Partners received $4,858,963 in donations this fiscal year which ended on Aug. 31. That’s $311,221 more than was raised last year. The number of donors also increased to 11,843, which is 209 more than a year ago.

WORCESTER – A “homecoming” – commemorating the opening of St. Peter’s elementary and high schools more than 100 years ago – is scheduled for Sept. 26. “We just decided that we couldn’t let the history of the school go unrecognized,” explained Paul Richard, chairman of the board of limited jurisdiction of what is now St. Peter Central Catholic Elementary School.

“As we rededicate our campus today, may we also rededicate ourselves to being a community that welcomes, supports, and cares for one another. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us throughout this year – to fill our hearts with peace, strengthen us when we are challenged, inspire us to care for one another, and help us bring God’s goodness to all those we encounter.”

Local Catholics were among those responding to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. On this 25th anniversary, let’s take a look back at some of the news reported by The Catholic Free Press.

(OSV News) – On Sept. 11, 2001 – the date of the worst terrorist attack in American history, when four hijacked jets became deadly weapons – there was no shortage of heroic first responders who confronted danger instead of avoiding it.