News - June 2023 RSS Feed

Your Catholic roundup of news and inspiration!

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent & By Rick Snizek, Executive Editor PROVIDENCE — The rain falling upon the roof of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul on June 24 could not dampen the joyful spirit of those within as more than 50 priests, deacons and seminarians, followed by three bishops, processed into the nearly 135-year-old cathedral ahead of soon-to-be Father Patrick Ryan while strains of “O God Beyond All Praising” rose to the lofty rafters. (Photo: Laura Kilgus)

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Last week, I spoke of my gratitude to, and admiration for, our priests. I also invited all of us to pray for our priests by invoking the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This week, I would like to make that appeal personal by expressing my gratitude to God for two particular priests: Father James Ruggieri and Father Joseph Brice.

By Father Bernard A. Healey On Saturday, June 24, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. Also, on Saturday, the Church of Providence celebrates the ordination to the priesthood of Deacon Patrick Ryan. The date and the celebrations hold special significance for me as it was 28 years ago, on June 24, 1995, that Father James Ruggeri and I were ordained as priests of Providence. (FILE PHOTO: SILVIO CUELLAR)

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor COVENTRY — It’s been a busy week-and-a-half for Deacon Patrick Ryan. The Diocese of Providence seminarian, ordained to the transitional diaconate last fall, returned to his family home last week after completing his studies at Pontifical North American College in Rome. Over the weekend he attended a family wedding and now he is preparing for the most important day in the rest of his life — his ordination to the priesthood. (PHOTO: RICK SNIZEK)

Saturday, June 24 beginning at 10 a.m., Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, S.T.D, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Providence, is presiding at the Ordination of Rev. Mr. Patrick Ryan to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood. Click to go to the Diocese of Providence YouTube channel to view! (Photo: Diocese of Providence)

At Saints John and Paul, 341 South Main St., Coventry, RI, at 7 p.m.

With great joy the Diocese of Providence announces the ordination of Deacon Patrick Ryan to the Sacred Priesthood. Most Rev. Richard G. Henning, Bishop of Providence, will confer the Sacrament of Holy Orders at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 10 a.m.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—At the request of the pastor/administrator, trustees, and finance councils of the two parishes, and after consulting the diocesan College of Consultors, Most Rev. Richard G. Henning, D.D., S.T.D., Bishop of Providence, has approved the request to merge St. Alexander Parish into St. Mary of the Bay Parish, both in Warren, effective July 7, 2023. Parishioners were informed of the approval at Masses this weekend.

CATHOLIC MOM RHODE ISLAND - Saint Paul writes: “but I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3) So, what happens when men, especially fathers, are weakened? Let’s look at nature. My children and I were watching a nature show about lions...

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. — As an adolescent, Father Zachary Sexton, O.P., considered himself the “answer guy.” With a Sherlock Holmesian-level of curiosity, he would seek answers to the Catholic questions that came up in his household. He recalls reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a sort of encyclopedia, how he would “flip through the index” for explanations on Church teaching. So, it made sense when his vocation to the Dominicans, a scholarly religious order, came to fruition on May 20 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. (PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE GOSS/DOMINICAN FRIARS FOUNDATION)

Two weeks ago, I offered some thoughts on the importance of the Church of the home and the crucial role of good mothers and fathers in the spiritual care of their children. That sacred calling is certainly on my mind again as we prepare to celebrate our fathers this Sunday. The need for good fathers grows ever more intense as too many young people lack that foundational and formational blessing in their lives. I hope that we all thank and support fathers who embrace that sacred calling and I wish all of you and your families a joyful celebration.

BALTIMORE — Rhode Island Catholic and its Spanish language publication, El Católico de Rhode Island, were honored on Friday, June 9, with a combined 25 awards by the Catholic Media Association of the U.S. and Canada during the organization’s 2023 Catholic Media Conference. The newspapers were honored in a variety of categories, including writing, photography and design. The awards were bestowed at the end of the four-day annual media convention, held in Baltimore, featuring educational seminars for journalists and Catholic communicators. Next year’s Catholic Media Convention and Awards Banquet will be held in Atlanta.

By MARIA WIERING, OSV News Senior Writer & COLE DESANTIS, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent -- With the feast of Corpus Christi, the National Eucharistic Revival enters its second year and shifts its focus to parish renewal — a year organizers expect will inspire more parishes to increase the Eucharist’s visibility in their communities through Eucharistic processions.(PHOTO: COLE DESANTIS/RHODE ISLAND CATHOLIC)

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor - PROVIDENCE — Over the course of 30 years, until she retired at the end of 2022, Louise “Duce” Dussault, former director of the diocesan Office of Youth Ministry, developed very successful programs for young people that continue to thrive today, such as Catholic Athletic League sports, the Mother of Hope summer camp and the ever popular retreat weekends. (FILE PHOTO: LAURA KILGUS)

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - CHEPACHET — A child’s job is to learn – learn about the world around them, their purpose within it and most importantly about God. Just because the school year ends doesn’t mean that learning should end as well. One major way that children learn is through play. Mother of Hope Day Camp in Chepachet offers children from the ages of 5-12 the opportunity to learn and play in a safe, Catholic environment throughout the summer. (PHOTO: MOTHER OF HOPE CAMP)

You may have noticed that most parish churches use beautiful and sometimes ornate gold or silver chalices for the celebration of Holy Mass. How would you feel if you happened to see your parish priest drinking his morning coffee from one of those beautiful chalices? I presume that you would be scandalized, and rightly so! It is not a bad thing to drink coffee in the morning. And yet we know instinctively that it would be wrong to use a chalice in this way. The chalice is meant for the celebration of Mass and that alone...

EAST GREENWICH — The Most Reverend Robert C. Evans, former Auxiliary Bishop of Providence, will observe the Golden Jubilee of his priestly ordination by celebrating Holy Mass at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 65 3rd St., on Sunday, July 2, at 10:30 a.m. The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Rochester, will serve as homilist. An outdoor reception in Mercy Park will follow. All are welcome to attend. (PHOTO: LAURA KILGUS)

Prezados irmãos e irmãs em Cristo, Em nome da Diocese de Providence, desejo expressar a minha profunda gratidão à comunidade luso-americana aqui em Rhode Island pelas suas imensuráveis contribuições para a vida deste estado e das suas muitas comunidades.