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WORCESTER – With much cheering, smiling, waving of diplomas and waving to supporters, graduates of the College of the Holy Cross celebrated their commencement May 24 at the DCU Center. Justice, service, dialog and taking a stand were themes sounded at the 173rd commencement, at which the college said it awarded 698 bachelor’s degrees.

Four pastors are retiring this year and one other has chosen to become a senior priest. Bishop McManus has announced the appointment and transfer of pastors, associate pastors, administrators, and priests in special ministry.

WEBSTER – The day revolved around the children of St. Joseph Elementary School, their education, their future, their opportunities and their faith. And tributes were paid to long-time pastor Msgr. Anthony S. Czarnecki, whose dream to build a gymnasium, parish center and performing arts center came to fruition weeks before his July 1 retirement.

In a lively Mass Sunday exuding support for the diocese and its shepherd, the African Ministry launched its participation in the Legacy of Hope capital campaign and celebrated Bishop McManus’ 15th anniversary as Bishop of Worcester. The bishop, in turn, expressed his affection for the Africans.

Bishop McManus is to ordain nine men permanent deacons at a 10 a.m. Mass June 1 at St. Paul Cathedral, 15 Chatham St., Worcester. All are welcome to attend.

Seventh-graders from Holy Name Central Catholic Junior High School took on a solemn responsibility Thursday placing new flags on the graves of veterans in St. John’s Cemetery.

The Anna Maria College president encouraged graduates to make genuine human connections a priority and to engage directly and personally with others in society, throughout their lives.

WORCESTER – Love – expressed in various ways – was a central focus at Assumption College’s 102nd commencement, which drew thousands to the DCU Center Sunday, May 12.

WORCESTER – Healthcare workers at the 15th Annual Divine Mercy Medicine, Bioethics and Spirituality Conference learned a bit about a woman who shares their profession and is now on her way to sainthood. She also shares in the spirituality many of them embrace.

As Mother’s Day approaches, families scramble to find just the right gift for Mom to show their love and appreciation for all she has done for them. Catholic mothers know that maternity is more than a job; it is a vocation modeled after Mary, the mother of God, requiring sacrificial love. For older mothers with grown children, the greatest gift family members can give is time.

WORCESTER – More than 500 people attended the 14th Annual Visitation House Benefit Dinner May 1 at the St. George Orthodox Cathedral hall with the theme of “Rise and Shine: Empowerment through Education.” Catherine Ruth Pakaluk was the keynote speaker for the evening.

William R. Driscoll, assistant principal of student affairs at St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School, has been named principal of the school effective July 1.

HOPEDALE – Blessed with 860 active families, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish had no shortage of talent to draw from for the renovation of their church and parish center. And the outpouring of help was quite a community-builder, said Father William C. Konicki, pastor. May 4 Bishop McManus dedicated the church and altar.

Today’s announcement by the Holy See of a Motu Proprio by Pope Francis is welcome news. Mandating a consistent global response to this threat on children, young people and vulnerable adults is a major milestone, making it clear that any cover-up of child sexual abuse is never acceptable, Bishop McManus said in a written statement.

Giving back, paying it forward and evangelizing are reasons Catholics here give for partnering with a diocese in Colombia. Good Shepherd Parish in Linwood and St. Augustine Parish in Millville are slated, on Sept. 1, to begin a three-year commitment to the Apostolic Vicariate of Mitú, which is like a diocese.

SHREWSBURY - St. John’s High School will add a middle school for boys beginning in 2020, the school has announced.

WORCESTER – St. Jean Vianney’s incorrupt heart drew more than 250 people to St. Paul Cathedral Wednesday for Mass and/or veneration. St. Paul’s was one stop in a U.S. pilgrimage the Knights of Columbus organized for this relic of the patron of parish priests.

Saturday Glen Gagnon fulfilled a dream postponed in his youth, ending years as an outsider, and prepared to set the example for his grandchildren. With his wife, Terri, standing behind him, he was baptized, confirmed and received his first Communion at the Easter Vigil at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Milford

The Easter Vigil at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Milford was celebrated in English, Spanish and Portuguese, for the Anglo, Hispanic, Portuguese and Brazilian communities there. “We live for this night,” the pastor, Father Peter J. Joyce, said.

WEST BROOKFIELD – Depictions of Jesus’ Passion have taken many forms, some 35 people, aged 9 to 98, learned during a series this Lent. Father Chester J. Misiewicz, pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish, led them in “encountering Jesus in the Way of the Cross” at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.