James Brasco comes to be the new director of cemeteries for the Diocese of Worcester after serving as director of sales and marketing for the 25 cemeteries in the Archdiocese of Boston.

Most Catholics are aware of the words of Jesus, found in Matthew 25:39-41, that teach us to treat even the most vulnerable people as if they were him. Fewer Catholics are aware of the words of Pope Francis when he spoke at the 2019 “Yes to Life: Taking Care of the Precious Gift of Life in its Frailty,” conference at the Vatican. “No human being can ever be unfit for life, whether due to age, state of health or quality of existence,” the pope said.

Priests living at Southgate at Shrewsbury are retired, but “we’re still priests,” says one of them, Father Charles J. Dumphy. Despite physical limitations, he takes part in Mass there and takes his turn being available to hear fellow residents’ confessions.

Timothy Messenger, 33, spent his youth and young adult life immersed in Catholic ministry.    “In high school, I had a really positive experience with the youth ministries in my parish and different retreats and youth programs that I think helped shape, not just my job choice, but really shaped my vocational calling and wanting to be a practicing Catholic,” he said.  

BY RAYMOND L. DELISLE | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS 22 parishes are kicking off their parish appeals for Partners in Charity this month. Why just 22? “Last year we tried a phased-in approach so we could work more closely with each parish,” said Michael P. Gillespie, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development, which oversees the annual appeal.

BY BILL DOYLE | CFP CORRESPONDENT Seminarian Peter Bui believes he was destined to become a priest even before he was born. “You can call it destiny or God’s providence,” he said from Theological College, the national seminary of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

BY BILL DOYLE | CFP CORRESPONDENT Since 1847, St. John’s Cemetery has served the community as a final resting place in the Diocese of Worcester. “We’re here to assist families in time of need,” said Michele McCarthy, office manager of the diocesan cemetery system