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Have you ever noticed the brilliance of the starlight on a clear night in that last hour or two before the dawn? I have strong memories from childhood, being out with my dad on the bay, clutching the …
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11/30/23
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In business, education, politics and sports we crave and seek success. With success comes fame, prosperity, power. The successful set the standard and they bask in the glory. Do people remember the …
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11/22/23
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When I was a small child, my mother would walk my siblings and me down to early Mass at the parish on Thanksgiving Day. In those early years, the daily Mass had the usual crowd. Over the years, that …
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11/16/23
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This past weekend, I spent Sunday afternoon with the State Conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. The conference here has been helping people in need for 170 years and counting! I am …
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11/9/23
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As I meet with the priests and religious of the Diocese of Providence, I like to ask individuals to share the story of their call to the priesthood or the religious life. The responses are as varied …
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11/2/23
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There are things in this world that are worse than death. Chief among them is the loss of one we hold dear. If we are fortunate, we love someone enough that we would risk or even give our lives to …
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10/26/23
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The early church spread rapidly across the Mediterranean world. The efficient Roman roads carried missionaries such as Paul and Barnabas. The violent attempts by the Roman Empire to stop the spread …
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10/19/23
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On Sunday, I enjoyed a beautiful day on Federal Hill for the Columbus Day festival and parade. After the parade and some wonderful Italian food, I walked back to the Cathedral and happened to meet a …
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10/12/23
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A print of a famous Caravaggio painting of Saint Jerome hangs on my office wall. Saint Jerome was a foundational biblical scholar and is recognized as the patron saint of those who study and …
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10/5/23
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When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, Moses feared “looking upon God.” It is not an unreasonable reaction to an encounter with the infinite. Like all human beings, Moses was a …
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9/28/23
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Over the years and in a variety of circumstances, I have had the opportunity to provide pastoral care to police officers. As a result, I have seen the enormous pressures that the job places on …
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9/21/23
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At this time of year, it is common to celebrate Masses of the Holy Spirit. The best known of these are the “Red Masses” celebrated near the opening of the Supreme Court session. Called …
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9/14/23
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Maybe it’s the summer weather, maybe it’s the habit learned over our years of schooling, but summer always seems to promise time for rest, recreation and some much-needed lazy days. I …
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9/7/23
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At the borders of Rhode Island, there is usually a blue sign that states “Discover Beautiful Rhode Island.” I have been taking that invitation very seriously — using my first months …
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8/24/23
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“I will give you shepherds after my own heart.” Jer 3:15 In 1992, three months before I was ordained a priest, Saint Pope John Paul II offered an Apostolic Exhortation concerning …
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7/27/23
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It has been a singular blessing to be appointed by Pope Francis to minister in the Diocese of Providence. I am doing my best to learn the ways and the beauty of my new Rhode Island home. There are so …
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7/13/23
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“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the …
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6/29/23
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Last week, I spoke of my gratitude to, and admiration for, our priests. I also invited all of us to pray for our priests by invoking the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This week, I would like to …
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6/22/23
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Two weeks ago, I offered some thoughts on the importance of the Church of the home and the crucial role of good mothers and fathers in the spiritual care of their children. That sacred calling is …
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6/15/23
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You may have noticed that most parish churches use beautiful and sometimes ornate gold or silver chalices for the celebration of Holy Mass. How would you feel if you happened to see your parish …
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6/8/23
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