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Massachusetts Catholic bishops and priests are supporting an effort to suspend, and ultimately repeal, the state’s new law that allows abortions up until birth.

The Worcester diocese can now proceed with a canonical trial to have Father Alan J. Martineau, ordained a priest in 2018, permanently removed from the clerical state following “a determination of sexual abuse,” Raymond L. Delisle, chancellor and director of communications ministry, said in a statement Wednesday. The Vatican directs that the criminal trial be concluded first, he explained.

Mary Bravos received plenty of bravos last Friday night. In the gym at St. John, Guardian of Our Lady Parish, in Clinton, parishioners, friends and family helped Mrs. Bravos celebrate her 105th birthday.

BARRE – After hearing a talk about the cross from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis of Assisi, a religious educator decided to reposition a replica of that crucifix so children can see it better.

WEBSTER – At St. Joseph Elementary School, caring for creation is more than a classroom lesson. It is a joyful way for students to recognize God’s goodness in the world around them and to learn how they can cherish his gifts.

Their friendship grew over the next eight years together in Worcester and as parishioners at St. Paul Cathedral. They supported each other as Mrs. Pakaluk was diagnosed with breast cancer and Mrs. Cheffers lost her sixth child, Allen, to blood cancer. Mrs. Pakaluk lost her own battle with cancer seven months later.

The Worcester diocese welcomes the Massachusetts attorney general’s child sexual abuse report regarding three out of four of the state’s Catholic dioceses, Raymond L. Delisle, chancellor and director of communications, said in a statement Wednesday.

A local priest can’t wait to wear again the vestments that are embroidered with “JMJ,” which he wore for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s beatification Mass, where he was touched personally and inspired for his ministry. “JMJ” refers to Archbishop Sheen’s dedication to Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

The 2026 Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference includes in the speakers’ lineup Susan Brinkmann.

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.