Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

Lenten season makes us strong in faith

For many years St. Joseph’s Abbey, the Trappist Monastery at Spencer, M.A., was the site of my annual retreat. Like the monks’ day — early to bed, early to rise — these hours on retreat were … more

Father John A. Kiley | 3/28/19

It’s not just about the frozen embryos

I remember a conversation I had with a married Catholic couple a few years ago. They were feeling lost and desperate over their inability to conceive a child. They were casting about for options. … more

Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. | 3/28/19

Servants of the Word

One of the outstanding communities of religious women serving in the Diocese of Providence is named the “Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Word.” The community, based in Mexico, is committed to … more

3/21/19

The radical call of Lent

Imagine you’re sitting in front of your doctor, and he says that your health definitely needs to improve. He then looks you square in the eyes and says, “If you wish to live a healthy … more

Tony Magliano | 3/21/19

‘Personal prayer can have public results’

The appearance of Moses and Elias alongside the transfigured Jesus Christ is most appropriate. These two celebrated Old Testament prophets, like Jesus Christ himself, experienced the inner reality … more

Father John A. Kiley | 3/21/19

No Passwords for Heaven

One of the plagues of our modern, technological society is the need to have and remember passwords. The dreaded passwords are required to log on to your computer, smartphone, social media accounts, … more

3/14/19

The desert experience is an opportunity to encounter God

Henry David Thoreau’s fame rests largely on his wilderness experience along the shores of Waldon Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. Actually Thoreau’s cabin was less than a mile from the center of … more

Fr. John A. Kiley | 3/14/19

The connection between protecting human life and being a champion of the environment

As I write this, the Rhode Island pro-life community is reeling from the passage in our House of Representatives of a bill that would — among other evils — hardwire into state law the … more

By William Patenaude | 3/14/19

The Jesus Fan Club

Recently I made a quick trip to my hometown of Pittsburgh to visit family and friends. One of the rewarding things about my visit was being surrounded once again by the familiar black and gold of the … more

3/7/19

The spiritual challenge of the wilderness experience

The Diocesan Office for Religious sponsors a day of recollection for the congregations of sisters and brothers who staff the schools, nursing facilities, and parish ministries in the Diocese of … more

Fr. John A. Kiley | 3/7/19

Living With Integrity

Recently, two young men identifying as women stood atop Connecticut’s high school podiums after their track victories, putting their competitors in an awkward situation. To grumble against the … more

Genevieve Kineke | 3/7/19

In All Things, God Be Glorified

If you attended a Catholic school, you probably learned the practice of writing “JMJ” at the top of your paper. It was a lovely little reminder to honor Jesus, Mary and Joseph every day, and to … more

2/28/19

All questions raised and all questions answered

The Hebrew Scriptures have a segment of seven texts called “The Books of Wisdom.” The seven traditional volumes are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom and Sirach. The Book … more

Fr. John A. Kiley | 2/28/19

U.S. bishops confront racism and call us to brotherhood

“See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are.” With these beautiful words from Scripture (1 Jn. 3:1), the U.S. Catholic bishops introduce … more

Tony Magliano | 2/28/19

Be Perfect, Love Your Enemies

“Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt 5: 48) There are lots of challenging passages in the Bible, but this saying of Jesus must surely be among the top ten. The command to … more

2/21/19

Authentic Christianity strengthens our world

St. Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, comprising chapters 5, 6 and 7 of his Gospel, contains possibly the most famous Scripture passages within the New Testament — with the possible exception of the … more

Fr. John A. Kiley | 2/21/19

“Exceptions” and the Undermining of the Moral Law

Whenever we make small exceptions to universal moral rules, we shouldn’t be surprised that the rules themselves can be quickly undermined. Establishing an “exception” in one case makes people … more

Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph. D. | 2/21/19

All I Wanted Was a Toothbrush

While in my local drugstore recently, I was looking to buy a new toothbrush. Not as simple as it sounds! The number of available options made my purchase a daunting, irritating task. There were, … more

2/14/19

Authentic wealth is measured by how you work to improve the world around you, strive to live out God’s will

“Women and children first” has been the motto of gentlemen perhaps since the chivalrous days of the Middle Ages and certainly since the era of stiff courtesy that marked the nineteenth century. … more

Father John Kiley | 2/14/19

Belief transformed into faith

Jesus must have been pleased upon returning to his home town of Nazareth to find his opening words delivered on a Sabbath at the local synagogue to be well received by his neighbors and … more

Fr. John A. Kiley | 2/7/19