News - August 2026 RSS Feed

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.

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.