Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

The Diocese of Providence gathered at Our Lady of The Rosary Church in Providence for the annual Blue Mass, offering prayers of gratitude for the police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and first responders who faithfully serve our communities each day.

Diocese honors First Responders during Blue Mass

PROVIDENCE — Patrolmen Jose Mendez and Paul Caminero of the Providence Police Department’s Mounted Command sat sentinel atop their tall, muscular Clydesdales—Prince and Chief—outside Our Lady … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 6/4/26

Pope Leo calls for 'openness' to Church reform that respects tradition

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Amid renewed tensions between the Vatican and traditionalist Catholics over the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Leo XIV defended Church reform as a legitimate … more

By Josephine Peterson, Catholic News Service | 6/4/26

Hundreds of Faithful Gather for Adoration at Aldrich Mansion

Last Thursday evening, hundreds of faithful from across the Diocese of Providence gathered at Aldrich Mansion for a beautiful evening of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament with Bishop Bruce … more

6/4/26

Honoring the Past, Navigating the Future: Priests Gather for Annual Study Day on Artificial Intelligence and Jubilee Celebration

Bishop Bruce Lewandowski (center, back row) stands with the jubilarian priests of the Diocese of Providence during the annual Priests’ Study Day on Monday, May 11. The day featured a seminar on … more

6/4/26

Around the Diocese: Weekly Event Guide

Rosary for Migrants CENTRAL FALLS — Fuerza Laboral, 6 Chases Lane, will host a Rosary for Migrants with Bishop Bruce Lewandowski on Saturday, June 6, at 11 a.m. Participants will walk to the Wyatt … more

6/4/26

Sen. Linda Ujifusa, District 11 (Portsmouth and Bristol), left, and Sen. Victoria Gu, District 38 (Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown), right, present a Senate Citation to Nancy Gonzalez, Immigration and Refugee Services Coordinator, and James Jahnz, Secretary for Catholic Charities and Social Ministry. The Office of Immigration and Refugee Services was honored at the R.I. Statehouse on May 19 for its vital work assisting immigrants during the celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Gov. McKee, Sec. of State Amore and Treasurer Diossa also presented citations.

Senate honors diocese for immigration work in celebration of Pacific Heritage Month

PROVIDENCE — The R.I. Senate honored the Diocese of Providence’s Office of Immigration and Refugee Services—part of the Catholic Charities and Social Ministries vicariate—for its work in … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 6/4/26

R.I. Right to Life Marks 47th Anniversary with Milestone Celebration

WARWICK — Rhode Island’s Right to Life Committee (RIRTL), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, celebrated its 47th anniversary this year with a memorable milestone. The committee advocates the … more

By Chelsea Thorpe, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 6/4/26

‘Magnifica Humanitas’: A feast of a message needing measured bites

Coming in at 42,000 words, Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” is massive. It’s huge. It is clear-eyed and comprehensive and so chock-full of good stuff that it must be … more

By Elizabeth Scalia, OSV News | 6/4/26

How Vatican II Brought the Catholic Laity Out of the Pews and into Ministry

For many decades the former St. Charles Borromeo parish in Woonsocket offered a Novena to Our Lady of Fatima every Tuesday evening at 7pm. The service offered exposition and Benediction of the … more

6/4/26

‘Centesimus Annus’ at 35

Thirty-five years ago, Pope John Paul II issued his most developed social encyclical, “Centesimus Annus”; its title signaled the author’s intention to honor the centenary of Leo XIII’s 1891 … more

6/4/26

Meaningful Gifts for Moms that Cost Little to Nothing

One title of the Our Lady is “Mother of the Poor.” Historically, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph were most likely poor, due to the events that are written about in the bible. … more

6/2/26

Assignments 06.28.26

SPECIAL APOSTOLATE Reverend Joseph F. Craddock, to Director of Pastoral Care and Catholic Chaplain at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, North Providence, with sacramental ministry at Roger Williams … more

5/29/26

Bishop Lewandowski and Rhode Island Coalitions Unite in Support of Immigrant Neighbors

Across Rhode Island, our shared goal remains clear: every resident should feel safe, respected, and supported. Today, we stand together as faith leaders, law enforcement, elected officials, and … more

5/29/26

Annual financial audit shows diocese on solid financial ground

PROVIDENCE — An annual independent audit of its finances shows that for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the Diocese of Providence is on stable financial footing. “We had a solid year,” … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 5/28/26

With his mother’s old typewriter among other memorabilia on a shelf behind him, Father John Kiley sits at the desk in his Woonsocket home office where he pens his weekly Rhode Island Catholic column, “The Quiet Corner.”

Father Kiley Reflects on 60 Years of Priesthood and Prose

WOONSOCKET — When you arrive at the bottom of the hill that appears to signal the end of Highland Street, the long road lined with residential properties along the Blackstone River suddenly bends … more

By Erik Scalavino, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 5/28/26

Peter Foss, a regular at the Warwick Blood Donor Center, prepares for his nearly 250th platelet donation. Foss has been a committed donor for over 45 years, inspired by his father’s example and a desire to support local cancer patients.

A Sense of Purpose: Why the RI Blood Center Encourages Seniors to Give

WARWICK — At the Warwick Blood Donor Center, regular donors often become familiar faces—but few are as consistent, committed, and quietly impactful as Peter Foss, who is nearing an extraordinary … more

5/28/26

Around the Diocese: Weekly Event Guide

Mass of Anointing WARWICK — St. Peter Church, 350 Fair St., will hold a Mass with the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick for those seriously ill due to sickness or advanced age on Saturday, May 30, … more

5/28/26

This is the cover of “Magnifica Humanitas: On the Care of the Human Person in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, published on May 25, 2026.

'Magnifica Humanitas': Pope Leo's AI encyclical warns of temptation to build future excluding God

VATICAN CITY (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV published his landmark encyclical on artificial intelligence “Magnifica Humanitas” May 25, comparing the attempt to build an AI future that excludes God … more

By Courtney Mares, OSV News | 5/28/26

Seniors select items from the weekly clothing donation at St. Martin de Porres Senior Center. The center serves more than 220 members with food, clothing, and hygiene products.

Diocesan Ministries Provide a Vital Safety Net for Seniors

Catholics work hard to share the love of Christ with everyone in the community; ensuring that we are our brothers’ keepers. The diocese’s Catholic Charities and Social Ministry secretariat does … more

By Chelsea Thorpe, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 5/28/26

Planning with Purpose: A Catholic Perspective on Estate and End-of-Life Care

Secular legal frameworks are often “one size fits all,” but Catholic life is anything but. From navigating Rhode Island’s healthcare-proxy laws to maximizing the impact of a charitable gift … more

5/28/26