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Local Catholics were among those responding to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. On this 25th anniversary, let’s take a look back at some of the news reported by The Catholic Free Press.

(OSV News) – On Sept. 11, 2001 – the date of the worst terrorist attack in American history, when four hijacked jets became deadly weapons – there was no shortage of heroic first responders who confronted danger instead of avoiding it.

Local Catholics are among those seeking to repeal Massachusetts’ new law which allows abortions up until birth. These concerned citizens are also seeking to suspend the law, called Chapter 188 in the 2026 Session Laws, until voters decide whether to reject or accept it, by means of a ballot question.

The Class of 1976 from the now-closed St. Mary’s High School in Worcester held a 50th anniversary reunion Saturday, with Mass at the school’s parish, Our Lady of Czestochowa, followed by dinner at Maxwell Luciano’s restaurant in Union Station.

On the first day of football practice on Monday, Aug. 24, there were 33 players, seven of them from St. Paul’s.

North American Martyrs and St. Joseph parishes in Auburn are inviting the whole diocese to participate in “40 Hours for Life Eucharistic Adoration” starting this weekend, to pray “for the protection of all unborn children, and a greater respect for the dignity and sanctity of every human life from conception to natural death.”

The Partners in Charity appeal, the annual diocesan fundraising campaign to support more than 25 ministries, concluded Aug. 31, exceeding its $4.8 million goal.

Today we mourn the passing of James F. Driscoll, recently retired Executive Director of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference.

At Notre Dame Academy in Worcester, two missions come together: Catholic education, with its commitment to service, and an all-female learning environment, which aims to help young women see themselves as leaders.

A public school principal who had just retired wanted to remain involved in education. When St. Anna Elementary School in Leominster contacted her, she felt like God was speaking.

“Anywhere and everywhere I need to make sure that people know we’re still here,” he said, “and that’s the biggest challenge I have and what I enjoy doing.”

During these months of 2025, I was blessed to study the life and teaching of St. John Paul II at the Tertio Millenio Seminar in Krakow, Poland, as well as to visit two missionary communities.

The College of the Holy Cross has appointed a Jesuit to report to its lay president and to oversee the formation of students, faculty and staff.

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.