WORCESTER – They came, they served, they found community. Now they’re retiring. There’s life to be lived, family to enjoy, ministry to continue, in different ways. Beth Tobin and Dawn VanRiper are finishing up years of service – to students and adults – at St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic  Junior/Senior High School.

Developing a relationship with Jesus, through his Mother, was at the heart of two talks given to healthcare professionals May 10 and 11. Sister Angela de Fatima Coelho, a medical doctor from Portugal, was special guest at the 14th annual Divine Mercy Medicine, Bioethics & Spirituality Conference, held at the College of the Holy Cross

Recently, Bishop McManus asked the priests and laity of the diocese to pray for the immigrant community on Pentecost weekend. It is very fitting because on Pentecost we celebrate the birthday of the Church. It is not race, color of skin, or place of origin that makes the Church, but it is the Holy Spirit – the source of unity and human solidarity.

Prayers and praise, presentations and presence were his birthday gifts. He received them with his trademark warm smile, outstretched hands and rousing rendition of “Danny Boy.” The guest of honor, on his 90th birthday – Saturday, May 12, was none other than Daniel P. Reilly, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Worcester.

Anna Maria College graduates were told not to equivocate on their principles, as they participated in college’s 69th commencement Saturday at Hanover Theatre in Worcester. “Like Pope Francis, we want your voices to be heard; we want you to shout,” said Mary Louise Retelle, who became the college’s president four years ago, when many of them arrived.

WORCESTER - Owen James Murphy Jr., 86, of Worcester died Friday, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester. For more than 30 years, a period that included the years that surrounded and followed the Second Vatican Council, Mr. Murphy was editor of The Catholic Free Press. A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester.