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Peter Dunbeck, chairman of the Worcester Diocese’s Environmental Stewardship Ministry, suggests that our way of Christmas gift-giving can serve the precepts of “Laudato Si’,” protecting the environment while taking care of those we love, and better providing for the needy.

“Mary is on the move,” says Kimberly Harmon. “Mary wants to be so close” to her children, “especially during this trying time in our Church. Mary’s giving us so much hope.”

Men from three different countries are scheduled to be ordained at a special Mass at 10 a.m. Dec. 15 at Cathedral of St. Paul. Deacon Juan-Sebastian Sanchez Guzman, from Colombia, is to be ordained a priest. Vijaya Sagar Gundiga, expected to be the first person from India to be ordained for the Worcester Diocese, is becoming a transitional deacon, preparing for priesthood. Also to become a transitional deacon is Thiago Moises Da Silva, the second Brazilian to be ordained for the Diocese of Worcester.

Given the continuing questions about sexual abuse of minors by members of the Church and issues which arose before and during the November meeting in Baltimore of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, we sat down with Bishop Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, to ask what is happening in the Diocese of Worcester. (CLICK HEADLINE) Conversation with Bishop McManus on this topic is the Featured Program above

When Maryknoll Father Robert Jalbert - a Southbridge native - went to East Africa in 1976 as a young missionary-in-training, he was excited about all he could offer to the poor. He never dreamed that the poor had something to offer him.

WHITINSVILLE – St. Patrick Parish has been helping its people deal with the turmoil caused by the recent revelations about sexual abuse in the Church. Monday it hosted Francesco Cesareo, president of Assumption College in Worcester and president of the National Review Board, to give people a broader picture of the issue and how to respond to it.

Anna Maria College is restarting its master’s degree in pastoral ministry, starting two certificate programs as part of this graduate program, and adding a bachelor’s degree in theology, according to Marc Tumeinski, director of the graduate program in theology.

Bishop McManus and Catholic Charities host annual Thanksgiving Dinner at St. Paul Cathedral Cenacle. See photos of the holiday.

Jesse Trees used to be a popular Advent custom, according to Linda Brink, religious education coordinator at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Dudley. And some people are making them again with their own creative touches.

Students and faculty and guests shared a Thanksgiving feast Tuesday at St. Mary School in Worcester. Others around the diocese packed food baskets for those in need. See photo album.

LEOMINSTER - Serra Club Worcester North has honored retired Judge Edward J. Reynolds for his 50 years as a member. Judge Reynolds said his father, Jim, was involved with the North club from its inception. Judge Reynolds said he followed in his father’s footsteps and became a member in 196

Helen Alvare - Janet Smith - Mother Mary Assumpta Long were among the speakers at the Nov. 10, the sold-out Worcester Catholic Women's Conference. Four hundred women registered for the full-day event held at Assumption College.

WORCESTER – At the 2018 Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference, the last presentation of the day was given by Susan Conroy, the author of “Mother Teresa’s Lessons of Love and Secrets of Sanctity” and several other inspirational books. She once worked with St. Teresa of Kolkata by helping her serve the “poorest of the poor” in India, and she discovered what makes someone a saint.

Humor helped get serious messages across at Saturday’s Women’s Conference. Susie Lloyd's talk was titled, “Be Not Afraid of the Puddle in the High Chair,” reminiscent of an experience of eating out with family which she recounted humorously for conference-goers.

The announcement at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting in Baltimore that we had to table a vote regarding several action items that would contribute to holding bishops accountable came as a surprise to all of us. I left for Baltimore ready to discuss the plan and to support the proposal that more must be done to demonstrate our commitment to handling properly allegations of abuse of minors. I am disappointed that we cannot move forward this week. . .

A Vatican-requested delay in adopting practices that are expected to boost accountability among U.S. bishops in their response to clergy sex abuse will not be voted on during the bishops' fall general assembly going on now. “I was disappointed, but not surprised,” Bishop McManus said Monday. “The laity are looking for the bishops to be held to the same accountability as the priests."

The Massachusetts Veterans’ Service department has sent out a request that churches and public buildings with bells ring them at 11 a.m., Nov. 11 “to recognize the World War I centennial of the Armistice on this Veterans Day.”

St. Denis Catholic Women’s Council at St. Denis Parish is marking 100 years of existence with a Mass and banquet on Nov. 11, Veterans Day, after months of anniversary activities. Less that two weeks after the end of World War I – on Nov. 24, 1918 – the St. Denis branch of Catholic Women’s War Service Council was formally organized.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Nov. 10 for Deacon Paul J. Dacri, 65, who died Wednesday at UMass Medical Center after a short illness. The Mass will be held in St. John's Church, 40 Temple St., Worcester, were he has served as deacon since 2012.

Nearly 400 students from around the diocese gathered for the annual High School Youth Rally held by the diocesan youth ministry office New Evangelization Worcester. The theme was "Transformed" from Romans 12:2 – "Do not conform yourself to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect."