NOVEMBER 19, 2021 THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS FROM PAGE ONE 7
TEAMS: Parish basketball returns; girls team being sought
FROM PAGE ONE
WORCESTER - Following the Catholic Church's com- mitment to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Bishop McManus has announced that Ronald Provost has been laicized. He was dis- missed from the clerical state by the Holy Father, Pope Francis. As a result of the laicization, he may nev- er function in any capacity as a priest or be referred to as a priest or as "Father" in writing such as in future obituaries. "It continues to be my fervent prayer that Christ may bring healing and hope to anyone who has been abused by anyone in the Catholic Church," Bishop McManus said. He encourages anyone in need of pastoral assistance as a result of clerical abuse to contact the diocesan Vic- tims Assistance Coordina- tor in the Office of Healing and Prevention by calling 508-929-4363. The bishop noted, "As Pope Francis wrote to the Episcopal Con- ferences throughout the world in February 2015, 'everything possible must be done to rid the Church of the scourge of the sex- ual abuse of minors and to open pathways of rec- onciliation and healing for those who were abused.'" Ronald Provost was re- moved from ministry in 1992 and in 1993 was con- victed of soliciting a child to pose in a state of nudity. Provost was ordained in 1970 and served in the fol- lowing parishes: St. Rose of Lima, Northborough; St. Camillus de Lellis, Fitch- burg; St. Mary, Southbridge; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Winchendon; St. Ber- nard, Fitchburg; St. Peter, Worcester; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-St. Ann, Worcester; St. Anthony, Fitchburg; St. Vincent Hospital, chaplain; Holy Angels, Upton; St. Joseph Parish, Barre; St. Augustine Mission, Wheel- wright.
AUDIT COMPLIANCE
In a related announce- ment, the Diocese of Worcester was found compliant in the national compliance audit in 2021 regarding the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. In the year ending June 2021 it reported having received four new reports of abuse, all of which occurred prior to 1981, and has had ongoing contact with 14 victims and their families who made reports prior to July 2020. The Diocese is committed to creating safe environments in all diocesan parishes and institutions and contin- ues to work closely with throughout the country. He has given more than 500 parish missions and has spoken at the Worcester Catholic Women's Confer- ence. The title of his talk is "Science tests Faith." He will explore signs from God, miracles and their meaning. A Fox documen- tary in 2009 highlighted his research and beliefs.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
One of the founders of the Worcester Catholic Men's Conference returns as a speaker. Kevin O'Brien, for- mer North- borough resi- dent and pa- rishioner of St. Bernadette Parish, will travel from Wisconsin. He co-founded Milwaukee's "Men of Christ Confer- ence," one of the nation's largest, attracting more than 3,000 men each year. Now president of North America Publications and the CEO of Best Version Media, he will speak on "The Courageous Father." His talk will express his belief that bringing men back to the faith is one of the greatest ways to make a profound difference in this world.
POWER OF PURPOSE
"Running toward God's Purpose: The Power of Manifesting Outcome," is the subject of the talk to be given by the internation- ally famous skier Dan Egan. He will explore God's word and the power of purpose when people move in the direc- tion of the Lord. Drawing on the example of biblical heroes who boldly move toward God's purpose, Mr. Egan combines his own life of adventures in the moun- tains into a compelling presentation. He has ap- peared in 13 Warren Miller ski films and is known for skiing the most remote re- gions of the world. In 2001, Powder Magazine named him one of the most in- fluential skiers of our time and in 2016 he was inducted into the U.S. Ski- ing & Snowboarding Hall of Fame. Father Anthony Hamaty, a priest of the Diocese of Jacksonville, Florida, and the parochial vicar at Queen of Peace Par- ish in Gaines- ville, will offer the talk prior to con- fessions. His talk is titled, "Where are You? How and Why We Hide from God's Love and Mercy!" A former physician in Jacksonville and Coral Springs, he dis- cerned a call to priesthood and entered the seminary in 2016, completed his master of divinity degree and was ordained to the priesthood on June 20, 2020. Bishop McManus will be the principal celebrant and homilist for the Conference Mass at 4 p.m. Many di- ocesan and religious priests will participate by hearing confessions at mid-day. The sacrament of reconciliation has been a conference sta- ple for two decades. Since so many participants go to confession the committee hopes that more priests than ever will come. "We can use as many priests as will come," said Msgr. Sul- livan. Tickets are available and can be purchased online at www.firstmensconf.org. Through March 21 ticket prices for adult men are $45. They increase to $60 on March 22. Ticket prices for students are $30 prior to the conference and at the door. One may pur- chase a ticket by sending a check to Catholic Men's Conference, 49 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609, or by calling Joan DeMasi at 508- 929-4345. In addition to reaching out to men of all ages, a special effort is being made to invite teens and young adults, Msgr. Sulli- van added.
Bishop announces laicization of Ronald Provost
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SCHEDULE OF BROADCASTS On Livestream worcesterdiocese.org/ livestreams DAILY AND SUNDAY MASS Monday-Friday at 9 a.m., English Sunday (Spanish) at 8 a.m. Sunday (English) at 10 a.m. All Livestream Masses can be REPLAYED after they have aired. On Cable Access Stations DAILY AND SUNDAY MASS
(as of 7/14/2021)
IN WORCESTER WCCA TV Ch. 194, "The People's Channel" Monday-Friday at 9 a.m., English Sunday (Spanish) at 8 a.m. Sunday (English) at 10 a.m.* Streaming at www.wccatv.com and Roku@Worcester.TV *Sunday Mass (repeat) Monday at 6 p.m. OUTSIDE WORCESTER DAILY MASS Auburn Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. Boylston Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. Charlton Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. Holden Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. Leicester Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. Millbury Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. Northborough Spectrum Ch. 191 and Verizon Ch. 31 at noon
TV/ONLINE/RADIO
Shrewsbury Ch. 28 and 328 at 9 a.m. Spencer Ch. 192 at 9 a.m. Sutton (Monday - Thursday) Spectrum Ch. 194 and Verizon Ch. 29 at 9 a.m. Upton Access TV Ch. 192 at 9 a.m. Webster Access TV Ch. 192 at 9 a.m. West Boylston Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. SUNDAY MASS Athol/Orange Ch. 13 and 135 at 10:30 a.m. Auburn Ch. 191 at 10 a.m. Boylston Ch. 191 at 10:30 a.m. Charlton Ch. 191 at 10 a.m. Holden Ch. 191 at 10 a.m. Millbury Ch. 191 at 10 a.m. Northborough Spectrum Ch. 191 and Verizon Ch. 31 Spencer Ch. 192 at 10 a.m. Templeton Ch. 8 at 10 a.m. Upton Access TV Ch. 192 at 10 a.m. Webster Access TV Ch. 192 at 10 a.m. West Boylston Ch. 191 at 10 a.m. CATHOLIC RADIO PROGRAMMING 5:45 a.m., Morning prayer, WTAG, 580 AM and 94.9 FM EWTN Global Catholic Radio (24-hour Livestream) Emmanuel Radio, WNEB 1230 AM, Worcester, 970 AM and 101.1 FM, Southbridge Eternal Life Radio, WQPH 89.3 FM Fitchburg
sumption University have agreed to let us host the conference again," he said. "We have a superb slate of speakers again this year," Mr. Guadagno said. "There is something for everyone and I know that our participants will not be disappointed in them, especially given the variety of their topics."
PRO-LIFE CHAMPION
"How to be a Pro-Life Champion" is the theme for Patrick J. Castle's talk. He equips audiences with the real- ity of abor- tion by the numbers and then shares strategies on how to be a pro-life champion at home, church, school, work, neighborhood, and any abortion facility. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, he is the founder of LIFE Runners, the largest pro-life team of marathon runners in the world with more than 16,000 teammates in 40 na- tions and 2,569 cities. He completed 10 mili- tary assignments, includ- ing being the weapons of mass destruction defense officer at the base closest to Osama bin Laden after 9/11. During that time, he briefed U.S. generals and members of Congress. While an Air Force Acad- emy chemistry professor, Castle developed the ethics curriculum and coached the marathon team. He has a doctorate in nano-analyt- ical chemistry and did his thesis on chemical warfare agent detection.
RETURN TO CATHOLICISM
Tim Francis left the prac- tice of the faith for a period in his life and was even addicted to cocaine for a time. Through the efforts of his mother, he returned to Catholicism and now gives talks and par- ish missions tinue to play," she said, "and I know a bunch of the kids I coach have sisters and their sisters were like, 'Oh, this would be really fun to do with our friends too, and meet new people in the parish.' I think it would just be good for both boys and girls to have a league." Timothy Messenger, director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, said the diocese tried to form a girls league a few years ago, but there wasn't enough interest. His office is trying again and if enough girls register to form four teams, a girls league will be established. Twenty boys teams played for the diocese in 2019 before the season was can- celed last year due to the pandemic. Miss Pegg has offered to coach the boys and girls if enough girls register to form a league. Games for high school boys will be held on Saturdays and Sundays from January through early March at St. Ber- nard Church of Our Lady of Providence Parish in Worcester. Team registra- tion is due by Dec. 10 and the team registration fee is $1,400. Ray Mattress, 51, has coached in the CYC league for St. John Parish, Worces- ter, for about 15 years. He'd also like to see a girls league formed. "Girls basketball is grow- ing," he said. "So I think it's a great opportunity to start it and if we have enough patience, I think it will de- velop over time." Mr. Mattress has already proven that patience can pay off. In 2019, he coached his son Domenic and his teammates to the B Divi- sion championship after they went winless three years before. The pandemic forced the cancellation of basketball for boys in grades 9-12 last winter and of volleyball for boys and girls in grades 7-12 the previous summer. "I think the kids were probably very bummed out," Miss Pegg said, "just because they used it as an outlet to gel with their friends and do something they really like to do, and I keep it very lighthearted. I'm focused on the sport and the sportsmanship, not so much the winning of the game, and I think that's what they really en- joy. They're there to have fun, but also to learn and be with their friends." The youth ministry office held some events and re- treats virtually last winter, but that wasn't possible with basketball. "I think, generally speak- ing, when you don't have opportunities like that," Mr. Messenger said, "it's hard because kids don't have an outlet to plug into and they're already dealing with virtual school and so- cial anxiety and not having contact with other people in the same way they had been. When you don't have outlets to deal with things, you're going to struggle mentally, emotionally, spiritually." Volleyball returned outside last summer at St. Christopher Church in Worcester and St. Joseph Church in Charlton with 16 teams. When basketball re- turns in January, Mr. Mes- senger said the diocese will follow the safety policies required by the city and state at that time. Mr. Messenger, 32, played basketball for St. Michael Church in Findlay, Ohio. "Basketball is an easy way and a simple way for kids to get involved in the Church," Mr. Messen- ger said. "Hey, we have a church league basketball team. Even if they don't hear 'church,' they hear 'basketball.'" High school varsity basketball players aren't eligible to play CYC ball and every team makes the playoffs. Mr. Messenger's office also holds retreats and brings youths white water rafting, rope climbing and zip lining. "Once you have them in the door," he said, "what are some simple ways you can actually talk about the faith without having some overbearing experience?" Mr. Messenger hopes his office plants seeds that blossom into a greater in- terest in the Church. Miss Pegg has experienced such blossoms. She sees high school students at Mass more often after they start playing basketball or vol- leyball because they feel more a part of the Church. "You enjoy being with the youth," she said, "because I think the youth are the biggest part of the Church and I think they kind of get overlooked from time to time." When Miss Pegg played church volleyball, she attended Mass with her teammates and they hung out together. "I strive to do that with every team I coach," she said. Her teams have fun, but they also compete. Three of her St. Mary's volleyball teams won championships. She's following in the footsteps of her father, Deacon Donald Pegg, who was her volleyball coach at St. Bernadette. Each year, the St. John Parish basketball team at- tends a Mass together at midseason. Some of the players may not have at- tended Mass very often or not at all so Mr. Mattress is happy to have them experi- ence it. Mr. Mattress said after youths join his team, he sees some of them at a regular Sunday Mass for the first time. "I don't jam it down anybody's throat," Mr. Mat- tress said, "but I feel very strongly that there is a God and he does care about you. I think those seeds get spread." Before each game, the CYC teams pray together at center court. Father Jona- than Slavinskas, pastor of Our Lady of Providence Parish, attends many games. "Without him, I don't know if we would have a place to play," Mr. Mattress said. When Mr. Mattress sees former CYC players, they often greet him with a hug. "It's that culture of God, family and basketball all together," he said. Mr. Mattress was disap- pointed to be cut from the freshman basketball team at Holy Name High School. "The best thing to hap- pen to me was that it led me to CYC basketball," he said, "and God worked through that." He had so much fun win- ning a CYC championship as a sophomore at St. Jo- seph Church in Worcester, he stuck with CYC basket- ball and never tried out for Holy Name again. "The CYC had retreats and everything else," he said. "It was a bigger expe- rience beyond basketball. That's why I'm coaching now." Students should contact their parish if they're in- terested in playing. If their parish doesn't have a team and they'd like to play for another parish, they should contact Mr. Messen- ger at tmessenger@worces- terdiocese.org. Players don't have to be Catholic.
MEN'S: Conference returns in person in 2022
FROM PAGE ONE
local law enforcement agencies and community resources to support that commitment. In 2014, the Diocese implemented online training in collabo- ration with Dallas Child Advocacy Center for all employees and volunteers to recognize the signs and symptoms of child abuse. The diocese has processed 2,091 background checks and renewals over the past year for ordained and lay employees and volunteers, which is another example of how it has been fully supportive of the commit- ment toward the safety of children in its care. The Diocesan Review Board meets regularly to review cases brought forward from victims of abuse, as well as concerns involved in the ongoing support of victims and their families who have come forward over the years. More than half of the board members are from outside the employ of the diocese as mandated by the charter, and have pertinent experience in pe- diatrics, law enforcement and clinical social work, to assist the Diocese in meet- ing its commitment to child safety. A current list of Re- view Board Members is available on the web- site, worcesterdiocese.org. Hamaty H t Francis Castle O'Brien O'B i Egan M O t g i a s E McManus M M
Audit finds Diocese in compliance with national Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People U.S. Orthodox patriarch hopes for continuance of 'dialogue of love'
WASHINGTON (CNS) - Borrowing a phrase used by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during his September visit to the Unit- ed States, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elpidophoros said he hopes for the con- tinuance of a "dialogue of love" between Catholic and Orthodox bishops. The dialogue, started in the United States at the Orthodox Church's sugges- tion in 1965, has produced at least 30 documents and statements. "This dialogue of love, initiated by (St.) Pope Paul VI in 1964 in Jerusalem, continues with a blessed intensity in this country," said Archbishop Elpidophoros, chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States. He spoke to his Roman Catholic coun- terparts Nov. 16 during the public portion of the bishops' Nov. 15-18 gen- eral meeting in Baltimore. It marked the first time an Orthodox bishop had addressed the Catholic bishops during one of their meetings.
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