Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

Take-Out Thursday BARRINGTON — Take-Out Thursday will return to Holy Angels Church on August 31. A delicious carryout menu offering options of baked stuffed clams, eggplant parmigiana … more

8/24/23

Volunteers bring generous community spirit, offer powerful witness of service

At the borders of Rhode Island, there is usually a blue sign that states “Discover Beautiful Rhode Island.” I have been taking that invitation very seriously — using my first months … more

8/24/23

Remembering Joseph Manning (1931-2023) for his staunch support of the unborn

I can remember driving through Narragansett in the backseat of my parents’ car and seeing a strange van passing by with peculiar images draped across the sides. Even though I don’t … more

Tyler Rowley, President, Servants of Christ for Life | 8/10/23

Things I Learned from My Child’s Catechism Class

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) This is one of Jesus’ Beatitudes from His Sermon on the Mount. “Poor in spirit” … more

8/10/23

We must heed Christ’s solemn teachings on the place of the Jewish people in salvation history

St. Paul is clearly stressed in the second reading from Romans at Mass this coming Sunday that his Jewish brothers and sisters did not accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of all mankind. The … more

8/10/23

Bishop Henning visits Mother of Hope Summer Camp

On July 26, Bishop Richard G. Henning visited the Mother of Hope diocesan day camp in Chepachet. The bishop visited with campers and staff, celebrating Mass for all those gathered. more

8/10/23

The word “PACE” is seeing in the crowd gathered as Pope Francis recites the rosary with young people who are ill at the Chapel of Apparitions at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima in Fátima, Portugal, Aug. 5, 2023.

Pope’s peace day message to focus on ethical concerns over AI

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Signaling the Vatican’s growing engagement in efforts to ensure the ethical development of new technologies, the Vatican has announced that “Artificial … more

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service | 8/10/23

The Most Reverend Robert C. Evans, former Auxiliary Bishop of Providence, observed the Golden Jubilee of his priestly ordination by celebrating Holy Mass at Our Lady of Mercy Church, East Greenwich, on Sunday, July 2.

Bishop Evans celebrates Golden Jubilee of priesthood ordination

EAST GREENWICH — “In giving the world priests, He gives us His own Son’s mediators on earth, earthen vessels that we are, and imperfect and weak as we can be. No priest knows why … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 8/10/23

Hannah Kline, a native of Rhode Island and a theology student at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, recently held a lecture series at local parishes to encourage Catholics to dive into their faith.

Local Steubenville student on a path to help Catholics rediscover their faith

PROVIDENCE — One unfortunate fact of Church life in contemporary society is the decrease in religious affiliation reported among the youth and young adult population. Affiliation with formal … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 8/10/23

Ann Codega

BARRINGTON — Ann Codega, 91, formerly of Barrington, passed away peacefully July 8, 2023 after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family. A lifelong resident of Barrington, she was a … more

8/10/23

Father Peter M. Mongeon

PROVIDENCE — The Reverend Peter M. Mongeon, KCHS, 66, an incardinated priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, died Monday, July 31, 2023. A native of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Father Mongeon … more

8/10/23

Sister Cecile Mousseau, SUSC

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. — Sister Cecile Mousseau SUSC (Sister Blanche Albert), died June 6 at Madonna Manor, North Attleboro, at the age of 89. Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, on August 10, … more

8/10/23

Sister Bernadette Sherin, LSP

PAWTUCKET — Sister Bernadette Sherin, LSP, formerly known as Eileen Sherin, died on Monday, July 10, 2023. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Thomas M. and … more

8/10/23

I Will Give You Shepherds

“I will give you shepherds after my own heart.” Jer 3:15 In 1992, three months before I was ordained a priest, Saint Pope John Paul II offered an Apostolic Exhortation concerning … more

7/27/23

Humility allowed Bishop Tobin to preach the truth without fear of reprisal

On a cool Roman morning in November of 1998, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin arrived at the Apostolic Palace for his ad limina audience with the pope. John Paul II named the now 50-year-old Tobin a bishop six … more

By Father Nathan Ricci | 7/27/23

Bishop Tobin clearly distinguished himself as a vocal defender of the Catholic faith, morality

Three millennia ago, as recalled in this coming Sunday’s first reading, a young King Solomon determined that the greatest endowment God could give him as he began his reign as ruler of the … more

7/27/23

At top, in June 2015 in a simple, but dignified ceremony in a section of Gate of Heaven Cemetery set aside for the repose of babies, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin presided over a Christian burial service for the unborn child he named “Francis,” fulfilling a commitment he made to officials five months before after a fetus was found floating amid the sewage at a nearby wastewater treatment facility. The tiny white casket, with “Baby Francis 2015” inscribed on a gold plaque affixed to one end, and flanked by flowers and a small teddy bear, rested upon a portable pine altar as the burial service was conducted. Because of Bishop Tobin’s support and prayers, the Office of Life and Family Ministry continues to grow here in the diocese. With his appointment as bishop, he brought a new perspective to the ministry by founding the Human Life Guild in 2005, that has encouraged all people of life to stand in solidarity and to have an unconditional commitment to human life in its earliest stages in the womb, in every condition, every stage and every circumstance up to natural death.

Bishop Tobin’s episcopacy marked by ‘outspoken’ pro-life, pro-family statements

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin has long been known as a forthright voice against the injustice of abortion in America. During presidential and off-year elections, he has openly stated that Catholics cannot, … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 7/27/23

Since 2005, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin’s Keep the Heat On program has raised more than $4 million, and provided assistance to more than 17,000 Rhode islanders struggling to heat their homes throughout the harsh winters. Bishop Tobin has expressed his gratitude to the countless donors whose gifts continue to make a lifesaving difference in the lives of their neighbors in need.

Bishop’s impact on those in need of heat has been ‘nothing short of lifesaving’

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin began the Keep the Heat On challenge on October 31, 2005, to assist those struggling to heat their homes in the frigid New England winters as heating costs reached record … more

Laura Kilgus, Associate Editor | 7/27/23

Above, left, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin serves Easter dinner to guests at the diocesan Emmanuel House Emergency Shelter in 2014. Above, right, Bishop Tobin distributes prayer cards to seniors during a Christmas visit to St. Martin de Porres Center in Providence on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. Bishop Tobin told the seniors that he prays that God will continue to bless them. “It’s comforting to know that in the birth of Jesus, God is with us and that makes all the difference in the world. That’s why in this Christmas season we can celebrate so well with joy, with peace and with hope — because of the promise that God is always with us.”

Bishop Tobin leaves a legacy of community outreach through diocesan ministries

It is with the words “Receive the Gospel and preach the Word of God with all patience and sound teaching,” that the consecrating bishop places the book of the Gospels over the … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 7/27/23

Special Event Listings for 07.27.23

Father Tetrault’s paintings on exhibit PROVIDENCE — The late Father Raymond Tetrault’s paintings will be on exhibit at the Sprout Gallery, 166 Valley St., Building 6M, Suite 103, … more

7/27/23