Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

Under a canopy, Pope Leo XIV carries the Eucharist in a monstrance during a Corpus Christi procession from Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran to the Basilica of St. Mary Major June 22, 2025. Thousands of people participated in the procession behind the pope and thousands more lined the streets as the procession passed.

Pope leads Corpus Christi procession through streets of Rome

ROME (CNS) — In carrying Jesus through the city streets in a Corpus Christi procession, Christians are called to be witnesses of his love, sharing both their material and spiritual gifts, Pope … more

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service | 6/26/25

Diocese of Providence Catholic Charity Appeal approaches $7.7 million in centennial year

PROVIDENCE—Despite challenges and uncertainties across the nation and around the world, the annual Catholic Charity Appeal has stood the test of time, with the people of the Diocese of … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 6/26/25

Many religious jubilarians celebrating milestone anniversaries, join Bishop Thomas J. Tobin in a Mass at St. Rocco Church, Johnston, honoring their years of devoted service.

Religious jubilarians honored for decades of service

JOHNSTON — The diocesan Office for Religious honored religious jubilarians celebrating anniversaries of service ranging from 25-70 years during noon Mass at St. Rocco Church, Johnston, on … more

6/26/25

Pope Leo XIV greets people as he marks the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with a meeting in the San Damaso Courtyard at the Vatican June 26, 2025.

How many divisions does the Pope have?

In 1944, Joseph Stalin famously impugned papal military power in a quip to Winston Churchill, when he inquired of the British Prime Minister: “The Pope? How many divisions does he have?” … more

6/26/25

The Sacred Heart teaches us about love

During the month of June, the Church honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus with proper solemnity. Following the seventeenth century apparitions to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in Paray-le-Monial, France, … more

6/26/25

St. Peter, the institutional Church has its heroic prototype

The ancient Christian Church sometimes knew rival hierarchies in the great cities of the Mediterrean world. The bishops of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, for the most part, … more

6/26/25

Our Lady of Mercy Students Caroline Colligan, left, and Aileen Block are joined by their middle school history teacher P.J. O’Neill after their award-winning performance at the Rhode Island State Civics Bee on June 17 at Swift Gymnasium in East Greenwich.

OLM School middle schoolers earn top spots at first-ever Rhode Island State Civics Bee

EAST GREENWICH — While just two OLM School 7th graders competed in the first ever RI State Civics Bee on Tuesday, June 17 at the Swift Gymnasium in East Greenwich, they certainly made their … more

6/26/25

Saint Philip School’s Mrs. Melissa Roberts and her fifth grade class participated in an extended day field trip to Boston’s Tea Party Ships and Museum and Freedom Trail thanks to a grant from the American Battlefield Trust’s History Field Trip Grant Program.

Saint Philip students receive grant to visit American history sites

WASHINGTON — Saint Philip School’s Melissa Roberts and her fifth grade class participated in an extended day field trip to Boston’s Tea Party Ships and Museum and Freedom Trail … more

6/26/25

Assignments for 06.19.25

DEAN (VICAR FORANE) Reverend Charles R. Grondin, to Dean (Vicar Forane), Deanery 5, effective September 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 PASTORS Reverend Przemyslaw Lepak, from providing … more

6/19/25

‘This is my Body’

It has been rightly noted that the same four words that Jesus Christ used at the Last Supper to change ordinary bread and wine into the Holy Eucharist (“This is my body”) are used by some … more

6/19/25

Seeking sincere participation in the Mass

One notable parish renovation after the Second Vatican Council was the frequent transfer of the Blessed Sacrament from a central place of prominence on a church’s main altar to a shrine … more

6/19/25

Special Event Listings for 06.19.25

Prison Ministry seeking volunteers RHODE ISLAND — There are over 500 Rhode Island Catholics in our prison system — there is a great need to support our clergy who serve in prison ministry … more

6/19/25

La Salle announces leadership transition as Br. Dennis Malloy becomes president emeritus and Don Kavanagh is named interim president

PROVIDENCE — The Board of Trustees of La Salle Academy announced that Br. Dennis Malloy, President, will assume the role of President Emeritus effective June 30, 2025. Br. Dennis has led the … more

6/16/25

Vincent “Jay” Zizza was ordained a deacon during a beautiful Mass at Christ the King Church, Kingston. Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R, was the principal celebrant and homilist, joined by many priests and deacons.

Zizza's ordination to transitional diaconate a day of great joy

KINGSTON — On Saturday, June 7, the Most Reverend Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., ordained seminarian Vincent “Jay” Zizza a deacon at Christ the King Church, Kingston. “Through … more

By Laura Kilgus, Associate Editor | 6/12/25

Altar servers in the Special Religious Education program respond to Bishop Lewandowski’s message of hope and praise for those living with disabilities.

Those with disabilities, special needs given message of hope by Bishop Lewandowski

By RICK SNIZEK Executive Editor PROVIDENCE — Despite living with a disability, those with special needs often bear a broad smile. But when others who don’t understand what makes them … more

By Rick Snizek, Executive Editor | 6/12/25

Raymond J. Valliere

WEST WARWICK — Raymond J. Valliere, 86, of West Warwick, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 31, 2025 while surrounded by his loving family, and beloved wife of 65 years, Jeanne P. … more

6/12/25

Pope Leo XIV leads prayers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Italy, southeast of Rome, May 10, 2025. The shrine, with a famous image of Mary, is run by the pope's Augustinian confreres.

American? Peruvian? French? Augustinian, religious say, is Pope Leo’s core identity

By Rhina Guidos Global Sisters Report, OSV News As headlines in major U.S. publications on May 8 blared that the first pope from the U.S. had been elected, newspapers in Peru, where he is a citizen, … more

6/12/25

Special Event Listings for 06.12.25

Ministry offers support and Masses for Recovery PORTSMOUTH — If you or a loved one(s) struggle with alcohol, drugs, or mental health distress, the Diocese of Providence’s St. Matthias … more

6/12/25

Sous chef volunteers John Romano and Emily Henault use the freshest ingredients to prepare healthy meals for those in need through the Kitchen of Hope Program, based at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wakefield. Among the guests served by the ministry are many elderly people in their 80s and 90s.

Parishes join together to show love through meals, break ground on new facility

WAKEFIELD — A meal sounds like such a simple thing, yet beyond the need for bodily nourishment lies the necessity of social and emotional nourishment. All of these can be achieved through a … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 6/12/25

Asking for human life and dignity protections in the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’

By Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski OSV News The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed in the House of Representatives and is now in the Senate. The senators have a chance to reshape or alter … more

By Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, OSV News | 6/12/25