News - December 2022 RSS Feed

The death of Pope Benedict XVI brought local memories, praise and perspectives. Msgr. Thomas J. Sullivan called the late pope “a giant of the faith.” Holy Cross Professor Mathew Schmalz noted that “Benedict XVI leaves behind a complex legacy as a pope and theologian.” Allison LeDoux praised Pope Benedict’s encyclical “Deus Caritas Est” (God is Love).

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Retired Pope Benedict XVI, who had an impressive record as a teacher and defender of the basics of Catholic faith, is likely to go down in history books as the first pope in almost 600 years to resign. He died Dec. 31 at the age of 95, nearly 10 years after leaving the papacy to retire to what he said would be a life of prayer and study.

The only practice John Andreoli remembers missing in his 19 years as head varsity football coach at St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury was the day he traveled to Fenway Park to watch his son, John Jr., play left field for the Baltimore Orioles against the Red Sox in 2018.

Anna Maria College junior Olivia Leger is legally blind, so she needs to be escorted from the front row of chairs at Madore Chapel to the lectern, and she admits she’s nervous whenever she speaks publicly.

As 2022 draws to a close, explore The Catholic Free Press round-up of news stories that dominated the year.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Saying that retired Pope Benedict XVI was “very sick,” Pope Francis asked people to offer special prayers for him.

Sister Margaret Ann Brown, R.S.M. (also known as Sister Mary Anthony) a Sister of Mercy for 77 years, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on Dec. 15 at McAuley Healthcare Center in Watchung, New Jersey.

Christ came to us at Christmas. When He ascended to Heaven He promised to remain with us always. May the commemoration of His birth bring you great joy.

SOUTHBOROUGH – The traditional, not-quite-traditional Christmas pageant at St. Anne Parish excites children, delights their families and inspires the man who plays St. Nicholas. 

WORCESTER – A new, three-month homeless shelter opened Monday in Blessed Sacrament Parish’s Phelan Center at 6 Federal Place. Open Sky Community Services, a Worcester-based behavioral health and human services organization, is operating the shelter.

The hope, peace, joy and love of the Advent season can easily be found in exciting Christmas-themed parish events.

The young mother and foster father were poor. But they chose life for the Baby, even though they had to wrap him in swaddling clothes and lay him in a manger. He changed the world, and 2,000 years later we’re still celebrating his birth, in part by supporting children and parents in need today.

A local religious sister, who served in Brazil, returned there this spring to help present an award to a rural leader.

Jerry Beddes, 75, of Worcester, first got involved by delivering meals to homebound elders, individuals with disabilities and those who may otherwise go without a meal. Then for more than 30 years, he managed the delivery routes for the Bishop's Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners.

According to the Diocese of Worcester, Bishop McManus has determined that there is a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by Father Alan J. Martineau. Father Martineau has been on administrative leave since January 2022 and will remain on leave and cannot present himself as a priest.

The newly established board for St. Paul Diocesan Jr./Sr. High School will meet this week. Mary Lou Retelle, chairman, announced the members.

WORCESTER – A treasured tradition, suspended because of the coronavirus, returned last week to Notre Dame Long Term Care Center on Plantation Street. Residents, family members and staff gathered to set up the Nativity scene.

WORCESTER – Grants totaling $22,000 were awarded to 19 programs by the local committee for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). Bishop McManus presented the grants Nov. 28 at the St. Peter Parish gymnasium.

This weekend, an important collection for the retired Religious will be held at Masses in the Diocese of Worcester. Last year, five religious orders in the diocese received $311,319 in financial support from the national Retirement Fund for Religious.

True Devotion ring represents devotion to the Blessed Mother.