Rhode Island Catholic

In response to the tragic events in Johnston last week, St. Raphael Academy is hosting a fundraising page for the May family at www.saintrays.org/give/may-family-fund. The high school also held a $2 pink dress down day in the family’s honor, and made it known that families wishing to donate more could do so. Students and families overwhelmingly rose to the occasion with more than $5,000 raised as of last Friday from the dress down day.

St. Raphael Academy rallies around one of their own wounded in shooting

PAWTUCKET — The St. Raphael Academy community is rallying around one of their own after a freshman was wounded in a tragic shooting last week that also killed her father, a well-known and … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 6/1/23

Keep the Heat On provided more than $285,000 in heating assistance in its' 18th season

PROVIDENCE — Since 2005, the Keep the Heat On program has been an important aspect of Bishop Thomas J. Tobin’s ministry to the state of Rhode Island. Secretary James Jahnz of the Office … more

Laura Kilgus, Associate Editor | 6/1/23

The Blessed Trinity and ‘Gay Marriage’

This weekend the Church celebrates Trinity Sunday. The dogma of the Trinity—which teaches us that there is one God in three Divine Persons—may sound theoretical and abstract, but in … more

6/1/23

Our Lady of Champion, Pray for us!

Our Lady has appeared in many places throughout the world in the last two centuries, some of which (such as Fatima and Lourdes) are familiar to most of us. But many Catholics are not aware of the one … more

6/1/23

John Paul II’s Centesimus Annus and today’s debates

In a recent article on the social doctrine of John Paul II in the Jesuit journal La Civiltà Cattolica, Father Fernando de la Iglesia Viguiristi, SJ, had this to say about one facet of John … more

6/1/23

Christian life is a glimpse of heaven

“O God, our refuge and our strength…,” begins a traditional prayer for the needs of the Church. “Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus..,” introduces the prayer … more

6/1/23

Special Event Listings for 06.01.23

Presbyteral Ordination of Rev. Mr. Patrick Ryan PROVIDENCE — On Saturday, June 24, 10 a.m., Bishop Richard G. Henning will celebrate Holy Mass with the ordination of Rev. Mr. Patrick Ryan to … more

6/1/23

‘The Domestic Church’

Here in the Diocese of Providence, the spring confirmation season has just concluded. Bishop Tobin, Bishop Evans and I have been traveling across the diocese since April for the conferral of this … more

6/1/23

rovidence College students take part in the 107th commencement at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on May 21 in Providence. The ceremony began with a prayer by Bishop Richard G. Henning and the keynote address was presented by actor Hill Harper.

At PC commencement, grads encouraged to use faith, education as compass

PROVIDENCE — More than 1,000 students, families and friends and faculty of Providence College celebrated the 107th annual commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 21 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 6/1/23

Talia Asvestas and Grace Pelletier celebrate on the lawn after the ceremony on Sunday, May 21, 2023.

Salve Regina's Class of 2023 urged to embrace power of imagination

NEWPORT— Salve Regina University held a commencement ceremony for undergraduate students on Sunday, May 21. A total of 804 degrees were conferred to members of the Class of 2023 along with … more

By Katie Jahnz, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 6/1/23

The Most Reverend Ernest Bertrand Boland, O.P., D.D.

PAWTUCKET — The Most Reverend Ernest Bertrand Boland, O.P., D.D., died on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, 2023, at the Jeanne Jugan Residence (Little Sisters of the Poor) in Pawtucket, R.I., where he … more

6/1/23

Catholic Communications: How the Good News Gets Around in the Diocese

PROVIDENCE — The Catholic Communication Campaign is an annual national collection to support evangelization through the internet, television, radio, and print publications. This annual … more

6/1/23

Bishop Reed’s column featured a warm and inclusive message

TO THE EDITOR: I was so pleased to read the column by Bishop Reed (“Sabbath: A blessing we should think about accepting,” May 11). The Bishop has a warm and inclusive message for all … more

5/25/23

Father David G. Thurber Jr., pastor of St. Barnabas Church, Portsmouth, offers words of welcome and gratitude during his promotion ceremony on Monday, April 24. Father Thurber was promoted the rank of lieutenant colonel as a chaplain in the Rhode Island National Guard.

St. Barnabas pastor receives military promotion as chaplain

PORTSMOUTH — Although such ceremonies are normally held on a military base, it seemed most appropriate that the promotion of Chaplain Father David G. Thurber Jr. from the rank of major to … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 5/25/23

Pope Francis makes the sign of the cross in front of a Marian statue after consecrating the world and, in particular, Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a Lenten penance service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 25, 2022.

Pope Francis adds Fátima visit to World Youth Day trip

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima during his trip to Portugal for World Youth Day 2023, the Vatican said. In a statement May 22, Matteo Bruni, … more

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service | 5/25/23

Assignments 05.25.23

PASTORS Reverend Scott J. Carpentier, to Pastor, St. Martha Parish, East Providence, while remaining as Pastor, St. Brendan Parish, Riverside, effective July 1, 2023 Reverend Robert H. Forcier, from … more

5/25/23

The Providence College and St. Pius V community helped to make Mary Garvey’s 90th birthday extra special. While a formal birthday party with her beloved friends was out of the question, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, that did not stop loved ones from marking Garvey’s milestone with a social-distanced celebration. Dozens of cars lined the street, slowly parading by one-by-one, in front of her house — and then turning around to say “hello” once more. Familiar faces honked their horns and held signs out their sunroofs, Many waved and blew kisses out the window — all wishing their friend a happy 90th birthday.

In Memory of Mrs. Garvey

PROVIDENCE — Mary (Dolan) Garvey, 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023. Garvey, who lived in the Smith Hill neighborhood all of her … more

5/25/23

Sacred Memory

During this month of May, I have continued my tour of this beautiful state. In recent weeks, I have had the privilege of participating in several memorial gatherings. On May 6, I traveled to the … more

5/25/23

Bishop Richard G. Henning celebrated Mass with the Christian Brothers in Narragansett on May 15, marking the Solemnity of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and patron saint of teachers.

Recent Pastoral Visits

5/25/23

Two seniors from Bishop Hendricken High School have earned appointments to the U.S. Air Force & U.S. Naval Academies. Pictured from left, Father Robert L. Marciano, president, Christien Monello, Robert Connor Shao, Mark DeCiccio, principal.

Two Bishop Hendricken students earn U.S. service academy appointments

WARWICK — Bishop Hendricken High School has announced that two members of the Class of 2023 earned United States service academy appointments. Christien Monello and Robert Connor Shao both … more

5/25/23