Assumption University is bringing in students, faculty and a dog from Anna Maria College by launching Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degree programs this fall.

Sister Katherine Mc-Kenna, formally known in religious life as Sister Mary Joan, died Aug. 14. She was born Sept. 9, 1943, to Mary T. (Burns) McKenna and J. Joseph McKenna in Central Falls, Rhode Island. At the time of her death, Sister Katherine resided at Notre Dame Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Worcester.

There are about 35,000 religious sisters in the United States, including 147 in the Diocese of Worcester. But that number doesn’t account for those whose journey to discernment may have made a stop in Worcester County. At least that is true for Mary Whitney.

Archbishop Michael W. Banach, who was ordained a priest for the Worcester diocese in 1988 and who has been serving the Holy See in various countries for years, has received his newest assignment. Pope Leo XIV appointed him apostolic nuncio to Argentina, a May 14 Holy See Press Office bulletin announced.

WORCESTER – The Italian Festival of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady of Loreto Parish includes food, music and fun, but it’s also about celebrating the Catholic faith.

(EWTN News) – Democratic Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill allowing abortion at any point in pregnancy in the state of Massachusetts, making it the 11th state to impose no limits on abortion.

For 30 years, the Archdiocese of Hartford has promoted the cause of the canonization of Blessed Father Michael McGivney for founding the Knights of Columbus.

SPENCER – Trappist Father Timothy Scott felt at home at St. Joseph’s Abbey when first visiting – and he’s still at peace there. He’s focused on Jesus and this community. The now-Abbot Scott spoke this way to The Catholic Free Press about his life and the Abbey, where he was elected and installed abbot there on July 23, for a six-year term.

Want to see snapshots of Catholic summer vacations? Come along for the adventure. It’s July and St. John Paul II Parish in Southbridge is holding its vacation Bible school, called “Families who walk with Jesus.” St. Cecilia Parish in Leominster is using the “Rainforest Falls” Bible school program. Holy Family of Nazareth Parish in Leominster is “shining a light on who Jesus really is” and St. Joseph Parish in Charlton maintains that “with God we can tackle anything.”

Urban Missionaries will be able to offer a lot more fresh produce thanks to the creation of the Community Garden of Hope. The hydroponic garden was planted in the LittleStore’s parking lot July 25.

WORCESTER – An outdoor statue of St. Christopher transporting the Christ Child was moved last week from St. Christopher Church to Our Lady of the Rosary Church, where a new shrine was created for it. Father Jonathan J. Slavinskas, pastor of Our Lady of Providence Parish, blessed the shrine and statue after Saturday’s Lord’s Day vigil Mass there.

Bishop Robert P. Reed, an auxiliary bishop of Boston, was celebrating Mass Sunday, the feast of Sts. Anne and Joachim, to close the shrine’s 139th annual Novena to St. Anne.

All four Massachusetts bishops are urging Catholics “to pray for a renewal of reverence for all human life,” as the state senate considers a bill removing current limits on late-term abortions – at 24 weeks of pregnancy and later – in the Commonwealth during the final days of the current legislative session.

"...The proposed elimination of any legal restraint on late-term abortion is, in our judgement, a radical measure which is gravely immoral. Our hope is that the state Senate will not follow the House on this measure." (click for full statement)

PRINCETON – Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, where visionaries say the Blessed Mother has been appearing since 1981, is “a very holy place,” and going there is “an opportunity to experience the love of God.”

Now, the CLI is helping the Diocese of Worcester prepare for the retirement of Bishop McManus and make a smooth transition for his successor.

Traveling to the July 17-19 conference together from the Worcester diocese were 110 teenagers, 25 adult leaders and five priests, in groups representing nine parishes and St. Paul Diocesan Jr./Sr. High School in Worcester, said Timothy Messenger, director of the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, organizer of the trip.

Father Enoch K. Kyeremateng is a big soccer fan, so when he found out that Ghana, where he was born and raised, would be playing a World Cup game in Foxborough he was determined to attend.

The St. Vincent Healthcare Online Grant applications process has opened for 2026. Visit worcesterdiocese.org/st-vincent-healthcare-grants-2026 Completed applications must be received by September 4, 2026 for consideration. Only online applications will be accepted.