Advent, this powerful liturgical season that we are beginning,
invites us to pause in silence
to understand a presence.
It is an invitation to
understand that the
individual events …
more
11/30/17
|
Last week, in Newport, we held our biennial Priest Convocation in the Diocese of Providence. About 70 priests, roughly a third of our presbyterate, joined together for a couple days of fraternity, …
more
11/16/17
|
The Celebration of All Saints on November 1st is a joyful and blessed day for the Church; it’s a victory celebration for us. On this day we honor the saints, our heroes, members of the Church who …
more
11/2/17
|
Is it just my imagination, or is our world more divided and fractured than ever?
It’s certainly true on a national level. Our country is fractured along political, racial and economic fault …
more
10/19/17
|
Today a few thoughts about building bridges and opening doors, themes which have appeared in religious news stories in the last few weeks.
On a national, even international level, there’s been a …
more
10/2/17
|
Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to so many people whose lives have been shattered by the fearsome hurricanes of the last few weeks.
We stand in solidarity with those in Florida, …
more
9/21/17
|
Well, dear readers, I hope you’ve had a very good summer with some personal time for relaxing, recreating and renewing. Hard to believe that it’s passed so quickly and that we’ve now re-entered …
more
9/7/17
|
A few random thoughts before I take a little break for summer . . .
** It’s just two years since the publication of Laudato Si, the historic encyclical of Pope Francis that calls us to a renewed …
more
6/22/17
|
The readings for daily Mass this week have been taken from the Book of Tobit, one of the most colorful and interesting books of the Bible. (And by the way, that’s Tobit, not Tobin!)
According to …
more
6/8/17
|
Brothers and sisters, we’re living in an age of lists. Just surf the internet and you’ll find a list about almost any conceivable topic – some serious, some silly, and some downright …
more
5/25/17
|
As I write this, we’re in the middle of Confirmation season, and while the schedule is demanding, it’s also interesting and enjoyable to travel around the Diocese to visit our parishes to confer …
more
5/11/17
|
As members of the Catholic Church in Rhode Island know, I have dedicated this year as a time of special devotion to our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary. “A Year with Mary our Mother,” I’ve …
more
4/27/17
|
“Why do you seek the Living One among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised.” (Lk 24: 5-6)
So, a dear lady who was very upset at something I had posted on my Facebook page responded …
more
4/13/17
|
Why, then, do you fear to take up the cross when through it you can win a kingdom? In the cross is salvation, in the cross is life . . . There is no salvation of soul nor hope of everlasting life …
more
3/30/17
|
A “Shoe” cartoon I saw the other day said this: “A recent study has shown that six of the seven dwarfs . . . aren’t happy.”
The reference to Disney’s “Seven Dwarfs,” reminded me of …
more
3/16/17
|
Since the beginning of the year, we’ve had the funerals of several of our retired priests – five to be exact. Really good men, fine priests, who served the Lord Jesus and the Church for many …
more
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin
|
3/2/17
|
Okay, let me say it and get it over with. Congratulations to the New England Patriots for winning their fifth Super Bowl! The Pats had a great season, culminated by their historic comeback and a …
more
2/16/17
|
Let us keep our eyes fixed on
Jesus, the leader and perfecter of our faith. (Heb 12:2)
This verse from the Letter to the Hebrews has become one of my favorites, for it summarizes so concisely …
more
2/2/17
|
If you follow news about the Catholic Church at all, you’re already aware of an historic debate taking place in the Church right now concerning Amoris Laetitia, “The Joy of Love,” the letter …
more
1/19/17
|
First, a very happy and blessed New Year to all! May 2017 be filled with health and happiness, grace and peace, for you and your loved ones.
And with the beginning of the New Year comes our …
more
1/5/17
|