NET Ministries Retreat dates available
PROVIDENCE — NET Ministries is an international Catholic youth ministry that is committed to challenging young Catholics to love Christ and embrace the life of the Church. The organization’s acronym stands for National Evangelization Teams. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, NET offers training in youth evangelization and leads approximately 1,000 retreats annually. Each year, young adult volunteers are sent out in teams across the United States to conduct middle school and high school retreats for Catholic teens. If you are interested in scheduling a retreat date for middle school or high school students in your parish or school for the 2019/2020 academic year within the Diocese of Providence (or Fall River) visit www.netusa.org/retreats, contact scheduling@netusa.org, or call Diane Castro at 401-792-8684 to schedule a retreat for the youth in your parish or school communities. Multi-parish retreats can be scheduled as well.
Free Income Tax Preparation
PROVIDENCE — Amos House, 460 Pine St., a fully handicap-accessible agency, prepares free income tax returns for those who earned $55,000 or less in 2018. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening appointments may be made through April 12 by calling 401-272-0220. Amos House will also host Saturday walk-in-only sessions from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on February 9, March 9 and April 13. Other free tax sites in R.I. and Mass. may be found by calling the number 211.
St. Joseph Church to host a Bingo night
PASCOAG — St. Joseph Church, 183 Sayles Ave., will host Bingo on Friday, Feb. 22, 6-8:30 p.m., in the church hall. Gift cards and mystery prizes to be awarded. Food sales will include meatball sandwiches, hotdogs, chips, beverages and baked goods. Proceeds to help defray the cost of the youth of St. Joseph & St. Patrick parishes’ Religious Education Program participation in a summer youth conference. Handicapped accessible. For more information, call 401-568-2411.
St. Benedict Church to host indoor winter flea market
WARWICK — St. Benedict Church will host an indoor winter flea market on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., in the school directly behind the church at 135 Beach Ave, Warwick. There will be thousands of items. All bags are a donation. Kitchen is open for light breakfast and lunch.
St. James Church to host pasta and meatball supper
MANVILLE — St. James Church, 33 Division St., will host an all-you-can-eat pasta and meatball supper on Saturday, Feb. 23, (snow date of Sunday, February 24) from 4 – 7 p.m., in Father Brindamour Hall. Tickets should be purchased in advance by calling the parish office at 766-1558. They will also be available at the door. The proceeds from this event will benefit the parish’s social ministry programs.
Knights of Columbus to hold Blood Drive
PROVIDENCE — In conjunction with the RI Blood Center, the St. Thomas the Apostle Knights of Columbus Council 11684 will be holding a Blood Drive on Sunday, Feb. 24 from 9a.m. to 2 p.m. in the St. Thomas church hall at 65 Fruit Hill Ave. Refreshments will be provided. Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments are not necessary.
St. Mary Church to host quarterly Mass for those in recovery
WEST WARWICK — On Sunday, Feb. 24, all are invited to attend a Mass for those in recovery in St. Mary Church, 68 Church St., at 5 p.m. This Mass includes the sacrament of anointing of the sick. Anyone whose health is seriously threatened by sickness or old age may receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.
Knights of Columbus Cigar Dinner fundraiser to benefit Mustard Seed
NARRAGANSETT — The Pope Pius XII Knights of Columbus Council 5295 will host a cigar dinner fundraising event on Monday, Feb. 25 to support the orphans of Mustard Seed Communities. This dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. at Arturo Joe’s, 140 Point Judith Road and will include a three-course meal, three premium cigars, raffles and more. Tickets are available for purchase at popepiusxii.org/upcoming-events or by calling Joe Vingi at 401-265-6918.
Open House at Sacred Heart School
EAST PROVIDENCE — Parents are invited to attend an open house at Sacred Heart School, 56 Purchase St., on Sunday, February 27, from 6-8 p.m. The 100-year-old Catholic school continues to serve students in grades K through 8. Sacred Heart is a unique Catholic school: the only Guanellian academic institution in Rhode Island. Students live the family spirit of charity by embracing all students with respect and esteem, a fundamental precept of the late Saint Louis Guanella. Parents will be given a tour at the open house by current students. Teachers and the principal will be available to answer questions. All are welcome regardless or race, ethnicity, or creed.
St. Brendan’s Parish to host Mardi Gras Dinner Dance
EAST PROVIDENCE — St. Brendan’s Parish will host a Mardi Gras Dinner Dance on Saturday, March 2, from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Come and enjoy authentic Cajun food (less spicy options are available), DJ, cash bar, 50/50 raffle and more. Tickets may be purchased by calling St. Brendan’s Faith Formation Office at 401-433-2680.
Mardi Gras Comedy Night Supper
PROVIDENCE — St. Agnes Church, 351 Branch Ave., will hold a pasta supper and comedy night on Saturday, March 2 at 6 p.m. The event will also feature a penny social and raffle. Tickets are now available after the Masses or at the rectory during office hours. All are welcome.
Health Fair scheduled at St. James Church
MANVILLE — St. James Church, 33 Division St. is hosting a Health Fair on Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in its Father Brindamour Hall. It is a wonderful, free opportunity to renew your mind, restore your body and rejuvenate your spirit. All ages are welcome to join for health screening, education, wellness resources and medication/pill disposal (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) A voluntary donation to the St. James Food Pantry is welcomed. For more information, call the parish office at 766-1558.
First Saturday Devotions
PROVIDENCE — St. Augustine Church, 639 Mt. Pleasant Ave., will hold First Saturday Devotions (in song) on the first Saturday of each month through May. The next devotion is Saturday, March 2, with future devotions scheduled for April 6 and May 4. Devotions begin with the sacrament of reconciliation 3:45 p.m., continuing until 5 p.m.; the Holy Rosary in song at 4 p.m., private meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary at 4:30 p.m. and Mass beginning at 5 p.m. All are invited.
St. Augustine Church Knights of Columbus to hold book sale
PROVIDENCE — The Saint Augustine Council of the Knights of Columbus will hold a book sale fundraiser in the church foyer immediately following all the Masses on the weekend of March 2 and 3. Local author and parishioner Paul Caranci will sign copies of his most recent book, “I Am The Immaculate Conception: The Story of Bernadette of Lourdes.” Signed copies of “The Promise of Fatima: One Hundred Years of History, Mystery and Faith,” named a finalist in the 2018 International Book Awards, will also be available. All net proceeds will benefit the St. Augustine Knights of Columbus. Cash, check or credit card will be accepted.
St Vincent de Paul parish to host Deanery Holy Hour
COVENTRY— St. Vincent de Paul parish, 6 St. Vincent de Paul St., will host the Deanery IV Holy Hour for Life on Monday, March 4, at 7 p.m. All are welcome. Bring a friend.
St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance
WEST WARWICK — St. Mary Church will host its annual St. Patrick’s Dinner-Dance on Saturday, March 9 in Father Gibson Church Hall, 68 Church St., following the 4 p.m. Mass. Hors d’oeuvres will be served at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. The menu includes traditional Irish corned beef and cabbage dinner with all the fixings along with Irish soda bread. Dessert includes pastries. An assortment of complimentary soft drinks will be available. Music will be supplied by the three-piece band, “The Three Amigos.” Call 821-5555 to purchase tickets.
Financial Peace University class to be held at Holy Name of Jesus Church
PROVIDENCE — Holy Name of Jesus Church, 107 Camp St., will offer Financial Peace University on Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. starting March 11. This 9-week class teaches God’s ways of handling money and focuses on budgeting, paying off debt, living within your means and being generous with the gifts God has given you. Single, married, old or young, it’s never too late to take control of your finances. For more information, contact the rectory at (401) 272-4515.
Apostolate for People with Disabilities and SPRED Workshops at Faith Formation Convocation
SMITHFIELD – The Apostolate for People with Disabilities and SPRED to offer two workshops at the upcoming Faith Formation Convocation on Saturday, March 16 at Bryant University. The workshops are entitled “Forming Family Support Groups” with Doreen Engel, adjunct faculty member and professional development consultant at The Andrew M. Greely Center for Catholic Education at Loyola University, Chicago, IL Doreen is proficient in ASL and conversant in Spanish. This workshop is for parents of children who are seriously ill or who have disabilities want their children to receive the sacraments and participate fully in parish life. Engel will speak about her experience working the Special Needs Ministry of the Archdiocese of Washington, offering practical ideas on how to form a family support group at your parish. The other workshop entitled “Poverty of Spirit, the Catechist and the Father’s Tender Caress of Mercy” by Rev. Sean Patrick Hurley, F.P.O. - Franciscan Friar of the Friars of the Primitive Observance, Roxbury, MA and Mrs. Mary Hurley, O.P. Lay member of the Dominican Order. In his surprise Ted Talk, Pope Francis called for a “revolution of tenderness.” How are catechists today to be on the front lines of this “revolution of tenderness,” of a “love that comes close and becomes real?” The catechist’s journey of Faith begins in an affective awareness of his/her poverty of spirit, and that the personal presence of Christ Jesus, is the Father’s tender caress of mercy, His personal response to this poverty. “Blessed are the Poor of Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God” (Mt. 5:3). “I invite all Christians...to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 3). ASL Interpreters will be available if registered by February 25. For more information, contact Irma I. Rodríguez at 401-278-4578 or IRodriguez@dioceseofprovidence.org.
Little Sisters to host St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
SEEKONK — The Little Sisters of the Poor Jeanne Jugan Residence of Pawtucket will hold its 11th annual Saint Patrick’s Day Dinner at The Old Grist Mill Tavern on Monday, March 18, from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. This annual event supports the Little Sisters’ mission of serving the elderly poor and will include a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner along with raffle prizes, a “Pot of Gold” drawing and homemade scones for sale. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.littlesistersofthepoorpawtucket.org or by calling 401-305-4001.
Msgr. Darcy to address Magnficat breakfast
PROVIDENCE — Magnificat, an international women’s ministry, will hold its next breakfast on Saturday, March 30, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Providence Marriot, One Orms Street. The guest speaker will be Msgr. John J. Darcy, J.C.L., who has served in many capacities throughout the Diocese of Providence. He was appointed chancellor and then vicar general in 2004 by the late Bishop Robert E. Mulvee. He currently serves as pastor of St. Margaret Church, Rumford. Msgr. Darcy will speak about his call to the priesthood and personal journey during the last four decades. For reservations and tickets, contact Linda Gatta at 401-864-7731.
