Diocese to be featured in USCCB video reflections
PROVIDENCE — The Diocese of Providence will participate in weekly video reflections for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops throughout the month of January. Links to the reflections will be available on www.dioceseofprovidence.org and diocesan social media pages on the following dates: January 4, 2017 offered by Father Christopher J. Murphy; January 11, 2017 offered by Father Joseph R. Upton; January 18, 2017 offered by Sister Elizabeth Castro, HMSP; and January 25, 2017 offered by Msgr. John C. Halloran. Recordings are funded in part by donations to the Catholic Communication Campaign.
Vocations Drawing Contest
PROVIDENCE — The Office of Vocations for the Diocese of Providence is pleased to announce the 2016 Vocations Drawing Contest. This has been a fun and popular event to begin conversations with young people about vocations. Last year the Office of Vocations received almost 1,000 drawings. The Office of Vocations invites all students in grades 1-8 to submit drawings for the Vocations Drawing Contest. Gift cards of $50 will be awarded for outstanding entry in each grade. The drawing should reflect a priest or religious sister or brother serving others. All entries should be submitted to a Catholic school teacher, catechist or youth group leader by December 21, 2016. Winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded in January 2017.
The Empty Manger: Caroling and Prayer at Planned Parenthood
PROVIDENCE — The Office of Life and Family Ministry and Rhode Island Right to Life will sponsor the second annual Caroling and Prayer at Planned Parenthood on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The day will begin with rosary at 9:30 a.m. followed by Christmas hymns, prayers and witnessing for all human life especially the life of the unborn child. For more information call 421-7833 x 218 or email: cowens@dioceseofprovidence.org.
St. Brigid’s Christmas Cookie sale
JOHNSTON— Parishioners of St. Brigid’s Church, 1231 Plainfield St., will host their annual homemade Italian and traditional cookies on sale Saturday, Dec. 17, after the 5 p.m. Mass and Sunday, Dec. 18, after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses. Each tray is beautifully gift wrapped and can be purchased either in the foyer of the church or in the church hall. Trays may also be reserved by calling Elaine at 942-8228.
Holy Hour at Sacred Heart Church
WOONSOCKET — A holy hour will take place at Sacred Heart Church on December 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 415 Olo St., to pray in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The holy hour will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a short reflection, recitation of the rosary, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, concluding with Benediction. Confessions will also be available.
Cluny School to present ‘A Living Nativity’
NEWPORT — Cluny School presents its 10th Annual “Living Nativity” Monday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. on the school grounds, 75 Brenton Road, off Ocean Drive in Newport. A Christmas in Newport event, this annual reenactment of the “First Christmas” is held outdoors, under the stars, and is enhanced by live animals and choral music performed by the entire student body. Hot chocolate and sweets will be served before the presentation, which will last 25-30 minutes. This free event is a gift to the community, expressing the true meaning of Christmas. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring a flashlight. In the event of inclement weather, the event will take place Wednesday, Dec. 21. For more information please call Stephanie O’Connor at 401-855-2252 or visit www.ClunySchool.org, click “Events.”
Women’s Guild to host Holiday Bake Sale
TIVERTON — The Women's Guild of St. Madeleine Sophie Church, 35 Lake Road, 1.5 miles east of Tiverton Four Corners, will hold a holiday bake sale December 10 and 11 following the Saturday 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. Masses in the church hall. The guild is seeking donations of all kinds of goodies, particularly pies, cakes and cookies. Malassadas (Portuguese sugar-dusted raised doughnuts) will also be offered for sale.
SS. Peter and Paul Parish to host Marian Holy Hour
WEST WARWICK — SS. Peter and Paul parish, 48 Highland St., will host the Deanery IV Holy Hour for Life on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Monday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. and will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, rosary, homily, litany, and Benediction. All are welcome. Bring a friend. For more information, call Ray at 644-3699.
Advent Parish Mission at St. Joseph Church
WOONSOCKET — St. Joseph Church, 1200 Mendon Road, Woonsocket, will host an Advent Parish Mission on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Dec. 12, 14, and 15 at 6:30 p.m. There will be Mass and mission talk each evening. Father Christopher Murphy, assistant vocation director for the Diocese of Providence, will preach the mission, entitled “The Christmas Mysteries.” For more information, call 401-766-0626.
St. Kevin Church to host free Christmas concert
WARWICK — St. Kevin Church, 333 Sandy Lane, will present a free Christmas concert on Friday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. The St. Kevin Choir will team up with the choir of St. Rita for an outstanding Christmas concert with special guests Harmony Heritage (an all-women's barber shop chorus), talented soloists singing Christmas favorites and Broadway, and even Santa all the way from the North Pole. For more information contact the rectory at (401) 732-8386. A canned good donation for the food pantry would be greatly appreciated.
Breakfast with Santa to be held at St. Theresa Parish
TIVERTON — On Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon Breakfast with Santa will be held at St. Theresa Parish Hall, 265 Stafford Road. Breakfast consisting of eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, fruit, juice and coffee will be served at 9 a.m. Pictures with Santa will begin at 10 a.m., with crafts and cookie making to follow. Children five and under are free. For tickets, please contact St. Theresa Rectory at 401-624-8746.
Knights to host Christmas Breakfast
NORTH KINGSTOWN — The Knights of Columbus will hold a Christmas Breakfast at the Council Hall, 1265 Tower Hill Road, on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. The menu will include scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast, home fries, baked beans, Christmas streusel, hot and cold cereal, orange juice, coffee and tea. Children six and under are free. Please bring in a non-perishable food donation for food pantry.
Spirit of Song Ensemble Christmas Cantata
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — On Sunday, Dec. 18, at 3:30 p.m. the Spirit of Song Ensemble returns to St. Anthony of Padua Church in New Bedford to perform “Jesus! The Advent of the Messiah,” as a fundraiser for the church’s historic pipe organ. Eighty-five singers and a symphonic ensemble join forces with the Occasion Singers under the direction of Cassandra Morgan. Soloists Kirsten Almeida, Adam Morris, Mim Paquin, Jason Robinette, and Paul Sardinha are featured guests. As a special premier performance in the concert, local composer Russ Campoli has just completed an arrangement for orchestra and four voices of his original song “Hope.” There will be a reception in the church hall following the concert and a raffle of a unique music themed lap quilt will be drawn. No ticket is required to attend this general admission event, but donations will be accepted at the door. Limited seats are available in a reserved ticketed section for a $15 by calling Gisele at 508-264-8010. Overflow parking is available at St. Killian’s parking lot on Earle Street, with shuttle service to the church.
Prayers for Families during Advent
EASTON, Mass. — All are welcome each Friday throughout Advent to take part in prayer, silence and inspiring music. Talented and gifted musicians will provide both classical and contemporary music for the service of prayer, Benediction, Chaplet of Divine Praises in the chapel of the Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington St., Easton, Mass., from 3 – 4 p.m. For additional information call Holy Cross Family Ministries at 508-239-4095.
Around the Diocese Submissions
Press releases announcing a diocesan, parish or Catholic school-sponsored event must be received by Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the latest for publication in the following Thursday’s edition. To ensure an announcement runs in a timely fashion, please send information at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event. Because of limited space, items may only appear in one issue of the newspaper. Announcements may be e-mailed to the editor at: around@thericatholic.com or sent to: Around the Diocese, The Rhode Island Catholic, One Cathedral Square, Providence, RI 02903.
