Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

Providence College began construction in the summer of 2023 on a new School of Nursing and Health Sciences on the site of Fennell Hall. The building includes a 7,000-square- foot suite that simulates a hospital floor for acute-care patients.

Providence College’s new Ben Mondor Center for Nursing and Health Sciences opens for students

PROVIDENCE — The Ben Mondor Center for Nursing and Health Sciences at Providence College officially opened to students on Monday, Jan. 13, the start of spring semester. PC President Father … more

1/16/25

Special Event Listings for 01.16.25

Knights to Sponsor Youth Basketball Free Throw Championship PORTSMOUTH — All boys and girls ages 9 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition for the Knights of Columbus … more

1/16/25

A visitor touches and passes through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2024, following its opening by Pope Francis during the Christmas Mass at Night on Dec. 24, 2024, marking the start of the Holy Year of 2025.

St. Peter’s Holy Door sees more than half million pilgrims in two weeks

VATICAN CITY — More than half a million pilgrims crossed the threshold of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the first two weeks after Pope Francis opened it. From Dec. 24, when the … more

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service | 1/9/25

Special Event Listings for 01.09.25

Little Flower Home seeks volunteers PROVIDENCE — Do you have the compassion and the space to host a homeless pregnant woman in your home? If Jesus calls you to extend this welcome, you can … more

1/9/25

State Police give generously to a Rhode Island family in need

PROVIDENCE — Members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) recently sponsored a Rhode Island family in need, giving them a wonderful, unexpected Christmas gift of $1,000 … more

1/9/25

Sister Ursula Marie McGovern, O.P.

BLAUVELT, N.Y. — Sister Ursula Marie McGovern, a member of the Sisters of Saint Dominic for 71 years, entered eternal life on December 24, 2024. Sister Ursula was born in the Bronx, N.Y. to … more

1/9/25

Reverend Raymond C. Theroux

NEWPORT — Reverend Raymond C. Theroux, 85, pastor emeritus of St. John Vianney Parish, Cumberland, died on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at St. Clare Home in Newport. Born in West Warwick to the … more

1/9/25

Sister Madeleine McGill, O.P.

BLAUVELT, N.Y. — Sister Madeleine McGill, O.P., a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, N.Y., for 74 years, died on November 29, 2024. Sister Madeleine was born in Pawtucket, to … more

1/9/25

Your award-winning diocesan newspaper is celebrating its 150 year anniversary in 2025

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island Catholic, which began and flourished for nearly all of its 150 years as The Providence Visitor, celebrates its sesquicentennial in 2025. The venerable newspaper of the … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 1/9/25

‘Trust in Providence’ as 100th Catholic Charity Appeal campaign launches in diocese

PROVIDENCE — The 100th annual Catholic Charity Appeal launched on January 6 in the diocese with the theme “Trust in Providence,” and a goal of raising 7.5 million. In a letter to … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 1/9/25

The baptized Christ united himself with a sinful mankind

Born in Quebec, raised in Fall River, and spending her final years in Woonsocket, Marie Rose Ferron (1902-36) is a much-respected and devout soul. To this day, La Petite Rose is revered by many for … more

1/9/25

Being ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ in the Digital Landscape

The Jubilee Year 2025 is upon us, and Pope Francis has asked that we all attempt to be “pilgrims of hope” to witness to the love and power of Jesus Christ in the world today. What does … more

By Sister Hosea Rupprecht, OSV News | 1/9/25

Jubilee 2025: New Year’s resolutions and resources

Jubilee 2025 began on Christmas Eve 2024, with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s in Rome, and will conclude on January 6, 2026, when that door of the Vatican basilica is closed. The … more

1/9/25

The parish hall of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence, was packed with participants on December 7. More than 200 attended, twice as many as last year. The conference also featured dozens of local ministries and vendors selling books, rosaries and prayer cards.

R.I. Catholic Women’s Conference talks Mary, power of reflection

PROVIDENCE — Just two days before the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the parish hall of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul was filled with women of all ages and vocations. Their goal … more

By Allison Shinskey, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 1/9/25

The Pope Pius XII Council 5295, based out of St. Thomas More Parish in Narragansett, became the first New England chapter of the Knights of Columbus organization to receive a prestigious award during the group’s international convention in Quebec earlier this year.

St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus win award for work in Jamaica

NARRAGANSETT — The Knights of Columbus in Narragansett were recently honored with an international award for their work with orphaned children and adults with disabilities at an orphanage in … more

By Allison Shinskey, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 1/9/25

Hope springs from the Eternal City for the Jubilee Year

ROME — Romans 5:5 states that “Hope does not disappoint,” and these words resound amid the chaos of the modern world. Perhaps that is why Pope Francis announced 2025 as Jubilee Year … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 1/9/25

Mary’s Motherly Work

“In saying that Mary is ‘a mother to us in the order of grace’ the [Second Vatican] Council stresses that her spiritual motherhood is not limited to the disciples alone, as though … more

12/19/24

The inspired example of the Blessed Mother

St. Ambrose of Milan (d.397) might have been the first theologian to acknowledge the Blessed Virgin Mary as Mother of the Church. Quite recent examinations of his writings reveal that the ancient … more

12/19/24

As local faithful and clergy gather at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady Guadalupe, they commemorate a moment in Catholic history that lies at the intersection of important elements of faith and culture.

Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

PROVIDENCE — The Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul was nearly filled to capacity for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the yearly celebration which represents an important day for both … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 12/19/24

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: Children from St. Teresa School in Pawtucket smile before the school nativity scene.

Tracing the origins of some of our favorite Christmas carols

Nothing rings in the holiday season like Christmas carols. Although stores and radio stations bombard the average person with Christmas music as soon as the calendar turns to November, Catholic … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 12/19/24