Father John A. Kiley | Rhode Island Catholic

Martin Luther has been the coarse butt of Catholic jokes and the ready stock of Catholic scholarship for almost five hundred years. But not all the damaging talk and negative press is fully … more

9/12/24

Honoring Human Dignity is a Divine Mandate

Persons may foolishly lose their dignity through sinning. The light-fingered store clerk, the unfaithful spouse, the dishonest professional, and, yes, the negligent clergyman have only themselves to … more

9/5/24

The power of Mary’s intercession

While women could inherit queenship by birth in a few of the northern European nations like Britain, the Netherlands and Scandinavia, the Mediterrean and Eastern European nations tended to view … more

8/22/24

Anointing of the Sick offers prayers for healing, preparation for next life

St. John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890) was indeed a grand preacher as well as great writer. Along with his profound theological utterances and writings, a few private prayers of the English … more

8/8/24

Come to the feast!

Although St. John devotes five entire chapters of his Gospel account to the events and discourses constituting the Last Supper, the Beloved Disciple has chosen decidedly to omit the drama of the … more

7/25/24

Bringing the Good News of salvation to a collapsed world

Readers of the Gospel accounts quickly realize that the early Christian saga occurs intermittently between Galilee on the north and Judea on the south of the Holy Land. Most of the action occurs in … more

7/9/24

Saint Francis Church and Saint Romuald Chapel, pictured, is one parish family, spread between two worship sites: a historic stone church just outside downtown Wakefield, and a quaint beach-side chapel in Matunuck.

Believers need the daring to treasure God’s power

A rustic chapel has served the summer community at Matunuck for decades. And now, as Rhode Islanders leave the chill of the Blackstone Valley and other spots north for the comforts of the shore line, … more

6/27/24

Saints Peter and Paul played complementary roles in the ancient Church

The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) neatly coincided with the political, social and psychological upheaval that gripped the Western World in the middle of the last century. The Beatles from Great … more

6/27/24

St. Anthony of Padua preached the ‘grandeur of Christianity’

St. Anthony of Padua, whose feast is June 13, is often depicted holding an open Bible on which the Christ child sits with a hand raised in blessing. The tender image does not commemorate an event in … more

6/13/24

Corpus Christi rightly celebrates the Savior’s presence in sacramental and secular life

In response to a number of disturbing surveys, the American bishops have become quite concerned about the belief of American Catholics in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. A disturbing … more

6/6/24

Our forebears in the faith often gave their lives for the Gospel

Just about every nationality in Europe can proudly boast of a missionary or monk who first brought the Catholic faith to their border or their shores. Clearly, Italy has the most impressive bragging … more

5/30/24

Trinity Sunday celebrates the inner life of God the Father, Son and Spirit

Preachers, and often Church teachings and perhaps even the Scriptures sometimes divide the activity of the Holy Trinity into three convenient categories: God the Father is the creator; God the Son is … more

5/23/24

In today’s world, the sacred is often overwhelmed by the secular

The Second Vatican Council, the first council in Church history even to mention the word “laity,” rightly has shed much light on the assorted vocations and ministries open to all Roman … more

5/16/24

The Ascension is the beginning of Jesus’ heavenly ministry

The Ascension of Jesus Christ into heavenly glory was not so much the conclusion of his earthly ministry as it was the beginning of his heavenly ministry. Jesus in heaven is still the mediator … more

5/9/24

Christians are called to celebrate the generous offerings of Mary Stewart

Occasionally, in anthologies of popular prayers, one might come across a series of petitions entitled “Mary Stewart’s Prayer,” or, correctly, “Mary Stewart’s … more

5/2/24

Time spent with the Lord is the foundation of authentic prayer

It is difficult to believe that 10 years have passed since the Holy Year of Mercy in 2015 drew pilgrims to Rome and occasioned regional celebrations throughout the Catholic world. The prayerful … more

4/25/24

The Eternal Shepherd Cherishes his Flock

Travelers through Eastern Europe have often observed primitive huts constructed from corn stalks or sunflower shoots large enough to shelter a farm laborer overnight. Harvesters know that the time … more

4/18/24

God put human salvation ahead of the security of his own Son

Although St. Peter made himself scarce during the hours of Christ’s passion and death, he soon became keenly and sadly aware of the humiliation and suffering that Jesus experienced during his … more

4/11/24

St. Thomas’ contributions are not limited to his celebrated act of faith

Many worthy words of Jesus Christ have become part of daily conversations without the speaker even being aware of their sacred origin. References to turning the “other cheek” and going … more

4/4/24

‘Christ my hope has arisen’

In Easter Sunday’s first reading, St. Peter is resolved that Jesus Christ was a good man. “He went about doing good,” the head of the apostolic band insists, “healing all … more

3/28/24