Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

To All Engaged in Pro-Life Ministries in the Diocese —Thank You!

I am writing to express my deepest gratitude and profound admiration for your unwavering witness to the sanctity of human life. In a world that frequently overlooks the vulnerable, your dedication to … more

1/22/26

Special Event Listings for 01.22.26

St. Barnabas Church to host Music Bingo PORTSMOUTH — St. Barnabas Church will host Music Bingo on Saturday, Jan. 24, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and games beginning at 7 p.m. The family-friendly … more

1/22/26

Joseph Francis Marra of the Diocese of Providence was among 32 seminarians installed as lectors on Jan. 11 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. During the ceremony, Cardinal Fabio Baggio presented the Holy Scriptures to Marra, charging him to be a faithful herald of God’s Word.

Local seminarian receives ministry of lector from PNAC

ROME — Joseph Francis Marra of the Diocese of Providence was one of 32 seminarians who received ministry of lector in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American … more

1/22/26

Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., celebrates Mass at the St. Antoine Community in North Smithfield during his first pastoral visit on Jan. 7. In his homily, the bishop reflected on the vulnerability of Christ, encouraging residents and staff to be “salvation for one another” through acts of kindness. Following Mass and the rededication of a statue of St. Anthony, Bishop Lewandowski visited with residents and retired religious.

A ‘Wonderful Occasion’: St. Antoine Residents Uplifted by Bishop’s Visit

NORTH SMITHFIELD — On January 7, Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., made his first pastoral visit to the St. Antoine Community, a diocesan provider of skilled senior care, including rehabilitative … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 1/22/26

A man holds up a sign as protesters gather in Minneapolis Jan. 8, 2026, at the scene of the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. The 37-year-old woman was shot in her car Jan. 7, according to local and federal officials.

America’s dearth of statesmanship in Minneapolis

On January 7, during a large federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Jonathan Ross, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, fatally shot U.S. citizen Renée Good. … more

1/22/26

Tips for children to enjoy and pay attention at Mass

Getting children to pay better attention and to enjoy the sacredness of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is difficult but not an impossible feat. There are certain things that my husband and I do to … more

1/22/26

From Woonsocket to Capernaum

My mother had very few relatives. The Hanleys and the Coffeys in Woonsocket were her aunts and her cousins. My father however had a good number of relatives mostly in Providence. His aunt Rose and … more

1/22/26

Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. visits with students and staff at the San Miguel School in Providence during a recent pastoral visit. During the visit, the Bishop explored the school’s new STEAM Center and invited the student body to a future tour of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul. At left, teacher Tanya James, at right, beside Bishop Lewandowski, is Executive Director Mel Bride, and behind her is Ahmad Nyabally, 6th grade teaching assistant.

Bishop receives a student-led tour of San Miguel School

PROVIDENCE — Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., recently made a pastoral visit to the San Miguel School, a Catholic, independent middle school for Boys, founded by Brother Lawrence Goyette FSC. … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 1/22/26

Hoops and Holy Hour offers a Joyful Witness to Vocations in Providence

On Friday, Jan. 16, seminarians from Saint John’s traveled to Providence for the 2nd annual seminarian basketball game against Our Lady of Providence seminarians. The evening began with a Holy Hour … more

1/22/26

Students hold the March for Life banner outside the U.S. Supreme Court during the annual March for Life in Washington Jan. 24, 2025.

From the classroom to the capital: Young Catholics stand up for life

PROVIDENCE — Never again, the young woman vowed. Not by bus. She boarded one as a high school senior in January 2013, along with several other Pro-Life Rhode Islanders, to take part in her first … more

By Erik Scalavino, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 1/15/26

As a lead sacristan and member of Chesterton Academy’s inaugural graduating class, Daniel Dussault has dedicated his high school years to fostering reverence in the liturgy and improving his school through his Eagle Scout chemistry lab renovation.

A senior’s mission to serve future generations at Chesterton

WARWICK—For Daniel Dussault, 17, his Catholic faith is not just a subject of study; it is a call to action. As a lead sacristan both at Chesterton Academy and St. Mary Church in Pawtucket, Dussault … more

By Laura Kilgus, Associate Editor | 1/15/26

Raise your voice for school choice

CRANSTON — Join Rhode Island Families for School Choice for a fair on Saturday, January 24, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom, 801 Greenwich Ave, Warwick, RI 02886. This event … more

1/15/26

Special Event Listings 01.15.26

The Visitation of the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe DIOCESAN-WIDE —The Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be visiting the diocese in various parishes throughout Rhode Island … more

1/15/26

Catechumens are pictured in a file photo holding candles during the Easter Vigil at St. Hugh of Lincoln Church in Huntington Station, N.Y.

Trending: A (young) revival in the faith?

An interesting trend is bubbling up within the church: a revival of sorts that is leading to large numbers of people either entering the church or coming into full Catholic communion. Many of them … more

By Kimberley Heatherington, OSV News | 1/15/26

Father Brophy, O.P., Named Senior Vice President of Mission & Ministry

PROVIDENCE — Providence College (PC) announced that Father Justin Brophy, O.P., has been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President of Mission and Ministry. Father Justin, a faculty member in … more

1/15/26

Assignments 01.15.26

PAROCHIAL VICAR Reverend Brendan Rowley, from Pastor, St. Mary Parish, Pawtucket, to temporary Parochial Vicar, St. Thomas More Parish, Narragansett, effective February 1, 2026 more

1/15/26

AI tips for students

By Sister Hosea Rupprecht OSV News It’s back-to-school time. As students of all ages return to the classroom, educators are faced with all the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) … more

1/15/26

‘Educating for Eternity’ promotes an authentic Catholic worldview

As a Catholic school principal, prospective families often asked me about the Catholic identity of the school. My initial reaction was often to name the distinctly Catholic practices that we engage … more

By Kevin Peloquin | 1/15/26

Building Bridges with God and Neighbor

At the midpoint of the last century, Western Europe was ably guided by three practicing Catholic executives. Robert Schuman guided France, Konrad Adenauer directed Germany and Alcide De Gasperi held … more

1/15/26

Enrollment tops 10,000, new programs abound

PROVIDENCE — As schools across the diocese do their part to commemorate National Catholic Schools Week, the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States, the Diocese of Providence … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 1/15/26