My Hopes for Providence

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Next week, I will offer my final “State of Hope” column and attempt to find words that will express my affection for the good people of this diocese and state. In this, my penultimate column, I would like to risk giving some advice. I say risk as I am well aware that it takes decades to truly be considered a Rhode Islander, and you might rightly wonder how I can give advice after less than two years. On the other hand, I might point out that I have been pretty busy during these two years visiting more than one hundred parishes, every city and town, and our Catholic schools!
At the Mass of Welcome in January 2023, I rejoiced to live in the “State of Hope.” While sincere, that statement was made before I had a deeper sense of the beauty of this place. Now I can speak with more authority having met so many of you, prayed with you, and broken bread with you. As I said on the day of the Boston announcement, I have come to understand that you are the Hope in the “State of Hope.” Sure our coast and forests are beautiful, our cities and towns are full of beautiful churches and interesting architecture, and our restaurants tempt with many delights. For me, though, the true beauty and true delights are found in the people of this state.
So here is my advice as I travel north to Boston:
We are not small. I know that we are the smallest state, but we are communities with big hearts. I have rejoiced to be a part of this place and I hope that you do too.
We might be “geographically challenged,” but in a real sense it is this fact that underlies the remarkable closeness and warmth of the communities here. We know each other. Sure we can get on each other’s nerves when driving in traffic, but those two degrees of separation mean that we know our neighbors and we know when they need us. My advice is to teach this truth of connection and solidarity to a new generation so that this remarkable place will remain as hospitable and neighborly as it is — and maybe become more so!
In recent decades, too many of our brothers and sisters have drifted away from the practice of the faith. There are many reasons for the changes, but it is a source of grief to me and to so many of you. So know this, God is still at work and I have been seeing remarkable examples of people coming home to the Lord and to the Holy Eucharist. We are in a moment that challenges us to give witness to the mercy and healing power of the Lord in our own lives. I promise that there are many people, especially young people, that are longing to know Him. The priests are preaching to you in the pulpits, I am asking you to witness at the kitchen table and by the water cooler. You might just change someone’s life.
As I indicated above, our communities are very tight. It is one of our greatest assets. But there is a downside to our attachment to our local places and parishes. We sometimes forget that the Lord calls us to a larger mission. We will have to face the fact that some beloved buildings and parishes may no longer be effective for that mission. I was prepared to travel that road with you; now, I will leave that accompaniment to my successor. I advise you to give him your support for difficult decisions. It has meant the world to me, and I know it will be the same for him.
Pray for the next Bishop of Providence. Pray for him now even before you know his name. Pray that the Lord will give him the grace of loving this Church. Pray that he may be open to the movement of the Spirit and filled with love for all.
Forgive me for offering advice after only two years, I hope that you hear in this advice my deep affection for you and this place.