News

CATHOLIC SCHOOL APPEAL - WEEKEND During the weekend of September 23-24, parishes in the Diocese of Worcester will conduct the annual Catholic Schools Appeal to support Catholic education. Over 6500 Catholic school students, thank you in advance for your support and generosity. It takes the kindness of many to help Catholic schools fulfill their mission. If you would like to make an online donation, please visit https://worcesterdiocese.org/schools

Mrs. Kaitlyn Smith, a second grade teacher at St. Anna Catholic School, Leominster was one of the winners of the Scholastic Book Clubs & James Patterson’s $1.75 million give away. She won $500 and 500 bonus points for her classroom library. She was one of the winners out of 82,000 entries! For full story please visit www.scholastic.com/pattersonpartnership/

Donors, volunteers and staff joined Bishop McManus at an annual appreciation dinner on Thursday, Sept. 14 at Tower Hill in Boylston. Those in attendance heard how Partners in Charity helps Catholic Charities meet people’s emergency needs, in a first step to helping them become self-sufficient, the agency’s head told donors. A teenager told them the Appeal helps her – and she helped with it. Timothy McMahon, executive director of Catholic Charities, and Caitlin Moughan, who would turn 14 on in a few days, were speaking at the annual Society Appreciation Dinner. The event gave Bishop McManus an opportunity to thank those who help with the Appeal, some of whom received awards for their years of service. CLICK TITLE for story

...Once again, we are called to respond. I ask that we join with Catholic Dioceses around our nation in taking up a second collection for relief work in the Caribbean and Florida. Given that we have already scheduled the annual Catholic School Appeal on September 24, I ask that we prepare for a Relief Collection at all Masses on September 30 and October 1. We will also provide for an online donation form on our website at worcesterdiocese.org which can be used at any time...

Bishop McManus celebrated Mass for the annual Patronal Feast of the diocese’s Hispanic communities. Members of the various Hispanic and Latino Catholic Communities from around the Diocese gathered for a procession, Mass and celebration on Saturday, Sept. 9 at Cathedral of St. Paul in Worcester. The celebration included breakfast, entertainment and a procession with recitation of the rosary. There was also a litany of the Blessed Mother, with a display of pictures of her as she is honored in different countries. Members of the international group Brotherhood of Emaus, newly established in the Worcester Diocese, were presented to the community. Read the full coverage in this week's edition of the Catholic Free Press.

The leaders of two dioceses joyfully joined their people once again in a covenant of solidarity. Worcester’s Bishop McManus and Haiti’s Cardinal Chibly Langlois of the Diocese of Les Cayes renewed the twinning relationship that began 27 years ago. In true Haitian tradition, with prayer, music and dance, more than 250 people attended a two-hour Mass at St. Joseph Church of Holy Family Parish in Worcester to witness the covenant signing.

For the past two summers, Joyce Leite, the Vacation Bible School director for St. Bernard Parish at St. Camillus Church in Fitchburg, has been happy to see various churches sharing their VBS resources. She’s also been delighted to be part of a multi-denominational chain of churches sharing one particular set of vibrant VBS decorations.

Bishop McManus has asked that parishes consider taking up a collection for Hurrican relief in the Gulf Coast either the weekend of Sept. 2/3 or Sept. 9/10.

Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Worcester announced today that the local members of the Diocesan Educators Lay Teachers Association (DELTA) voted last night to approve the negotiated contract for Diocesan School teachers. The contract language will remain in effect for two years and affect about 100 teachers at Holy Name Central Catholic Jr./Sr. H.S., St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic Jr./Sr. H.S.,, St. Bernard Central Catholic H.S., and St. Peter Central Catholic Elementary School. (Click Title for more)

“Our generous donors showed us that having raised $5 million last year was exceptional but not an exception,” said Michael Gillespie, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development. His office announced today that, as of the report on Tuesday, August 15, it has received 17,031 gifts and pledges totaling $5,030,350, thereby exceeding the $5 million goal two weeks before the end of the fiscal year.

As of Tuesday, August 8, 2017, the Annual Partners in Charity Appeal is $9,428 away from reaching goal. The campaign is officially done by August 31, the end of the fiscal year. CLICK TITLE to go to the Partners in Charity Website to make a donation or for further information.

The Diocese of Worcester has announced that applications are now available for the St. Vincent Community Healthcare Fund grants. Forms with eligibility requirements are available through the Office of the Chancellor, Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609, phone 508-929-4345 or fax at 508-754-2768 or email jschroeder@worcesterdiocese.org . Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2017.

As of Wednesday, July 19, 2017, the Annual Partners in Charity Appeal is $151,212 away from reaching goal. There are only 43 days to go until the appeal is concluded for this year. To date, the Diocese of Worcester has received 16,461 gifts and pledges totaling $4,848,788. CLICK TITLE to go to the Partners in Charity Website to make a donation or for further information.

WORCESTER, MA -- Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, announced the following priest assignment which will take effect immediately. Rev. Dario Acevedo who has served as an Associate Pastor at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Milford, is now the Chaplain to the Brazilian Catholic Community in Leominster and Chaplain to the Hispanic Catholic Community in Webster. His residence will be at St. Stephen Rectory in Worcester.

Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester announced today that David Perda, Ph.D. has been appointed Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Worcester. He will begin on August 7 with the retirement of Dr. Delma Josephson, who has been Superintendent of Catholic Schools since 2009. CLICK TITLE FOR RELEASE

Click on title for a Q&A document regarding the contract negotiations with DELTA, the association representing Central Catholic School teachers

The Diocese of Worcester will open the Fortnight for Freedom on Thursday, June 22 (the Feast of Ss. Thomas More and John Fisher) with Mass celebrated by Bishop McManus at 7:00 p.m. at Cathedral of St. Paul, Chatham and High Streets, Worcester. Handicapped accessible parking is located in the lower Chatham Street courtyard. A light reception and a presentation by Bishop McManus on this year’s theme, “In Service to Freedom for Mission,” will follow in the Cenacle located in the lower level of the Cathedral. All are welcome.      This marks the sixth annual Fortnight for Freedom to take place in dioceses nationwide and it will run from June 21 through July 4, 2017. This 14-day period of prayer, education and action gives Catholics an opportunity to reflect on the gift of our religious freedom and to address the many current, grave challenges to religious liberty which we face in our nation.

WORCESTER, MA -- Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, announced the following 23 priest assignments which will take effect July 1, 2017 unless otherwise noted. (Click title for release)

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, On June 3, 2017, the day before the Solemnity of Pentecost, I shall consecrate the Diocese of Worcester to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the Ordination Liturgy to be held at the Cathedral of Saint Paul at 10:00 a.m. At the very moment of his conception in the virginal womb of Mary, Jesus entrusted his whole being to her. Similarly, by this Act of Consecration, we will confide the Diocese and all of its good works to Our Lady in order to fulfill more readily the will of her Divine Son for his Church. (CLICK TITLE for complete letter)

The Office for Vocations has announced that on Saturday, June 3 at 10:00 am Most Rev. Robert J. McManus will ordain one priest, one transitional deacon and two permanent deacons for the Diocese of Worcester. The men to be ordained include Deacon Henry Ramirez to the priesthood, Mr. Javier DeJesus Julio to the transitional diaconate and Mr. Paul F.X. Covino and Mr. Stephen T. Kohut to the permanent diaconate. The Liturgy will take place at the Cathedral of St. Paul, corner of Chatham and High Streets, Worcester to which the public is invited. The Church is handicapped accessible from the Chatham Street courtyard. The Ordination Liturgy will be streamed LIVE on the internet and a link is available on the homepage of worcesterdiocese.org. (click headline for complete story)