Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

Synodality Against Episcopacy?

After defining, within strict limits, the infallibility of papal teaching on faith and morals, the First Vatican Council intended to take up the parallel question of the authority of bishops in the … more

4/17/25

Continuing the work of Jesus through the ages

Cornelius, a Gentile military officer, was “…devout and God-fearing along with his whole household.” The Book of Acts recalls that he “… used to give alms generously … more

4/17/25

Rt. Reverend Exarch Joseph S. Haggar, better known as “Father Joe,” passed away peacefully early Sunday morning March 23, at the HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence. He was surrounded by family, parishioners, and Father Ephrem Kardouh, his successor at St. Basil the Great Melkite Catholic Church in Lincoln, where Father Joe served for over 58 of his 59 years as a Catholic priest.

‘Father Joe’ Haggar remembered for his sacrifice and service to Melkite Catholic Church

LINCOLN — Accompanied by a Knights of Columbus honor guard amid a crowd of parishioners, family, and friends, the Right Reverend Exarch Joseph S. Haggar, pastor emeritus of St. Basil the Great … more

By Kathleen Troost-Cramer, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 4/17/25

The Diocese of Providence worked with the USCCB to resettle this Afghan family in October 2022, after they were forced to flee because the father worked with the U.S. military before the government fell in a coup to the Taliban. The USCCB on April 7 decided not to renew its agreements with the federal government regarding immigration after President Donald Trump signed an order realigning the refugee admissions program on January 20.

Diocese will continue to serve refugees despite funding cuts

PROVIDENCE — Citing the United States’ inability to “absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities” without compromising the resources … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 4/17/25

Madonna Della Strada awardee 'the epitome' of Ignatian spirituality

NARRAGANSETT — The Order of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) are known for the practice of Ignatian spirituality, in which God is found through service to others and the world at large. The … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 4/17/25

Special Event Listings for 04.17.25

ASL interpreted Masses for Holy Week, Easter PROVIDENCE — The ASL interpreted Masses for Holy Week and Easter at St. Patrick Church, 244 Smith St., are as follows: Holy Thursday Mass of the … more

4/17/25

Local Catholics gathered for Palm Sunday Masses at parishes throughout the Diocese of Providence. Pictured at right center, Msgr. Albert A. Kenney, diocesan administrator, celebrated Holy Mass for Palm Sunday of the Passion of Our Lord at Holy Apostles Church, Cranston. At right, Father Nathan J. Ricci, J.C.L., vice chancellor of the Diocese of Providence celebrated Palm Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Providence Seminary, with Father Ryan Connors, S.T.D., Rector, concelebrating. The Mass began with the blessing of the palms and a procession with all the OLP seminarians around the seminary into the chapel, and included the solemn chanting of the Passion Narrative. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates the triumphant arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, days before he was crucified.

Palm Sunday in the Diocese of Providence

4/17/25

Retirement Fund for Religious

The Office for Planning and Financial Services reports the following donor contributions in support of the Retirement Fund for Religious Collection taken up in the parishes of the Diocese on the … more

4/17/25

Save the Date: Holy Mass of Installation for Most Rev. Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.

PROVIDENCE — You are invited to the Holy Mass of Installation for Most Rev. Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., to be celebrated Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 2 p.m. (procession to begin at 1:30 … more

4/11/25

A visit with the original Apostolic band, what they saw and passed on

The prophet Mohammed was not only an insightful preacher he was also a capable and quite successful military leader. Within his lifetime, most of Asia Minor and much of North Africa had been wrested … more

4/10/25

St. John Paul II greets the crowd in Czestochowa during his 1979 trip to Poland. The pontiff later became St. John Paul II when he was canonized April 27, 2014.

Pope St. John Paul II, Doctor of the Church?

The Catholic Church is prudently patient in awarding the title “Doctor of the Church” to her greatest teachers. However luminous someone’s explication of the truths of the Catholic … more

4/10/25

The Pope Shows us the Power of the Anointing of the Sick

For weeks the faithful waited to hear news of Pope Francis’s well-being. Prayers, novenas, rosaries and Masses were all offered for his health. Several times it seemed like he would not … more

4/10/25

We Don’t Fast Anymore as Catholics

Fasting is a form of penance that imposes limits on our consumption of food and drink. For centuries, it has been an integral part of Catholic life throughout the year to detach ourselves from … more

4/10/25

The goal of the Office of the Apostolate with People with Disabilities is to follow Jesus’s example and continue his ministry of bringing healing and salvation to all, but in a special way to the people they serve.

Providence parish offers Holy Week Masses for those with intellectual, developmental disabilities

PROVIDENCE — Ahead of Holy Week, one Providence parish in particular is offering people of all abilities experience the life and love of Christ. St. Patrick Church, located at 244 Smith St., … more

By Allison Shinskey, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 4/10/25

Local author’s book chronicles parish mission work in Haiti

By Jennifer Barton Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent HOPE VALLEY — “A forty-five-minute flight from Disneyworld, children are starving to death.” This was the message Kiki Latimer … more

4/10/25

Special Event Listings for 04.10.25

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

4/10/25

Pope Francis greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square at the end of the closing Mass for the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers at the Vatican April 6, 2025.

Pope begins to receive very limited visits

VATICAN CITY — As Pope Francis continues his recovery at the Vatican, he is very slowly beginning to get back to his old routine of meeting with top Vatican officials, the Vatican press office … more

By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service | 4/10/25

Pope Francis appoints Most Rev. Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. the tenth Bishop of Providence

It is with great joy we share that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bruce Alan Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., as the tenth Bishop of Providence! Bishop … more

4/8/25

‘Today, I give you my heart,’ Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., tells Rhode Islanders following his official appointment as the tenth Bishop of Providence

Tenth bishop of Providence appointed, seeks closeness with his flock on the journey

PROVIDENCE — There were several emotion-filled moments Tuesday as Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Bruce Alan Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., took to the podium only four hours after being named by Pope … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 4/8/25

Rhode Island Catholic wins two more New England Press Association awards

PORTLAND, Maine — On Saturday, March 29, the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) presented awards across 35 categories, highlighting the top newspaper and online news sites … more

4/3/25