Bishop's Letter

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I wish to offer thanks to Almighty God for the wonderful people of our diocese. I thank you for your prayers and support for the Church and for all the good that you do. 

I invite you this January to prayerfully consider a 2021 leadership gift to this year’s Appeal. Your generous support for our Partners in Charity Appeal helps make possible the charitable work that no parish community could accomplish alone.

By Baptism we are all called to be the living presence in the world of Christ, offering hope to those in need through works of prayer, charity and education. Our 27 agencies and ministries continue to be signs of hope to so many people in need, especially during this pandemic. Consider the following examples of how, in times of crisis and especially during this most challenging year, people are finding hope when they turn to the Church and our charitable programs.

“The difference today for families is that those who were not in crisis before or were able to maintain stability in their home life are now facing crisis due to unemployment related to the pandemic. They have never had to navigate the system for help with food, rent assistance or other forms of aid.” -Maydee Morales, Director of Emergency Services at Catholic Charities

(In a recent Zoom meeting with parents) “Where do we find hope in the darkness? Or, what can Jesus do in this very difficult time?... Many parents later shared that this was the first time they’ve had these kinds of discussions raised…This has been a very dark time.” -Mary Pat Heelan, Associate Director of the Office of Religious Education

“We were talking about the suffering of Christ on the cross in a small group discussion for teens, and it suddenly clicked for one of the participants…she realized that our suffering can have meaning when it is united with that of Christ on the cross. Christ accompanies us in our suffering so that we may find hope.” -Tim Messenger, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries

"Preparing for the priesthood during a pandemic will make me and my brother seminarians better priests in the future…We are in a special moment of grace when we are in tune with the suffering of people in our communities and parishes, and also experiencing great grace in those moments in the ways we can reach out to those we serve.” -Derek Mobilio, a Third Year Theologian (Seminarian)

These are just a few of the spiritual works of mercy which are funded through your generous support. I ask you to prayerfully consider your gift, remembering the abundant blessings that God has bestowed on you. Join me in being the Face of Christ by putting your Faith in Action.

With every prayerful best wish, I remain
                                                                                  Sincerely yours in Christ,
                                                                                                                                                                                            Most Reverend Robert J. McManus
                                                                                  Bishop of Worcester