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Mass celebrates the life of Martin Richard in soaring words, song

Posted: 6/14/2013
An overflow crowd packed St. Ann Church in Neponset June 9 for a celebration of the life of Martin Richard, a Dorchester boy who would have turned 9 this weekend if he had not been killed on April 15 by one of two bombs that exploded at the Boston Marathon.


Priests Convocation covers new evangelization, pastoral plan

Posted: 6/14/2013
RANDOLPH -- The assembled presbyterate of the Archdiocese of Boston heard and discussed perspective from Rome on the new evangelization and locally from pastors at collaborative parishes, June 6, at Lantana's in Randolph.


Campaign for Catholic Schools celebrates five years

Posted: 6/14/2013
DORCHESTER -- A group organized in an effort to rebuild Catholic education in Boston celebrated a milestone last week.


Criminal charges dismissed in Worcester bishop's drunk-driving case

Posted: 6/14/2013
WORCESTER, Mass. (CNS) -- Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester said he continues "to ask forgiveness" from the family, friends and "all the good people I serve" since his early May arrest on charges of drunken driving and leaving the scene of an accident in Rhode Island.


Obituary: Msgr. Robert C. Fichtner, 84

Posted: 6/14/2013
Msgr. Robert C. Fichtner passed away June 7 at his residence in Waltham, after a period of declining health. He was 84 years old.


Sacred Heart students send history to the future

Posted: 6/7/2013
WEYMOUTH -- Students at Sacred Heart School in Weymouth sent a message of strength, renewal and historical significance ten years into the future as they buried a time capsule May 31 to mark their school's 100th anniversary.


Office goes on the road to support phase one of pastoral plan

Posted: 6/7/2013
BRAINTREE -- The Archdiocese of Boston shifted gears in June to support priests assigned to collaborative parishes in the first phase of the new pastoral plan.


Cardinal recognizes Catholic Schools Foundation Scholars with $540k in scholarships

Posted: 6/7/2013
At a Mass and reception held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston's South End on May 23, Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley recognized 161 students as Catholic Schools Foundation (CSF) Scholars. The students were selected because of their educational achievement, potential and demonstrated community leadership.


Soldier 'virtually' attends daughter's first Communion in Weymouth

Posted: 6/7/2013
FOB APACHE, AFGHANISTAN -- A father of two and a parishioner of St. Jerome's in Weymouth might have missed his daughter's first Communion, if his wife, parishioners back home and soldiers he serves alongside in Afghanistan, had not arranged for him to be there virtually using video chat.


Around the archdiocese

Posted: 6/7/2013
Cardinal Spellman High appoints new president The Cardinal Spellman High School board of trustees announced the appointment of Julian Peebles as the next president of the school effective July 1.


Five ordained to the priesthood

Posted: 5/31/2013
SOUTH END -- Family, friends, seminarians, clergy and religious from around the Archdiocese of Boston joined Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley as he ordained five men to the priesthood on May 25 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.


Archdiocese completes IFRM phase-in

Posted: 5/31/2013
BRAINTREE -- With a decree issued this week by Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, the archdiocese is implementing the fourth and final stage of the implementation of its Improved Financial Relationship Model (IFRM) designed to simplify the way parishes contribute to supporting the central ministries of the archdiocese.


Decree

Posted: 5/31/2013
In Nomine Domini Having consulted extensively with, and having heard the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Boston regarding the Improved Financial Relationship Model in September, 2009; October, 2009; November, 2009; April, 2010; January, 2011; June, 2011; November, 2011; December, 2011; and February, 2012;


11 receive master's degrees at TINE commencement

Posted: 5/31/2013
BRIGHTON -- The Theological Institute for The New Evangelization graduated 10 in the 2013 class of the Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) and the first graduate of the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program at the commencement ceremony May 22 at St. John's Seminary.


Local school featured on statewide Catholic education poster

Posted: 5/31/2013
BRAINTREE -- The Parents Alliance for Catholic Education (PACE) teamed with the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese of Boston to produce the 2013 edition of a poster to promote "FAITH" in Catholic schools.


Allegation against Father Byrne found unsubstantiated

Posted: 5/31/2013
BRAINTREE -- The Archdiocese of Boston announced May 23 that the allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by Father Joseph F. Byrne has been found to be unsubstantiated. Father Byrne was placed on administrative leave in May 2012, after the archdiocese received an allegation of sexual abuse of a child. The allegation concerned conduct alleged to have occurred in the 1970s. Father Byrne is no longer on administrative leave and is assigned the status of Senior Priest.


From Cardinal Seán's blog

Posted: 5/31/2013
Last Friday (5/17), the Parents Alliance for Catholic Education known as PACE had a gathering at the Pastoral Center to unveil their new poster. PACE is the organization of parents of Catholic school students. ...Each year, PACE develops a new poster to raise awareness of the organization featuring a Catholic school from one of the four dioceses in Massachusetts. This year, it was the Archdiocese of Boston's turn and the school they selected to work with was the new St. Joseph's Academy in Brighton. Two of their students were featured on the poster and they were there for the unveiling along with the teacher who helped design it.


Sloanes honored at Catholic Charities Spring Celebration

Posted: 5/24/2013
DORCHESTER -- Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley joined Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston, May 15, at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum for their annual Spring Celebration. The benefit raised more than $1.3 million to fund the agency's programs and services that support 200,000 people in need throughout Eastern Massachusetts.


Cardinal celebrates Pentecost with new movements and communities

Posted: 5/24/2013
SOUTH END -- Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley celebrated Pentecost with the new movements, ecclesial realities, and ethnic communities of the archdiocese in Boston with a vigil Mass May 19.


Nuncio to be guest of honor at Redemptoris Mater gala

Posted: 5/24/2013
NORWOOD -- Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano will be the honoree at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary Fourth Annual Gala Dinner that will be held June 16. The Catholic community and guests are invited to attend.


From Cardinal Seán's blog

Posted: 5/24/2013
Recently, I attended a reception at the UMass Club in Boston given in honor of my good friend, Jim Karam. It was held in recognition of Jim's years of service to the University of Massachusetts' board, including two terms as chairman. I have known Jim and his family for more than 20 years, dating back to my time as Bishop of Fall River. In particular, Jim provided great assistance to St. Ann Hospital, the Caritas Christi Health Care System and now he assists with the management of our Catholic hospitals within Steward Health Care System.... Through the years Jim has always made himself available to assist the Church and the wider community, we are deeply appreciative for his always being willing to help others.