Archbishop Seán P. O’Malley will invest Rev. Richard W. Fitzgerald, pastor of St. Paul Parish in Wellesley, along with 7 laypersons of the Archdiocese of Boston and 52 members of surrounding dioceses, as Knights or Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem during a Mass at Corpus Christi Church in East Sandwich on Oct. 22.

O’Malley will invest local laypersons Paul J. P. and Ann Marie Loscocco of Holliston; Richard J. and Faith A. Monahan of Waltham; Richard M. and Katherine M.T. Reilly of Needham; and Maureen T. Sullivan of Belmont.

The Order of the Holy Sepulchre traces its origins back to 1099 and is among the oldest Orders in the Church. Candidates to the order are invited to membership with the approval of their bishop and pastor, and, upon their investiture as Knights and Ladies, may use the titles of Sir and Lady. They must then commit to maintain a Christian presence in the Holy Land through prayer and financial support of its churches, convents, seminaries, schools and orphanages.

Kevin Shea joins archdiocese communications team

The Archdiocese of Boston recently appointed Kevin Shea, a veteran communications and public relations professional, to the position of media relations director in the Office of Communications.

Shea, who was previously employed as the director of media relations/communications for the Boston Red Sox from 1990-2004, will work with the secretary for communications Terrence C. Donilon in managing the internal and external communications activities for the archdiocese.

"Kevin's experience in implementing many successful communications initiatives for the Boston Red Sox will be of great help to the archdiocese. His reputation among colleagues in the media and participation in the life of the wider community recommend him for this important role. We welcome Kevin and look forward to his contributions to the work of the Church," said Archbishop Seán P. O'Malley.

Shea and his wife Marlene live in Milton where they are parishioners of St. Elizabeth Church. In his spare time, he serves as an ice hockey official for the Eastern College Athletic Conference, Hockey East and the NCAA.

Lynch Foundation awards seminary $1 million grant

The Lynch Foundation Board of Trustees recently awarded the Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston a $1 million grant –the largest grant received in the seminary’s 40 year history.

In awarding the grant, the Foundation Trustees said that they are “impressed by the number and quality of seminarians being served at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary,”which currently enrolls 65 seminarians from 33 dioceses, one religious order and a religious mission. It is also the only seminary in the United States administered by diocesan priests preparing the older, second-career candidate for the priesthood.

The monies from the Lynch Foundation will endow the chair of the field education director and will partially fund expanded pastoral studies workshops and meeting room renovations.