A “Mass of peace” is being offered Tuesday evening for the souls of three longtime parishioners at Sacred Heart and Our Lady’s Collaborative in Newton, Massachusetts, after the devastating news that they were found dead in their home from what the local district attorney’s office has labeled a triple homicide.
Gilda D’Amore, 73; her husband, Bruno D’Amore, 74; and Lucia Arpino, 97, Gilda’s mother, were found deceased in a bedroom of their home on Saturday morning after the couple failed to show for a preplanned 50th-wedding anniversary celebration and 10am Mass.
The three attended church at Our Lady, Help of Christians in Newton for decades, which is now part of a collaborative with Sacred Heart Church in Newton.
“They were the salt of the earth,” Father Dan Riley, pastor of the church, told CNA on Tuesday, adding that all three were very involved in the life of the parish.
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Boston Cardinal Seán O’Malley issued a statement Tuesday, calling their deaths “brutal and senseless murders” that “will stay with us as we come to terms with this unimaginable loss.”
“They lived their Catholic faith proudly and in service to the Church,” he added.
It was revealed in court Tuesday that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which conducted the autopsy of Gilda D’Amore, ruled the cause of death to be a homicide from approximately 30 sharp-force and blunt-force wounds to her head, face, neck and upper extremities.
The autopsies of her husband and mother were scheduled for Tuesday.
A Newton resident, 41-year-old Christopher Ferguson, was arrested and charged with murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and burglary in connection with the deaths, to which he pleaded not guilty on Tuesday at his arraignment in Newton District Court while appearing on Zoom.
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Ferguson is being held without bail.
Following the completion of the autopsies, additional charges could be brought, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office said in a statement on Monday.
The DA’s office said in its statement that at this time the killings “appear to be a random act.”
Catholic Italian-Americans
Father Riley said that the D’Amores and Arpino were “awesome people” who were “very involved in the church.”
“They were the best version of Catholic Italian-Americans you could ever believe,” he added.
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Paul and Ginny Arpino, who are on the parish staff and are cousins of the D’Amores (Arpino is an aunt), sent an email to the parish that was shared with CNA asking for prayers “for them, most especially for their three children and their five grandchildren.”
The email said that Gilda, whom the Arpinos called “Jill,” cared for the flowers in the church and decorations for the liturgical seasons.
“She spent endless hours in the care of our church,” the email said.
“Bruno was known for his big voice and his exuberant personality, and as ‘head chef’ he proudly flipped the burgers at the parish picnic,” the email said.
Lucia “never missed a 10 a.m. Mass” until COVID-19, the email said. She and her husband, Alberto, would typically sit in the north end section of the church consistently for more than 60 years, the email said.
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“Lucia will be especially missed on the upcoming Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Festa weekend, as she faithfully walked in that procession through the streets of Nonantum [a village in Newton] well into her 90s,” the Arpinos wrote.
Father Riley told CNA that parishioners are shocked and filled with grief but are supporting each other with “deep faith that Jesus is risen and they are with the Lord.”
“We grieve, but with hope, as the Scripture says,” he added.
Mass at the Vatican
Cardinal O’Malley said in his statement that he was in Rome and would offer Mass for the D’Amores and Arpino at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.
“As priests, we serve to minister to people in times of great loss and tragedy. Often words are not enough to help families and friends come to terms with the loss of a loved one. We look to God for answers,” he said.
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“We seek to understand. Often, we simply cannot make sense of what has happened. But our faith sustains us, and in this moment of enormous pain, we know that God is with us always,” Cardinal O’Malley added.
“They loved Christ and the Church,” he said of the D’Amores and Arpino.
Cardinal O’Malley also said that the parishioners at the collaborative parish; the pastor, Father Riley; the parish staff; and the entire community of Newton would also be remembered in prayers.
“We give thanks for the parish community of Our Lady, Help of Christians and the surrounding Catholic communities coming together to support and care for each other. With God’s help, we will remember the gift of the lives of Gilda, Bruno, and Lucia.”
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
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The Mass is being held at 6:30pm at Our Lady, Help of Christians Church at 573 Washington St. in Newton on Tuesday.
Funeral details have not been decided upon yet, according to the Archdiocese of Boston.
21 hours ago Announcements, Causes, Events, Latest, Press Release
“This past Sunday, June 9, was the 8th Annual Manheim New England Touch-a-Truck event.
Proceeds from raffles held at the event went towards Jaxon’s Journey with a Rare Brain Tumor and Butterflies Raising Hope Fundraisers.
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Jaxon is a 6-year-old who has been battling Hypothalamic Hamartoma since he was 9 months old. Children braved the rainy conditions to look at and play on vehicles of all types. The event hosted construction trucks, military equpiment, police, fire and EMS vehicles.”-Massachusetts State Police.
All photos by the Massachusetts State Police:
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“DANGEROUS HEAT AND HUMIDITY: After a beautiful weekend, dangerous heat and humidity begins to overspread …
“It really is a positive change and we’re really hopeful that this means a bright future for cannabis on Martha’s Vineyard.”
By Bhaamati Borkhetaria, CommonWealth Beacon
Cannabis businesses on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket will be able to transport marijuana over state waters starting midnight on Friday, under an administrative order by the Cannabis Control Commission.
Commissioners last week heard concerns from patients, advocates and residents of the islands, about the looming loss of access to safe and legal cannabis on the two islands because cannabis could not be transported to and from the mainland. The situation was presented as being particularly dire for medical marijuana patients.
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The commission voted unanimously to pass the administrative order “regarding the transport of marijuana and marijuana products over state territorial waters to and from marijuana establishments and medical marijuana treatment centers in the counties of Dukes and Nantucket.”
“This was turned around in a really quick time frame,” said Commissioner Kimberly Roy. “At the end of the day, this was about public health and public safety and patients and consumers alike having access to safely regulated products.”
The two islands have long been siloed from the mainland cannabis market because the commission has not written regulations on transporting cannabis over water.
The problem stems from the unusual status of marijuana: legal under state law but illegal at the federal level. Transporting cannabis over federal waters could lead to prosecution for operators.
This has forced dispensaries on the Vineyard and Nantucket to source all of their marijuana from cultivators on the islands, an expensive move. And now, the only cultivator on the Vineyard is set to close its operations.
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There are currently two dispensaries on Martha’s Vineyard: Island Time and Fine Fettle. Island Time temporarily shut its doors in May and Fine Fettle has said that without the commission’s intervention, they will close by the end of the summer.
The woes sparked a lawsuit against the Cannabis Control Commission, with businesses arguing there are water routes from the mainland to the islands through state territorial waters, rather than federal waters.
Island Time, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, was previously cited by the commission when the owner, Geoff Rose, transported cannabis products to Martha’s Vineyard over state territorial waters. According to the lawsuit, the commission ruled that cannabis products cannot be transported from the mainland to the Vineyard or Nantucket.
With the new administrative order, cannabis businesses will no longer be reliant only on cultivators on the islands but will be able to transport cannabis and cannabis products to the islands using state water routes.
“Today is a great day in providing equity for operators on the islands,” Rose, who plans to reopen his business, said in a phone interview. “I truly appreciate the efforts of the cannabis commission to address this very important issue which has been long overdue for attention. I look forward to continuing to serve patients and consumers with safe and high-quality products.”
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Adam Fine, the attorney representing Island Time and the other cannabis business involved in the lawsuit said that the plaintiffs are planning to drop the lawsuit following this administrative order.
Added Chloe Loftfield, Fine Fettle’s general manager: “It really is a positive change and we’re really hopeful that this means a bright future for cannabis on Martha’s Vineyard.”
While the administrative order will provide immediate relief for dispensaries struggling to stock their shelves, the commission will still have to update their regulations to incorporate the change. Commissioner Bruce Stebbins also encouraged the commission to prioritize and expedite the granting of licenses based in Dukes County and Nantucket.
This article first appeared on CommonWealth Beacon and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
New Hampshire House Votes To Table Marijuana Legalization Bill That Passed Senate, Potentially Killing Reform For Years To Come
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St. John’s (Shrewsbury) vs. BC High, Saturday, 6 p.m.
Division 2
Plymouth North vs. Walpole, Sunday, 1 p.m.
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Division 3
St. Mary’s vs. Oakmont, Saturday, 3 p.m.
Division 4
Pittsfield vs. Seekonk, Saturday, 12 p.m.
Division 5
English High vs. Georgetown, Sunday, 10 a.m.
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Softball
Division 1
King Philip vs. Taunton, Sunday, 3 p.m.
Division 2
Westfield vs. Walpole, Saturday, 5 p.m.
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Division 3
Hudson vs. Dighton-Rehoboth, Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
Division 4
Tyngsborough vs. Joseph Case, Sunday, 12 p.m.
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Division 5
Georgetown vs. Turners Falls, Saturday, 12 p.m.
Boys’ lacrosse
Division 1
Jack Weissenburger celebrates with captain Grayson Ambrosh after they defeated Needham in the Division 1 lacrosse state final.Winslow Townson for The Boston Globe
St. John’s Prep 17, Needham 13
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St. John’s Prep wrapped up a fourth straight championship and a 29th straight in-state victory by outdueling Needham in Saturday’s Division 1 state final, sealing senior Jake Vana’s fourth title as a member of the boys’ lacrosse program, and his seventh ring overall counting titles in hockey and soccer.
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Read the game story here.
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Division 2
Marshfield vs. Longmeadow, Saturday, 12 p.m.
Division 3
Medfield 13, Scituate 4
The Medfield seniors saved their best performance for last: a commanding victory over second-seeded Scituate for the Division 3 boys ‘ lacrosse title at Westwood High. Senior Tim Collins collected three goals and an assist, junior defenseman Ben Lusby had three goals, and senior captain Joe Bartolotta scored twice as the No. 1 Warriors (20-3) captured the program’s eighth title, but first since winning D2 in 2016.
Read the game story here.
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Division 4
Sandwich vs. Nantucket, Saturday, 12 p.m.
Girls’ lacrosse
Division 1
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Central Catholic celebrates with the trophy following their victory over Wellesley.Jim Davis for The Boston Globe
Central Catholic 14, Wellesley 9
Senior Nicolette Licare poured in five goals and junior Kerri Finneran added four to fuel the No. 1 Raiders (24-2) to their first state title in program history. Sophomore goalie Anne Cashman was sharp, and Kierstyn Zinter, Olivia Rondeau, and Abby Yfantopulos were a few of many other contributors.
Read the game story here.
Division 2
Notre Dame (Hingham) 14, Walpole 10
The dynasty rolls on for Notre Dame Hingham girls’ lacrosse, as the top-seeded Cougars battled past second-seeded Walpole, 14-10, to win their third consecutive Division 2 state championship. Senior captains Siobhan Colin and Jane Hilsabeck scored four goals each for the Cougars (22-1) to secure the program’s fifth overall state title since winning Division 1 titles in 2013 and 2019.
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Read the game story here.
Division 3
Medfield 14, Newburyport 10
Throughout the season, members of the Medfield girls’ lacrosse team used last year’s Division 3 semifinal loss to Norwell as motivation. They reminded themselves how empty they felt, and they vowed to write a different story this time around. Thursday night, they accomplished that mission, outlasting Newburyport to capture their second Division 3 state championship in three years.
Read the game story here.
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Division 4
Cohasset 14, Ipswich 9
Third-seeded Cohasset was sharp in every facet of the game in Thursday’s MIAA Division 4 final, outlasting No. 4 Ipswich at Turco Memorial Field at Walpole High for the program’s third championship. Senior Laney Larsen scored twice in the final game of her high school career. Sophomore Avery Regan tallied a game-high six points (5 goals, 1 assist), and junior captain Libby Schiffmann recorded a hat trick for the Skippers (19-3).
Read the game story here.
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Boys’ tennis
Division 1
Concord-Carlisle vs. St. John’s Prep, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
Division 2
Duxbury vs. Westborough, Saturday, 2 p.m.
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Division 3
Weston 3, Bedford 2
With six-time defending champion Weston tied, 2-2, in its Division 3 boys’ tennis final against Dual County League rival Bedford, the match came down to first singles, Max Ding vs. Dillon Denny-Brown. It was Ding, a senior playing his final match for the Wildcats, who wore down Denny-Brown, a junior, to close out a 3-2 victory as Weston (14-6) earned its seventh consecutive title (5 in D3, 2 in D4), and 13th overall.
Read the game story here.
Division 4
Manchester Essex vs. Lynnfield, Saturday, 11:30 a.m.
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Girls’ tennis
Division 1
Wellesley vs. Boston Latin, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
Division 2
Notre Dame (Hingham) vs. Longmeadow, Saturday, 2 p.m.
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Division 3
Pembroke 3, Weston 2
With the final tied 2-2, Pembroke sophomore Nicole Makarewicz edged Olivia Rome at first singles, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, to lift the third-seeded Titans to a 3-2 win over No. 4 Weston for the program’s first title.
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Division 4
Hamilton-Wenham 5, Lynnfield 0
Junior Naomi Provost and Emma Jani powered the Generals to their third straight Division 4 state championship, sweeping Lynnfield at MIT. Provost (6-0, 6-0) finished first her match first, with Jani (6-0, 6-1) close behind, both in under an hour. The second doubles team of junior Maddie Minich / senior Angelina Meimeteas secured the title with a 6-2, 6-1 victory. Senior Ellie Holbrook (6-2, 7-6/7-1) won at third singles and the first doubles pair of senior Sienna Gregory / Emily McIntosh (6-4, 7-5) prevailed in straight sets.
Read the game story here.
Boys’ rugby
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Division 1
Xaverian vs. BC High, Saturday, 12 p.m.
Division 2
Hanover vs. Weymouth, Saturday, 4 p.m.
Girls’ rugby
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Division 1
Weymouth vs. Belmont, Saturday, 2 p.m.
Boys’ volleyball
Division 1
Newton North 3, Needham 2
Senior Adam Christianson came into the season learning to set for the first time, and he ended the year with a 15-kill, 14-assist, 3-block performance that gave the second-seeded Tigers (22-3) the title in a five-set thriller — 23-25, 25-12, 17-25, 25-22, 15-8 — over the top-seeded Rockets (24-3).
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Read the game story here.
Division 2
The Westfield boys’ volleyball team huddles before taking on Wayland in the MIAA Division 2 boys’ volleyball state championship.Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe
Westfield 3, Wayland 2
Senior Miles Shepard recorded the biggest of his 19 kills to finish the game, finalizing a chaotic comeback in the Division 2 title match — 11-25, 14-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-13 — for top-seeded Westfield (23-3), which captured its fifth title.
Read the game story here.
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Emma can be reached at emma.healy@globe.com or on X @_EmmaHealy_.
