You are invited to participate tomorrow in the Sunday Mass online at worcesterdiocese.org

 The following can be prayed alone or with family members in your household.

 In the name of the Father,
and of the Son (+),
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PENITENTIAL ACT
Brothers and sisters,
let us acknowledge our sins.

A brief pause for silence follows. Then all recite together the formula of general confession:

 I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

OPENING PRAYER
Constantly shape our minds, we pray, O Lord,
by the practice of good works,
that, trying always for what is better,
we may strive to hold ever fast to the Paschal Mystery. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

READINGS  (click for readings of the day)

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
For the leaders of the Church, that they may speak with one voice and give witness to our unity in Christ.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For leaders of first world nations, that they might not abandon those who are less fortunate.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Fr. Denys Gonthier, esteemed professor of French at Assumption for many years, was fond of quoting Gabriel Marcel, twentieth century French existentialist, to the effect that absence is another form of presence. Fr. Denys was a lover of mystery and paradox, so the effect of this statement, upending our customary way of thinking, accorded well with his playful spirit. The force of the seeming paradox may be less evident for us today, for whom computers and smartphones and other modes of instantaneous communication collapse the distance that separates us from one another both in space and time. I betray my age and perhaps my nostalgia in wondering whether something has been lost in no longer waiting for a return letter from a friend or a loved one.

Read more...

You are also invited to participate in the Daily Mass online at worcesterdiocese.org

 The following can be prayed alone or with family members in your household.

 In the name of the Father,
and of the Son (+),
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PENITENTIAL ACT
Brothers and sisters,
let us acknowledge our sins.

A brief pause for silence follows. Then all recite together the formula of general confession:

 I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray.

O God,
who made your people partakers in your redemption,
grant, we pray,
that we may perpetually render thanks
for the Resurrection of the Lord.
Who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

READINGS  (click for readings of the day)

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
For all bishops, priests and deacons, that they may speak boldly and clearly the mysteries of our salvation.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For all essential workers, especially those who own lives are fragile and uncertain, that they might know our care and gratitude.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

You are also invited to participate in the Daily Mass online at worcesterdiocese.org

 The following can be prayed alone or with family members in your household.

 In the name of the Father,
and of the Son (+),
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PENITENTIAL ACT
Brothers and sisters,
let us acknowledge our sins.

A brief pause for silence follows. Then all recite together the formula of general confession:

 I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray.

Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God,
and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving,
for the Ascension of Christ your Son
is our exaltation,
and, where the Head has gone before in glory,
the Body is called to follow in hope.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

READINGS  (click for readings of the day)

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
For the apostles of the Church today, that they may continue to make disciples of all nations.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

That Jesus who mounted His throne amid shouts of joy, may establish His rule over the hearts of world leaders, guiding them into ways of life, justice and peace.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

You are also invited to participate in the Daily Mass online at worcesterdiocese.org

 The following can be prayed alone or with family members in your household.

 In the name of the Father,
and of the Son (+),
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PENITENTIAL ACT
Brothers and sisters,
let us acknowledge our sins.

A brief pause for silence follows. Then all recite together the formula of general confession:

 I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray.

Grant, almighty and merciful God,
that we may in truth receive a share
in the Resurrection of Christ your Son.
Who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

READINGS  (click for readings of the day)

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
For the pastoral ministers who bear witness to Christ in these troubled times, that their efforts may yield much fruit.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For all those responsible for planning our next steps, that the Holy Spirit will inspire them to lead us along safe paths.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

You are also invited to participate in the Daily Mass online at worcesterdiocese.org

 The following can be prayed alone or with family members in your household.

 In the name of the Father,
and of the Son (+),
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PENITENTIAL ACT
Brothers and sisters,
let us acknowledge our sins.

A brief pause for silence follows. Then all recite together the formula of general confession:

 I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray.

Grant, O merciful God,
that we may experience at all times
the fruit produced by the paschal observances.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

READINGS  (click for readings of the day)

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
For the Church, that all might remain strong in faith, hope and love.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For essential workers and all leaders of government, that they might know our gratitude for their service.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Assumptionists, Friends, and Family of Fr. Oliver Blanchette, A.A.,

Most of us could not attend the funeral on Saturday, May 16, 2020 due to precautions related to COVID-19. The few that attended tried to capture as much of it as possible through video and pictures and we’d like to share it with you.

You may view the video by clicking here: Funeral for Fr. Oliver Blanchette, A.A.

You are invited to participate in the Sunday Mass online at worcesterdiocese.org

 The following can be prayed alone or with family members in your household.

 In the name of the Father,
and of the Son (+),
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PENITENTIAL ACT
Brothers and sisters,
let us acknowledge our sins.

A brief pause for silence follows. Then all recite together the formula of general confession:

 I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray.

Grant, almighty God,
that we may celebrate with heartfelt devotion
these days of joy,
which we keep in honor of the risen Lord,
and that what we relive in remembrance
we may always hold to in what we do.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

READINGS  (click for readings of the day)

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
That the Holy Spirit may be with our bishops and pastors as they continue their work of teaching and preaching the gospel.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

That nations might make common cause with one another in fighting this pandemic.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

You are invited to participate tomorrow in the Sunday Mass online at worcesterdiocese.org

 The following can be prayed alone or with family members in your household.

 In the name of the Father,
and of the Son (+),
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PENITENTIAL ACT
Brothers and sisters,
let us acknowledge our sins.

A brief pause for silence follows. Then all recite together the formula of general confession:

 I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

OPENING PRAYER
Almighty and eternal God,
who through the regenerating power of Baptism
have been pleased to confer on us heavenly life,
grant, we pray,
that those you render capable of immortality
by justifying them
may by your guidance
attain the fullness of glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

READINGS  (click for readings of the day)

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
That the Spirit of Jesus may continue to direct the expansion of the Church and inspire new vocations for her missionary efforts.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who are persecuted on account of their witness to the teachings of Christ, that they may find the courage to persevere.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.