Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

JOHNSTON — Deacon Paul A. Ullucci,, Sr., husband of the late Dianne E. Ullucci (Strobel), son of the late Paul and Dorothy Ullucci (Gonnoud), died Saturday July 26. Loved by his three children: … more

8/7/25

Special Event Listings for 08.07.25

‘Come and See’ Retreat for Young Adults PUTNAM, Conn.— Young adults aged 18 to 30 are invited to a three-day “Come and See” Retreat to meet with Jesus. The retreat will … more

8/7/25

Your compassion helps people in need: A CRS program in Indonesia provides health awareness for mothers with toddlers.

Night of music, reflection planned to help Catholic Relief Services combat aid cuts

PROVIDENCE — In March, following government cuts in response to its International Humanitarian Assistance Review, Catholic Relief Services was forced to halt much of its U.S. … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 8/7/25

Beware of ‘Deepfakes’

If he looks like the Holy Father, and moves like the Holy Father, and sounds like the Holy Father, is he really the Holy Father? Maybe—but maybe not! He might be an AI-generated … more

8/7/25

Christ’s ‘New Commandment’

While the United States has never had an official national church, America has, until quite recently, favored a generic religious framework for daily life. National and local political assemblies … more

8/7/25

Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of the words "AI Artificial Intelligence" in this Feb. 19, 2024, illustration.

Can AI help the church evangelize?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the buzzword these days. Digital devices, websites and apps are all incorporating AI into their products at an increasingly rapid pace. Just when you think you know … more

By Sister Nancy Usselmann, OSV News | 8/7/25

Pope Leo XIV gives a word of thanks at the conclusion of the Jubilee of Youth in Rome’s Tor Vergata neighborhood Aug. 3, 2025. The pope presided over the closing Mass and led the recitation of the Angelus.

Pope Leo stands with youth in Gaza, Ukraine, calls for dialogue, not war

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a message of solidarity and peace, Pope Leo XIV said the Catholic Church stands with young people suffering in war-torn areas, including Gaza and Ukraine. Before praying … more

By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News Service | 8/7/25

Venerable Salvador Valera Parra, a 19th-century Spanish diocesan priest, has been credited by Pope Leo XIV with the miraculous recovery of critically ill newborn Tyquan Hall in 2007 at a Rhode Island hospital. The Vatican decree was issued June 20, 2025, but local awareness of the U.S. miracle was not sparked until a July 18, 2025, article in GoLocalProv.

Rhode Island celebrates Pope Leo declaration that baby’s healing was a true miracle

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Islanders are celebrating Pope Leo XIV’s declaration that the healing of a baby born in their state back in 2007 was indeed miraculous, and advances the sainthood cause … more

By Gina Christian, OSV News | 7/24/25

Spanish priest credited with R.I. miracle exemplified virtues of self-sacrificial love

PROVIDENCE — Miracles are an important part of the beatification process: if it can be demonstrated that a miracle took place in association with a specific saint, this is seen as a sign that … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 7/24/25

Palestinians gather as they carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, amid a hunger crisis, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip July 20, 2025.

Pope, Palestinian president discuss humanitarian tragedy in Gaza in phone call

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The humanitarian tragedy in the Gaza Strip and the need for urgent assistance were part of discussions between Pope Leo XVI and Mahmoud Abbas, president of Palestine and … more

By Carol Glatz, OSV News | 7/24/25

Among the sights that the vocations pilgrims will see is a view of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, from Pontifical North American College.

Vocations Pilgrimage to Immerse Young Men in the Heart of the Church

PROVIDENCE — “Anyone would go to Rome, but for all of us, we’re looking to get more out of it than a trip to Europe,” said Simon Tetreault, regarding an upcoming discernment … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 7/24/25

First-ever CAL Hall of Fame inductees to be honored at fall banquet

PROVIDENCE — October 18 marks a milestone for the Catholic Athletic League, when 14 men and women will be inducted into their newly created Hall of Fame at their gala and fundraiser at the … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent & Rick Snizek, Executive Editor | 7/24/25

Bishop joins Our Lady of Good Help and St. Theresa Shrine in honoring dedicated volunteers

Our Lady of Good Help and St. Theresa Shrine of the Little Flower were pleased to welcome Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., to their annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Sunday, June 8. Each … more

7/24/25

Legislative sessions yield wins for housing, minimum wage

PROVIDENCE—The Rhode Island General Assembly ended another legislative session in late June, with a series of bills either proposed or passed this year that in addition to being economically, … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 7/24/25

Special Event Listings for 07.24.25

Holy Angels Parish Hosts Jolly in July Take-Out BARRINGTON — Holy Angels Parish, 341 Maple Ave., will hold its first Jolly in July Take-Out Thursday on July 24. This charity food sale offers a … more

7/24/25

A general view of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, U.S., June 1, 2024.

Mahmoud v. Taylor: A Supreme Court victory for parents and for freedom

In a momentous decision that has far-reaching implications for the future of public education and religious liberty in the United States, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Mahmoud v. Taylor that … more

By Jason Adkins, OSV News | 7/24/25

On Flannery O’Connor’s Centenary

How appropriate that Flannery O’Connor should have been born on the Solemnity of the Annunciation: the liturgical feast celebrating the willing acceptance of a God-given vocation. As we marked … more

7/24/25

One, holy, Catholic, apostolic — and synodal — Church

The death of Pope Francis rightly evoked many prayers and much sympathy. His passing has also raised many questions. The pontiff’s favored policy of synodality which would broaden the number of … more

7/24/25

Pope Leo XIV addresses the Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod during a meeting at the Vatican June 26, 2025.

With pope's support, Vatican to publish document on synod's final phase

VATICAN CITY — Almost four years after Pope Francis opened the Catholic Church’s path toward synodality — a term many in the church had never heard before — his successor has … more

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service | 7/10/25

Bishop Lewandowski walks in the parade with, from left, Father Phillip Dufour, pastor of St. Theresa and St. Christopher Parishes, Tiverton; Father Henry Zinno, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and Father Vander Martins, pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish, both in Bristol.

Bishop Lewandowski offers invocation at nation’s oldest continuous Patriotic Exercises at July 4th celebration in Bristol, R.I.

God Bless the USA: Bishop Bruce Lewandowski holds a T-shirt presented to him following his invocation at the 240th annual Patriotic Exercises to kick off the Bristol Fourth of July Parade. Above, the … more

By Rick Snizek, Executive Editor | 7/10/25