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The theme is “Come to the Water” and will be led by Liz Cotrupi and Liz Cotrupi Pfunder. The retreat will focus on Jesus’ invitation to meet him at the well of his grace. “As women, we have areas of our lives where we can feel empty, dry, burned out, etc. Jesus invites us to meet him at the well of his grace to restore us in the ways we so deeply need,” said a statement from the Commission for Women.

PAXTON – As St. Columba Parish celebrated its 75th anniversary with Mass and lunch Sunday, the pastor connected their history and future with their patron, the bishop issued challenges and parishioners shared memories.

ST. LOUIS (OSV News) – Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen – the 20th-century theologian, evangelizer, Catholic communications pioneer, teacher and preacher – is now Blessed Fulton J. Sheen.

Joseph and Arlene Kutzko recently made the news with their complaints that Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough, and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), supported their daughter, Sophie, with gender transitioning – without their knowledge at school, and against their wishes and their Catholic faith.

Massachusetts passed one of the most expansive and permissive abortion laws in the nation, telling us what kind of society they desire for Massachusetts: one which leaves its most vulnerable citizens – children in the womb and their pregnant mothers – at perilous risk. This law is a tragedy, and the Catholic legislators who helped to enact it have caused grave scandal.

Partners received $4,858,963 in donations this fiscal year which ended on Aug. 31. That’s $311,221 more than was raised last year. The number of donors also increased to 11,843, which is 209 more than a year ago.

WORCESTER – A “homecoming” – commemorating the opening of St. Peter’s elementary and high schools more than 100 years ago – is scheduled for Sept. 26. “We just decided that we couldn’t let the history of the school go unrecognized,” explained Paul Richard, chairman of the board of limited jurisdiction of what is now St. Peter Central Catholic Elementary School.

“As we rededicate our campus today, may we also rededicate ourselves to being a community that welcomes, supports, and cares for one another. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us throughout this year – to fill our hearts with peace, strengthen us when we are challenged, inspire us to care for one another, and help us bring God’s goodness to all those we encounter.”

The local committee for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development has announced that local grant applications for 2026 are currently being accepted.

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.”