Dear Friends,
We, members of the Diocese of Worcester, are fortunate to have both a Catholic Men’s Conference on April 5, 2025 at the DCU Center and a Catholic Women’s Conference on September 27, 2025 at St. Joseph’s in Webster. These annual events offer many opportunities to deepen our relationship with God and each other.
I encourage all men and women of our parish to attend these wonderful conferences. With the Men’s Conference date arriving in only 40 days, I especially urge the men of the parish prayerfully to consider attending this extraordinary day. This event is open to men of all ages, including teens and college students. Nearly 1,000 are expected.
Tickets are $50 if purchased before March 27 and $60 if purchased afterwards. Tickets for all students are only $30. Tickets can conveniently be purchased online at https://catholicmenworc.com/register. Tickets are also available at the door.
I am grateful to Joe Coporale and Will Holden for helping to promote this wonderful event, to answer questions, and to speak more about it before Masses on the weekend of March 15/16.
This year’s speakers and talk are Sam Blair: Re-Engage; Artie Boyle: Sidelined – Six Months to Live; Fr. Donald Calloway: No Turning Back – A Witness to Mercy; Fr. Derek Mobilio: His Mercy Endures Forever – The Sacrament of Reconciliation; and Dr. Edward Sri: The Art of Living.
There will be opportunities for Confession, and a closing Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Robert J. McManus. Some of our St. John’s Altar Servers will assist at the Mass. The first talk is offered at 9am, and the Mass begins at 5pm.
Time flies, and life is busy! I pray that this week’s “Dear Friends” column, in addition to Joe and Will’s words and presence at our Masses on the weekend of March 15/16, will motivate all the men of our parish to make the effort to “save the date,” purchase tickets, and perhaps arrange carpooling with one another to and from the DCU Center.
As beloved sons of God: Husbands, Fathers, and Discerning Single Men, your participation will reap many graces and other benefits for you and your family. It is going to be a great conference. Please join me there! Thank you.
In Christ,
Fr. Jim