Elder Abuse Hotline

In response to the countless attempts to scam or defraud our seniors in Worcester County, RSVP—Worcester Area Volunteers has launched its Senior Fraud Hotline. 

Senior citizens or their families should call 800-297-9760 (the HelpLine) if they have questions or concerns about a phone call, email, letter, advertisement, or in-person contact.

Calls will be answered by a trained volunteer who will provide intake and referral
if a scam or fraud is suspected. HelpLine sponsored by Harvard-Pilgrim Health Care.
 

The Victims Services Coordinator for our Diocese 
Judith Audette, 508-929-4363

An appropriate way to report inappropriate behavior

How should you communicate your concerns to someone who may be behaving inappropriately with children? The "I" message is a simple way to reframe what you want to say so that the listener hears you speak of your feelings and concerns rather than hearing a complaint against him- or herself. The "I" message, simply diagrammed, says, "I feel [feeling] when [situation] because [reason]." 

For example, you can say, " I feel anxious when you drive a child home alone after religious education classes, because that could put you or the child in a potentially risky situation." It is a much more constructive approach than saying, "You shouldn't be driving children home alone because it is against the rules and puts them in danger." 

For particular help you may call Judith Audette, Director of Office for Healing and Prevention, at (508) 929-4363.
 

Special Religious Development ("SPRED")

SPRED is Special Religious Development available for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities. SPRED prepares participants for the Sacraments, as needed, while giving them a sense of God and church, fostering friendships to grow in the context of a faith community. SPRED has openings for teens and adults for the winter/spring session. Visitors are welcome to come and observe a session at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Worcester. 

For details, contact Carolyn at 978-422-8512 or by email at carolynprinceton@aol.com.

Learn about Monastic Community

All are invited to learn about St. Mary's Monastery in Petersham, a small comtemplative Benedictine community in Central Massachusetts. Their recent Catholic TV interview, which describes their monastic pilgrimage, community liturgy, lifestyle, and guest house
is available on YouTube. Learn more at  www.stmarysmonastery.org.

Catholic Young Adult Group: Pure in Heart - Worcester

Pure in Heart - Worcester is a group of young adult Catholics (ages 18-35)
who meet together to grow in faith and fellowship through prayer meetings
and social events. 

For more information, visit worcester@pureinheartamerica.org or
Facebook at Pure in Heart- Worcester.
 

St. Mary’s Schools PreK-12

St. Mary’s Schools offers a full-day Pre-K with before and after-school programs.
The cost is less than the cost of day-care for most families. The classes are small
thus allowing individual attention to each student from our gifted and qualified
staff. In St. Mary’s Pre-K program, not only are the students appropriately
academically challenged, they continue to learn valuable life skills, such as sharing
and working as a member of a group, all within the context of Catholic teachings
and values. For more information, please call 508 753-1170.
 

Commission for Women

The Commission for Women of the Diocese of Worcester would like to welcome any woman interested in making a difference in our church and society.

We strive to bond together the women of the diocese through spiritual, educational and social programs. Each year we study pertinent books and discuss during our meetings.

www.worcestercommissionforwomen.org.
 

High School Youth Ministry

Our Lady of Good Counsel Church invites our High School youth to join them.

Please contact Lee by mail at Lee.maleno@yahoo.com or by phone at 508-853-3606
for more information.