St. John Paul II Parish

05/26/2026

This past Sunday we celebrated Pentecost as well as the Mass of Thanksgiving for newly ordained Deacon Alejandro Henao. Deacon Alejandro is assigned to St. Anthony of Padua in Dudley, but since he and his family have been so dedicated and active in our parish for many years, we couldn't be more thrilled to celebrate is first Mass as a deacon here at St. John Paul II!

The Feast of Pentecost celebrates the birthday of the Catholic Church and marks the day the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary. This allowed the apostles to go forth boldly, preaching the Gospel to all the ends of the Earth. How fitting is it that, on this day, Deacon Alejandro began his ministry as a deacon and preached the Gospel for the first time?

Congratulations, Deacon Alejandro! May the Lord continue to bless you and your ministry. 🕊️✝️

05/25/2026

"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
John 15:13

This Memorial Day, we give thanks and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us and our freedom. Please join us in prayer for the souls of the faithfully departed military members and their families. 🙏🏼

05/23/2026

If you want to watch Alejandro and Conner be ordained to the diaconate, you can view this link or watch on Spectrum WCCA-TV Channel 194.

God Bless Alejandro and Conner!! 🙏🏼

https://vimeo.com/event/5941023

05/22/2026

Alejandro Henao, our parishioner who is to be ordained a deacon tomorrow, is featured in this week’s Catholic Free Press!!

Reminder that you’re all invited to the Cathedral of St. Paul tomorrow at 10am to see Alejandro, and our seminarian Conner, ordained to the diaconate. Alejandro’s Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated at the 10am Bilingual Mass this Sunday, May 24th. There will be no 12pm Mass in Spanish. After Mass, we will have a reception for Alejandro at La Salle Hall to continue our celebration!

If you cannot attend the ordination live, you can view it online at: https://worcesterdiocese.org/livestreams

Please continue to keep Conner and Alejandro in your prayers! 🙏🏼

Read this week's edition of The Catholic Free Press here:

https://digital.catholicfreepress.org/Catholic-Free-Press-05222026-e-Edition/1/

05/21/2026

It's been a busy month for our Confirmation class! They attended a retreat at Assumption College earlier in May to spiritually prepare themselves for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then, last Thursday on the Feast of the Assumption, they received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop McManus at St. Joseph's Church in Charlton.

Congratulations to all of our Confirmandi! 🕊️✝️

📸 Retreat photos courtesy of Nathan Torres and Confirmation photo courtsey of Amory Navarro Photography

05/18/2026

This weekend we are honored to celebrate two ordinations with ties to our parish!

Long-time parishioner, Alejandro Henao, will be ordained a Permanent Deacon on Saturday!

Also, our two-time seminarian, Conner, will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate.

Everyone is invited to the Cathedral of St. Paul for the ordinations this Saturday. We will celebrate Alejandro’s first Mass as a deacon with the bilingual celebration of the Eucharist at 10am on Sunday, May 24th (there will be no 12pm Mass).

Please keep both Alejandro and Conner, as well as the other men being ordained, in your prayers this week! 🙏🏼

05/17/2026

Welcome back, Conner!

Last summer’s seminarian, Conner Morgan, is back with us this summer! He’ll be spending his diaconate year with us, with a short break this fall to finish up some classes.

Let us give a warm welcome to Conner and keep him in our prayers as he prepares for his ordination to the transitional diaconate this Saturday! 🙏🏼

05/14/2026

Thank you, Your Excellency, for your faithful leadership and guidance in the Diocese of Worcester. We are blessed God called you to be our Shepherd.

Want to celebrate Bishop McManus’s anniversary in person? Join us tonight at 7pm at St. Joseph’s Church in Charlton and also see our Confirmandi receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!

05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers. Whether you are a mother of living children, a bereaved mother, hopeful mother-to-be, or spiritual mother, we honor and celebrate you today.

"For all mothers:
That they may be supported and encouraged
in their special vocation of love;
We pray to the Lord:

That all might treasure and support
God’s plan for life and love;
We pray to the Lord:

For all mothers:
That their children will honor
their many sacrifices
by lives of service and virtue;
We pray to the Lord:

For mothers facing unexpected pregnancies:
That they may find strength and courage
in the example of our Blessed Mother;
We pray to the Lord:

For all mothers awaiting the birth of their
children:
That the Lord protect them and bring their babies
to safe delivery;
We pray to the Lord:

For all married couples struggling to have a child:
That the Lord grant them peace
as they hope for the gift of a son or daughter;
We pray to the Lord:

For all those longing to welcome a child through
adoption:
May the Lord guide their journey
and grant them peace along the way;
We pray to the Lord:

For mothers who mourn the loss of a child:
That they may find peace and consolation
in the hope of eternal life;
We pray to the Lord: "
(Courtesy USCCB)

🖼️ Madonna with Child and Angels by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato