Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

Pope Leo XIV addresses the Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod during a meeting at the Vatican June 26, 2025.

With pope's support, Vatican to publish document on synod's final phase

VATICAN CITY — Almost four years after Pope Francis opened the Catholic Church’s path toward synodality — a term many in the church had never heard before — his successor has … more

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service | 7/10/25

Bishop Lewandowski walks in the parade with, from left, Father Phillip Dufour, pastor of St. Theresa and St. Christopher Parishes, Tiverton; Father Henry Zinno, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and Father Vander Martins, pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish, both in Bristol.

Bishop Lewandowski offers invocation at nation’s oldest continuous Patriotic Exercises at July 4th celebration in Bristol, R.I.

God Bless the USA: Bishop Bruce Lewandowski holds a T-shirt presented to him following his invocation at the 240th annual Patriotic Exercises to kick off the Bristol Fourth of July Parade. Above, the … more

By Rick Snizek, Executive Editor | 7/10/25

Rhode Island Catholic, Diocesan Communications Honored with 14 National Catholic Press Awards

PHOENIX — Rhode Island Catholic and the diocesan Office of Communications and Public Relations were honored on Friday, June 27, with a combined 14 awards by the Catholic Media Association of … more

7/10/25

Special Event Listing 07.10.25

Celebrate the Feast of Saints Louis and Zelie Martin NASONVILLE — The Shrine of the Little Flower, 35 Dion Drive, will celebrate the Feast of Saints Louis and Zelie Martin on Saturday, July 12. … more

7/10/25

Seminarians for the Diocese of Providence, together with their families, clergy and faculty of Our Lady of Providence Seminary, take part in the annual Seminarian-Parent Dinner hosted by the Serra Club.

Serra Club dinner a time of appreciation for priests, seminarians

NORTH PROVIDENCE — The Serra Club of Providence hosted its annual Seminarian-Parent Dinner on June 20 to honor the parents and families of seminarians and the role they play in helping to … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 7/10/25

Young adults in their 20s and 30s attended a special afternoon with Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Cumberland. The bishop led the Rosary, and following, participants enjoyed a relaxed evening of great food, conversation, prayer, and community.

BBQ with Bishop a day of grace, joy and fun for local young adults

CUMBERLAND — Since his installation as the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Providence last month, Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., has been on a mission like no other to bring the Gospel to … more

By Allison Shinskey, Rhode Island Catholic Catholic Correspondent | 7/10/25

World & Nation

Pope: Our cities must not be freed of the marginalized, but of marginalization VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Too often, in the name of security, war is waged against the poor, Pope Leo XIV said. The … more

7/10/25

School Choice One Step Closer to being possible in RI

Congress recently passed the “Big Beautiful Bill” at the beginning of July. While that bill contains a lot of material worthy of debate, one provision in the bill is a good sign for … more

7/10/25

Catholic Charities is now protected in doing its work

Should a local or state government tax Catholic Charities? That was the question brought to the U.S. Supreme Court recently. In “Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor and Industry Review … more

7/10/25

Reading is a wonderful way to pass the time during hot summer days. Here are some suggestions for moms and children of various ages.

Summer Reading List: For Catholic Moms and Children

Summer is the perfect season to head to the library or bookstore and pick up some new books to read. Reading is a wonderful way to pass the time during hot summer days. Here are some suggestions for … more

By Christina Frye | 7/10/25

Continuing the work of St. Peter

In 1513, Cardinal Giovanni di Lorenzo de’ Medici became the last non-priest to be elected pope. At the time, it was not uncommon for a layman to be a cardinal. Pope Leo X (1513-1521), as he … more

By Father John A. Kiley | 7/10/25

Rhode Island deacon-doctor speaks on vaccine ethics

As questions and concerns are often raised about the ethics of vaccines, OSV News’ Charlie Camosy recently spoke on these matters with Timothy P. Flanigan, a doctor and professor of medicine in … more

By Charlie Camosy, OSV News | 7/10/25

Special Event Listings 06.26.25

Young Adults Summer Social Meetup MIDDLETOWN — Connect with other young adults at St. Lucy’s Parish center, 909 West Main Road, on Friday, June 27, at 5 p.m. Enjoy free snacks, … more

6/26/25

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