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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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Father Charles J. Dutram, 94, of Dudley and Ogunquit, Maine, passed away at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester, June 29. His funeral was held July 2 in St. Louis Church, Webster.

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.

Sister Mary Daniel Malloy, R.S.M., a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 24, at Mercy Center in Dallas, Pennsylvania, under the loving care of the Sisters of Mercy. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 30 at 11 a.m. at Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester,

WEBSTER – After a life given to the Lord Jesus Christ as a Felician Franciscan, Sister Mary Valenta Akalski died on June 23 in Worcester. She was 78 years old and had been a Felician Sister for 58 years.

His grandmother’s example inspired his vocation – and his plan for how to live it out. And that resonates with what he’s heard from Pope Francis. Deacon Victor Alonso Sierra López shared these core aspects of his journey to the priesthood as he prepared for his June 23 ordination at St. Paul Cathedral.

Doing psychotherapy with victims of civil conflict in Colombia showed Deacon Javier De Jesus Julio De Arco the importance of priestly ministry.He is being ordained a priest for the Worcester Diocese. And he has a goal for his priesthood.

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.

    A controversial papal encyclical, revisited for its 50th anniversary, generated talk about societal woes and how to respond Monday. Christopher Klofft, a theology professor at Assumption College, was giving a talk about Humanae Vitae at his parish, Immaculate Conception in Worcester. 

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.