The Diocesan Dispatch

Please Cut & Paste items in your bulletin as appropriate to your parish.     
The Diocesan Dispatch is usually published on Monday mornings by 8 am via email and fax to parishes. Submission must be received by the previous Friday for inclusion and should be at least 2 weeks before an event date in order to have an opportunity to be included in parish bulletins the week after the issue date. You can email submissions directly to rdelisle@worcesterdiocese.org.

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Have space available in your bulletin this week? Consider including one of the ongoing resources:  Click HERE for ONGOING RESOURCES

Latest Edition: for Nov. 23 (early for bulletin publishers)

First Sunday of Advent
“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come.”  (Mark 13:33)  We all take things for granted.  In particular, we take time for granted.  We make our lives too busy.  We plan our time, our days, weeks, months, even years in advance.  Remember, our time on earth is a gift.  None of us knows how long we will be here.  Start today and begin thanking God for each and every day.  Take time in silence, every day, and listen to how God is calling you right now to help build His kingdom on earth.

Primer Domingo de Adviento
“Mirad, velad y orad; porque no sabéis cuándo llegará el momento". (MARCOS 13:33)  Todos damos las cosas por sentado. En particular, damos el tiempo por sentado. Tenemos nuestras vidas demasiado ocupadas. Planificamos nuestro tiempo, nuestros días, semanas, meses e incluso años por adelantado. Recuerde, nuestro tiempo en la tierra es un regalo. Ninguno de nosotros sabe cuánto tiempo estaremos aquí. Empiece hoy y comience a agradecer a Dios por cada día. Tómate un tiempo en silencio, todos los días, y escucha cómo Dios te está llamando ahora mismo para ayudar a construir Su reino en la tierra.

Traveling Holy Hour for Vocations
Join us for the traveling holy hour for vocations on Monday, Nov. 30 at 7 pm at Saint Mary Parish in Shrewsbury. All are welcome to attend and pray for vocations to priesthood and religious life in our diocese.  Facemasks required.

Admissions Exam at St. Paul Diocesan Jr/Sr HS
The Admissions Exam will be held on December 5 from 8 to 11:30 am. Visit saintpaulknights.org/a...

Facing Fear with Jesus in a COVID-19 World 
Our country faces a host of fears: sickness and death from a worldwide pandemic, job, and financial loss, loneliness, and radical changes in our society. But the storm that surrounds us is nothing that we cannot handle with Jesus’ help. He is not asleep in our boat. Explore eight concrete tips from the Bible, the Saints, and our Catholic Faith. The session includes prayer, reflection, small group sharing, and presentations.  Speakers: John and Therese Boucher, teachers and authors of hundreds of articles and many books. Tuesday, December 8, 7:00-9:00 pm
FREE REGISTRATION (limited spaces available)! Send an email with your name, email, and phone number to Esperanza Oliveras, cje21@verizon.net, by Monday, December 7, 2020, to receive the Zoom.com video session link. (Hosted by the Parish Renewal and Evangelization Committee, Diocese of Worcester.)

For Adults during Advent
"A Time Will Come for Singing" is a four-session program for adults during Advent. Each weekly session will be online and will include a brief lesson and prayer, a short Advent-related video, and closing comments and prayer. Twenty minutes tops - from your own laptop, tablet, or mobile phone! Login whenever you want to during each of the four weeks. Take a step back from the hectic pace of the holidays to reflect on the true reason for the season. FREE, but you must register ahead of time so you can receive a link each week. Contact Romeo Marquis, Director of Faith Formation, Blessed Sacrament Church, Worcester. Rmarquis48@outlook.com for details and to register. 

Daily Mass, Sunday Mass, Family Rosary all continue to stream on worcesterdiocese.org, and can be uploaded for automatic updating on eCatholic websites. 
Public Access Stations now carrying Masses:
Daily Mass
Worcester Ch 194 "the people's channel" at 9 am
Spencer Ch 192 at 9 am
Holden Ch 191 at 9 am
Auburn Ch 191 at 9 am (TEMPORARILY AT 9 PM DUE TO COVID NOTICES)
Shrewsbury Ch 28 and 328 at 4:30 pm
Sunday Mass
Worcester Ch 194 "the people's channel" Spanish Sunday Mass at 8 am and English Sunday Mass at 10 am (English Sunday Mass replays on Monday at 6 pm)
Spencer Ch 192 Sunday at 10 am
Auburn Ch 191 Sunday at 10 am
Holden Ch 191 Sunday at 10 am
Templeton Ch 8 Sunday at 10 am
Athol/Orange Ch 13/135 Sunday at 10:30 am
Paxton Ch 192 Sunday and Monday at 4 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm

Three more towns are testing this week and we hope to announce more towns in the coming week.

for Nov. 16, 2020

DUE TO EARLY DEADLINES FROM SOME BULLETIN PUBLISHERS, THE DISPATCH WILL BE SENT EARLY FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. Items which come in late will still be posted on the website's Diocesan Dispatch.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
“…whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers, you did for me.”  (Matthew 25:40)  Most of us are generous when it’s convenient for us.  We are generous when we have the time or the money.  But, generosity is the opposite of that.  It means giving of one’s time, money, compassion, forgiveness or mercy when it’s not convenient; when it’s not on our schedule, but on the other person’s schedule.

Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, Rey del Universo
"... todo lo que hiciste por uno de mis hermanos más pequeños, lo hiciste por mí". (MATEO 25:40)  La mayoría de nosotros somos generosos cuando nos conviene. Somos generosos cuando tenemos el tiempo o el dinero. Pero la generosidad es lo opuesto a eso. Significa dar nuestro tiempo, dinero, compasión, perdón o misericordia cuando no es conveniente; cuando no está en nuestro horario, sino en el horario de la otra persona.


TO: PARISH ADMINISTRATION
DEADLINE IS NOV. 13  to complete your Kenedy Report online
Refer to the email sent from the Diocese of Worcester on Nov. 4 (or October 28) for more information or email Ray Delisle at rdelisle@worcesterdiocese.org. 

Nov. 9, 2020

Is the Chancery open?
The Chancery continues to be open for Appointments Only with visitors following the usual protocol for safety (wear a mask, hand sanitizer upon entry, and confirm that they are not sick). We are not open to the public entering without a specific appointment. Finally, attendance at meetings via Zoom continues to be encouraged.

Don't forget to complete your Kenedy Report online
Refer to the email sent from the Diocese of Worcester on Nov. 4 for more information or email Ray Delisle at rdelisle@worcesterdiocese.org. Deadline is Nov. 13!

Catholic Campaign for Human Development
A letter from Bishop McManus encouraging support for this year's Catholic Campaign for Human Development is attached and available on the dicoesan website at the "Bulletin Inserts and Letters" page. The collections is to be announced on the weekend of Nov 15 and taken up on the weekend of Nov. 22.

Nov. 2, 2020

Book Discussion Series: Dismantling Racism in America 
The Peace & Social Justice Ministry at St. Gabriel, the Archangel Parish in Upton is presenting a three-part, faith-based virtual discussion on the book, Living into God’s Dream, edited by Catherine Meeks. Sessions will be held virtually on Nov. 17, Dec.2 & Dec. 14 at 7 pm. The book is available widely, including on Amazon in print and for e-book download. To join us and receive the Zoom link, contact Sarah at sbaldiga@gmail.com or 508-320-8676.

Position Available
Coord. of Young Famiy Ministries - Acton
Apple Valley Catholic Community Collaborative comprised of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Acton and St. Isidore Parish in Stow is currently looking for a Coordinator of Young Family Ministries. This position will be part of a team dedicated to lifelong faith formation, sacramental participation and living as a disciple in today’s world and will have specific responsibility to ministry to young families (parents and their children up to grade four). While attending to the faith formation needs of the children there is a focus on the outreach to parents so that they can grow as disciples and be better equipped to support the faith development of the next generation. This is a part-time, 25-hour position, with the possibility of increased hours in the future.  The office is located at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Acton with the flexibility to work both in the office and remote. If interested please email cover letter, resume and at least two references, (contact information or letter of reference with contact information) to HR_Staffing@rcab.org. References should include at least one person whom you have served in ministry.

October 26, 2020

Missed the Virtual Celebrate Priesthood event?
Watch a replay of the VIRTUAL Celebrate Priesthood by visiting  worcesterdiocese.org which was held on Monday, October 26. Click on the Celebrate Priesthood header.

Post tribute to your favorite priest on Facebook!
Visit facebook.com/celebratepriesthood and post your favorite memory or a tribute to your favorite priest. and check out the many postings that people have already contributed.

Large Nativity Sets Needed for Notre Dame Long Term Care Facility
Due to the COVID-19 precautions preventing large gatherings in single spaces, Notre Dame Long Term Care in Worcester is looking for two additional nativity sets (on approximately a 1’ scale) to put out for their residents to enjoy in different wings of their facility. If you have a nativity set that you would like to donate, please contact the Director of Pastoral Care Erin McCarthy, (508) 852-3011.

Vocations e-newsletter
The Office of Vocations has launched a monthly e-newsletter, "The Call."  Come follow the great things God is doing in the lives of our seminarians. To view past issues or to sign up, go to https://www.worcestervocations.com/sign-up-for-our-newsletter.

October 19, 2020

TO: PARISH ADMINISTRATION
Add Searchable Online Diocesan Directory to your Parish Website       
The 2020 Diocesan Directory published by The Catholic Free Press is now online, searchable, and available to drag onto your parish eCatholic Website! Simply go to the “From the Diocese” tab, drag the icon onto the page on your eCatholic website. The online directory lets you search for information, jump to specific pages from the index, and even open an email from ads to communicate with them! Check it out.

October 13, 2020

Eucharistic Adoration and Novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots
Join us for nine Tuesday evenings from October 13 thru December 8 at 6:45pm at St. Mary Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury during Eucharistic Adoration which will take place from 6:30 -7:30 pm. During the nine weeks of the Novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots, we will lift up the “knots” in our lives to Mary and pray that God’s grace and mercy will untangle them.

Livestreaming Confirmations at Cathedral
If your parish is participating at Confirmation at the Cathedral this fall, we will now stream them LIVE on the internet at worcesterdiocese.org. This will help families whose members are insecure about attending Mass in-person but would like to celebrate in the moment and pray with the rest of the family. Visit worcesterdiocese.org the day of the Confirmation and click on the CONFIRMATION LINK on the homepage. DVD copies will also be available for purchase and forms will be available at the ceremony and can be downloaded on the webpage that day.

Respect Life Wednesday Webinars
The Respect Life Office of the Diocese of Worcester invites you to join our “Wednesday Webinars”!  The webinars will be held on four consecutive Wednesdays beginning Sept. 23 at 2:00 p.m.  Dates and topics include: Sept. 23 – Respect Life Ministry in the Parish: The Church’s Vision; Sept. 30 – Parish Respect Life Ministry in a Time of Pandemic; Oct. 7 – Celebrating Respect Life Month; and, Oct. 14 – Using the Respect Life Program All Year Long.  Whether you have been involved in Respect Life Ministry for many years, are considering starting or joining a ministry in your parish, or would simply like to learn more, there is something for everyone!  Pre-registration is required to receive a login link.  To register, send an email to aledoux@worcesterdiocese.org with your name, parish, email address, and date(s) for which you are registering; include the words “Webinar Registration” in the subject line.  To download a flyer with webinar descriptions visit www.worcesterdiocese.org/respect-life. 

Share photos on the Diocesan Calendar page (in print and online)
As some events are resuming in-person, please consider sharing a photo on the Calendar page of the Catholic Free Press and online. Send your high-resolution photo right from your smartphone to calendar@catholicfreepress.org and we will be happy to share as many as we can!

Digital Vocation Discernment Groups
Because the Office for Vocations is unsure when we can resume our monthly vocation dinners, we are contemplating creating a digital discernment groups for those from the Diocese, whether currently here or away at College, to read through and discuss "To Save a Thousand Souls." After gauging interest, we would form groups based on age. If you would be interested in participating in such a group, please contact the vocation office at director@worcestervocations.com.

Catholic Men's Group in Worcester
Christ the King Parish will host a new (relatively) men’s group meeting for prayer and spiritual development on First Fridays (beginning Sept. 4), 7:30-8:30 p.m., in the Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester The format will vary, but will incorporate prayer, the rosary, spiritual reading and discussion (and maybe get a bite to eat off campus). All Catholic men are invited and welcome.

FOR PARISH ADMINISTRATION:

Coming to Chancery for Appointments - Protocol
The chancery remains closed to the public except for scheduled appointments. Beginning September 1 we have made staffing changes including no longer having a receptionist at the front lobby. The front vestibule is OPEN during business hours and a phone is present to call your appointment to notify them of your arrival.
If you are dropping off material for a department (e.g., Marriage Tribunal, Partners in Charity or Finance, please call that department to let them know. Phone messages will be checked regularly and we encourage parish staff to use the direct dial numbers for each department which are listed in the Diocesan Directory.
If you are entering the building for an appointment, masks must be worn in the building and hand sanitizer is available as you enter for your use. A strict cleaning schedule is maintained for all common areas and meeting rooms are cleaned immediately after use.

Returning to offices Training and Protocols
Even if your parish office is not open to the public, Massachusetts has a protocol for returning to work in offices which includes training and assuring that employees do not come to work if they are symptomatic. Whether you were an essential operation or just returning now to the office, please review the resources that are being used for Chancery employees regarding safety at work during this pandemic and adapting our acknowledgement form for use in your parish. visit worcesterdiocese.org/covid-related-forms.

Guidelines for Visiting Patients by Clergy at Saint Vincent Hospital
As the public health situation has improved, clergy may visit parishioners at the hospital from 10 am until 7 pm. One visitor per patient is allowed at any given time. All visitors—clergy included—must abide by the following: screening process, answer a series of questions, temperature check, adherence to hand hygiene guidelines, and face covering required at all times. Some areas of the hospital are even more restricted. Upon arrival at the hospital, the information desk will inform you if the parishioner you want to visit is subject to the following additional precautions: only one visitor allowed per day, gown and gloves are required throughout the duration of the visit which for quarantined patients is limited to 30 minutes. Hospital staff will assist you with the proper disposal of gown and gloves. REMINDER: A priest-chaplain is always available to provide pastoral and/or sacramental care 24x7 and can be reached through the hospital operator at (508) 363-5000 then asking the operator to “page the priest on duty.” Please stay on the line because those calls are parked calls and it takes some time for the priest to locate a phone and to be linked with the caller. 

Guidelines for Visiting Patients by Clergy at UMass Memorial Medical Center
Thank you for your support during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  While clergy have always been welcome to visit, many denominations have wisely contacted our Pastoral Care Team to visit patients or utilized technology.  Currently, patients are allowed one visitor at a time.  Masks must be worn at all times, and access is through both main entrances.  Masks are required at all times, and visitors must check in at the lobby check-in station, have their temperature taken and let attendants know who they are visiting. You will be given a visitor tag to wear, which allows us to know you have been cleared.  COVID-19 rooms and rule-out rooms do not have visitors, unless a rare exception is made through the Unit Manager.  If you have any questions, or we can be of assistance, please call the Pastoral Care Department at 508-774-6550 or call the main number 508-334-1000 and ask them to page the chaplain on-call.  

MONTHLY AND ONGOING RESOURCES

eCatholic tip: online payments and donations
The monthly fee to use eCatholic payments is waived for parishes in the diocese and transaction fees are as low as it gets in the industry.  The site is very secure, and the money goes right into your parish bank account and you get a report letting you know! You can also use eCatholic Payments for one time or recurring payments and donations for offertory, religious education tuition and more! But, if you already have an online offertory platform you can use eCatholic Payments with their web forms alongside that platform for one time donations for events, etc. Questions: email worcester@ecatholic.com anytime.

Promoting events? Use your eCatholic and Flocknote Resources!
It is EASY to set up an event announcement and registration/ticket form on your eCatholic website. If you have not yet done so, contact them for an online account to accept credit cards via your site. Not only will it make it more convenient than “come to the rectory for tickets;” you can reach more people and plan better for your event. Costs are as low as it gets in the industry, the site is very secure, and the money goes right into your parish bank account and you get a report letting you know! PLUS you can then send everyone a link by Flocknote to go to the site with one click from their phone, tablet or computer and get the tickets, make the donation or at least be aware of the event details to share with family and friends. Let your Communications Ministry tools work for you! Contact Luke at worcester@eCatholic.com if you need to get set up or to learn more.

Include Text-To-Join in your Bulletin each week!
If you are one of the 60 parishes using Flocknote, remember to put your Text To Join (TTJ) number in your bulletin each week – or simply add it to the masthead next time you make changes. You can find the number and phrase when you click on Settings from your Dashboard.
Sample Bulletin notice:
Keep in touch with everything going on in our parish by signing up for our Flocknote emails. Simply text “Your Phrase” to ##### (your TTJ number) and be an informed member of our parish family. You can unsubscribe at any time.

EMAIL NOTICES
We often hear from pastors and parishes saying they are not getting emails from us, even when we have a correct address. No Email system is foolproof (Gmail, MSN, Outlook, aol, Charter.net, Verizon.net,  etc.) and your provider may be very aggressively blocking emails from your inbox based on general algorithms. Please remember to check your junk mail regularly to see if emails from our Flocknote system or from worcesterdiocese.org or other sources are being inadvertently blocked. You can always use your email system’s rules when this happens to “always accept email from this sender.” Usually that option appears when you “Right Click’ on the email in question with your mouse.

Senior Fraud Hotline
RSVP’s Senior Fraud HelpLine is a toll-free resource for seniors and their families to call when they are concerned that they are being targeted by scammers.  If they are in doubt, they should check it out by calling 1-800-297-9760. Confidential. Knowledgeable. Local. Supportive.

Volunteer To Help With Food Distribution In Our Food Pantry
Catholic Charities Emergency Stabilization Services located on Hammond Street in Worcester is looking for volunteers who might be able to assist them with distributing food in our food pantry. Volunteers must be available once a week from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and be able to lift cases of food. Volunteer days: Monday - Friday. Thank you for your consideration. All help is much needed and appreciated! Contact: Maydeé Morales at 508-860-2206 or via e-mail to mmorales@ccworc.org.

DAILY MASS ON TV AND THE INTERNET 

Tune in on Monday through Friday on Charter TV3 on channel 193 at 9 am for the local Daily Mass on cable celebrated by various priests from around our diocese. Also airs at 4:30 pm in Shrewsbury on Ch. 28, and 5 pm in Clinton area on Ch. 8. 

INTERESTED IN LEARNING HOW TO HELP IN TV MINISTRY? 

Whether you like to operate a camera, or would like to learn audio controls or even how to produce, we have a place for you in TV Ministry. We will train – all you need is a desire to learn and some free time. Call Steve at 508-791-203 9 or email tvmass@charter.net for more information. Great service opportunity for high school or college students and retirees alike! 

REDUCED-FEE LEGAL SERVICES IN WORCESTER 
The Worcester County Bar Association has a Reduced Fee Program where household income exceeds the requirements for free legal assistance but makes hiring an attorney unfeasible. You must be a Worcester County resident and legal services include bankruptcy, mortgage foreclosures, wills, divorces, custody and evictions. Call 800-622-9700 800-622-9700 for more information, indicating your interest in the Reduced Fee Program. 

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON ONLINE LEARNING (DIOCESAN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM) 
Have you ever had a desire to expand your knowledge of the faith in areas such as Scripture, Liturgy and Worship, Prayer and Spirituality, Sacraments, Creed, or Church History? Check out the on-line courses available to adults through our Diocesan Partnership Program with U Dayton and the Virtual Community for Faith Formation. You can receive a substantial discount while learning in your own space during your personal hours of availability. If you have any questions, please call Barbara Ramian at 508-929-4308.

PROJECT RACHEL CAN HELP WITH THE PAIN OF A PAST ABORTION 
Hurting from a past abortion? We can help. Project Rachel is the Catholic Church’s ministry of healing and reconciliation to those who have been wounded by abortion. Our services are free and strictly confidential. Call Project Rachel at (508) 791-HOPE. 

FERTILITY CARE PROGRAM 
There is an alternative to artificial methods of birth control and IVF. Learn about The Creighton Model System of FertilityCare, the reproductive science that is 99% effective to avoid pregnancy, highly effective to achieve pregnancy and offers couples who are experiencing infertility hope to achieve their dream of pregnancy without artificial reproductive technologies. This is accomplished while following the teachings of the church. To learn more about the program contact Barbara Meier, RN, FertilityCare Practitioner at 609-457-0108 609-457-0108 or fertilitycare@ymail.com.

CAR DONATION PROGRAM
Did you know you can donate your car, truck, motorcycle or boat to Catholic Charities and help us help your Worcester County neighbors?  It’s quick and easy to do.  Just visit our website to donate your vehicle online atwww.ccworc.org or call 1-888-CAR-7308 1-888-CAR-7308 to arrange a convenient pickup time and confirmation of your donation from Catholic Charities Donation Angel Program.  The car in your driveway can help us to continue to offer many services to children, families and elders in our community so that they may regain home for a brighter future.  Thank you!

Mental Health Providers Directory
An extensive directory of mental health providers in Worcester who serve children and families, as well as bilingual providers, is available from the Worcester Community Action Council, Main St. Worcester.

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.