Peter J. Inzerillo has been laicized at his request. He was dispensed from the clerical state by the Holy Father, Pope Francis. CLICK title to read more