At the end of June, the Diocese of Providence will have the great joy of ordaining two outstanding young men as priests of the Lord Jesus. more

So, we shared a little good news recently, with the release of the October Sunday Mass Count numbers, indicating that from October 2009 to October 2010 Mass attendance across the Diocese increased by about two percent. “Not a big deal,” you say. more

(In light of the Beatification of Pope John Paul II this weekend in Rome, it seems appropriate to revisit his ministry and his enormous contributions to the Church and the world. The following is a slightly revised and updated version of a column that previously appeared in “The Catholic Exponent,” of the Diocese of Youngstown.) more

This may sound odd, but I was delighted last week when I heard a team of college students discuss how a flood can wipe out a lifetime of memories. Well, let me put it this way: I found it … more

For readers outside of the region, first, a little background. Cranston High School West, a fine public high school located in Cranston RI, has found itself in a bit of a pickle recently, a “prayer pickle” you might say. You see, there’s this prayer banner hanging in the school auditorium that says: more

I’ve noticed more and more Catholic websites and businesses noting that they’re loyal to the pope and all the councils of the church. I suppose this is because of late, so many splinter … more

You who are on the road Must have a code that you can live by And so become yourself Because the past is just a good bye. Teach your children well, Their father’s hell did slowly go by, And feed them on your dreams The one they picks, the one you’ll know by. more

The funeral for my mom’s Aunt Rose took place four days after a major winter storm and two days before another. It was a bright morning, but a cold, blustery one—a harsh way to say a goodbye to a … more

So I was driving around one day recently, taking care of some errands, when I decided to stop in the local convenience store and buy a PowerBall ticket. more

Perhaps it’s the melancholy of the season, with its falling leaves and fading daylight, or perhaps it’s the fact that I live in a cemetery surrounded by tombstones, or maybe because I’ve officiated at a number of funerals in the last few weeks, but recently I’ve found myself wondering about the circumstances of my own death, musing over when and where and how I’ll draw my final breath. more

Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! (I Cor 9:16) more

I saw a “Peanuts” cartoon recently that seemed especially timely. The kids are playing baseball and little Linus, in full catcher’s gear walks out to the pitcher’s mound and announces to Charlie Brown, “The bases are loaded again, and there’s still nobody out.” “So what do you think?” asks Charlie Brown. more

That’s the question some folks might be asking themselves if they read a recent Catholic News Service article about the spiritual practices of our late Holy Father. more

A long, long time ago I heard a story about a devout little boy named Jimmy who walked past his parish church everyday on his way to school. Remembering the presence of Christ in the tabernacle of the church, each day as he passed by Jimmy made the Sign of the Cross and said simply, “Hello Jesus, it’s Jimmy.” more

The holidays brought with them a welcome truce in the battle over national health care reform. But as surely as the snow flying in January, the debate will begin again, and as it does so, there are lots of reasons to be concerned about the legislation that’s emerging from Congress. more

One of the things I enjoy most about the Christmas Season is the music – the beautiful carols and hymns that are a traditional part of the season. more

Dear Congressman Kennedy:

“The fact that I disagree with the hierarchy on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic.” (Congressman Patrick Kennedy) more

And so it begins – the Year of Evangelization in the Diocese of Providence. It is, I’m convinced, one of most important programs in the recent history of the Diocese. It’s an initiative filled with enormous potential, but one that requires all of us working together with personal dedication, enthusiasm and joy. more

I recently received a copy of Arrowsmith, the outstanding magazine published by St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, Mass. Arrowsmith is, without a doubt, one of the fine scholastic publications in the country – the layout is perfect, the stories are timely, the writing is of Pulitzer Prize caliber, and the photos . . . well, the photos are simply stunning. more

This fall marks a mini-milestone in my life in the Church, for it was forty years ago that I left my home in Pittsburgh, hopped on a boat and traveled to Rome to begin my major seminary experience. I’ve been reflecting on that experience a lot recently, and I’ve also been thinking about how much seminary life has changed in the last forty years. more