Father John A. Kiley | Rhode Island Catholic

Continuing the work of Jesus through the ages

Cornelius, a Gentile military officer, was “…devout and God-fearing along with his whole household.” The Book of Acts recalls that he “… used to give alms generously … more

4/17/25

A visit with the original Apostolic band, what they saw and passed on

The prophet Mohammed was not only an insightful preacher he was also a capable and quite successful military leader. Within his lifetime, most of Asia Minor and much of North Africa had been wrested … more

4/10/25

Opening our hearts to divine grace

The Hebrew Scriptures do not mince their words when it comes to the punishment suitable for adultery. The Book of Leviticus, reflecting the traditions of the southern Jews in Judea, clearly provides … more

4/3/25

The everyday availability of God to the average believer must never be discounted

The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, was at one time the residence and home of the Russian Czars. Over the centuries the massive building also became the residence and home of some of the … more

3/27/25

God’s self-revelation to Moses was the pre-cursor to the Holy Trinity

Devout Catholics are familiar with holy cards and stained-glass windows depicting saints in awe before the Divine Presence. Lourdes and Fatima recall several Heavenly appearances. Scripture scholars … more

3/20/25

Fidelity and Fulfillment in the Resurrection

St. John makes no mention of the post-baptismal temptations of Christ. St. Mark offers a brief mention of the event: “At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert, and he remained in the … more

3/6/25

Death is a tough hurdle even for the devout believer, but there is redemption in dying

They were an ideal parish family. The husband served on the parish council and coached the school basketball team. The wife helped count the Sunday donations on Monday morning and helped with … more

2/27/25

The heart of Christ is an enduring symbol of tender and forgiving love

Pope Francis raised some eyebrows late last year when he told the children of Singapore, “All religions are paths to reach God. They are—to make a comparison—like different … more

2/20/25

There are those who trust in human resources, and those who trust in the Lord

Wisely did the Sacred Author place this coming Sunday’s responsorial psalm as the first of the Bible’s one hundred and fifty prayerful canticles. This initial Biblical hymn offers the … more

2/13/25

The perennial Presence of Christ in his Church should enliven every willing believer

The reader can certainly sympathize with the young Isaiah who is awed by “the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple.” At the sound of … more

2/6/25

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

Reverence of the Church’s altars

When Noah and his wildlife companions exited the ark, the ancient patriarch built an altar on the spot and offered sacrifice to God in thanksgiving for his deliverance. When God spared … more

1/23/25

Christ’s generosity is found in the sacramental life of the Church

Saints Matthew, Mark and Luke in their Gospel accounts and Saint Paul in his Letters relate with striking similarity the institution of the Eucharistic Body and Blood of Jesus Christ under the … more

1/16/25

The baptized Christ united himself with a sinful mankind

Born in Quebec, raised in Fall River, and spending her final years in Woonsocket, Marie Rose Ferron (1902-36) is a much-respected and devout soul. To this day, La Petite Rose is revered by many for … more

1/9/25

The inspired example of the Blessed Mother

St. Ambrose of Milan (d.397) might have been the first theologian to acknowledge the Blessed Virgin Mary as Mother of the Church. Quite recent examinations of his writings reveal that the ancient … more

12/19/24

When it comes to charity, we can do more

A few years after priestly ordination, a classmate from Our Lady of Providence Seminary and also from St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester suggested that all my Sunday sermons were the same: … more

12/12/24

A Mission for Today’s Catholics: ‘Prepare the Way of the Lord’

Seminarians are expected to attend Mass every day, even when home on vacation. All happily oblige. Daily Mass in my home parish, St. Charles, Woonsocket, was celebrated at 7 a.m. But Holy Family … more

12/5/24

Hoping in the power and promises of God

Alfred Dreyfus (1859-1935) was a French army officer whose trial for treason deeply marked the political and social history of France for almost a century. Dreyfus was the son of a wealthy Jewish … more

11/27/24

Let Christ the King guide you

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, is not at all an old feast on the Church’s liturgical calendar. Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King in his … more

11/21/24

A Call to ‘lead the many to justice’

Sister Mary Lucy Carr, R.S.M., was my ninth grade teacher at St. Charles School in Woonsocket and perhaps of more than any other person I am a priest today because of her persistence. A classmate had … more

11/14/24