Father John A. Kiley | Rhode Island Catholic

YEAR OF FAITH: Sister Maria Fatima Nunes O.P., daughter of Alberto and Gail Nunes, parishioners of Blessed Pope John Paul II Parish, Pawtucket, made her Final Profession of Vows with the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist this summer in Ann Arbor, Mich. Sister entered the order in 2005 and completed her education at Eastern Michigan University receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. She currently teaches religion at Holy Family Catholic School in Austin, Texas. During this Year of Faith, Catholics are not only called to seek a deeper relationship with God, but they are encouraged to promote and pray for vocations to the priesthood and to religious and consecrated life. In his letter in preparation for the 50th World Day of Prayer for Vocations in April, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote, “The love of God sometimes follows paths one could never have imagined, but it always reaches those who are willing to be found. Hope is nourished, then, by this certainty: “We ourselves have known and believed in the love that God has for us” (1 Jn 4:16).

Spiritual sensitivity, religious sensibility

The parable of the poor man named Lazarus and the rich man, sometimes named Dives (the Latin word for rich), should come as no surprise to St. Luke’s faithful readers. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 9/27/13

SEEKING TO SERVE: During his homily on Sunday, Sept. 15, at Saint Thomas the Apostle parish in Providence, Father John Soares spoke about “Stewardship,” focusing not only on the financial aspects, but also how Catholics should use their personal time to serve God’s people. Father Soares illustrated the many opportunities for each parish member to serve their brothers and sisters during a “Ministry Fair” held in the church hall after each Mass this past weekend. Especially during this Year of Faith, Catholics have many opportunities to serve God by volunteering in parish ministry. This may include acting as lector, greeter or even as a choir member. Assisting with Marriage Preparation classes, religious education or dedicating time to work in a food pantry are options for those seeking to serve. Pictured above, Liz Camp watches as Kathy Grimaldi signs up to help with St. Thomas’ Christmas Fair.

‘No servant can serve two masters’

Saint Luke must have had his tongue fixed squarely in his cheek when he presented the parable of the unjust steward to his readers. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 9/23/13

Father Michael Woolley leads the students and faculty at Good Shepherd Catholic Regional School, Woonsocket, in prayer after blessing the newly refurbished gymnasium last Friday morning. With support from the parish, parents, volunteers and benefactors, the gym has updated flooring, new basketball hoops and volleyball equipment. The nearly $30,000 project was recently completed over the course of a two-week period. In prayer, Father Woolley asked for God’s blessing over the renovated gymnasium and the students who will utilize it. “On this gym floor, many of you will win many games…and forge memories that will last a lifetime,” he said. “In the midst of it all you will, in a very real way, encounter Jesus Christ on the court and grow in your Catholic faith through the sports you play. During the Year of Faith Catholics are encouraged to let sports and the arts lead them to a deeper relationship with God and to always let Jesus be the greatest coach in their life.

Laboring under twenty-first century burdens

The intersection of Broad Street and the service road that runs alongside Route 95 in Providence offers a double opportunity to reflect on some challenges in today’s society. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 9/16/13

How to become a true disciple

Few words in the Scriptures are more disconcerting than the alarming phrases read in this coming Sunday’s Gospel passage: Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 9/9/13

Jesus: Not just priest, prophet, king

Although Jesus Christ has been memorialized by preachers as priest, prophet and king at least since the Lutheran theologian Philip Melancthon first joined these distinguished titles, nowhere in Scripture does Jesus take these honors to himself. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 8/30/13

BEAUTY OF CREATION: Father Przemyslaw “Shemek” Lepak, new pastor of St. Theresa and St. Christopher Parishes in Tiverton, celebrates a ‘Mass Under the Trees’ at the annual joint parish picnic at Colt State Park in Bristol. Despite the threat of rain, parishioners continued to enjoy the picnic that was coordinated by the Men’s Guild of St. Christopher Parish. The parish united in faith during the special celebration which fosters a close bond between the two faith communities. During the Year of Faith, Catholics are encouraged to come together as parish neighbors, to work together to spread the Gospel and support each other as spiritual brothers and sisters.

Our spiritual mother’s role is historically unique

Our spiritual mother’s role is historically unique Mary of Nazareth is rightly recalled and uniquely honored as both virgin and mother. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 8/19/13

THE CREATION STORY: St. Michael performs ‘The Creation Story’ Eighty-four students, including third and fourth graders Hailey, Audrey, Jaelyn and Anna pictured at top, lift their voices in song during their production of “The Story of Creation” at St. Michael Parish in Smithfield. The students involved in the parish’s summer religious education program design their own props and practice songs based on the New and Old Testament as well as other topics they learned about during the two-week program. The Year of Faith is a call to each Catholic, including children, to deepen his or her own faith and to create a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Through a lively religious education program, much like St. Michael Parish, children have the opportunity to study and experience the Catholicism in new and exciting ways that will support them throughout their lives.

Worship and celebrating God’s will

Only four or five parishes in the diocese of Providence have more than one priest in residence. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 8/5/13

Gratitude for generations

A few years ago I listed my great-grandfather and great-grandmother’s names on a genealogy web site and, sure enough, someone from England contacted me citing a distant relationship. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 7/19/13

Priesthood and the Class of ‘63

Our freshman class at Our Lady of Providence Seminary at Warwick Neck in 1958 was greeted by a senior class that this year is celebrating its 50th anniversary of ordination. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 7/9/13

FAITH: Anamaria Arteaga, who will enter her sophomore year this fall at Salve Regina University, was the guest speaker at the event. During the witness talk Arteaga discussed her first year at college and shared the joys and challenges she experienced. She encouraged the attendees to let their faith blossom in their life and make God the priority.

St. Peter protects authentic Christian faith

All four Gospel accounts record the celebrated confession of St. Peter in Jesus Christ as Messiah. As the Gospel account of St. Luke is read this Sunday, note that Jesus’ original question about his identity is addressed to all the disciples. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 6/19/13

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: On Sunday, June 2, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Pope Francis presided over a special Eucharistic adoration that simultaneously extended throughout the world, including the Diocese of Providence, as part of the Year of Faith. The service concluded with Benediction, a central part of the special event, requested by the Holy See. During Mass before the adoration, Bishop Robert C. Evans noted in his homily, “As we kneel in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, let us in silent contemplation and humble supplication ask the Lord to enlighten and strengthen us in this Year of Faith so that the light of our faith may not be hidden under a bushel basket but be set upon the table of our words and deeds so that, seeing them, others may give God, not us, the praise and glory.”

Loss of the sense of sin

Saint Augustine, the learned bishop of Hippo in North Africa, insightfully observed that the four restorations to life that Jesus performed during his public ministry form a handy analysis of how God can address sin whether sin be entrenched in the soul or sin be lurching as a temptation for the unwary. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 6/6/13

St. Francis of Assisi Church in Warwick invited parishioners to participate in their Ministry Fair after all Masses the weekend of Pentecost. The fair offered opportunities for parishioners to share both time and talent reflecting the love of Christ for all. Especially during the Year of Faith, Catholics are called to "an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord" (Porta Fidei 6). Participation in different parish activities are ways that they faithful can begin to turn back to Jesus or enter into a deeper relationship with him. During this year, Catholics are called to rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church. From left, Kathy McKeon, Norma Malachowski and Sheila Ehrens invited parishioners to take a greater role in the activities of their parish.

Recalling a pious appreciation for the Mass

The choice of the name Francis by our present Holy Father has expectedly generated a renewed interest in the life and work of the ever-popular St. Francis of Assisi. By a serendipitous co-incidence, Dominican Father Augustine Thompson, professor at Berkeley, recently authored an extensive biography on the saintly poor man. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 5/29/13

Difference is a path to complete unity

Angelo Cardinal Scola is the archbishop of Milan and was ranked quite highly among those cardinals being considered for the papal office in the recent election. Cardinal Scola obviously remains in Milan but he has made quite a contribution to church life in a scholarly work entitled “The Nuptial Mystery.” more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 5/24/13

ASKING FOR DIVINE PROTECTION: In spite of a rainy day, the annual blessing of motorcycles took place on May 11 at St. Eugene Parish, Chepachet, where the pastor, Father TJ Varghese offered prayers and blessings on the motorcycles and the riders attending. The Blessing of the Bikes is a unique and prayerful time to ask the Lord for help. During this Year of Faith, the blessing also serves as a significant reminder for Catholic motorcycle enthusiasts to put their trust in God, and ask that he watch over them in their travels. By asking for God’s divine protection for another year of safe riding, Catholics are drawn more deeply into their faith as they seek to strengthen their relationship with the Father.

Refreshed in the fullness of revelation

Joachim of Fiore was a medieval thinker who divided salvation history into three segments. The first stage of history was that of God the Father narrated in the Hebrew Scriptures. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 5/17/13

UNITED THROUGH FAITH: Bishop Thomas J. Tobin reviews some of the work done by Sister Paula (at far right) and her pre-k students at the Islamic School of Rhode Island during his visit to the West Warwick school last week. The students are wearing sailor hats to represent a nautical journey they are making around the United States as they learn about the nation’s different regions. Principal Basima Shiladeh Al-Jallad said the school currently has 121 students from across the state enrolled in grades pre-k through eight, and that many graduates go on to pursue their secondary education at one of the Catholic high schools in the diocese. The Islamic School was established in 2004 in a building that housed the former Sacred Heart Catholic school. The Bishop was invited to visit the school by Imam Farid Ansari, president of the Rhode Island Council for Muslim Advancement, pictured at center above with his wife Naima, following a recent meeting he had with a group of Muslim leaders in which they pledged their support for traditional marriage. During the Year of Faith, the U.S. bishops are advancing a movement for life, marriage and religious liberty and seek to share that message with others of faith across the nation.

Unity, harmony integral to Christian life

Jesus paid intense attention to his twelve specially chosen disciples during his final meal with them the night before he died. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 5/10/13

40 YEARS IN THE EASTERN RITE: Archdeacon George M. Yany, of St. Basil the Great Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Lincoln, reads from the Gospel during a Mass to mark his 40th anniversary of ordination. Archdeacon Yany has also served in the chaplaincy at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections for more than 20 years, having first been appointed to that position by then Bishop Louis E. Gelineau. He is also involved with a growing number of ministries at St. Basil. More than 300 parishioners, family members and friends joined for a celebration of the liturgy and dinner at the parish center celebrating the occasion, which is especially significant during the Year of Faith. In his apostolic letter, Porta fidei, Pope Benedict XVI called for Eastern Catholic Eparchies to give witness to their specific experience and liturgical tradition in the one faith in Christ.

An authentic liturgy is full of grace

Rather than concelebrate the Paschal Vigil this past Easter, I decided to attend the service at a local church to experience this solemnity from the pews. I checked the times for the nearest churches just over the Massachusetts line from Woonsocket. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 5/3/13

MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE: Father J. Michael Joncas, a well-known author of liturgical music, visited Saint Thomas the Apostle Church on Fruit Hill in Providence last week while in town to present the Saint Catherine of Siena Lecture at Providence College. Father Joncas, above, with parish Musical Director Linda Reid, attended the weekly choir practice and provided a few pointers for some of his pieces that will be used in upcoming liturgies. He is best known for his composition “On Eagle’s Wings” as well as “There is No Greater Love.” Music is a great complement for Catholics during the Year of Faith. Not only can inspire active participation during the liturgy, it is also a gift to God's people to use in praise and in prayer. Exploring liturgical music can help the faithful connect and contribute to a renewed conversion to the Lord through prayerful song.

Celibacy bears witness to a world beyond the physical

There is a strong possibility that the appointment of “elders” by Saints Paul and Barnabas in the early church communities established throughout the Mediterranean world was the foundation for the discipline of celibacy that has enriched the Catholic Church down through the centuries. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 4/29/13

PRAISE AND WORSHIP: On Saturday, April 13, Hispanic youth from around the Diocese of Providence came together to celebrate Pascua Juvenil at the Rejoice in Hope Youth Center, Cranston. The Easter conference has energized the faith of the youth in the diocese for more than 22 years, through prayer, music and fellowship. Music was provided by Stone Refuge from St. Patrick Parish, Providence. The Year of Faith is an ideal opportunity to try to engage the young people in the parish. It is also a time to celebrate, deepen and share the spiritual richness of their Catholic faith.

The father’s desire for Christian unity

The resignation of Pope Emeritus Benedict and the election of our new pontiff understandably elicited surveys from the world media on the attitudes of American Catholics toward pertinent issues of the day. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 4/22/13

THE SPLENDOR OF TRUTH: The Year of Faith is not only a time for the faithful to participate more fully in the church, but it is a time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the convening of the Second Vatican Council. This may be celebrated by reading and reflecting on one of the key documents of the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium. Bishop Thomas J. Tobin recently met with theologians at Providence College, including Father Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, O.P. associate professor of molecular microbiology and genetics, left, and Dr. Michon Matthiesen, adjunct professor of theology, right. During an evening speaking program at the college, the theologians discussed “The Splendor of the Church” by Henri de Lubac. The classic theological work offers profound insights that significantly contributed to Vatican II's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium.

Recalling the guardian of the faith

As the Universal Church glories in the election of a new Supreme Pontiff, the awesome reverence with which St. Peter, the first head of the Apostolic College, was regarded is worth recalling. more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 4/9/13

PALM SUNDAY: Parishioners of Saint John the Baptist Church in Pawtucket, hold up their palms for a blessing during the celebration of Palm Sunday Mass this past weekend. Saint John the Baptist Church joined parishes throughout the world in celebrating Palm Sunday by distributing blessed palm fronds to commemorate Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixion. During holy week and throughout the Easter season during this Year of Faith, Catholics are called to use this time in prayer and reflection to strengthen their faith through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus.

Christ’s resurrection belongs to the present

No doubt many believers are like Martha, the sister of Mary, who mourned the passing of their brother Lazarus with the declaration, “I know my brother will rise again on the last day.” more

BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY | 4/1/13