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WORLD NEWS 2 NATIONAL NEWS 3 POPE ON PRAYER 4 ON 'FRATELLI TUTTI' 4 FUNDAMENTALS 5 COMMENTARY 5 CATHOLIC QUIZ 5 AROUND DIOCESE 8
You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.' - John 8:32
VOL. 69, NO. 47 NOVEMBER 20, 2020 WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS HOME DELIVERY $39/YEAR
FREE IN PARISHES & ON NEWSSTANDS
Local theologian Marc Tumeinski looks at Pope's new encyclical 'Fratelli Tutti' 4
Bishops foresee conflict with some Biden policies, Church teaching
BY MARK PATTISON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON (CNS) - Archbishop Al- len H. Vigneron of Detroit will head up a special working group of the U.S. bishops to address issues surrounding the election of a Catholic president and policies that may come about that would be in conflict with Catholic teaching and the bishops' priorities. Archbishop Jos H. Gomez of Los An- geles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops, announced the estab- lishment of this working group at the end of the public portion of the bishops' Nov. 16-17 meeting, held this year completely online. Archbishop Vigneron is vice president of the USCCB. Other members of the working group will be USCCB committee chairmen in a number of areas where disagreement is expected between the church and a Joe Biden administration. We are facing a unique moment in the history of our country" with the election of only the second Catholic as president, Archbishop Gomez said. "This presents certain opportunities but also certain challenges." While "the president-elect has given us reason to believe his faith commitments will lead to certain policies that we favor," Archbishop Gomez said, listing immigra- tion, aid to refugees and the poor, racial justice, capital punishment and climate change among them, there also is the expectation that "he will support policies that are against some fundamental values we hold dear as Catholics," the archbishop said. "This includes repeal of the Hyde Amendment and his support for Roe v. Wade." The 1973 Supreme Court Roe v. Wade de- cision allowed legal abortion virtually on demand throughout the United States. The Hyde Amendment forbids the use of fed- eral funds to be used for abortions, with exceptions in cases of rape or incest or to save the life of the mother. SEE SCHOOL , 7 SEE SHINE , 6
BY TANYA CONNOR
THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS
People can still partake of the Bishop's Thanksgiving Dinner coordinated by Catholic Charities next Thursday. But it will be different this year because of CO- VID-19 restrictions. The annual sit-down dinner, tradition- ally held at St. Paul Cathedral for anyone alone for the holiday or seeking a meal and fellowship, is cancelled. People can ask to have the meal delivered to their homes instead. They should request meals by calling 508-798-0191 by Mon- day, Nov. 23, said Madalyn Sirois, social media and fundraising coordinator for Catholic Charities Worcester County. People who cannot receive a home- delivery because they are homeless may get a dinner, provided through Catholic Charities, at St. John Parish's St. Fran- cis Xavier Center. That dinner is being served from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 26 at 20 Temple St. in Worcester with limited seating, and to-go meals. Billy Riley, manager of St. John's Food for the Poor Program, which operates a soup kitchen and food pantry at the center, said Catholic Charities staff met with him about holding a Thanksgiving Dinner there. This Thanksgiving the regular soup kitchen meal, offered from 7 a.m.-10 a.m. Monday-Friday, will be replaced by Catholic Charities' meal, he said. (He used to offer breakfast even on Thanks- giving, then people would go to the bishop's dinner at St. Paul's if they were still hungry, he said.) This year his volunteers can have the holiday off, but he plans to be there
Thanksgiving dinner in a time of pandemic
Taking a last look at St. Anne school
BY COLLEEN MCGOLDRICK SPECIAL TO THE CFP
NORTHBOROUGH - Members of St. Rose of Lima Parish expanded an annual day-long event into a week this year, seeking to "let their light shine" and stay connected while having to remain apart physically. Due to concerns about the coro- navirus, some changes were made to the parish tradition, including virtual and hybrid events. By registering for the 5K and Family Fun Week, held Oct. 31-Nov. 8, parishioners near and far could live out the parish's mission of being a Christ-centered family. Those who registered received a kit with items needed to complete each day's activities, includ- ing a cutout of Father James A. Houston, pastor. They were asked to send in photos of themselves with "Happy Houston," as the cutout was called, at each activity. They were encouraged to do the 5 kilometer run or walk for individuals, organizations or causes that they wanted to "shine the light on" - and to shine their own light by serving them in some way. Submitted photos and messages were posted on the parish's website (saintroseoflima.com) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StRoseofLi- maParish). Jackie Meschisen sent a photo of herself and her son Nathan with their dog Thunder and said, We split our 5K into walking Thunder every day. Today we finished for a total of 3.5 miles for the week. We walked for our love of animals and to bless and protect them."
BY TANYA CONNOR
THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS
WEBSTER - Fond memories surfaced Sunday as alumni, families and teachers studied memorabilia and chose keep- sakes at the St. Anne school building, which is up for sale. At Mass that morning, Father Adam Reid, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Par- ish, which owns the school building at 12 Day St., invited parishioners to stop in for a last walk down memory lane. An earlier parish bulletin announcement had also extended the invitation. Perhaps you went to school down there," Father Reid told the congrega- tion, adding that historical items and the contents of the 125th anniversary time capsule (from the 2009-2010 school year) were on display, and mementos were be- SEE BIDEN , 7 SEE MEAL , 7
U.S. Bishops hold annual fall meeting virtually. A summary of their actions is inside. 3
I'm grateful for creation, the family and how far God has brought us. We've been staying healthy, so we thank God for that." - Grace Muiruri-Ruiz Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Webster For our family, for our continued health and for Jesus taking care of all of us." - Sandra Miller Immaculate Conception Parish, Lancaster Family. Friends. God's creation." - Nathan Ruiz, 8 Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Webster All Saints Academy, Webster I am very thankful for my faith, especially for the stability and beauty of creation around us - family, friends and my community of sisters, the peace - in the midst of all the chaos - that God gives within. - My prayer is predominately one of thanksgiving." - Sister Janet Provost, SSJ Immaculate Conception and Christ the King parishes, Worcester Family. Teacher." - Nayvalee Ruiz, 5 Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Webster All Saints Academy, Webster That we can still go to Mass - in person." - James Grimley St. Cecilia Parish, Leominster
People in the pew
In light of a tumultuous (difficult) 2020, what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?
I'm thankful for this woman." (his wife, Sandra Miller) - Roland Miller Immaculate Conception Parish, Lancaster We're thankful for each other; we still have each other, and our family." - Gigi Grimley St. Cecilia Parish, Leominster
ST. ROSE OF LIMA PARISH
For St. Rose of Lima Parish's Family Fun Week, families expressed their thanks at a meal together. Above, Joshua and Alexis Bierschied, with a cutout of their pastor, Father James A. Houston, are thankful for "our family, our health, our home, our freedom and democracy." At right is the week's closing Mass.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ST. ROSE OF LIMA PARISH
ST ROSE OF LIMA PARISH
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