Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

Father Ferland installed as Pastor of St. Mark Church

On Saturday, Sept. 7, Archbishop-elect Richard G. Henning installed Father Thomas J. Ferland as the new pastor of St. Mark Church in Jamestown. Archbishop Henning shared that the Lord has called … more

9/12/24

Father Najim installed as Pastor of St. Philip Parish

Archbishop-elect Richard G. Henning installed Father Michael J. Najim as the pastor of St. Philip Parish in Greenville on Sunday, Sept. 1. Father Najim, who served at St. Philip’s from 2001 to … more

9/12/24

Ladened with backpack and hiking gear, Glenn Dupont prepares for a day’s walk on his 40-day pilgrimage from Providence to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. for the Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage on September 28. On his travels, pilgrim Dupont prays for a multitude of intentions from friends, family members and others asking for prayers. Dupont made a stop at St. Anne Shrine in Sturbridge on August 26, above.

Local man's pilgrimage is a witness to the faith

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — It was day 12 of a 40-day walking pilgrimage on a Friday afternoon when Rhode Island Catholic caught up with the backpack-laden pilgrim, Glenn Dupont. By his estimation, he … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 9/12/24

A mother feeds her newborn child, after giving birth in the Family Birth Center at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., Feb. 1, 2022. Vice President Kamala Harris has suggested a robust increase in the child tax credit, while Ohio Sen. JD Vance has floated a similar proposal; some pro-life leaders say the initiatives, if passed by Congress, could help reduce poverty and aid some low-income parents in choosing life.

Dueling child tax credit plans: Could they help more couples embrace life?

OSV News— As the U.S. presidential race accelerates toward a Nov. 5 ballot box battle, candidates continue to jostle for American approval through their respective abortion and reproductive … more

By Kimberley Heatherington, OSV NEWS | 9/12/24

Doctrines should lead to discipleship

Martin Luther has been the coarse butt of Catholic jokes and the ready stock of Catholic scholarship for almost five hundred years. But not all the damaging talk and negative press is fully … more

9/12/24

‘Witness to Hope,’ Twenty-Five Years Later

My hands were shaky a quarter-century ago as I carried the heavy box from the front door of our house into my study. Inside were my author copies of “Witness to Hope”, the first volume of … more

9/12/24

A medical lab technologist operates an embryo vitrification during an intra cytoplasmic sperm injection process (ICSI) at a laboratory in Paris

IVF is not Pro-Life

Recent headlines have brought into focus in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments as a solution for couples struggling to have children. Some have even framed the issue as consonant with pro-life … more

9/12/24

A young woman becomes emotional as she attends a vigil at Jug Tavern Park in Winder, Ga., Sept. 4, 2024, following a shooting that day at Apalachee High School in Winder. A 14-year-old student opened fire at the school killing at least two teachers and two students, authorities said.

Reminders to work for Peace in the Midst of Gun Violence

On September 4, 2024, a 14-year-old student opened fire at a Georgia High School and killed four people. That same week on Saturday, a Kentucky man opened fire on a Kentucky highway seriously … more

9/12/24

Students, alumni, faculty and staff of St. Raphael Academy gather at Holy Family Parish in Pawtucket to celebrate Mass at the start of celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the school.

At 100 years, St. Raphael Academy celebrates the past and embraces the future

PAWTUCKET — “Happy 100th,” a greeting which echoed throughout Holy Family Parish Saturday as many gathered to celebrate St. Raphael Academy’s 100th anniversary. … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 9/12/24

Little Sisters’ Summer Soirée raises $50,000 to support the elderly poor

PAWTUCKET — The Little Sisters of the Poor recently welcomed guests to the Jeanne Jugan Residence in Pawtucket on Wednesday, Aug. 21 for a Summer Soirée featuring food and drink from … more

9/12/24

Faith comes first at Mother of Hope Camp

Before the summer season at Mother of Hope Camp came to a conclusion, Archbishop-elect Richard G. Henning made a special visit to Chepachet to celebrate Mass for the campers and counselors in the … more

9/12/24

Back to School

Beginning in late August and continuing into September, I enjoy the opportunity to visit some of our many Catholic schools here in Rhode Island. In most cases, the schools hold an opening Mass or … more

9/12/24

Special Event Listings for 09.12.24

UNBOUND Prayer Ministry Team WESTERLY — Unbound is a ministry of healing at St. Pius X Church, 45 Elm St., in which a trained prayer team prays with individuals to assist them in overcoming the … more

9/12/24

Jesus Thinks Otherwise. An Anti-Bully Strategy

“Mom, she told me I’m stupid!” My five-year old rushed in to tell me one morning, after I had swept the crumbs off the floor from breakfast. “Well, are you stupid?” I … more

9/5/24

St. Mary Academy - Bay View students receive a warm welcome on the first day back to school, Wednesday, Aug. 30. This year marks the school’s 150th anniversary.

Moving the needle forward is the focus of new school year

PROVIDENCE — Thirty-six Catholic schools in the state of Rhode Island mold the minds and hearts of students from preschool through high school. Modern technology and even COVID-19 have changed … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 9/5/24

St. Mary Academy – Bay View Celebrates 150 Years of Empowering Women

RIVERSIDE — A century and a half ago, the world was a vastly different place for women. Largely limited to domestic roles and by societal expectations, opportunities for girls were scarce. In … more

9/5/24

Saint Raphael Academy Commences Year-Long Centennial Celebration

PAWTUCKET — Saint Raphael Academy will begin a celebration of its 100th anniversary during the 2024-2025 academic year. From its humble beginnings as “the little school on Walcott … more

9/5/24

Stephen Baker, pictured at his graduation from Villanova University, has become the first student in the Brother Thomas Leto Options Program at Bishop Hendricken to graduate from a Catholic college or university.

First Hendricken Options Program student graduates from a Catholic university

WARWICK — Independence. Friendship. Education. These things matter more to Stephen Baker than the certificate he earned at Villanova University through the VUnited Scholars Program. The two … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 9/5/24

Pioneer in Education: Martha Murray, who helped to establish the Options Program at Bishop Hendricken, gathers with the family of Stephen Baker, the first Hendricken student in the program to graduate from a Catholic college or university, on the occasion of his graduation from Villanova University. With Martha are mother Kerri Baker, Stephen, Philip Murray, and father Steve Baker.

From Bishop Hendricken to Villanova: A mother’s quest for educational inclusion

WARWICK — Inclusion has become a buzzword today – inclusion of race, gender, age; inclusion in workspaces, churches, schools. For centuries, the Catholic Church has practiced inclusivity, … more

By JENNIFER BARTON, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 9/5/24

Special Event Listings for 09.05.24

St. Joseph Polish Fest CENTRAL FALLS — St. Joseph Parish, 391 High St., will hold its annual Polish Festival, September 6 – 8; Friday, Sept. 6 (6 p.m.-midnight); Saturday, Sept. 7 (6 … more

9/5/24