WHITINSVILLE – This past winter, St. Patrick Parish started a new ministry to help the homeless in its community. It became a host church for the Blackstone Valley Emergency Shelter.

FITCHBURG – Seeing the sin in the world, Christians can view mercy as too lenient. But mercy is at the heart of the Gospel, Father Joseph M. Dolan told an estimated 300 people attending last weekend’s Divine Mercy Sunday celebration at St. Bernard Parish.

WORCESTER – Two sides faced off across the street outside the College of the Holy Cross Saturday, at times shouting or singing over each other. The controversy was over writings of Tat-siong Benny Liew, who holds the endowed chair in New Testament Studies at the college.

Parishioners from St. Joan of Arc Parish reenact The Way of the Cross from Tacoma Street to the church on Lincoln Street.

Bishop McManus led Good Friday Way of the Cross through downtown Worcester. Hundreds joined him on the walk from St. John Church to St. Paul Cathedral. Click photo to see album.

Statement by Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, STD, Bishop of Worcester on the writings of Professor Tat-siong Benny Liew about the true nature of Jesus Christ March 30, 2018, Worcester MA – A few days ago I learned of the highly controversial writings of a local Holy Cross professor, Tat-siong Benny Liew, that cast doubts on the male sexuality of Jesus Christ based on Professor Liew’s seriously flawed analysis of some texts of the Gospel of St. John. I am deeply troubled and concerned to hear that someone who holds an endowed chair in New Testament studies at the College of the Holy Cross has authored such highly offensive and blasphemous notions. Such positions have no place in the biblical scholarship of a professor who teaches at a Catholic college and who, as such, should be supportive of the college’s Catholic identity and mission. (CLICK TITLE FOR MORE)

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.

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.

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.

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. Bishop McManus said this celebration was an acceptance of Pope Francis’ invitation to join him and the universal Church in this time for God. The bishop said Lent is a good time for confession. He encouraged examining one’s conscience about how well one loves God and neighbor. In addition to Christ the King, parishes here with 24-hour adoration and confessions Friday into Saturday morning are: Annunciation in Gardner (in Holy Spirit Church), St. Joseph’s, Charlton, and St. Roch’s, Oxford. PHOTO BY Tanya Connor | CFP

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.”

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.