News - April 2020 RSS Feed

McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys is grateful for the community’s support during the pandemic. “We’ve been so blessed…,” Kim Paré, executive director, said.

Baby Charlotte Spring won't be aware of the historic significance of her birth for a few years yet. But, thanks to her family and St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, she will have a full record of the day when her siblings and grandparents came to see her for the first time.

Three independent Catholic schools in the Worcester Diocese are joining forces to share resources and create new opportunities for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. 

More people, including newcomers, are seeking food from some local pantries as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

On Friday, May 1, Bishop McManus will join his brother bishops in reconsecrating the United States and Canada to the care of the Blessed Mother.

STERLING – Barbara Kimball started decorating eggs for Easter when she was 10 years old. This much-loved activity is a way for her to serve her parish of St. Richard of Chichester.

Pernet Family Health Service has had 90 percent engagement with the families and they have responded well to the change during the pandemic.

Superintendent of Catholic Schools David Perda was not surprised Tuesday when Gov. Charlie Baker announced that all schools in the state would remain closed to students for the remainder of the academic year.

WORCESTER – The Knights of Columbus from Our Lady of Mount Carmel donated a van full of food items from parishioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady of Loreto Parish to Friendly House.

Assumption College establishes a $3 million financial aid fund for students/families affected by COVID-19 pandemic.

Parishioners formed a parade of about 150 vehicles past North American Martyrs rectory Sunday to honor Father John F. Gee, their longtime pastor.

More than 250 members of St. Richard of Chichester Parish in Sterling responded to Bishop McManus’ plea for prayer about the coronavirus pandemic days before Easter.

Priests at Polish parishes in the Worcester Diocese blessed baskets of Easter foods outside or online this Holy Saturday, keeping a centuries-old tradition.

Three seminarians who live at the Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies have tested positive for COVID-19. Father Donato Infante III, director of the Office for Vocations, said those who tested positive are remaining in their rooms; others are under quarantine.

St. John Paul II Parish in Southbridge is temporarily shut down because the pastor, Father Kenneth R. Cardinale, has the coronavirus and the staff and food pantry workers, who were exposed to him, are also quarantined.

Divine Mercy Sunday will not go uncelebrated this year. Several local churches and the national shrine will hold virtual events instead.

Members of St. Ann Parish in North Oxford were greeted by their pastor, Father Michael N. Lavallee, who blessed them with the Host in the monstrance in the church parking lot Easter Sunday.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, It has been called the “unseen enemy.”  The coronavirus has brought illness and death to the afflicted; fear, isolation and disruption to us all.  On Easter Sunday, Jesus’ first followers saw the remedy for their fears.

Despite the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, dedicated catechetical leaders and volunteer teachers continue the vital work of faith formation with the diocese’s children and young people.

Bishop McManus, Father Diego Buritica and Msgr. Francis Kelly celebrate Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper at St. Paul Cathedral.