Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

RI Right to Life sonographer Tracy Laberge tests the new machine by performing an ultrasound on fellow staff member Alex Bergeron, who is pregnant, as Father Mark Gadoury, Knights of Columbus state chaplain, and State Deputy Joseph Carrignan look on. The Knights of Columbus donated the $32,500 machine to RIRTL.

Knights donate new ultrasound machine to RIRTL

PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island State Council of the Knights of Columbus has donated a new ultrasound machine to Rhode Island Right to Life to assist the organization in its mission to protect … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 4/3/25

Rt. Reverend Exarch Joseph S. Haggar

LINCOLN — Rt. Reverend Exarch Joseph S. Haggar, better known as “Father Joe,” passed away peacefully early Sunday morning March, 23, on the third Sunday of Lent and the Veneration … more

4/1/25

Inside St. Pius V Parish in Providence. They’re offering confessions from now until Easter seven days a week.

Parish aims to bring Catholics to confession during Lent through 'House of Mercy' campaign

PROVIDENCE — St. Pius V Parish is providing a unique opportunity this Lent for all who wish to confess their sins, thanks to a Dominican priest with a special mission straight from the Vatican. … more

By Allison Shinskey, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 3/27/25

An image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is seen near the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican prior to the start of a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on her feast day, Dec. 12, 2024.

'Groundbreaking Perspective' of Guadalupe apparition offered at upcoming presentation

PROVIDENCE — The vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe prompts fascination and curiosity in Catholics throughout Mexico and the U.S. How was the Patroness of the Americas able to convert … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 3/27/25

Massimiliano Strappetti, the nurse who is Pope Francis' primary medical caregiver at the Vatican, adjusts a microphone for the pope as he greets a crowd of well-wishers at Rome's Gemelli hospital before returning to the Vatican March 23, 2025.

Pope knew he 'might not make it,' physician says

ROME — For Pope Francis’ medical team at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, Feb. 28 was the worst day. “For the first time I saw tears in the eyes of some of the people around … more

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service | 3/27/25

Father Louis T. Natalizia

PAWTUCKET — Reverend Louis T. Natalizia, 76, Pastor Emeritus of St. Mary Parish, Pawtucket, died March 16, 2025. Born in Providence, son of the late Emanuel and Ann (Agnoli) Natalizia, he … more

3/27/25

Father Paul J. Laporte

CUMBERLAND — Father Paul J. Laporte, 85, passed away at Mount St. Rita Health Centre in Cumberland after a brief illness, on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Born in Central Falls, he was a son of the … more

3/27/25

Ann Marie Raspallo

CRANSTON — Ann Marie (Peters) Raspallo, 81, of Cranston, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 16, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Deacon Thomas R. … more

3/27/25

The Powerful Example of King Baudouin

In all likelihood, you’ve never heard of him. His name was Baudouin, and he ruled the people of Belgium as their king for 42 years—from 1951-1993—except for 36 hours in April of … more

3/27/25

Lenten Books for Children and Adults

Since our oldest was a baby, we would spend hours reading. Now that said oldest is more than half-way to adulthood (gulp!) I treasure all the times that we spent snuggling together with our favorite … more

3/27/25

The everyday availability of God to the average believer must never be discounted

The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, was at one time the residence and home of the Russian Czars. Over the centuries the massive building also became the residence and home of some of the … more

3/27/25

A medical professional speaks with a patient during an ultra sound examination.

Unlike IVF, natural conception is 'waiting for the surprise gift of a new person'

Editor’s Note: This article is the second in a series on the Catholic viewpoints of reproductive technology. PROVIDENCE — In-vitro fertilization (IVF) has recently made big news as a … more

By KATHLEEN TROOST-CRAMER, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 3/27/25

Special Event Listings for 03.27.25

Archbishop Richard G. Henning to celebrate Chrism Mass PROVIDENCE — All are invited to attend the Chrism Mass on Monday, April 14, 6 p.m., at the Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul. The … more

3/27/25

A medical lab technologist operates an embryo vitrification during an intra cytoplasmic sperm injection process (ICSI) at a laboratory in Paris.

Catholics decry IVF order, but a global strategy to oppose IVF remains elusive

(OSV News ) -- In February, when President Donald Trump signed an executive order pledging his administration's support for in vitro fertilization, the U.S. Conference of Catholic … more

By Zoey Maraist, OSV News | 3/27/25

A Eucharistic Word: Remembrance

Remembrance is a central part of our Catholic faith. For the nine years I attended Catholic grade school, Friday afternoons of Lent were spent in church. The entire school community gathered to pray … more

By Michael R. Heinlein, OSV News | 3/20/25

Demythologizing Some Recent Catholic History

The National Catholic Reporter recently saw fit to mark Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s seventy-fifth birthday by perpetuating two myths—falsehoods, really—about events in contemporary … more

3/20/25

God’s self-revelation to Moses was the pre-cursor to the Holy Trinity

Devout Catholics are familiar with holy cards and stained-glass windows depicting saints in awe before the Divine Presence. Lourdes and Fatima recall several Heavenly appearances. Scripture scholars … more

3/20/25

Gathered in the La Salle Academy gymnasium, St. Rocco School of Johnston take on St. Luke’s School, Barrington.

Young athletes showcase skills and sportsmanship on the court

2025 Diocesan Basketball Tournament The Catholic Athletic League hosted the 2025 basketball championship March 8-9 and March 15-16 at area Catholic high schools. Hundreds of young athletes took … more

3/20/25

Pope Francis is seen in the chapel of his suite of rooms at Rome's Gemelli hospital March 16, 2025. The Vatican press office said the 88-year-old pope concelebrated Mass that morning.

Vatican releases first photo of Pope Francis since his hospitalization

ROME — For the first time since Pope Francis was hospitalized in mid-February, the Vatican press office released a photograph of him March 16; the image shows him concelebrating Mass that … more

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service | 3/20/25

From left, Peter Nguyen, executive director, St. Thomas More Teaching Fellows; Francis X. Maier, senior fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center; Father Ryan W. Connors, rector, Our Lady of Providence Seminary; Dr. James Keating, director, Humanities Program at Providence College; and Darryl De Marzio, executive director, Portsmouth Institute.

Unpacking Hope in the Jubilee Year at the Providence Catholicism and Culture Symposium

PROVIDENCE — The Jubilee Year of Hope is the perfect time to reflect on what hope really is — and according to the panelists at the 2025 Providence Catholicism and Culture Symposium, most … more

By Kathleen Troost-Cramer, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 3/20/25