Mission Statement

As individuals, families and parishes, our mission as the Diocese of Worcester is to respond joyfully to Christ’s call to become more fully the People of God.
Though imperfect, we are a blessed people striving to participate in Christ’s mission of reaching out to all. Therefore, we accept the Gospel challenge, which calls us to bring another to a deeper knowledge and love of God.
Since God calls us to live in community in the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves in this time and place to becoming a prayerful and faith-filled Church that truly reflects the glory of God.

Pope Benedict's U.S. Visit

Click on image to link to resources in anticipation of the papal visit, and for news as he speaks in the United States, provided by St. Anthony Messenger Press and Francicsan Communications. To link to archive and live video and audio of the papal events as covered by EWTN, click HERE.

Bishop Issues Pastoral Letter

Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, STD, Bishop of Worcester, released a pastoral letter about the process of pastoral planning in the diocese. He noted that parish clusters were the first step of this process and noted how clusters “have helped our Catholic faithful to realize an important lesson about what it means to be a part of the wider community of faith that is the Diocese of Worcester. While Catholics primarily experience the sacramental and pastoral life of the Church in their local parish, it is through faith and baptism that every Catholic becomes a member of the universal Church which is present in every particular church or diocese.”

Links: Pastoral Letter Press Release

News

Diocese Supports Walk for the Homeless

On Sunday, May 18, 2008, the 23rd Annual Walk for the Homeless will be held in Worcester. Registration begins at 1 pm and the Walk kicks off at 2 pm. It begins and ends at Elm Park. The walk principally benefits the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance.

Co-chairs for this year's walkwill again be Retired Bishop Daniel Reilly and Bernie Rotman. Along with the Hanover Insurance Group, the Diocese of Worcester is a sponsor and hosted a cable tv program aired on Charter TV3. To learn more, watch the program online (click here) or visit cmhaonline.org to make a pledge or start a team.

Partners in Charity Tops $3.4 Million

May 9, 2008, WORCESTER, MA – The Annual Partners in Charity Appeal is now at $3,422,708 or 73% of our diocesan goal of $4,700,000 for charitable, educational and pastoral programs in the Diocese of Worcester. Thirty-nine parishes are already over goal, which is seven parishes more than last year at this time. Fifty-six of the 126 parishes and missions in the diocese began their appeals during Lent.

The St. Paul Society, a group of donor families who commit $5,000 or more each year to the appeal, have donated $662,103 to date, which is a new record. More members are expected to make pledges or join. New members have been joining, in part thanks to a special matching pledge program announced in February when the Appeal officially was kicked off.

Three parishes have surpassed the $100,000 mark to date, including St. mary, Shrewsbury ($150,393), St. Rose of Lima, Northborough ($103,051), and St. Paul¹s Cathedral, Worcester ($100,869). A complete list by parish with this week’s updated figure is available online at www.partners-charity.net.

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Vianney House is Sold

April 3, 2008, WORCESTER, MA -- The Diocese of Worcester has sold Vianney House, located at 222 June Street in Worcester, the former residence for retired priests, to the Botany Bay Construction Company, Inc., effective this past Monday, March 31, 2008. It was sold for $925,000. The proceeds of the sale will be solely dedicated to the Priest Retirement Fund of the Diocese of Worcester.

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TV Shows & Events

Watch the
Daily Mass

Broadcast Monday through Friday and available as a QuickTIme movie, the Mass is updated each weekday afternoon. Click on image to view. A Free QuickTime download link is available from the TV Ministry site if you need it for your computer.

The Meaning of Church - Parts 1&2

April Show with Bishop McManus

Join Bishop McManus and Ray Delisle as they discuss the meaning of Church and seek to understand better the relationship of parish to diocese to universal church. Part 1 Part 2