Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski presided over his first Blessing of the Fleet in Galilee on Saturday, July 26. Sponsored by the Narragansett Lions Club, which held its first Blessing of the Fleet in … more

8/21/25

In this undated photo, Pope Leo XIV (then Robert Prevost) (left) smiles while his mother (back to the camera) cuts a birthday cake in what his brother (right) guessed was the pope's 9th birthday, at the family home in the Chicago suburb of Dolton.

Pope’s brother, friends in the Chicago area will mark pontiff’s 70th birthday

Pope Leo XIV turns 70 on Sept. 14 and some of his closest friends in the Chicago-area will mark the day with him in mind, quietly. But at one point in his priesthood, quiet was not the word to … more

By Simone Orendain, OSV News | 8/21/25

Special Event Listings for 08.21.25

Bilingual Praise and Solidarity Night PROVIDENCE— Join Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, Sister Juana Maria of the Holy Spirit, C.F.R., Father Gildardo Suarez, and the Hispanic Choir of the Diocese of … more

8/21/25

Father David Gaffney from St. Bernard Church in North Kingstown stands with photos of Pope Leo XIV taken during a recent pilgrimage to Rome with 17 of his parishioners. Father David Gaffney from St. Bernard Church in North Kingstown stands with photos of Pope Leo XIV taken during a recent pilgrimage to Rome with 17 of his parishioners.

North Kingstown pastor looks back on 25 years of priesthood

NORTH KINGSTOWN — One local pastor has a knack for being a part of history and even making his own after 25 years of being a Catholic priest. Father David Gaffney, 65, is the … more

By Allison Shinskey, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 8/21/25

A Feast for all the Senses

St. Rocco Parish, Johnston held its annual feast and festival in honor of its patron last weekend, featuring a candlelight procession in honor of Our Blessed Mother on Wednesday evening, a Mass on … more

8/21/25

Summer Speaks of God

In the first Eucharistic Prayer of the Roman liturgy, the priest beseeches the Lord to grant the deceased a place of “refreshment, light, and peace.” The Latin origin of the word … more

By Father Nathan Ricci | 8/21/25

A Gift, but With an Expiration Date

Diagnosed in 1995 with the most aggressive form of brain cancer known as glioblastoma multiforme, and given only a few months life expectancy, Dr. Ben Williams, a professor of psychology at the … more

8/21/25

To learn more about Blessed Sacrament School’s anniversary celebration, visit https://blessedschoolpvd.org/100th-anniversary-celebration-committee.

Blessed Sacrament School hosting gala celebration to mark its 100th anniversary

PROVIDENCE — To celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding, Blessed Sacrament School is planning a nostalgic celebration that will bring proud graduates together once again in the place … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 8/7/25

Nemah Hamouda prepares food for her grandchildren using limited ingredients, amid a critical shortage of infant formula and widespread malnutrition, in Gaza City, July 29, 2025. A United Nations-affiliated organization that tracks food security worldwide has issued a dire alert confirming that a "worst-case" famine scenario is unfolding across the Gaza Strip.

USCCB international policy chair urges Trump to expand humanitarian assistance in Gaza

WASHINGTON — Amid growing concern from humanitarian organizations and Catholic leaders, including Pope Leo XIV, about a hunger crisis in Gaza, President Donald Trump acknowledged the crisis and … more

By Kate Scanlon, OSV News | 8/7/25

Deacon Paul Anthony Ullucci

JOHNSTON — Deacon Paul A. Ullucci,, Sr., husband of the late Dianne E. Ullucci (Strobel), son of the late Paul and Dorothy Ullucci (Gonnoud), died Saturday July 26. Loved by his three children: … more

8/7/25

Special Event Listings for 08.07.25

‘Come and See’ Retreat for Young Adults PUTNAM, Conn.— Young adults aged 18 to 30 are invited to a three-day “Come and See” Retreat to meet with Jesus. The retreat will … more

8/7/25

Your compassion helps people in need: A CRS program in Indonesia provides health awareness for mothers with toddlers.

Night of music, reflection planned to help Catholic Relief Services combat aid cuts

PROVIDENCE — In March, following government cuts in response to its International Humanitarian Assistance Review, Catholic Relief Services was forced to halt much of its U.S. … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 8/7/25

Beware of ‘Deepfakes’

If he looks like the Holy Father, and moves like the Holy Father, and sounds like the Holy Father, is he really the Holy Father? Maybe—but maybe not! He might be an AI-generated … more

8/7/25

Christ’s ‘New Commandment’

While the United States has never had an official national church, America has, until quite recently, favored a generic religious framework for daily life. National and local political assemblies … more

8/7/25

Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of the words "AI Artificial Intelligence" in this Feb. 19, 2024, illustration.

Can AI help the church evangelize?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the buzzword these days. Digital devices, websites and apps are all incorporating AI into their products at an increasingly rapid pace. Just when you think you know … more

By Sister Nancy Usselmann, OSV News | 8/7/25

Pope Leo XIV gives a word of thanks at the conclusion of the Jubilee of Youth in Rome’s Tor Vergata neighborhood Aug. 3, 2025. The pope presided over the closing Mass and led the recitation of the Angelus.

Pope Leo stands with youth in Gaza, Ukraine, calls for dialogue, not war

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a message of solidarity and peace, Pope Leo XIV said the Catholic Church stands with young people suffering in war-torn areas, including Gaza and Ukraine. Before praying … more

By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News Service | 8/7/25

Venerable Salvador Valera Parra, a 19th-century Spanish diocesan priest, has been credited by Pope Leo XIV with the miraculous recovery of critically ill newborn Tyquan Hall in 2007 at a Rhode Island hospital. The Vatican decree was issued June 20, 2025, but local awareness of the U.S. miracle was not sparked until a July 18, 2025, article in GoLocalProv.

Rhode Island celebrates Pope Leo declaration that baby’s healing was a true miracle

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Islanders are celebrating Pope Leo XIV’s declaration that the healing of a baby born in their state back in 2007 was indeed miraculous, and advances the sainthood cause … more

By Gina Christian, OSV News | 7/24/25

Spanish priest credited with R.I. miracle exemplified virtues of self-sacrificial love

PROVIDENCE — Miracles are an important part of the beatification process: if it can be demonstrated that a miracle took place in association with a specific saint, this is seen as a sign that … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 7/24/25

Palestinians gather as they carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, amid a hunger crisis, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip July 20, 2025.

Pope, Palestinian president discuss humanitarian tragedy in Gaza in phone call

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The humanitarian tragedy in the Gaza Strip and the need for urgent assistance were part of discussions between Pope Leo XVI and Mahmoud Abbas, president of Palestine and … more

By Carol Glatz, OSV News | 7/24/25

Among the sights that the vocations pilgrims will see is a view of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, from Pontifical North American College.

Vocations Pilgrimage to Immerse Young Men in the Heart of the Church

PROVIDENCE — “Anyone would go to Rome, but for all of us, we’re looking to get more out of it than a trip to Europe,” said Simon Tetreault, regarding an upcoming discernment … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 7/24/25