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For Ann and Frank Masiello of Shrewsbury, members of St. Mary of the Hills Parish, Boylston, it was the trip of a lifetime that grew out of the devastating loss of their son Daniel.The couple had front row seats at a Vatican audience with Pope Francis.

July 25, 2018 will mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of “Humanae Vitae,” Blessed Paul VI’s encyclical on the proper use of the gift of sexuality in marriage. The encyclical’s first words are these: “The most serious duty of transmitting human life, for which married persons are free and responsible collaborators of God the Creator, has always been a source of great joy to them.”

Teenagers streamed past applauding peers to the arena stage – to show their openness to a possible priestly or religious vocation. At another point, youth stood to acknowledge that they had proclaimed Jesus as Lord of their lives for the first time that weekend.It was Steubenville East.

Melkite Patriarch Youseff (Joseph) Absi met with his people after a Typica service Saturday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Worcester. Bishop McManus was among many clergy who attended to meet the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.

The Diocese of Worcester has announced that applications are now available for the St. Vincent Community Healthcare Fund grants. This is the twentieth year for grants since it was established in June 1998. 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 ssmillie@worcesterdiocese.org. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 31, 2018 .

Young people and chaperones from the Diocese of Worcester were among the 2,500 people who attended Steubenville East July 13-15.

Traveling to Colombia to help, newly ordained Father Victor Sierra celebrate his ordination at the first Mass in his home parish was a pilgrimage, a cultural eye-opening, and a little bit of a vacation. Deacon David Vaillancourt tells the story.

The Worcester Diocese reorganized its Diocesan Finance Council by updating bylaws, Father Richard F. Reidy said this week. He credited Patricia L. Jones, outgoing chairwoman, for her leadership in the adoption of the new bylaws, approved by Bishop McManus.

WORCESTER – Altering genetic material could lead to improved health for some human beings, and injustice for others. Father José A. Rodríguez, pastor of Holy Family of Nazareth Parish and Holy Trinity Chapel in Leominster, raised these issues at Theology on Tap June 5.

Once a month Timothy T. Messenger Jr. becomes a mob boss. Sort of, and in a good way. His mobs go to Mass. Mr. Messenger is diocesan director of the youth and young adult ministry, New Evangelization Worcester for Youth & Young Adults. One of the many activities that office plans is a Mass Mob.

Father Alan J. Martineau, ordained June 23 in St. Paul Cathedral, said that he first thought of the priesthood as being interesting when he watched his pastor, Father James F. Hoey, read notes before Mass, then deliver a homily from memory.

Lynne Martineau, a member of Mary, Queen of the Rosary Parish in Spencer and mother of Father Alan J. Martineau, wasn’t the only mother attending the ordination which nearly filled St. Paul Cathedral Saturday. Luz-Elena Guzman came in from Colombia to celebrate with her son Juan-Sebastian Sanchez Guzman, who was ordained a transitional deacon, in preparation for priesthood.

WORCESTER – As Notre Dame Health Care celebrated its 25th anniversary Sunday, a sister who’s seen it from different vantage points recalled the nuns’ initial reactions to the new place.

Permanent deacons were challenged to promote family life and go out into the world, fired by the examples of Jesus and local clergy. Father Warren Savage was speaking for the 40th anniversary of the permanent diaconate in the diocese Saturday at St. Joan of Arc Parish.

The permanent diaconate, restored to the Catholic Church on Sept. 29, 1964, by the Second Vatican Council, became a reality for the Diocese of Worcester on June 24, 1978, with the ordination of 20 permanent deacons at St. Paul Cathedral.

Bishop McManus has appointed Michael J. Clark assistant superintendent of secondary schools in the Worcester Diocese. Mr. Clark, who will begin working on July 2, was recommended for the new position by David Perda, superintendent of Catholic schools. He will work directly with the principals and staffs of St. Bernard Central Catholic High School in Fitchburg and Holy Name Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School and St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School, both in Worcester.

WORCESTER – A new shrine – a response to a prominent devotion among Hispanics – was dedicated in the vestibule at St. Paul Cathedral June 3. Bishop McManus blessed the shrine to the Divino Niño (the Divine Child, Jesus) following the Spanish community’s Corpus Christi Mass and procession.

June 7, 2018, WORCESTER, MA –Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester, has announced the appointment of three parish administrators, five associate pastors and a transitional deacon. Three new priests will be ordained on June 23 at the Cathedral of St. Paul. The bishop has also announced the assignment of three priests to specialized ministries, the retirement of four priests, and his approval of assignments for Augustinians of the Assumption. Unless otherwise noted, the assignments are effective July 1, 2018. CLICK TITLE FOR COMPLETE RELEASE

Photo albums of high school graduations are online

A diocesan women’s conference – inspired by insufficient catechesis decades ago and men’s conferences recently – is to be held Nov. 10 at Assumption College. It’s an attempt to help women serve God and others.