In a world hungry for all kinds of information, news, media, and gossip, Catholic communications must be different. Dedicated to sharing hope, telling stories of goodness, and creating spaces of dialogue, Catholic communication ministries proclaim in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pope Francis urged Catholics to develop “a different model of communication, different in spirit, different in creativity, in the poetic power that comes from the Gospel, and which is inexhaustible.” The Rhode Island Catholic strives to answer that call, building a solid foundation upon which we can effectively spread the Gospel.
In that spirit, I reach out to you today to encourage a stronger commitment to—and support for—Rhode Island Catholic, our diocesan newspaper. In an age dominated by digital noise and fleeting headlines, Rhode Island Catholic serves as a unique and vital purpose: it is the primary means by which we communicate the hyper-local Catholic news of our people, parishes, schools, social services, and ministries, right here in the Ocean State.
Since 1872, our newspaper has been a steadfast presence, chronicling our shared journey of faith. It is more than just a source of information; it is a source of inspiration and communion. Within its pages, you discover uplifting stories of discipleship, practical event listings for parish activities, and doctrinally sound teaching that nourishes the soul. These are the stories that often go untold in secular media—the quiet miracles, the dedicated service, and the vibrant faith that define our community.
The fourth oldest Catholic newspaper still in operation in the U.S., Rhode Island Catholic has long achieved much with minimal resources. The paper receives an annual subsidy from the Diocesan General Fund, but it only covers approximately 40 percent of the operating budget.
To continue publishing a diocesan newspaper, Rhode Island Catholic must raise the remaining 60 percent of its budget through advertising and sales of paid subscriptions, separate from the complementary ones that 12,000 out of our 15,000 reader households receive in the mail courtesy of the newspaper each week in recognition of their contributions to the Catholic Charity Appeal.
I appeal to you to deepen your commitment to this important ministry. Your greater support will ensure that the Rhode Island Catholic remains a strong, consistent voice for truth and evangelization for generations to come. Subscribe, read it faithfully, and share it with others. In doing so, you help to sustain a vital lifeline for our local Church, one that strengthens our bonds of community and deepens our understanding of the faith we share. Your generosity has always been a source of great inspiration, and I trust it will be again this year. Please use the envelope provided in this edition to make a generous donation to Rhode Island Catholic’s Christmas Appeal. May God bless you and may Our Lady of Providence keep you always in her care.
+Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.,
Bishop of Providence
Donations can also be made online securely by clicking the donate button below. Every single gift makes a difference and will help our paper fulfill its essential work.