Rhode Island Catholic

I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impuritiesand from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give youa new heart and place a new spirit within you. (Ez 36: … more

9/23/21

What Makes You A Catholic?

So, while I was walking down the aisle of a local supermarket recently, a very nice gentleman passing by asked me, out of the clear blue, “How are the Steelers going to do this year?” … more

9/16/21

The Lord Has Done Great Things For Us

So, the Diocese of Providence has now begun the celebration of its sesquicentennial – the 150th anniversary of its founding in 1872. Our jubilee, which will conclude in June of next year will … more

9/9/21

Jesus Doesn’t Take A Vacation

Summer is a time when many of us take a step back from our normal routines and unwind a little bit. The slower schedule at work and school, and the nicer weather (at least here in the north), afford … more

6/24/21

Are We Just Dust In The Wind?

I close my eyes only for a moment and the moment’s gone.All my dreams pass before my eyes, a curiosity.Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind.All we are is dust in the … more

6/17/21

The Deer And The Rosebush: A Parable

My friend loves roses. She sometimes even sees them as a divine sign that prayers have been answered, courtesy of St. Therese. My friend has a beautiful little rosebush in her yard that she cares for … more

6/10/21

Nip It! Nip It In The Bud!

Fans of the venerable TV program, the “Andy Griffith Show” will immediately recognize the names of the principal players: Sheriff Andy Taylor, Deputy Barney Fife, Opie Taylor, and Aunt … more

6/3/21

In Baseball And In Faith, Let’s Keep It Simple

I’m a lifelong baseball fan. As a kid growing up in Pittsburgh I followed the Pirates and cheered for players like Bill Mazeroski, Bob Friend, Elroy Face, and the incomparable Roberto Clemente. … more

5/27/21

The Spirit Of Unity

In praying to the Holy Spirit, as we do more with more intensity on Pentecost, one of the gifts we should long for is the unity of the Church. And it’s a very timely petition.When the Spirit … more

5/20/21

Longing, Thirsting For God

O God, you are my God, for you I long; For you my soul is thirsting.My body pines for you, Like a dry, weary land without water.For your love is better than life.On my bed I remember you.On you I … more

5/13/21

The Faces Behind The Headlines

The news in recent weeks has carried an unusual number of stories about awful tragedies that have occurred around the globe.I’m thinking of the sinking of the Indonesian submarine in which 53 … more

5/6/21

Confirmation Names

In celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation I’m often intrigued by, and sometimes bemused by, the names candidates take as they receive the sacrament.As you know, it’s customary, though … more

4/29/21

Don’t Be So Nebby

Unless you’re from Western Pennsylvania or are fluent in Pittsburghese, you’re probably not familiar with the word “nebby.” Although it has distant British roots, the word is … more

4/22/21

The Church: Walking Together

You’re probably very familiar with what happened to the two disciples of Jesus as they were walking to Emmaus on the day of the Resurrection. The event is recorded in St. Luke’s Gospel … more

4/15/21

A Potato Peeler Parable

A few years back, my nephew, who was still living in New England at the time, was coming to Providence to join me for dinner. Actually he was coming to Providence to cook dinner for me, because I … more

4/8/21

The Best Proof Of The Resurrection

The world has need of this people, today as yesterday, who will dedicate themselves with humility, courage and perseverance to the service of the Redemption and give concrete form, in good Christian … more

4/1/21

How Often We Fall

In the traditional Stations of the Cross written by St. Alphonsus Liguori, Jesus falls three times as he carries his Cross on the road to Calvary. It’s a brutal, painful scene to contemplate. … more

3/25/21

The Spiritual Path of St. Joseph

Often in life, things happen whose meaning we do not understand. Our first reaction is frequently one of disappointment and rebellion. Joseph set aside his own ideas in order to accept the course of … more

3/18/21

The Proper Use of Adjectives

Sometime ago, in an address to Church employees involved in communications, Pope Francis made some intriguing comments about the use of adjectives in public discourse. The Holy Father said that he is … more

3/11/21

Soon We’ll All Be In The Past Tense

Perhaps because I’m getting older, or maybe because I live in a cemetery, or maybe it’s the result of the coronavirus cloud lingering overhead – but I’ve been thinking a lot … more

3/4/21