The Daily Mass is also available Monday – Friday on the internet at www.worcesterdiocese.org .

 

Jesus tells the crowd that only those who renounce all of their possessions can be His disciples. Is He truly asking us to give up everything? Perhaps instead He is trying to help us see that everything we think we own is really a gift from God. Good stewards know that and strive to use those gifts accountably.

 

St. Joseph Parish, North Brookfield, will hold its 30^th Annual Chicken Barbecue and Family Fair at the Rectory Grounds (28 Mt. Pleasant Street) on Saturday, Sept. 11 beginning with the 4 pm Mass under the tent. A variety of foods will be available from 5 – 9 pm along with raffles, games and a flea market. It continues on Sunday, Sept. 12 from 11 am – 4 pm and the chicken barbecue will be held between 1 and 2 pm. Call 508-867-6811 for dinner tickets ($10/adult, $5/children). Admission to the Family Fair is free.

 

The College of the Holy Cross is offering a special lecture in anticipation of Pope Benedict XVI's papal trip to England to beatify Cardinal Newman. Rev. Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., the president of Fairfield University, will offer the lecture, entitled "Two Cardinals: John Henry Newman, Henry Edward Manning and the Victorian Church" on Monday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m., in the Rehm Library. The public is welcome.

 

Nationally known speaker on Natural Family Planning (NFP), Fr. Daniel McCaffrey, will be preaching at all the Masses on September 18-19 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in West Boylston. Masses are at 4:30pm Saturday and 8:00am, 9:30am and 11:00am Sunday. Those wanting more information after Mass can speak with a trained NFP educator in the church hall. Father McCaffrey has years of experience speaking about this important and sensitive topic with tact and grace in a family-friendly way. Come hear Fr. McCaffrey discuss the Church's teaching on how Catholic parents can regulate the conception and birth of their children. For more information, call Father Ken Cardinale at 508-835-3606.

 

Edmund D. Pellegrino, M.D., M.A.C.P., Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Medical Ethics at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University Medical Center will present “Whose Call is it? The Future of Medical Ethics” at Hagan Center Hall, Assumption College, on Wednesday Sept. 15 at 7 pm.  All lectures in the President’s series are open to the Assumption College community and the general public at no charge. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP Janet Lambert at 508-767-7323 or e-mail jlambert@assumption.edu.

 

Blessing of Animals will be celebrated at Sacred Heart - St. Catherine of Sweden parish on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. The ceremony will take place on the terrace in front of Sacred Heart Church, 600 Cambridge St., Worcester and will include prayers, scripture reading and individual blessing of each animal.

 

“God doesn't require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.”

The Daily Mass is also available Monday – Friday on the internet at www.worcesterdiocese.org .

 

In the Gospel today, Jesus warns us not to give in to hopes of repayment, but to give openhandedly to the poor and needy. That sort of giving mirrors the bountiful giving of God, and Jesus assures us it is blessed indeed!

 

St. Joseph the Good Provider Parish, Route 62, Berlin will hold its annual Fall Fair on Sunday, September 12 from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30p.m. on the church grounds, immediately following the 8:30 am Mass. There is something for everyone including Attic Treasures, baked goods, harvest booth, adult and children’s “Portuguese” booths, wheel of fortune, raffle, games and a moonwalk, and Live entertainment. Enjoy homemade doughnuts and cider, breakfast sandwiches, fried dough, hamburgers, hot dogs, meatball grinders, sausage & pepper grinders and chili. There will also be a chicken dinner barbecue. All are Welcome! NOTE: Crafters and Flea Table Exhibitors can rent a 15’ X 15’ space on the lawn for $25. Contact George McGee (978) 875-2138 or Bob Rainville (978) 838-2276 for more information.

 

Our Lady of the Lake Parish, 1400 Main St. in Leominster will host the Compassionate Companions Bereavement Suppport Group in the Center’s Family Room on Wednesday evenings at 7 – 8:30 pm from September 29,– November 3. Facilitators are Elaine Hackett, Bereavement Ministry and Cathy Pimley, Director of Pastoral Care, Health Alliance Hospitals. The group is a faith based support group for those grieving the loss of a loved one. This group will provide a safe and confidential environment for sharing thoughts and feelings expressing sadness and learning ways to cope while grieving. Pre registration is required for group participation. Please call Elaine at (978) 345-6826 by September 22 to register or email her at: mhackett1@verizon.net. A schedule of topics by evening is available upon request.

 

As you begin to prepare for your return to school this fall we want to make sure that you know that the Newman Catholic Center at UMass-Amherst is available to you and that our staff is eager to help in any way that we can. Newman offers a home-away-from home environment where students can pray, study, relax and meet other students. The Center offers extensive spiritual, service and social programs. We also have the best cafeteria in Amherst. The Newman Center is located right on campus. We encourage all of you to drop in to meet the staff. If you are interested in being a lector, a catechist, a member of the choir or a member of the Newman Student Association, we’d love to hear from you. Please visit our website www.newmanumass.org  to register and to learn more about our programs.

 

Register for the DIocesan Youth Day 2010 “Under the big Ten” at Oakhurst to be held on Saturday October 23. Theme :”There is no one like our God . . . Celebrate His Glory” Keynote Speaker: Fr. Matt Williams, Director of the Office for New Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Boston with featured Music Ministry by Jon Niven and Band.  On-Site Registration and Music in the Tent at 9:30 AM and concludes with Mass with Bishop McManus as presider and homilist. Learn more by calling the office at 508-234-0346 or visit www.ymworcester.org.

 

Our Diocesan Website is moving to a new server. The process began this weekend but it takes time for the new address to propagate to all the various servers on the worldwide web. We expect the process to be fully implemented by early Tuesday morning. Thank you.

The Daily Mass is also available Monday – Friday on the internet at www.worcesterdiocese.org .

 Stewardship Note for Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s reading from Isaiah describes the Israelites bringing their offering to the Lord “in clean vessels.” The gift of myself — my patient endurance and fidelity to the will of God — is as important as the monetary gift I offer. See Isaiah 66:20.

Summer Festival 2010 at Holy Trinity Evangelization Center
The Holy Trinity Evangelization Center, located at 69 Lincoln Terrace in Leominster, is celebrating its yearly festival on Saturday, August 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Center. Enjoy a variety of delicious food from different countries. There will be games for children, raffles, music, a Domino tournament and plenty of ice cream. (after all, it is the end of summer!) All proceeds are in support of the Holy Trinity Evangelization Center. Everyone is welcome and this is a good opportunity to make new friends.

 

The Daily Mass is also available Monday – Friday on the internet at www.worcesterdiocese.org .

The Daily Mass is also available Monday – Friday on the internet at www.worcesterdiocese.org .

Military Families Event
You are cordially invited to a special dinner in honor of military families including Blue Star & Gold Star families, and to pay tribute to the heroes and victims of 9/11/01. This is completely a non-political event. It is merely a way of saying THANK YOU for your sacrifices. The dinner is free and will be held on Saturday, September 11 from 6-8 p.m. at the Medway VFW, 123 Holliston St., Medway. Please RSVP by September 8, online at www.Thankstoyanks.org or contact Michael Shain 508-330-8487. Sponsored by Thanks To Yanks, c/o Michael Shain, 15 Virginia Drive, Milford, MA 01757. 

"Father Misgivings” Performance in Worcester
The Daughters of Isabella, St. Katharine Drexel Circle #1398, is proudly presenting "Father Misgivings”. He represents a comedy of bellylaughs, blessings and blarney. His presentation includes stories and one-liners about growing up Catholic. Plan on joining "Father" Patrick Aloysius Misgivings.   He is considered New England's most entertaining one man show. Ticket: $20 per person includes an Italian Dinner and Show. For tickets call: Dawne Birtz (508 752-1034), Ruth Sarafinas (508 829-6037) or Terry Turgeon (508 757-6209). Come for an evening of fun on Friday, September 17 beginning at 6 p.m. at St. George Parish Hall at 40 Brattle Street, Worcester. Plan on getting your tickets early.

Volunteer Needed at Visitation House
Visitation House is seeking a volunteer to assist with light maintenance tasks as needed. Call Susan Arraje at 508-798-8002.

“Blest Are We” Materials Available
St. Patrick Parish, Rutland has available unused textbooks from the Blest Are We program due to a change in the parish program. For 3rd grade: 12 student books and 5 used teacher books. For 4th grad: 2 student and 2 teacher books. For 5th grade: 10 student books and 9 teacher books. For 6th grade: 6 student books and 5 teacher books. Contact Lucia Sansoucy, Administrator of Religious Education, St Patrick Church, Rutland. Please email lucia@stpatricksrutland.org if interested or with questions.

 

The Daily Mass is also available Monday – Friday on the internet at www.worcesterdiocese.org .

Marriage Preparation Seminar
For Engaged Couples: The "God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage" Seminar is a one-day program for engaged couples that uniquely presents the "why's behind the what's" of Catholic teaching, helping couples understand God's plan for marriage and the joy of living it. The next seminar will be held on Saturday, September 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary Parish Hall, North Grafton. Pre-registration is required. Download the brochure and registration form at our website: www.worcesterdiocese.org (click on “Marriage and Family” under the Departments tab; information can be found on the Marriage Preparation page), or call the Office of Marriage & Family at (508) 929-4311. Additional fall dates are also listed on the downloadable brochure. Attendance at a God’s Plan seminar is one of the requirements of the marriage preparation process for couples planning to be wed in the Worcester Diocese.  

A Life in the Spirit Seminar will be given by the Diocesan Team at St. John Church, 44 Temple St., Worcester. The seminar begins September 21 at 7:15 P.M. and lasts for 6 consecutive Tuesday evenings. Please contact Joan Osik at 508-842-9079.

Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass
Save the Date! The Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass for couples celebrating 25th, 50th, and other significant anniversaries will be celebrated by Bishop McManus on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Additional information and registration forms will be sent to parishes in early September.

New Social Justice Subcommittee Webpage
The Diocesan Pastoral Council is pleased to announce their Catholic Social Justice Subcommittee has a new web page at worcesterdiocese.org. Just click on the icon called “Online Resource Guide” in the left column. We hope you visit us soon!  he web page provides vital information pertaining to the economic crisis and various catholic social justice subjects such as:
 Economic Assistance Resource Guide
·“Father, I need your help! I need a job!” resource tool and guide for Pastors/Deacons/Pastoral Associates.
·Catholic Social Teachings
·Programs available
·Worcester Area and Worcester County resource list for Emergency Food & Shelter
·Information on how to contact/join the Diocesan Pastoral Council's Social Justice Subcommittee

“Rediscovering Catholicism” by Matthew Kelly
The Matthew Kelly Foundation is distributing free individual copies of the book Rediscovering Catholicism. Simply visit their site at www.DynamicCatholic.com to learn more. (Bulk orders of 6 copies are also available for $9.90, or 250 plus copies at $2 each).

TO: Pastors
FOCCUS premarital inventory facilitator update forms must be returned to the Office of Marriage and Family by July 19 (fax to: 508-753-7180 or mail to 49 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609). In order to complete the diocese’s re-registration required by the FOCCUS Company we must have an up-to-date list of all previously trained FOCCUS facilitators. If you have misplaced your form we can email or fax another copy to you. Contact us at aledoux@worcesterdiocese.org  or 508-929-4311.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Prayer Group
While attending Mass regularly is essential to the faith life of Catholics, praying together and sharing our faith in a less formal or structured atmosphere is enormously enriching to one’s spiritual life. Please join an existing group which has been doing this. It is NOT a Bible study or an adult enrichment program. It is reading aloud a Scripture passage accompanied with silent reflection, conversational sharing or faith, and a time of intercessory prayer. Please bring your Bible. It will meet on Monday, July 12 at & pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church Hall, 111 Worcester Street, West Boylston. Bring a friend – does not have to be Catholic. Call the rectory at 508-835-3606 with questions.

Available in the Bookstore
Available now in the Bookstore: Children's Daily Prayers 2010-2011. Also taking orders for Ordo 2011 (Order of Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours and Celebration of the Eucharist) which will be available in October. Call Pat in the Bookstore 508-929-4301 or FAX: 508-753-7180.

TO: Pastors
To Pastors who visit Notre Dame Long Term Care Center: Please talk to Martha Byron at the facility about how you can help coordinate use of your Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to pastorally care for the sick at the long term care center.

Save the Date for Upcoming Pro-Life Conference
The Cathedral of St. Paul and the Respect Life Office will co-host a Pro-Life Conference at the Cathedral on Saturday, Oct. 30. The theme is “The Measure of Love is to Love Without Measure.” The day-long event will feature nationally known keynote speakers Susan Wills and Richard Doerflinger of the USCCB Pro-Life Secretariat. Workshops on various topics will also be offered. Further details and registration information are nearly complete and will be posted on our website www.worcesterdiocese.org when they become available. There will be something of interest for everyone, so mark your calendars in advance!

Opportunity for Crafters at Milford Parish Fair
Sacred Heart Women's Club will hold their 3rd Annual Fall Fair on Saturday October 16, 9a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church Bell Tower Room, East Main St., Milford. There are still openings for 25 Crafters and Vendors. Spaces are 8x8 for $25 fee. The SHWC will be having a Bake Sale, Food Sale and Raffles! If you are interested in a space please contact Carol Drew at 508-634-5435 or email office@sacredheartmilford.org for an application.

Kimball Organ available
Sr. Gaetana Cincotta, SSA has a Model 1500 Kimball electronic organ available in Marlboro for free. She can be reached between 7 and 9 pm at 508-485-3791 if you have questions or interest for your parish hall or school.

Support Dismas House through Farmers’ Markets
Dismas Family Farm is now at YMCA on Main Street in Worcester, Saturdays, 10-2; Great Brook Valley Health Center parking lot, Worcester, Saturdays, 9-1; and Weston Nurseries, Hopkinton, Fridays, 12-6. We have lettuce, starter plants, eggs, flowering shrubs, and candles. Come on by!

Become a Foster Parent
Change the future of a child in your community by becoming a Foster Parent. Help a child who needs a nurturing and supportive place to live until they can return to their family. Your love, patience, understanding and life experiences will give a child a brighter tomorrow. You won’t be alone; there is support available 24 hours a day. Experienced Foster Parents and Social Workers are available to talk with you and answer your questions. Call 800-KIDS-508 today and make a difference.

Detailed information for the following events at Oakhurst (unless otherwise noted) can be found at ymworcester.org, by emailing the office at ymworcester@hotmail.com or by calling (508) 234-0346.

Center for Ministry Development Certificate Program: August 28-29 weekend seminar - Principles of Youth Ministry with instructor Cheryl Tholcke. This is the first of 4 courses scheduled for 2010-2011.

Presentation on Bullying on Wednesday, Sept. 15 at 6 pm dinner/ 7 PM Presentation by Dr. Richard Cross, Educational Psychologist . Topic dealing with teen-age bullying. Cost: $20. Advance registration required.

Peer Team Training Sunday, September 19, 11 am – 5 pm. This program is designed for 7th grade, 8th grade and High School Youth who are passionate about their Catholic faith, active in their parish, interested in ministering to other teens and are ready to step up to the next level of leadership. We are looking for youth that are ready to participate in this specially designed leadership training program that will challenge them and give them the tools to minister to their peers. Cost $20.00 per person includes materials, training and wholesome meal.

Saturday October 23– 5th Anniversary Diocesan Youth Day under the Big Tent at Oakhurst. Theme: There is no one like our God. . .Celebrate His Glory. Keynote Speaker is Fr. Matt Williams, Director of the Office for New Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Boston. Featured Music Ministry is Jonathan Niven and Band. On-Site Registration and Music in the Tent at 9:30 AM. Concludes with Mass beginning at 4:00 PM. Presider and Homilist Bishop Robert J. McManus. Plan NOW on being with us for this special day....

Iconography Presentation- October 31– Iconography presentation kicking off an Iconography Workshop Seminar (November 1-5, 2010) presented by HEXÆMERON- ICONOGRAPHY. Visit hexaemeron.org for more details and to register.

Alzheimer and Related Dementia Support Group
St. Francis Rehabilitation & Nursing Center will hold an Alzheimer and related Dementia support group called “Making the Reminiscence Journey” on the Third Wednesday of each month from 1:15 – 2:15 in the Sisters’ Dining Room. They are located at 101 Plantation Street, Worcester. Call 508-775-8605 x 157 for more information.

Ignatian Volunteer Corps Information
Are you 50 yrs. or older, semi-retired or retired, looking to share your time, talent and life experiences with the less fortunate? The Ignatian Volunteer Corps might be the answer for you.   Share your experiences from years of work, education, and life experiences with the materially poor. If you are willing to dedicate two days a week to servicing the poor [ministered to through local Service Sites in New England], while developing your spiritual life in the Jesuit Ignatian Spiritual “Reflective” process, then IVC could be the answer you’ve been waiting to hear about. Please call Br. Steven Jubin, New England Regional Director at (617)-699-4045 or email sjubin@ivcusa.org, or visit www.ivcusa.org to learn more.

Senior Employment Program
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Worcester administers a Senior Employment Program that provides training opportunities for unemployed, low-income residents of Worcester and Franklin Counties who are 55 years of age and older. Catholic Charities will assign qualified individuals, known as “senior aides“ to various training sites that are located at non-profit organizations or government organizations. Senior aides are asked to perform a variety of responsibilities including clerical and administrative functions, maintenance work, library support, etc., depending on their interests. Participants are paid $8 an hour for 20 hours a week. For more information call Catholic Charities at (508) 798-0191.

FOR PASTORS AND PARISH STAFF

New Local Directory for Non-Violence
The Center for Nonviolent Solutions (www.nonviolentsolution.org) provides education and resources for people in the Worcester area to increase understanding of nonviolence as a way of life and encourages rejection of the use of violence in solving conflict. The Center is compiling a directory of groups who have peace and social justice initiatives in the Worcester area, and they want to include churches and faith-based organizations. If your church has a social justice committee or initiatives in this area, please contact Nancy Small at smallbanis@earthlink.net  or 508-797-1437 and provide the name of the church/organization, contact information for the person leading the social justice committee/initiative, and a mission statement or brief summary of the committee's work

TO: PASTORS
Priests and the Census

(from the USCCB) Priests have not received census forms. U.S. Government computers don't send census forms to "businesses," and the Census Bureau lists all churches as businesses. Therefore, since priests live at Church addresses, they may not have gotten forms. Forms may be requested from 800-563-6499 ext. 9650.

Fertility Awareness
The Creighton Model FertilityCare system (www.fertilitycare.org) assists couples in learning scientific and modern methods of understanding fertility and natural family planning, and offers hope for achieving pregnancy to couples experiencing infertility. For more information contact: Barbara Meier, RN, FCPI at (609) 457-0108 or email fertilitycare@ymail.com. 

Project Rachel
Know someone hurting from a past abortion? We can help. Our services are free and strictly confidential. Call Project Rachel at (508) 791-HOPE. Come home to God’s mercy!
Note to priests: Project Rachel brochures are available from the Respect Life Office, as are business cards with the Project Rachel contact information which are handy to have in the confessional should a penitent seek additional support. Please contact the office at (508) 929-4311 if you would like to have some of these materials on hand in the parish, particularly during our Lenten initiative on Reconciliation.

Bingo Returns to St. Stephen Parish
Bingo returns to St. Stephen Church Hall at 357 Grafton St., Worcester on Thursday nights. Doors open at 4:30 pm. Ticket sales begin at 5:30 pm. Games at 7 pm. Proceeds to benefit St. Stephen School.

Support St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Bins
When you drop items in a St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Bin you support their important outreach to the poor and needy as well as keep usable items out of landfills. For more information contact them at 508-752-4232. 

12 Step Mass
On the Second Thursday of each month at 7 pm beginning on January 14, 2010, St. Richard of Chichester Church, 4 Bridge Street, Sterling, will hold a 12-Step Mass. The focus is to see the Closeness of the 12-Step Spirituality and the Gospel. Each month will focus on one step (January is Step 1). Members of all 12-step fellowships are welcome.

Substance Abuse Family Group
Are you a parent/caregiver with youth concerned about drug and alcohol use? Beginning Monday, December 21, come together with others who understand and join us in support, hope and action! Substance Abuse Coalition for Central MA Youth (SACCMY), co-led by parents, will meet each 3rd Monday from 6-7:30pm. at the YWCA of Central Mass, 1 Salem Sq., Worcester. Light snacks and babysitting will be provided at each meeting. For more information, contact Jannelle Correa at 508.963.3696, cmunitybuild1@aol.com  or Rina Cavallini at 508.615.2126, cmunitybuildrc@aol.com. FREE & CONFIDENTIAL - JUST SHOW UP!

Trying to Call Catholic Charities in Leominster?
The Leominster office for Catholic Charities, located at 196 Mechanic Street, was inadvertently left out of the current Leominster/Fitchburg phone book. Their number is (978) 840-0696.

Become a Foster Parent!
Help a child from your community who needs a nurturing and supportive place to live until they can return to their family. Your love, patience, understanding and life experiences will give a child a brighter tomorrow. Please help a child from your neighborhood today. You won’t be alone; there is support available 24 hours a day. Experienced Foster Parents and Social Workers are available to talk with you and answer your questions. Please call today and make a difference. Call 1-800-KIDS-508.

Bilingual Mass in Clinton
St. John the Evangelist Parish will celebrate a Mass in English and Spanish at 11:30 am on the 4^th Sunday of each month. The parish invites any Catholic who is interested to join in this community-integrating experience, celebrating our different cultures in one Catholic faith.

Mass schedule for Holy Trinity Chapel in Leominster
The schedule for Masses celebrated in Spanish at Holy Trinity Chapel, 69 Lincoln Street, Leominster, is as follows: Thursdays at 6 pm; Saturdays at 6:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. All are welcome!

Online Information on Healthcare for Elders
Whether you are a senior looking for answers about Medicare or a caregiver needing answers and advice, you can find a wealth of resources online at www.seniorconnection.org then click on “Information and Referral” for links to the SHINE program. They also offer weekly online seminars on various related topics. Sponsored by Central Mass Agency on Aging, 360 West Boylston St., West Boylston, MA.

Lending Library in Worcester for Spiritual Reading 
"The Religious of the Assumption have opened a lending library of spiritual books at their new Assumption Center (former St. Andrew Church Rectory) at 16 Vineyard Street, Worcester, MA 01603. Regular hours are Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Come, browse and borrow a book or two…especially as Advent nears and we prepare ourselves for the birth of our Lord! For more information call Sr. Therese at 508 767 1356."

Grief Management Program moves to WCRN AM830
“You are not alone” (YANA) is a grief management program and radio show hosted by Jim Kelly. The Live call-in show that helps people deal with grief in their lives has moved to WCRN Radio (AM 830) on Sunday evenings from 9 – 10 pm. You can also listen on the internet at www.wcrnradio.com.

Employees or Independent Contractors?
The Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has issued new guidance on the classification of hired personnel as employees or independent contractors. Hired personnel are considered employees unless: (1) the individual is free from the employers direction and control in connection with the performance of the service, both under his or her contract for the performance of service and in fact; (2) the service the individual performs is outside the usual course of business of the employer; and (3) the individual is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business of the same nature as that involved in the service performed.