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WORLD NEWS 2 NATIONAL NEWS 3 COMMENTARY 4 FUNDAMENTALS 5 ON THE READINGS 5 OBITUARIES 6 AROUND DIOCESE 8 MEDIA 9 CATHOLIC QUIZ 9 NATIONAL NEWS 10
'You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.' - John 8:32
VOL. 69, NO. 28 JULY 10, 2020 WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS HOME DELIVERY $39/YEAR
Students explore how your workspace affects your mental health. 8
Father Robert Bruso, pastor of St. Cecilia, dies at 70
Father Robert D. Bruso died peacefully Tuesday, July 7, in the rectory of St. Cecilia Parish in Leominster, where he was pastor. He was "a priest that was dedicated to his work, dedicated to his priesthood - fully dedicated," said Father Walter J. Riley, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Worcester. "You could see how much he loved the priesthood." He exuded joy. Father Riley, who is to preach at the funeral Saturday, said Father Bruso was probably one of the best preachers he has heard at funerals, and that he brought comfort to families. He said he was one of the seminarians Father Bruso mentored at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Fitch- burg. That's where they met and became friends, he said. "I admire his intelligence," Father Riley said. "He understood the faith. Social jus- tice was important to him." "He's probably very happy now that he can do more in heaven!" exclaimed Christopher Aubrey in a Facebook posting Tuesday. "He loved being a priest with all he had!" Also posting on Facebook was Father Jonathan J. Slavinskas, pastor of Our Lady of Providence Parish at St. Bernard Church in Worcester. He said he went to St. Cecilia's last week to say goodbye to Father Bruso, "a good friend and mentor," the first pastor he was assigned to as a seminarian. He asked Father Bruso, who had a spe- cial interest in saints, which saint he was most looking forward to seeing, and Father Bruso said, "My mom." Paula E. Doucet, St. Cecilia's religious education director, recalled when Father Bruso told her his cancer had returned and doctors were not hopeful. She asked if there was something on his bucket list that he wanted to do. He said all he wanted to do with the time he had left was to continue to be a parish priest, that that was what made him happy. He was born in Worcester on May 17, 1950, the son of Robert W. and Dorothy J. (Driscoll) Bruso. He graduated in 1968 from Sacred Heart SEE THRIFT, 6
BY TANYA CONNOR
THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS
The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift store at 507 Park Ave. in Worcester was put up for sale for $285,000 last week, ac- cording to Susan Treveloni, president of the diocesan council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and a member of St. Mary Parish in North Grafton. The business officially closed April 3 after being shut down in March due to coronavirus restrictions, she said. The hope is to reopen in a better loca- tion where a thrift store could generate more revenue to support the society's parish conferences in their charitable works, she said. Mrs. Treveloni said members of the diocesan council had been discussing ways to increase funds for this ministry at the parish level, and were all leaning toward finding a new location for the small thrift store, which is sandwiched between other buildings, with a small parking lot in back. When they had to close the store because of the coronavi- rus, losing money in the process, they
St. Vincent de Paul closes thrift shop Parishes offering summer Bible school activities
BY SUSAN BAILEY
CORRESPONDENT THE CFP
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, at least four parishes in the Worcester Diocese have prepared summer pro- grams and activities for children. Va- cation Bible School is available online from two of the parishes and anyone can participate whether or not they are a member of that parish. St. George Parish in Worcester ran their online Bible camp July 6-10 but it is still available on the parish web- site. According to Karen and Aaron Fuller, directors for the last five years, families were notified through the bulletin and an email blast. "Our theme this year is 'Jesus is a Peacemaker,' for two reasons," said Mrs. Fuller. "We know it has been such a disruptive time lately so we want people to take time and focus on peace. There is also so much upheaval lately, but there is a lot of discussion about social justice and equity, and so that is a part of our camp this year."
JESUS AND PEACE
Available online is a chart with links laying out the schedule for the week. The program begins with a camp overview and welcome video, followed by a discussion of a saint, then activities. Snacks, songs and prayers are also included. "We start with a short Bible lesson about Jesus and peace," said Mrs. Fuller. "Each day features a different saint, or hopefully soon-to-be saint, that models those vir- tues. They are all from diverse backgrounds." Activities include col- oring pages and crafts, videos of songs that are related to the theme, recipes for snacks from the culture of that particular saint, and prayer that is often directly related to the saint. "The kids can choose what order they do anything in and of course they don't have to do all the activi- ties," said Mrs. Fuller. "Some things
'Jesus is home' Adoration chapels reopen
BY TANYA CONNOR
THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS
"The Lord's back; there is so much cause for rejoicing!" Father Adam Reid, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Webster made that comment after re-enthroning the Blessed Sacra- ment in the perpetual adoration chapel across the street from the church. The regional chapel in the par- ish's Emmaus Center at 17 East Main St. was closed in March due to coronavirus restrictions, as were some other adoration sites in the diocese. Still other places kept adoration opportunities available. "We took advantage of the down time to do some renovation work, painting walls and ceilings, even some yard work," said Raymond Guerin, Sacred Heart's financial administrator. After Mass June 14, on Corpus Christi (the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ), Father Reid car- ried the Host in a monstrance from the church to the chapel, and a few people came along to adore Jesus. "Jesus is home!" rejoiced Mr. Guerin. "Praise the Lord!" added his wife, Jeanne, one of the chapel coordinators. "Blessings happen when you're here," said Nancy Kudzal, parish administrator. Perpetual adoration started then; adorers are scheduled around the clock, Mrs. Guerin said. Other people stopping by must sign in with their telephone numbers so they can be contacted if someone is exposed to the vi- rus, and all must wear masks and sanitize their hands. Six people may be in the chapel at once. St. John, Guardian of Our Lady Parish, at 80 Union St. in Clinton, started having several hours of adoration again on the feast of SS. Peter and Paul, June 29, said Fa- ther James S. Mazzone, pastor. He said that for now they are using the main church, instead of the smaller lower chapel where adoration had been held Monday
BY TANYA CONNOR
THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS
What does adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament have to do with a CD cover, a man out of work, a stained glass window and a promise to a sick woman? It's all part of the story of how that window was made for an adoration chapel in Connecticut and came full circle, ending up near the adoration chapel in Webster that helped inspire the window's design. That's the story Pauline Tetreault, from St. Mary Parish in Putnam, Con- necticut, told upon seeing the window Gifts
10,530
Raised
$3,704,106
Percent of $5 million goal
74%
SEE SUMMER , 7 Father Bruso L a W S g f t F F th B
TANYA CONNOR CFP
The St. Vincent de Paul thrift store building at 507 Park Ave., Worcester is for sale.
TANYA CONNOR CFP
"Rocky Railway" is the theme for the Westborough Ecumenical Vacation Bible School program on Zoom.
TANYA CONNOR CFP
Father Adam Reid carries the Host in a monstrance from Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Webster to the regional adoration chapel, to restart perpetual adoration there. Preceding him are cross bearer Raymond Guerin and Deacon Paul J. Lesieur.
TANYA CONNOR CFP
SEE ADORATION, 6
Window makes its way to Webster
SEE WINDOW, 6 Pauline Tetreault gets to see the window she helped with, in its new home in the Emmaus Center in Webster. SEE FUNERAL, 7
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