News - June 2022 RSS Feed

WASHINGTON, D.C (CNA) – The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade in a historic decision released Friday that brings an end to nearly a half-century of nationwide legalized abortion in the United States. The regulation of abortion now reverts to the states. Massachusetts is one of the states that already has passed laws to allow unrestricted access to abortion.

While some people are looking at the Dobbs decision by the Supreme Court as a victory for those who advocate for the life of both the mother and the child in the womb, we must also keep in mind that this decision is a legal recognition of states’ rights. MORE

The Supreme Court decision that has overturned Roe v. Wade ushers in a new era of abortion politics in the U.S., with the battleground now shifting to state legislatures.

The United States Supreme Court has ruled today, June 24, that “the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe v. Wade, 410 U. S. 113, and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey, 505 U. S. 833, are overruled; the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.”

The 100th anniversary of the Knights of Columbus council based at St. Joseph Parish in North Brookfield was celebrated June 18. The Cardinal Gibbons Council 2381 was chartered on June 22, 1922.

A rosary garden at North American Martyrs Parish in Auburn recently was dedicated to the late Father John F. Gee, the pastor of the parish for 30 years. The garden was a young parishioner’s Eagle Scout project.

The “yes” that Michael Hoye said to God one day came to fruition last Saturday when he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Worcester

WORCESTER – A standing-room-only congregation applauded and cheered for the seven men who were ordained priests for the Worcester Diocese Saturday. People came from near and far for the new priests: Fathers James Boulette, Cleber de Paula, Julio Rafael Granados, Michael Hoye, Thiago Ibiapina, Derek Mobilio and Juan Parra.

Bishop McManus is to ordain seven men, ages 27 to 43, to the priesthood Saturday at St. Paul Cathedral at 10 a.m. Mass. All are welcome to attend.

The charismatic renewal and liberation theology influenced Deacon Cleber de Paula's involvement in the Church in Brazil. Saturday he and six others are to be ordained to the priesthood.

The Worcester Diocese will mark the start of the National Eucharistic Revival by ordaining priests, Bishop McManus told Serra Club members after Mass on June 9.

Bishop McManus has informed Nativity School of Worcester that it may no longer identify itself as a Catholic school after it refused to stop flying Black Lives Matter and gay pride flags.

Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Diocese of Worcester has issued a decree prohibiting the Nativity School in Worcester identifying itself as Catholic. MORE

Father Richard A. Jakubauskas, 78, of Shrewsbury, a retired priest of the Diocese of Worcester, died Wednesday, June 9, in UMass Memorial Medical Center, University Campus. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. June 17 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Worcester.

On Saturday, June 18 Bishop McManus will ordain Deacons Michael D. Hoye, James J. Boulette, Thiago R. Ibiapina, Derek A. Mobilio, Cleber de Paula, Julio R. Granados, and Juan D. Parra to the priesthood.

Twelve priests are being named pastors. Some of them have been administrators and are being appointed pastor while others are being assigned as pastor to new parishes. One is ending his role as administrator of multiple parishes MORE

James Brasco comes to be the new director of cemeteries for the Diocese of Worcester after serving as director of sales and marketing for the 25 cemeteries in the Archdiocese of Boston

“This was God kind of slapping me in the head, saying, ‘What are you doing with your life?’ It was kind of being confronted with the truth,” Deacon James J. Boulette said.

At the age of 32, Deacon Derek Mobilio eagerly anticipates his upcoming ordination to the priesthood on June 18 at St. Paul Cathedral in Worcester

35 teenagers share their faith at Diocesan Youth Retreat hosted by the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.