Latest news with #RichardHenning
CBS News
26-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Special mass held in memory of Pope Francis in Massachusetts the night before his funeral
The night before Pope Francis was laid to rest halfway around the world, Catholics gathered in Stoughton, Massachusetts for a special mass to pray for him. When the world first met Pope Francis in 2013, he asked for people to pray for him. And in Stoughton, Catholics did just that at St. James Church Friday night. A similar service was held Wednesday night in West Roxbury led by Boston Archbishop Richard Henning. Praying for Pope Francis During the mass, parishioners prayed for Francis' soul and simply to be more like him. "Just gentleness and inclusive and beautiful, compassionate," said Randolph resident Maureen Toscano. "There are so many wonderful words to describe him. He was a good role model for us, just like Jesus." Middleboro resident Ana Gonzalez, whose son Nick is pursuing the priesthood, said he was honored to meet Pope Francis last summer. "I have the picture of the two of them right as I wake up, after my prayers, that's what I see," said Gonzalez. "You can see the respect, the appreciation, the love between the two of them." Parishioners found pope inspiring And that is the way parishioners said Pope Francis lived, with respect, appreciation and love for all. "He tried to be such a force for peace and that's what we need right now in this world," said Walpole resident Sol Garcia. "We definitely need lots of peace and we need someone like him." "We're so blessed to have him as a pope and I hope that the next one will be also such a blessing to the entire world," said Stoughton resident Sonia St. Louis. In his sermon, Auxiliary Bishop Cristiano Barbosa mentioned his own sadness and tears when learning of the pope's passing just hours after celebrating Easter. But he said he was quickly filled by hope in his heart because hope is what Pope Francis gave to everyone.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Source for hope': Boston mourns the loss of Pope Francis
At Boston's Cathedral of the Holy Cross, black bunting signifies to the outside world a church in mourning over the death of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old pontiff was the Church's first Latin American pope. He was beloved for embracing traditionally marginalized people. At St. Patrick's Church in Natick, new Boston archbishop Richard Henning told me Pope Francis left a profound mark on the Church 'I feel that Francis has, during his ministry, revealed the heart of God, particularly for the poor and vulnerable. And that is certainly the way he lived his life before he was the Holy Father,' Archbishop Henning said. In 2015, Pope Francis made his one and only visit to the United States during his papacy. It was a trip that did not include Boston. Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley, now retired, released a statement honoring Pope Francis. It read in part: 'Pope Francis was a sign and source of hope for people throughout the world particularly the forgotten, the poor, the sick and the voiceless.' On Easter Sunday, Catholic Charities Boston President and CEO Kelley Tuthill was in St. Peter's Square, with her family, only feet away from Pope Francis. It was a moment she will always treasure. 'I think it says something about him and the dedication to serving us that he was out yesterday on Easter, the holiest day for Catholics to be present for them, even though he was literally facing his death. That's meaningful, that's a job well done,' Tuthill said. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Boston Globe
20-04-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
Boston churches bring in Easter during exciting Marathon weekend
The service on Sunday carried with it added excitement from some in the pews. For just the 13th time in history, Easter has fallen on the day before the Boston Marathon and Patriots Day. Several Greater Boston churches took advantage of the moment, offering prayers to marathon runners during their Easter celebrations. Related : Advertisement At the Cathedral of the Holy Cross Sunday morning, blue, white, and floral spring clothing filled the entirety of the church's Gothic Revival interior. Not one seat was left open, as it marked Archbishop Richard Henning's During his sermon, Henning discussed how complicated life can be, but encouraged worshippers to focus on the good and choose to be good people. 'Life is good,' Henning said. 'But isn't it also true that life can be frightening.' Mayor Michelle Wu and her family were present for the Easter ceremony at Holy Cross. Wu stood alongside Henning as he invited those running the marathon to join them at the front for a blessing. After the service, attendees gathered outside in the warm weather for pictures. Many also stopped for a quick chat and photo with Henning. Related : Advertisement Just after noon, hundreds of attendees poured out of Arlington Street Church. Senior Minister Parisa Parsa said goodbye to people as they left, smiling and waving at the young children wearing bright pink bunny ears and yellow and white Easter dresses. 'There is joy in the sense of celebrating life in the midst of struggles,' Parsa said. The Arlington Street Church, part of the Unitarian Universalist Society, has a As congregants left, they picked up rubber duckies and Easter candy left on a table covered by a deep purple tablecloth. Andrew MacPhail said he came to Easter services at Arlington Street Church four years ago after feeling like he had fallen off his path with faith. 'I really love this place — it gave me my faith back,' said MacPhail, 54, a marathon runner from New York City. How he'll spend the rest of the day? 'Lots of pasta, carbs, and sugar,' he said, laughing as he walked down the steps of the church into the spring greenery. Alexa Coultoff can be reached at
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Archbishop Henning reflects on Pope's health before Ash Wednesday celebration
On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent for the Catholic Church, Archbishop Richard Henning spoke to Boston 25 about Pope Francis' declining health over the last month. Outside St. Tarcisius Church in Framingham, a predominantly Brazilian parish, Archbishop Henning began on the topic of the Lenten season. 'It reminds us to go deeper into our faith,' said Henning. 'It's a particularly good time to be praying for Pope Francis.' The Pope has been hospitalized with double pneumonia since mid-February. Vatican officials most recently said the Holy Father is stable, alert, and aware. Archbishop Henning added, 'He likes to use the expression, 'closeness.' I think there's a particular closeness we have with him right now to see him suffering.' The archbishop oversaw the Ash Wednesday night mass at the Portuguese service in Framingham. Members of the Brazilian parish also spoke on the Holy Father's condition. Tamara Silva of Southborough told Boston 25, 'Being in this community and praying for him, we only hope he gets better.' Another parishioner from Brazil, Fernando Soares, explained, 'Because he was Argentinian, I said, 'Oh, I don't think I'm going to like him. But, he's almost a saint.' The packed mass Wednesday night comes in the midst of both religious and political divide across the country heading into the Lenten season. Archbishop Henning spoke on the local immigrant community, explaining, 'There's a lot of fear and uncertainty. So, I would love to see them be reassured and our communities be at peace.' Vatican officials say Pope Francis is stable and alert. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'A true privilege': Fontbonne Academy welcomes Boston Archbishop to campus for Catholic Schools Week
This week marks the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. As such, Fontbonne Academy welcomed Archbishop Richard Henning of the Archdiocese of Boston Monday to speak with students and staff, while learning more about the school's mission and programs. Archbishop Henning led the opening Mass at the school and passed on words of wisdom to the student body. Fontbonne students participated in discussions and service projects aimed at fostering unity, inclusion, and social justice, even making blankets and bracelets for needy men, women, and children at Bethany Hill Place in Framingham. 'It was a true privilege to welcome Archbishop Henning to Fontbonne, especially during our 70th Anniversary,' said Head of School Maura Spignesi. 'His presence and inspiring message about being the ambassadors of God's love and women of service to others highlight the importance of Catholic education and our mission to empower young women.' In addition to the liturgy, the school hosted a performance honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a prelude to Black History Month. 'One of the greatest lessons we take from the Sisters of St. Joseph is the peaceful resolution of conflict,' said Spignesi. 'As we celebrate Martin Luther King and all that he stood for, our young women will listen, learn, sing, dance, and be joyful in sharing the message of unifying love and ensuring that everyone has a place at the table, with their voices heard.' Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
