Last week, in Newport, we held our biennial Priest Convocation in the Diocese of Providence. About 70 priests, roughly a third of our presbyterate, joined together for a couple days of fraternity, … more

I received word recently that my first grade teacher, Sister Claudia Kunzler, OSB, passed away. Sr. Claudia died at the age of 79 and in the 61st year of religious life. more

By now you know that I, along with the other bishops of New England, recently traveled to Rome to participate in the official Ad Limina Visit to the Vatican, and from previous articles you’re probably familiar with the structure and purpose of our visit. Here I’d like to mention a few personal experiences and reflections from our time there. more

“Why do you seek the Living One among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised.” (Lk 24: 5-6) So, a dear lady who was very upset at something I had posted on my Facebook page responded … more

This obituary of my grandfather, Michael, was sent to me by a distant cousin who has done considerable work with the family tree. more

To the deacon candidates about to be ordained for the service of Christ and His Church, we extend our very sincere congratulations, prayers and blessings on this day which is so important for you, for your families and friends, indeed for the entire Church. more

You probably know that just before Christmas Pope Francis had a rather serious talk with members of the Roman Curia, the Vatican bureaucracy, in which he challenged some of their attitudes and behaviors. The Pope listed 15 “diseases,” temptations to sin, which sometimes afflict members of the Curia. He encouraged the cardinals, bishops and priests to undertake an end-of-the-year examination of conscience so that their service to Christ and the Church would be purified. more

First, a very happy and blessed New Year to all! May 2017 be filled with health and happiness, grace and peace, for you and your loved ones. And with the beginning of the New Year comes our … more

Without a doubt the centerpiece of the Christmas Season is the Holy Family – Jesus, Mary and Joseph huddled together in the Bethlehem stable – always a beautiful and comforting scene for us. Is it any wonder that year after year we pause before the familiar manger displayed in our homes, churches – and sometimes public places – to gaze upon the Holy Family, say a little prayer and embrace a welcome moment of peace. more

• The Pope’s Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, is long, really long – 60,000 words, 325 paragraphs, 256 pages. That’s unfortunate. I’m convinced that the length of a Church document … more

In October a number of bishops from around the world will meet with Pope Francis in Rome to discuss the “Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization.” A similar meeting in October of 2015 will follow-up on the same topic. more

It seems that spring is in the air – not just in terms of the weather, but also in the life of the Church here in the Diocese of Providence. Spring always brings with it new life and as I survey the Church in Providence I find signs of new spiritual life just about everywhere. more

I suppose it’s typical for human beings to sometimes take our finest gifts for granted – our health, our faith, our family and our friends, for example. more

Recently I had the distinct privilege of returning to my home parish, St. Teresa of Avila Parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, to celebrate and preach the Eighth Grade Graduation Mass of the parish school. more

I was going to write about this topic anyhow, but the fact that I was accosted (in a friendly sort of way) by a nice lady after a recent parish event encouraged me to do so sooner, rather than later. The topic – using email. more

Well, dear reader, I hope you’ve had an enjoyable and relaxing summer. But now it’s time to get back to work, and so I reclaim my regular spot here in the Rhode Island Catholic. During the … more

Christ entered in triumph into His own city to complete His work as our Messiah: to suffer, die and rise again . . . Let us remember with devotion this entry which began His saving work . . . and let us follow Him with a lively faith. more

Well, dear readers, I hope you’ve had a very good summer with some personal time for relaxing, recreating and renewing. Hard to believe that it’s passed so quickly and that we’ve now re-entered … more

‘Twas the Day after Christmas, and all through the land, some people were happy,‘cause Christmas was bland. I’m certainly not the first one to pen a piece called “Twas the Day after … more

In doing some research for another project I’m working on, I came across an internet article that explained a belief and practice that’s been around for awhile but is, apparently, growing in popularity. The belief is that St. Joseph can help you sell real estate; the practice is to bury a statue of St. Joseph on the property you want to sell. more