Bishop Thomas J. Tobin | Rhode Island Catholic

What Is Your Sign?

Pope Francis has often spoken out against the use of superstitious, magical remedies to guide our lives. For example, in one of his addresses, he pointed to the example of St. Peter whose faith in … more

12/19/19

Be Perfect, Love Your Enemies

“Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt 5: 48) There are lots of challenging passages in the Bible, but this saying of Jesus must surely be among the top ten. The command to … more

2/21/19

Sometimes You Just Need A Little Music

I confess to being a news junkie. I follow international, national and local news. I’m interested in political and religious events, in weather reports and happenings in the sports world. I … more

6/2/22

Despite Our Faults, We Carry On

“The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.” (Mt 28: 16-17) For a good while now I’ve … more

5/16/19

Our Most Important Inheritance

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” … more

11/3/22

There Is Somebody Who Loves You

You’re nobody ‘til somebody loves you, You’re nobody ‘til somebody cares. You may be king, you may possess the world and its gold, but gold won’t bring you happiness … more

3/23/23

Without Our Ancestors, We’re Nobody

I recently saw a “Dennis The Menace” cartoon that has Dennis sitting next to his grandfather looking at a photo album, and observing wisely: “Ancestors are important . . . Without them, we’re … more

11/22/18

In Memory of Mrs. Catherine Cooper

Mrs. Catherine Cooper was my great-great-grandmother on my father’s side. She lived from 1810 to 1901 spending all of her life in and around the little town of Loretto in the Allegheny Mountains of … more

9/19/19

How We Honor The Faithful Departed

One of the endearing qualities of Catholics is that we have great reverence and affection for our loved ones who have died. This is true throughout the year but especially in November, the month … more

11/10/22

In All Things, God Be Glorified

If you attended a Catholic school, you probably learned the practice of writing “JMJ” at the top of your paper. It was a lovely little reminder to honor Jesus, Mary and Joseph every day, and to … more

2/28/19

It Was Just a Disabled Vehicle

So, one evening not too long ago, I was driving along the Wampanoag Trail when I noticed the cars ahead of me, rounding a curve, tapping their brakes and slowing down. I soon knew why. There was a … more

5/23/19

Disappointed in God

Something that Pope Francis said at a recent audience, while speaking about prayer, caught my attention. The Holy Father said: “If you have some wound in your heart, some pain, and you want to … more

6/9/22

Your New Calendar

It’s a routine we go through every year as one year ends and another begins – the discarding of old calendars and the display of the new. I suppose it’s a little different for the … more

1/9/20

Plan For The Future: Invest In Jesus

Watching the stock market these days can drive you crazy. I suppose that’s always true, but especially now when the market is so depressed and volatile. And if you have any investments, and … more

11/17/22

It’s Holy Week And We’re On Retreat

There’s a reason it’s called “Holy Week” and that’s because in these days we will enter into the deepest mysteries of the Christian Faith. In this week we will observe … more

3/30/23

The Morning Offering

One of the beautiful traditions still kept by many devout Catholics is praying “The Morning Offering” at the beginning of each day. While there are many variations of the prayer, I think the most … more

11/29/18

Eucharistic Adoration – Spending Time With Jesus

Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us. (St. Alphonsus Liguori)One of the … more

9/26/19

Never Get Tired of Being With God

Recently someone asked me if I ever get tired doing Confirmations. The question came up in a conversation about my Confirmation schedule, and the observation that in my 26 years as a bishop I’ve … more

5/30/19

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

Each year in the springtime, following the Solemnities of Pentecost, the Most Holy Trinity, and Corpus Christi, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, one of the most … more

6/16/22

Thank You For Not Forgetting Us

A couple times a year I visit the ACI, our state prison. I always welcome the opportunity to do so, although the visits are as emotionally challenging as they are spiritually rewarding.During one of … more

1/16/20