WORCESTER – Follow Jesus – despite the cross. Pray daily and live virtuously – for your family’s sake. Go to confession – even if you’re not the worst person. These were among challenges speakers gave 950-plus attendees of the 24th Worcester Diocesan Catholic Men’s Conference Saturday at the DCU Center.

The annual Mother’s Day Rose Campaign is being reignited this year, the Jubilee Year of Hope, following a hiatus since the COVID-19 pandemic.

WORCESTER – In a collaboration of Catholic institutions, the St. John’s Cemetery System dug a trench for outdoor lighting at St. Paul Diocesan Jr./Sr. High School.

SHREWSBURY – Months of work and time spent after school came to fruition March 27 when St. Mary Elementary School held its first middle school science fair since the COVID-19 pandemic.

CHARLTON – Patricia M. “Patty” (May) Motyka, 75, died Monday, March 31, at UMass Memorial Healthcare, Worcester.

Sister Teresa Rose Carchidi, MPV, 99 of Worcester passed away peacefully March 30. Sister Teresa dedicated over 60 years to religious life as a Venerini Sister.

McAuley Nazareth Inc. in Leicester, an outgrowth of a Sisters of Mercy ministry, became officially “affiliated with” Mount Prospect Academy at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. Both serve troubled youth through education and residential treatment.

SOUTHBRIDGE – An eighth-grader from Virginia sang Christian songs – including two of hundreds she’s written – for the Musical Stations of the Cross March 21 at St. John Paul II Parish’s St. Mary Church. Playing guitar with her and leading the music was her grandmother.

Arthur “Artie” Boyle, of Hingham, was a regular hockey dad and the father of 13 when a diagnosis of six months to live led him to Medjugorje in the year 2000. Artie’s testimony speaks both of his physical healing, as well as a spiritual transformation.

Following President Donald Trump’s Feb. 18 executive order that aims to expand access to in vitro fertilization and reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs for it, the diocesan Respect Life Office provided resources for clergy to share with their parishioners regarding the Church’s teaching on IVF and how to pastorally respond to those suffering with infertility.

St. Joseph’s is one of the diocese’s pilgrimage sites for the Jubilee Year of Hope. The bishop came for vespers and a reception, and was joined by priests and people from around the diocese.

Andrew Masi has no hearing in his left ear and 65 percent hearing loss in his right ear after suffering from meningitis as an infant. Nevertheless, he was still able to hear a calling from God to take photos of every Catholic cathedral, basilica and shrine in the U.S. and share them with others.

Fresh off his keynote address at the recent SEEK25 Conference in January, Edward Sri, a Catholic theologian, will offer his presentation titled “The Art of Living” at the Worcester Catholic Men’s Conference on April 5 at the DCU Center.

Partners in Charity supports 26 charitable, educational and pastoral ministries in the diocese. Top donors and parish leaders have been invited to the regional launch gatherings to receive a free dinner and hear guest speakers explain how their contributions impact the ministries.

A local college student has encountered Jesus’ passion in a meaningful way – in homeless people he and others befriend.

The Mother Teresa Pro-Life Award, the Ruth Pakaluk Pro-Life Youth Award, and the Gospel of Life Award, given annually to individuals who have shown heroic witness to the intrinsic value of each human life, will be presented at the liturgy.

Past bishops of the Worcester diocese were among those honored by the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee this year.

Father Derek A. Mobilio will give a talk on reconciliation titled: “His Mercy Endures Forever- Biblical Insights for the Sacrament of Reconciliation” at this year’s annual Worcester Diocesan Men’s Conference.

The Little Store distributed 7,990 pounds of free food to 245 families last year. That was up from 7,347 pounds in 2023 and 3,247 pounds in 2022. The number of families receiving food has soared so other Urban Missionaries expenses had to be curtailed in order to purchase more food.

A local priest being named a bishop elsewhere led to administrative changes in the Worcester diocese.