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Anna Maria College in Paxton announced today that it is to cease academic operations at the end of the spring 2026 semester and will transition to closure by the end of the calendar year.

WORCESTER – A retired Assumption University professor was honored last Friday for his work and influence. The celebration at the university was of Professor J. Brian Benestad, his legacy, and the publication of the expanded version of his 2011 book, “Church, State, and Society: An Introduction to Catholic Social Doctrine.”

WORCESTER – Visitation House held its annual dinner April 18 at the College of the Holy Cross. This largest fundraiser of the local Catholic home for pregnant women in need and their babies, which takes no government funding, drew 310 people and raised $110,000 of the $120,000 goal, according to Rebecca Urban, executive director.

The Diocese of Worcester released its annual report for Fiscal Year 2025, highlighting accomplishments and a review of financial activities for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2025.

In the latest step toward unification, on Saturday St. Paul inducted the inaugural class into the Legacy Schools Hall of Fame for graduates of both former schools.

Last Sunday, the second Sunday of Easter, we were still overwhelmed by the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection. The universal Church also celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday. On April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized the Polish visionary Sister Faustina Kowalska – the 21st century’s first canonization – and proclaimed the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday.

Anna Maria College in Paxton is working with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in attempts to fulfill obligations to students in the face of its “financial pressures.” “Anna Maria College has pursued its distinctive Catholic mission since 1946, and its leadership remains committed to ensuring that every currently enrolled student has the opportunity to complete their education,” says an April 10 statement from the college.

Bishop McManus issued a statement April 14 that said, “The Holy Father’s statements about war have been clear and consistent with his predecessors and the teaching of the Church’s Magisterium in proclaiming the Gospel message, ‘Blessed are the Peacemakers’ ...

Father Francis A. Roberge, 74, Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Baldwinville, passed away in the rectory on Sunday, April 12.

(OSV News) – As the astronauts of NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby in half a century reached their closest approach to the moon, the team’s pilot reminded the Earth of Jesus Christ’s command to love both God and neighbor.

NORTHBOROUGH – A 15-year-old who said God didn’t exist just felt he should go to church one day. A young husband decided to explore the faith in which his wife wanted to raise their baby. A 54-year-old saw others around his age receiving sacraments, and realized it wasn’t too late for him to do the same.

The address came moments after the pope offered Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square with more than 50,000 people present and preceded his solemn blessing, "urbi et orbi," meaning "to the city and to the world," in which the pope offers an indulgence to Catholics around the world who receive the blessing with the proper dispositions.

WORCESTER – In a life plagued by stress and expenses, a local priest gives of his own money and time to help kids and adults have some free fun – with a little catechesis and an opportunity for prayer thrown in.

(OSV News) – The week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, Holy Week, is the most sacred time of year. During this special time, we enter into the passion of Christ – his crucifixion, death and resurrection – through liturgical celebration and personal conversion. While the season of Lent is a very important time in the Church, it is helpful to remember that our Lenten practices (prayer, fasting and almsgiving) are meant as preparation for the three days of the Triduum.

Sister Jeanne spent 40 years of her religious life teaching in grades one through four in Barton, Vermont; Nasonville, Rhode Island; Greenville, New Hampshire; and Lowell, Dracut, Northbridge, and Millbury. In 1967, she went to Philadelphia to become a certified Montessori Teacher. She then opened a Montessori School in Petersham, and another school in Millbury in 1971. Twenty years of dedicated service evolved.

VATICAN CITY (OSV News) – Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified on Sept. 24 in St. Louis, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints announced March 25.

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, were presented at this Mass.

WORCESTER – The Blessed Mother statue was broken, but men lined up to touch her, kneel before her or have their photo taken with her. They were attending the 25th annual Worcester Diocesan Catholic Men’s Conference Saturday at the DCU Convention Center.

More than 250 Catholics involved in Hispanic ministry in New England discussed ways to improve evangelization, during a retreat March 12 at St. Paul Cathedral