Diocesan News

The Episcopal bishops in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have issued a joint statement of support for Attorney General Maura Healey.  In her op-ed published in the Boston Globe, Healey expresses the importance of state law in the effort to end the bloodshed:  “In the face of utter…

Following is a letter issued July 27 to the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts from Bishop Alan M. Gates regarding the diocese's new mission strategy, a draft of which will be available in early August for review.  The diocesan community is invited to respond to the draft at…

Following is a letter issued July 12 to the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts from Bishop Alan M. Gates regarding the violent tragedies of the last week.Dear people of the Diocese of Massachusetts,Last weekend I made a two-day silent retreat at the Trappist Abbey in Western…

The bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, the Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates and the Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris, issued the following statement in response to the transgender rights bill enacted by the Massachusetts State Legislature on July 7:We rejoice at today's news that our Massachusetts…

The Mission Strategy Drafting Team is meeting weekly over the summer to create a draft of a new mission strategy for the Diocese of Massachusetts.  The team is taking input and data from listening events held around the diocese earlier this year, as well as from the bishops, demographic…

Episcopal City Mission marked a new day in its 172-year ministry as friends and supporters gathered June 14 for the organization's annual end-of-program-year celebration to welcome a new executive director and to honor individuals and groups engaged in urban social justice advocacy.Instead of the…

Following is a letter to the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts from Bishop Alan M. Gates in the aftermath of the June 12 shootings in Orlando, Fla.:Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.A week ago I joined a neighborhood Peace Walk in Boston’s South End…

Following are local gatherings and services that diocesan parishes and organizations are hosting or participating in.  All are welcome.  Events will be added as information about them becomes known.  E-mail submissions to news@diomass.org.Monday, June 13:• Boston City Hall Plaza…

Bishop Alan M. Gates ordained five deacons and five transitional deacons on Saturday, June 4 at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston.The new deacons are the Rev. Thomas A. Bartlett (sponsored by Emmanuel Church in Boston); the Rev. Philip J. Flaherty (St. Stephen's Church in Cohasset); the…

On June 10, at 5 p.m., Esperanza Academy will hold its annual commencement ceremony for the graduating class of 2016 at Grace Church in Lawrence. This year’s commencement speaker will be the Hon. Dan Rivera, Mayor of Lawrence. Esperanza Academy proudly presents its eighth-grade graduates, the Class…