News - April 2019 RSS Feed

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.

“Out of respect for the court” all work on Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church has been stopped, according to Msgr. F. Stephen Pedone, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. A civil lawsuit was filed in Worcester Superior Court by the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Preservation Society and 10 individuals attempting to stop the demolition of the church.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,   "He is not here; He has been raised!" The angel’s Easter greeting echoes down through the centuries to bring hope, joy and courage to us all.

WORCESTER – Those who worshipped at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Mulberry Street soon will begin to see familiar sacred objects in Our Lady of Loreto Church on Massasoit Road, and in other churches around the diocese. The removal of the sacred items this week means that the demolition phase at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church began before the expiration of the city-issued demolition permit, Msgr. Pedone said.

From family members to collaborators in ministry, people who knew Bishop Rueger eagerly shared their stories after his death. "He was supposed to marry John and I, but he became a bishop; he had to do a confirmation," Nancy Grenier reminisced before her cousin's funeral last Saturday. 

Priests of the diocese, gathered outside St. Paul Cathedral Saturday, broke into applause after Bishop Rueger's funeral Mass. The leader they were honoring was also lauded by the presence of the more than 300 people at his funeral.

After talking about Jesus embracing his mission to show God’s face to saint and sinner alike, Father Dennis J. O’Brien told stories about Bishop Rueger at his wake service Friday night.

    Students were among those honoring Bishop Rueger – a faithful supporter of Catholic education – as his body was taken to the St. Paul Cathedral for viewing and services Friday. Hundreds paid their respects to Bishop Rueger, auxiliary bishop for three of Worcester's bishops.

The Chrism Mass, celebrated April 11 at St. Paul Cathedral, was an honor not only for priests, but for laity. At this annual Mass the bishop blesses the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens and consecrates the Holy Chrism, to be used for the administration of the sacraments throughout the diocese in the coming year

Bishop George E. Rueger was remembered this week not only as a spiritual mentor but as a long-time friend. When he died Saturday at Christopher House in Worcester, there was not a dry eye in the room, said Sister Mary Ann Bartell, the Carmelite Sister of the Eucharist who heads the diocese’s ministry to retired priests.

“These conferences give me hope and strength to learn the faith,” said a participant at the 19th annual Worcester Diocesan Catholic Men’s Conference, held April 6 at Assumption College.  “I feel like I’m living life the way I’m supposed to now,” he said.

WORCESTER –The Most Reverend George Edward Rueger, retired auxiliary bishop of Worcester, died peacefully on Saturday, April 6, at Christopher House in Worcester. He was 89 years old.

The Catholic Scouting Ministry’s annual awards ceremony, held Saturday at St. Paul Cathedral, included a first, leaders said.

MILFORD – “He’s not just Bishop McManus – he’s our bishop.” Rosemary Trettel was expressing her sentiments at the end of a retreat she helped organize.

Sustaining and strengthening parishes is a key component of a new capital campaign under-way in the Diocese of Worcester. Legacy of Hope is the name Bishop McManus has chosen for the endeavor. 

At a place dear to his heart, a group a former women’s basketball players at the College of the Holy Cross rallied last Friday in support of Coach Bill Gibbons, after the college announced that the contract of their former coach will not be renewed.