News - October 2016 RSS Feed

As our society battles the devastating opioid crisis which each day claims the lives of those who have been snared in the trap of addiction, it is troubling that we would legalize a gateway drug that, in addition to its own damaging effects, has led far too many users to be destroyed by the use of opioids. It is notable that Governor Baker, District Attorney Joseph Early and the School Committee of the City of Worcester all strongly oppose the legalization of marijuana, with particular recognition of the harm such an action would bring to children and young people. CLICK TITLE FOR COMPLETE LETTER AND LINKS

October 24, 2016, WORCESTER, MA -- Thirty-one grants totaling $14,700 are being presented today as part of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. The collection is taken up nationwide each year on the week before Thanksgiving and 25% of the donations are used for local organizations who are working to combat poverty and the root causes of poverty in America. The grants are being presented by Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, on behalf of the local CCHD committee at a ceremony at 1 pm at Clark University LEEP Student Engagement Center, 931Main Street, Worcester, in SECOND FLOOR CONFERENCE CENTER. The recently completed building is next to St. Peter Parish in Worcester. CLICK TITLE FOR COMPLETE RELEASE

Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, has asked parishes throughout the Diocese of Worcester to take up an additional collection for relief efforts in Haiti. As Bishop McManus wrote last Thursday to the pastors, “the Diocese of Les Cayes, our twinned diocese, bore the brunt of the storm as the eye of the hurricane passed over the west end of the island nation. Cardinal Chibly Langlois has informed me that, along with the loss of all agriculture and destruction to homes, 80% of their parishes and school, which often serve as community centers for the people, have sustained significant damage. He has asked for our assistance. Therefore I am asking that a special collection be taken as soon as possible within the current schedule of our individual parishes.”

The Diocese of Worcester is holding its Third Annual Celebrate Priesthood Gala this evening, October 13 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Atrium at St. Vincent Hospital. The event, called “Taste of the Diocese” includes area restaurants, wines from Global Vineyards and private wine donations, selections from Spencer Brewery and Polar Beverages, and specialty foods from five area parishes. A complete list is in the program book which will be posted online at worcesterdiocese.org/celebrate-priesthood. Tickets are $100 each and proceeds benefit the Priests’ Retirement Fund.

The Saint Thomas More Society of Worcester County will honor four people from the community as part of its 59th Annual Red Mass on October 16 at 10:15 am at the Cathedral of St. Paul, 38 High Street, Worcester. The principal celebrant will be Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, S.T.D., Bishop of Worcester and the homilist is Rev. Paul O’Connell, JCD, Associate Judicial Vicar for the Diocese. The Mass is open to the public. The Mass is named for the color of the vestments traditionally worn by the celebrants and judges attending the King’s Bench in Westminster, England. A private reception will follow in the Cenacle located in the lower level of the Cathedral with Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr. offering a keynote address. CLICK FOR FULL RELEASE