PROVIDENCE — “I rejoiced when they said to me: Let us go to the house of the Lord” was the opening song for the Night of Worship and Solidarity, performed by the Diocesan Hispanic Choir under the direction of Silvio Cuéllar. The bilingual event was held to raise funds for the poorest of the poor through Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international relief agency of the U.S. Catholic bishops, which serves in more than 100 countries.
Organized by the local CRS Comunidad de Solidaridad (CRS Spanish Chapter) of the Diocese of Providence, the event took place on Friday, Aug. 29, in McVinney Auditorium. Attendees experienced an inspiring evening of music, worship, reflection and testimonies that strengthened their faith and deepened their spiritual lives.
Special guest Father Gildardo Suárez shared several songs that moved the audience, concluding with “Un Millón de Amigos” (“A Million Friends”), joined by the choir and the crowd, who sang together with joy.
Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., offered a reflection on the meaning of power. He noted that people often focus on power through money, fame, politics or careers.
“We all have power: we move, we sing, we laugh — we are capable of much,” the bishop said. “But the real question is: How will you use your power? Jesus was the most powerful, yet he used his power to heal the sick, feed the hungry, forgive sins, and raise the dead. He always left people better than he found them. We are called to do the same. The power of God lives within us, through the Holy Spirit, to do good.”
Sister Juan María of the Holy Spirit, C.F.S., accompanied by PVD Music Ministry and Novum Collective, with special guest Winston Cárdenas from Houston, Texas, offered a heartfelt testimony about her religious vocation. She shared moving stories from her journey and encouraged the faithful to place God at the center of their lives.
“Invest time in prayer so your mind is fixed on God,” she said. “Encounter yourself and encounter Him, so you can live in a true relationship with the Lord.”
She concluded with the song “Vaso Nuevo” (“New Vessel,”) leaving the auditorium in an atmosphere of deep peace.
At the close of the Night of Worship and Solidarity, Catholic Relief Services leaders thanked the community for their support and invited everyone to join in this mission of hope through their prayers and donations. As they reminded the audience: “Faith knows no bounds.”
Carlos Escalona, who runs the local CRS chapter, expressed his gratitude for all that came to support those who are at most risk due to cuts in international humanitarian assistance.
“We may not be able to support all the need, but we certainly will make a difference, and together with other chapters and people of good heart around the country, we will multiply our efforts.”
All funds raised for CRS directly benefit those in most need. To donate, visit https://mobilizecrs.donordrive.com/teams/CRSProvidence/donate.
