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PROVIDENCE — When you have a long history of managing large-scale projects in your portfolio, even retirement can’t slow you down from taking on new ones.
Msgr. Raymond B. Bastia stepped down this summer after serving for 18 years as the diocesan vicar for Planning and Finance. In that role, he oversaw many major capital investment projects that revitalized the face of diocesan infrastructure.
Now, he rises early each day, pleased to put his long-admired business acumen and project oversight into practice in service to the diocese. But instead of going to his old office next door in the chancery building, Msgr. Bastia is able to work from home now — literally — as he serves as the representative from the Cathedral for the first phase of a major, much-needed renovation of the Cathedral Residence, where he resides, and the attached convent.
“This isn’t gilding the lily, this is protecting the envelope,” Msgr. Bastia says in a matter-of-fact manner that underscores his signature fiscally conservative approach to such large capital projects.
The kid who grew up on Federal Hill among a large, loving family with ancestral roots in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy learned how to be a good steward of church resources early on in his ministry, first as a pastor.
This would go on to earn him the accolades of an archbishop for his dedicated service as he stepped down recently.
“I have personally benefited from his broad and deep knowledge of our diocese and its parishes and institutions. I have learned to value his precise mind, humble dedication and great wisdom. Whenever I asked for information, his reports were rapid, thorough, and insightful,” Archbishop Richard G. Henning said of Msgr. Bastia at his retirement.
The shepherd said the diocese has benefited tremendously from Msgr. Bastia’s leadership and guidance, and he credited his vicar of finance with working diligently to restore the health of diocesan pension funds.
“He does not care for attention, nor does he seek praise. Nonetheless, I felt compelled to share my gratitude concerning him and my fond and sincere wishes that his well-deserved retirement from administrative work will be long and healthy,” Archbishop Henning added.
“It has been a singular blessing to have such competent guidance from a man who is also such an authentic disciple and priest of the Lord.”
Msgr. Bastia came to the Planning and Finance Office in July 2006, serving first as an assistant to Msgr. William McCaffrey, the vicar of Planning and Financial Services, for six months.
“There was much to learn when I got here,” Msgr. Bastia said, reflecting on his 18 years in the office. “What I brought to it was a sense of experience in administration.”
He had already led several parishes as a pastor, some of which needed restructuring and realignment of priorities to maximize their efficiency.
He also added to his growing management resume by running capital campaigns and overseeing construction projects and introducing finance councils.
“The purpose of the transitional period was to give me an introduction to the work here in the office and on this level. There was a lot of on-the job training, but it was helpful to have the experience of working at the parish level. That was a helpful experience to have as part of my skill set.” Msgr. Bastia said.
He took over as vicar of finance just before the Great Recession of 2007 began, recalling it as a “really challenging time.”
As the economic climate improved over the ensuing years, larger capital projects were back on the table.
When Bishop Thomas J. Tobin sought to revitalize the long-dormant, Bishop McVinney Auditorium, Msgr. Bastia oversaw the $4 million capital project that developed the space into a state-of-the-art, 750-seat performance venue, which the diocese also rents to outside groups as a means to recover some of the renovation costs.
“It turned out to be a much larger project than was originally anticipated,” Msgr. Bastia said.
Asbestos removal became a more significant issue as the project got underway.
“Even the plans didn’t show how it had been applied and so there was a tremendous amount of abatement that had to be done,” he said, noting how extensive removal was required when the fire-retardant material was found in the walls and sprayed onto the girders of the building.
And the change in fire codes over the years necessitated a separate heating and air conditioning system for the auditorium, even though it is connected to the chancery building, adding unforeseen expenses.
After 18 months of extensive renovation work, the venue was rededicated in 2015.
Msgr. Bastia would oversee even larger capital projects in the years ahead, including the extensive cathedral roof and towers projects, which together cost more than $15 million.
He oversaw the largest capital campaign in the history of the diocese, Grateful for God’s Providence, which raised nearly $55 million to support diocesan and parish operations.
He also took a very hands-on approach to the reorganization of diocesan operations at One Cathedral Square, including the physical relocation of the Rhode Island Catholic and Catholic Charities and Social Ministries Offices from Broad Street to the chancery about 12 years ago.
He introduced a program to significantly reduce the number of diocesan payables by parishes and agencies, such as assessments for insurance, medical programs and pensions.
“We’re in a much better position now than we were years and years back,” Msgr. Bastia said.
He also drafted policies for the interparish loan fund that continue to be followed today.
Msgr. Bastia also edited three editions of the diocesan administrative norms and policies manual, which didn’t exist in that format before.
“I did not do all this alone; it was done with very good and experienced staff,” Msgr. Bastia said.
Diocesan CFO Michael F. Sabatino has worked with Msgr. Bastia in the Planning and Financial Services Office for the vicar’s entire tenure.
“It’s been a wonderful run these past 18 years for the Vicariate of Planning and Financial Services under Msgr. Bastia’s leadership and watchful eyes,” Sabatino told Rhode Island Catholic.
“He has many positive attributes; some of the ones that really stand out are his commitment to excellence; consistency in his day-to-day leadership style and his true love of the Catholic Church and the mission it stands for. “
Sabatino said that Msgr. Bastia maintained an open-door policy and was always ready to listen to differing viewpoints on issues.
“We have done much over these past 18 years to secure the financial future of the Diocese of Providence,” he said, noting Msgr. Bastia’s leadership role in securing the financial security of the Priest Pension Plan, which, less than a decade ago, was less than 45% funded and headed for bankruptcy.
“Under his guidance and leadership, it now stands at over 100% funded. Our current retired priests and active priests, who will one day retire, can be thankful for what Msgr. Bastia did,” Sabatino said.
Sabatino said that while he would miss Msgr. Bastia’s leadership in the office, he will miss his friendship even more so.
“God Bless my friend and many, many happy years of retirement,” he wished for him.
Executive Assistant Barbara Langlois said that Msgr. Bastia truly personifies the virtues of a disciple of Jesus Christ.
“He faithfully demonstrates commitment and devotion to his spiritual life as a priest and as a human being,” she said. “He is a man of great intelligence and integrity which is a testament to his character. His penchant for accountability and hands-on approach has been evident in his leadership roles in serving as pastor and as vicar for Planning and Finance.”
Langlois also spoke of Msgr. Bastia’s extreme generosity, including the literal sharing of the fruits of his labor as an avid gardener with many in the chancery.
“I would be remiss in saying I will miss the produce and occasional spinach pies and pepper biscuits that he brought into the Office of Planning and Finance. He has been a kind and fair boss and one whom I will miss. I extend my heartfelt blessings to him for a healthy and successful retirement.”
Msgr. Bastia reflects very positively on his early days growing up in the Federal Hill section of Providence.
“Looking back it was good. We didn’t have a lot of the amenities that people have today, but the neighborhood was a unique experience. It was a very ethnic place, a very Italian place. We lived on the same street, my family, for 40 years, not all in the same house,” he said.
The middle of three sons, he lived with his parents Anthony and Theresa (De Palma), older brother Anthony and younger brother Edward.
His paternal grandmother, Laura, a widow, lived with them.
She hailed from what he affectionately calls Italy’s tortellini belt, and he recalls enjoying so many delicious dinners that began with homemade dough rolled and cut into ravioli, tortellini and fettucini.
“We had the best of Italian culture and cuisine,” he said.
He started his education at the Kenyon Street School in Providence and would later attend La Salle Academy before switching over to Our Lady of Providence Seminary.
“A priest was encouraging [a vocation], and I thought I’d give it a try,” he said.
“That’s how I started out, with fear and trepidation and prayer,” he joked.
Before he knew it he was off to Rome to attend seminary at the Pontifical North American College.
In those days, seminarians traveled by ship, and he found himself traveling to the Eternal City aboard a steamer with classmates from around the country. The members of that class n the 50th anniversary of such a departure for seminary study.
Msgr. Bastia was ordained on Aug. 2, 1975, at Our Lady of Grace Parish, Johnston by Bishop Louis E. Gelineau.
He began his ministry as an assistant pastor at St. Mary Parish, Cranston, for five years, then taught at Our Lady of Providence Seminary High School for eight years, until 1989, earning a master’s degree in counseling from Rhode Island College in 1984.
He then served as assistant pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, West Warwick, from 1989-1990, then as pastor of Our Lady of Grace, Johnston, from 1990-1997. He then became pastor of St. Ann Parish, Providence, from 1997-2006, at which time he became pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Providence, where he served as shepherd until he retired, while continuing as vicar of Planning and Finance.
In his work, he was always diligent in seeking ways to improve the policies and procedures of the diocese.
“I think we are in a good position. Financially we are in a good position,” he said at the end of his tenure.
“That’s a great tribute to Bishop [Thomas J.] Tobin and Archbishop Henning in terms of their leadership and their expectations. Under their leadership, there have always been clear expectations and that’s a very positive thing. In the end the results speak for themselves.”
Msgr. Bastia also served on more than a dozen committees over the years to ensure things always run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
“At the end of the day I would like to be remembered as fair as someone who stewarded the patrimony of the diocese.”
collectively compiled a newsletter to mark the 50th anniversary of such a departure for seminary study.
Msgr. Bastia was ordained on Aug. 2, 1975, at Our Lady of Grace Church, Johnston by Bishop Louis E. Gelineau.
He began his ministry as an assistant pastor at St. Mary Parish, Cranston, for five years, then taught at Our Lady of Providence Seminary High School for eight years, until 1989. He also earned a master’s degree in counseling from Rhode Island College in 1984.
He then served as assistant pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, West Warwick, from 1989-1990, then as pastor of Our Lady of Grace, Johnston, from 1990-1997. He then became pastor of St. Ann Parish, Providence, from 1997-2006, at which time he became pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Providence, where he served as shepherd until 2018, while continuing as vicar of Planning and Finance. Since 2018 he has resided at the Cathedral rectory.
Msgr. Bastia said he has always sought to improve the policies and procedures of the diocese.
Financially we are in a good position,” he said at the end of his tenure.
“That’s a great tribute to Bishop [Thomas J.] Tobin and Archbishop Henning in terms of their leadership and their expectations. Under their leadership, there have always been clear expectations and that’s a very positive thing. In the end the results speak for themselves.”
“At the end of the day I would like to be remembered as fair and as someone who stewarded the patrimony of the diocese.”
