Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

The diocesan Office of Life and Family Ministry sponsored a Holy Mass for Life, in thanksgiving for the gift of life, on Sunday, Jan. 26 at Immaculate Conception Parish, Cranston. Rev. Msgr. Albert A. Kenney, S.T.L., diocesan administrator, was the main celebrant and Rev. Edward J. Wilson, Jr., pastor of Immaculate Conception, was the homilist.

Love is central theme at Immaculate Conception Mass for Life

CRANSTON — What does it mean to be pro-life? That was the central question of Father Edward Wilson’s homily at the annual Mass for Life at Immaculate Conception Church in Cranston on … more

By Kathleen Troost-Cramer, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 2/6/25

Sharon Foley, a parishioner of St. Margaret Parish in Rumford, has been diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease and is hopeful that a living donor may feel called to help change her life.

St. Margaret’s Parishioner Seeks a Living Kidney Donor

RUMFORD — Waiting is never fun, but in some cases the stakes are high indeed. For the 295 Rhode Islanders waiting for a kidney transplant as of May, 2024, the three- to five-year wait to find a … more

By Kathleen Troost-Cramer, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 2/6/25

Special Event Listings for 02.06.25

Young Adult Holy Hour & Social WEST WARWICK — St. Anthony Church, 1 Sunset Ave., will hold a Young Adult Holy Hour & Social on February 7, 7 – 9:30 p.m. The evening will include … more

2/6/25

Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, left, signs a declaration during the world leaders’ summit on children’s rights as Pope Francis, center, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, right, Franciscan Father Enzo Fortunato, president of the Pontifical Committee for the World Day of Children and Aldo Cagnoli, vice president of the same committee, standing behind Al Gore, look on at the Vatican Feb. 3, 2025.

Pope will prepare papal document to help church promote children’s rights

VATICAN CITY — Wrapping up a Vatican summit on the rights of children, Pope Francis announced he was going to publish a papal document dedicated to children. He called the Feb. 3 summit venue … more

By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service | 2/6/25

Most Rev. James Ruggieri, Bishop of Portland, Maine, visited his native Rhode Island to celebrate a solemn Mass at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul on Jan. 21, to honor Our Lady of Altagracia. At the conclusion of the Mass, the director of the Virgin of Altagracia Committee, José Pimentel, presented a plaque of recognition to Bishop Ruggieri.

Bishop Ruggieri returns to Providence to honor Our Lady of Altagracia in solemn Mass

PROVIDENCE — In an atmosphere of fervent devotion to Our Lady of Altagracia, patroness of the Dominican people, Most Rev. James Ruggieri, Bishop of Portland, Maine, visited his native Rhode … more

By Hortencia Medina, El Catolico de Rhode Island Correspondent | 1/30/25

Keep the Heat On program a vital lifeline in providing warmth during extreme cold

PROVIDENCE — This January, most of the country experienced an extreme cold weather event, with snowfall in the southern states along the Gulf Coast and negative temperatures in other places. … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 1/30/25

Morality of AI depends on human choices, Vatican says in new document

VATICAN CITY — "Technological progress is part of God's plan for creation," the Vatican said, but people must take responsibility for using technologies like artificial intelligence to help … more

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service | 1/30/25

Our Lady of Mercy School eighth grader Calvin Buffington explains his science fair project to middle school theology teacher Jeremy Long as Sienna Giardino looks on at the annual OLM school science fair held January 23.

OLM School holds science fair; Top six advance to state competition

EAST GREENWICH — As part of their science curriculum, all eighth grade students at Our Lady of Mercy school participate in the annual OLM School Science Fair. Last week, the students presented … more

1/30/25

Layla Price and Jameson Cournoyer assist at the Christmas baby shower for Mary.

St. Margaret School hosts baby shower to support St. Gabriel’s Call Ministry

RUMFORD — St. Margaret School recently held its annual Christmas baby shower for Mary, a community event designed to celebrate the upcoming birth of Jesus Christ and support women in need. The … more

1/30/25

St. Bernard Church celebrates 150th anniversary true to its mission church beginnings

NORTH KINGSTOWN — St. Bernard Church wrapped up its yearlong celebration of its 150th anniversary on December 15 with a closing Mass celebrated by Bishop Emeritus Thomas J. Tobin, who … more

By JAY CONWAY, Special to Rhode Island Catholic | 1/30/25

Special Event Listings for 01.30.25

The Visitation of the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe STATEWIDE — The Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be visiting the Diocese of Providence in various parishes … more

1/30/25

Pope Francis blesses a child as he visits Ukrainian children being treated at the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital in Rome March 19, 2022. The next day, Pope Francis told pilgrims gathered for the Angelus prayer that among the patients there was a child who is missing an arm and another with a head wound as a result of the Russian bombing of Ukraine.

Hope amid suffering leads to God, pope says in message for world’s sick

VATICAN CITY — While the Holy Year 2025 refrain, “Hope does not disappoint,” can be difficult for those suffering from illness to embrace, Christians are called to recognize … more

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service | 1/30/25

John Kelly and David Barbour were honored on Sunday, Jan. 26 by Catholic Athletic League athletes and coaches during ‘Thank-A-Ref Weekend.’

‘Thank-A-Ref Weekend’ honors dedicated officials who serve the Church through sports

PAWTUCKET — Signs of gratitude adorned the gymnasium walls of St. Raphael Academy on Sunday, Jan. 26 as players and coaches of St. Margaret, St. Teresa and St. Luke joined a state-wide … more

By Chris Jenkins, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 1/30/25

Simeon and Anna

This Sunday the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Simeon and Anna, who were present in the Temple on that occasion, shared something in common with Mary and Joseph — … more

1/30/25

The importance of incorporating the faith into your daily life

The bus for LaSalle arrived at my corner at 8 a.m. every school day. On exam days, my mother and I could attend the 7 a.m. Mass at the nearby Polish church, get home to eat breakfast quickly, and … more

1/30/25

Tips to Arrive on Time for Mass with Children

Getting to Mass on time is no easy feat. It gets especially harder to get to Mass on time when you have young children. There are some ways that our family prepares in advance so that we not … more

1/30/25

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th U.S. president in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington Jan. 20, 2025.

Wisdom, strength, humility focus of Inauguration Day prayers for President Trump

(OSV News) — As Catholics prayed across the country for President Donald Trump as he was sworn in as the nation’s 47th president Jan. 20, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York was in the … more

By Maria Wiering, OSV News | 1/23/25

Pope to Trump: May US prosper, shun all hatred, discrimination

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis told U.S. President Donald Trump he hoped that the nation would prosper under his leadership and make no room for hatred, discrimination or exclusion. The … more

By Carol Glatz, OSV News | 1/23/25

The Unbound ministry at St. Pius X in Westerly helps those who become trapped within themselves overcome problems that weigh them down, keeping them from experiencing God’s freedom.

Unbound ministry brings spiritual freedom to recipients and members

WESTERLY — Freedom. Everyone wants it. But oftentimes, people become trapped within themselves, within their own addictions and negative thought patterns that weigh them down and keep them from … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 1/23/25

Sister Ellen Martin, RSM

PROVIDENCE — Sister Ellen Martin, RSM, a Sister of Mercy for 63 years, died peacefully at Bethany Residence in Providence on December 27, 2024. She was the daughter of the late John T. and … more

1/23/25