News

The strife is o'er, the battle done; the victory of life is won; the song of triumph has begun. Alleluia!

The Office of the Bishop has issued the following pastoral announcement:

In an adaptation of the traditional vigil at the altar of repose, McAdams will be reading Scripture, praying, singing and speaking for the 24 hours between 8 p.m. on Maundy Thursday, April 17 through 7 p.m. on Good Friday, April 18. 
She hopes others will drop in at the church at any time during the vigil, or join the livestream  via Facebook at stjohnsfranklinma.

During the 45th anniversary week of Óscar Romero’s March 24 martyrdom, the Episcopal-affiliated independent nonprofit Cristosal hosted an ecumenical group on a four-day pilgrimage in El Salvador to commemorate his life and teachings.  The Rev. Max Sklar, who is serving a diocesan-supported curacy at two parishes, Trinity Church in Haverhill and St. Anne's Church in Lowell, and Vivian Ruiz, also of St. Anne's Church, were among the 14 people taking part in the March 21-24 pilgrimage. Their reflections follow.

The Rev. Shannon Kelly has joined the diocesan staff as interim missioner for youth and young adult formation.

The Rt. Rev. Julia E. Whitworth, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, issued on April 1, 2025, the following statement on the detention of Tufts University doctoral student, Rümeysa Öztürk.

Following the Racial Justice Commission's annual work retreat in February, its co-chairs report progress on two key projects adopted at recent Diocesan Conventions, and they commend the commission's five subcommittees for undertaking an evaluation of the mandates that have guided their work since their formation four years ago--with an eye toward updating those mandates to meet the moment.