Blessed Michael J. McGivney, the first U.S. parish priest to be canonized, served the Church at a time in our country’s history when Catholics were resented and discriminated against. Father McGivney established the Knights of Columbus to inspire the men of his parish to become more devoted to their faith and thereby improve their self-esteem, to be better husbands and fathers to their families, to support their parish, and to provide financial aid to Catholic widows and orphans in order to keep their families together after they died. He died just two days after his 38th birthday, the victim of the influenza pandemic. It was said that “He was a man of the people.”
We celebrated Blessed McGivney’s second Feast Day this past August 13, and this recent anniversary has given me a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the example he has set for the parish priests of our day.
As a Rhode Island Knight currently serving as Supreme Director on the Council Board of Directors of the Knights of Columbus, which oversees councils worldwide, I have had the good fortune to travel about the state to attend Masses and events and to witness the good works of many of the priests that lead our parishes. At a time when our clergy are being held responsible for the failings of a few within their ranks, my observation is that most continue to persevere in doing God’s will, and leading us to salvation in Heaven. We should be grateful. Eternity is a long time!
As an out-of-stater in the 90s who planned to marry Lee Ann Farley, a Rhode Island girl, my wife’s mother was dealing with a terminal illness and it was important to her that we were married at her parish.
Father Richard Valentine, of St. Michael’s Church in Smithfield, inspired us to always have God as a partner in our marriage, and to give ourselves and our union to His will. Father Valentine also offered the Funeral Mass a few years later for Lee Ann’s mom. His friendship, and his inspiration have served us well during the last 29 years.
A few years later, we moved from Connecticut to North Kingstown and registered at St. Bernard’s Church, where we have reaped the benefits of knowing wonderful pastors. Msgr. Jerry Sabourin, who despite being past the age of retirement, continues to work tirelessly on behalf of those with intellectual disabilities at the Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Community.
Father Dennis Reardon, now retired, engaged parishioners so well that our Mass attendance dictated we build a new church. When my wife’s dad passed away suddenly, it was Father Dennis who consoled our family and brought us closure. He was followed by Father Jack Unsworth, who took the parish to new heights with the addition of a church hall and offices, so as to better provide for the growing needs of the parish.
Today, we have the good fortune to have Father David Gaffney as our pastor. Father Gaffney’s greatest strength could be his wonderful ability to connect with so many of us. We truly feel he has our spiritual life as his primary goal. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are attending Mass – including many young families, and this 160-year-old parish is again building a new life.
My Knights of Columbus Council has greatly benefitted from having a number of good and faithful priests serve as our chaplain. The late Father Paul Bolton, U.S. Army, retired, shepherded us with a great pride in our Catholic faith and had the good-natured demeanor of someone who genuinely cared for our spiritual well-being. It was not uncommon to have him in the kitchen helping the guys prepare a meal. Father Nick Smith brought a positive enthusiasm for our Corporal Works of Mercy and an appreciation for our members. His personal stories of faith always left us wanting more. His selfless example continues to inspire us.
Every other year the Rhode Island Knights of Columbus State Council honors a chaplain from one of the 46 councils in our diocese that was nominated by his council for best exemplifying the spirit of Blessed McGivney.
Recent awardees include Father John Soares, pastor of St. Thomas Church, Providence; Father TJ Varghese, then-pastor of St. Eugene Church, Chepachet, who is now pastor of Mary, Mother of Mankind Church, Providence, and who volunteers his time to feed the hungry in the capital city; Father Francis O’Laughlin, pastor of Jesus Savior Church, Newport; Father David Thurber, formerly of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus, Pawtucket and now pastor of St. Barnabas Church, Portsmouth; and Father Mike Sisco, then-pastor of St. John Paul II and now pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Cranston. Father Mike reminded us that God doesn’t ask us to be good, as in being responsible citizens or respectful, as much as he calls us to be holy. Many of us had never really considered the difference. Thanks again, Father Sisco!
We appreciate the many priests who routinely go above and beyond their parish responsibilities to bring God’s Word to us. Father Marcel Taillon, pastor of St. Thomas More/St. Veronica’s in Narragansett, is a contributor on Relevant Radio. Father Francesco Francese, pastor of Holy Ghost Church, also serves as director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, as well as the visiting priest at the hospitals every Friday, bringing hope and the Eucharist to bed-bound patients.
Father Scott Carpentier, pastor at St. Brendan Church, East Providence, is also chaplain for the Mother of Life Center. Father Chris Murphy is the rector of the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence and also serves as chaplain for the Men of St. Joseph International. Father Brian Morris, pastor of St. Luke Church, Barrington, also serves as chaplain for the Serra Club and McVinney Foundation; and Father Nathan Ricci, vice chancellor and administrative assistant to the Bishop, oversees the administration of McVinney Auditorium and was also the educational and cultural chairman for the diocese’s highly successful 150th Anniversary celebration, which concluded in June.
We remember fondly Father Bob Perron, who was pastor of St. Michael’s in South Providence He was also a director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the Providence-Haiti Outreach organization. He died suddenly a few years ago just hours before he was expected to celebrate Mass.
Perhaps no priest has had more of a positive impact on our family as Father Joe Paquette, now retired but still saying Masses at multiple parishes that need his help. A former La Sallette Brother, Father Joe has served as pastor at St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Parish in Pawtucket among others, and has served on the National Committee for Catholic Schools and as chaplain for the Rhode Island Knights of Columbus State Council for the past 20 years.
No matter his role, Father Joe brings a very real and personal enthusiasm to each of his liturgies and services. His September 11 Memorial Masses are memorable, and his annual Memorial Mass for deceased members of the Knights is a touching tribute to those that have entered Eternal Life, and a real solace to those left behind. But mostly, it is his personal way with people. A memorable example was the time we were dining at a restaurant at the opposite end of the state from where he served as pastor, and the hostess, upon seeing him gushed, “Father Joe, you baptized all five of my children!” Her delight was real, and so is ours. We are all clearly better Catholics with his guidance and friendship.
These are but a few of the many good priests of the Diocese of Providence whom we have come to know and respect. Please join me in regularly thanking our Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Sisters of the Diocese of Providence, all of whom are truly men and women of the people for everything they do for all of us!
Michael Benson is Supreme Director on the Council Board of Directors of the Knights of Columbus, which oversees the Knights worldwide. He is a member of the board of Bishop McVinney School; the Bishop McVinney Foundation and the Bishop McVinney Auditorium. He also serves as a member of the Serra Club, Men of St. Joseph International, the Mother of Life Center and Servants of Christ for Life. He is a parishioner of St. Bernard Church, North Kingstown.
Editor’s Note: As the USA Council of Serra International celebrates Priesthood Sunday across the nation in the weeks leading up to Vocations Awareness Week (which will be observed November 6-12 as a weeklong celebration dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education), Rhode Island Catholic invites our readers to share their reflections of the positive and inspiring interactions they have had with their priests over the years. Please send your reflections to editor@thericatholic.com for publication.
