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On Good Friday parishioners from St. John Paul II Parish presented the Via Crucis through the streets of Southbridge. See photo album.

WORCESTER – Those who worshipped at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Mulberry Street soon will begin to see familiar sacred objects in Our Lady of Loreto Church on Massasoit Road, and in other churches around the diocese. The removal of the sacred items this week means that the demolition phase at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church began before the expiration of the city-issued demolition permit, Msgr. Pedone said.

Photographs from the funeral services of Bishop George E. Rueger who died at age 89.

Priests of the diocese, gathered outside St. Paul Cathedral Saturday, broke into applause after Bishop Rueger's funeral Mass. The leader they were honoring was also lauded by the presence of the more than 300 people at his funeral.

After talking about Jesus embracing his mission to show God’s face to saint and sinner alike, Father Dennis J. O’Brien told stories about Bishop Rueger at his wake service Friday night.

Students were among those honoring Bishop Rueger – a faithful supporter of Catholic education – as his body was taken to the St. Paul Cathedral for viewing and services Friday. Hundreds paid their respects to Bishop Rueger, auxiliary bishop for three of Worcester's bishops.

The Chrism Mass, celebrated April 11 at St. Paul Cathedral, was an honor not only for priests, but for laity. At this annual Mass the bishop blesses the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens and consecrates the Holy Chrism, to be used for the administration of the sacraments throughout the diocese in the coming year

Bishop George E. Rueger was remembered this week not only as a spiritual mentor but as a long-time friend. When he died Saturday at Christopher House in Worcester, there was not a dry eye in the room, said Sister Mary Ann Bartell, the Carmelite Sister of the Eucharist who heads the diocese’s ministry to retired priests.

“These conferences give me hope and strength to learn the faith,” said a participant at the 19th annual Worcester Diocesan Catholic Men’s Conference, held April 6 at Assumption College.  “I feel like I’m living life the way I’m supposed to now,” he said.

April 7, 2019, WORCESTER, MA –The Most Reverend George Edward Rueger, retired auxiliary bishop of Worcester, died peacefully on Saturday, April 6 at Christopher House in Worcester. He was 89 years old. The Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester said, “I am profoundly saddened by the death of Bishop George Rueger. He was a kind and gentle priest and bishop who dedicated every moment of his life to the people of the Diocese of Worcester whom he loved so deeply. His humility, which was grounded in a complete commitment to his vocation to the priesthood, was an inspiration for all of us who are ordained. As a good steward of all the gifts God gave him, he lived simply and shared all he had with those in need. May Christ greet his immortal soul with the words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Join me in my Father's house.’” MORE

NORTHBOROUGH - This time it is the principal of St. Bernadette Elementary School who is getting national recognition. Deborah C. O’Neil will receive a 2019 Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award from the National Catholic Educational Association.

WORCESTER – Area teenagers seemed pleasantly surprised by their first experience of praying in front of an abortion facility this week. A poll showing Catholics’ support for legalized abortion had something to do with their presence there

Bishop McManus preached at the diocese’s annual Mass for Life on the Feast of the Annunciation, and five people were awarded for their pro-life work.

WORCESTER – Tears of surprise and gratitude marked the 12th Annual Adopt-A-Student Recognition Dinner, held March 21 at Mechanics Hall. At the dinner, Adopt-A-Student scholars received awards and two received four-year scholarships to Anna Maria and Assumption colleges.

Seminarian Peter Bui shares part of his vocation story in this year’s Partners in Charity video, and Bishop McManus added his piece of the story at recent Partners kickoffs.

March 21, 2019, WORCESTER, MA – The Office of Development of the Diocese of Worcester has announced that it has raised 40% of the $5 million goal for this year’s Annual Partners in Charity Appeal and that four parishes are over goal. The office has received 4,713 gifts and pledges totaling $2,011,879. The weekends in mid-March are the official “in-pew Sundays” in many of the 96 parishes and 3 missions which comprise the Diocese of Worcester. MORE

Teens at St. Patrick Parish in Whitinsville are serving fish and chips dinners on Fridays in Lent to subsidize a week-long mission trip to San Diego as Young Neighbors in Action.

St. Patrick, evangelizer of a whole nation, is still bringing people to God – or at least to church. Irish dinners in his name are drawing crowds to local parishes, bringing folks together, raising money and playing a part in a type of evangelization too.

A Hispanic woman “changed” her birthday because of her devotion – and was protected. An African woman lived through horror – and gave life. Local religious sisters told these stories of women they met at the U.S.-Mexico border when volunteering there last month.

Local Catholics are being encouraged to lobby legislators about current bills aimed at expanding access to abortion and legalizing physician-assisted suicide, as well as bills about sex education.