We have begun our forty-day journey of deepened prayer, more frequent penance, and greater charity.

Whether it was a confirmation class game or an unexpected sick call, Father Walter J. Riley was there for people, those who knew him recalled. ... “So, what will it be like to stand before God at the moment of our death?” Father Riley’s Feb. 4 letter begins.

Remember retired priests – with financial support and continued contact. After all, they’ve served their people well – in an around-the-clock vocation. A retired religious education director made those points – and raved about one of her pastors, as the Ash Wednesday collection approached.

Father Walter J. Riley passed away suddenly this morning (Feb. 9).

The new head of the diocese’s cemetery system started the job on Monday, bringing with him experience from his parish, St. John, Guardian of Our Lady in Clinton.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, there is a focus on marriage around the globe and at home in the Worcester diocese. The Marriage Mentors group is for socializing, but also for support and spiritual opportunities.

Being a principal is fun, a big responsibility and involves helping people, working with teachers and the priest, paying bills and being a role model, students said in their “applications” for the job. Essays with such perceptions were among entries in the “Principal for the Day” contest that St. Bernard Elementary School in Fitchburg held for Catholic Schools Week.

A seventh grader from All Saints Academy in Webster, Matthew Monticelli, was recognized at a Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Celebration Jan. 13.

Father Escudero, Sister Rosemarie and the Beltrans spoke about their callings at the vocation assembly attended by about 50 students in grades 5-8 Tuesday morning at the St. Mary church hall.

Father James J. Caldarella Jr., 80, formerly of Worcester, died Thursday, Jan. 25. He retired on July 1, 2018, and moved to Old Saybrook, Connecticut. His funeral is scheduled for Friday in Old Saybrook.

St. Paul Diocesan Jr./Sr. High School kicked off Catholic Schools Week a little early with a Jan. 25 Mass for the school’s feast day. Bishop McManus, preaching at Mass for Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, connected listeners to the school’s patron. So did Michael Clark, head of school, who presented Wendy Yakstis, admissions coordinator, with the 2024 Saint Paul Service Award.

Massachusetts Citizens for Life (MCFL) has announced the launch of APRScience.org, the first and only website dedicated to the analysis and dissemination of Abortion Pill Rescue (APR) medical evidence, according to a press release from Myrna Maloney Flynn, president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life.

Life in the womb, described with wonder by a developing baby and illustrated with Scripture and watercolor paintings, is the subject of a book started years ago. Prayers, experiences and ministry helped form this work titled, In My Mother’s Womb, published by Our Sunday Visitor last November.

Father Michael J. Sheridan, 75, died Tuesday, Jan.16 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston.

Home-schooled students stood with adults on the sidewalk in Webster Jan. 19, waving their hands and respect life signs at motorists. Their prayer and public witness were ways of being in solidarity with people who were participating in the March for Life in Washington, D.C. that day.

James Kelly plays football, basketball and baseball for St. Paul Diocesan Jr./Sr. High School and he’s known for giving total effort all the time. However, when you ask him what is more important to him, sports or religion, his immediate answer is religion.

For, ultimately, what Mary teaches us is that our work for life is not an essentially political act. ... It is an intimate question of human relationships, motivated not only by our love for the unborn child, but for the mother who carries that child as the fruit of her womb. It is a work of seeing other human beings as opportunities to love.