Unjust violence against innocent people can never be a means to justice in the world.

Patricia Sandoval, a pro-life and chastity speaker, spoke personally about her journey of healing from abortion, what it was like to work at Planned Parenthood, and overcoming addiction, at this year’s Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference.

Christopher Klofft, a professor at Assumption University and Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, retold creation accounts from Genesis, in light of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body in his talk. Deborah Savage, a professor at Franciscan University and co-founder and director of the Siena Symposium for Women, Family, and Culture, built upon it in hers.

“Courage in some ways is a peer support group system. There is no desire for change in a person except for a desire for holiness,” Father Blatchford said.

Faith, family and fellowship were highlights of the 2023 Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference, which drew about 375 participants to St. Joseph Elementary School.

Continuing to celebrate Mass is important to the diocese’s two newest senior priests. And the longest-serving senior priest is still in the ministry after 18 years. The diocese’s five men in this type of work help meet sacramental and pastoral needs at those parishes.

These experiences – and the sense of a new calling – moved Kathy Archambault to start the St. Monica Circle at St. Denis last year. The group brings together, for prayer and sharing, people who are concerned about loved ones who’ve left the Church.

Father James A. Houston served as a priest for 55 years, the final 31 as pastor at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Northborough. “He made the people feel very much a part of the parish,” Bishop McManus said. “After all those years, he was baptizing children of people who grew up in the parish.”

Ten years ago, Bishop McManus decided to begin a fundraiser for retired priests and the “Celebrate Priesthood! – Taste of the Diocese” gala was born. “I’ve always said that the people of the Diocese of Worcester have been extraordinarily generous,” Bishop McManus said. This year Celebrate Priesthood! will be held on Thursday, Oct. 26.

Hundreds of women will gather tomorrow for the Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference with the theme, “Male and Female He Created Them.” Speaking at the conference will be Father Colin Blatchford, Christopher Klofft, Father Derek Mobilio, Patricia Sandoval and Deborah Savage.

St. Mary of the Hills Parish has a new icon of St. Joseph. It’s the work of a former seminarian who came from Colombia specifically to create it for this church – and to make a retreat while doing so.