News - July 2023 RSS Feed

Reverend Peter M. Mongeon, 66, an incardinated priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, died Monday, July 31, 2023. A native of Woonsocket, RI, Father Mongeon exercised priestly ministry for many years in the Diocese of Providence. Calling Hours will be on Saturday morning, August 5, beginning at 9:00 am in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, 30 Fenner Street, Providence, RI. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of Father's soul on Saturday, August 5 at 11:00 am in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland. Please pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of Father Mongeon. (Photo: Diocese of Providence file)

By Father Nathan Ricci - On a cool Roman morning in November of 1998, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin arrived at the Apostolic Palace for his ad limina audience with the pope. John Paul II named the now 50-year-old Tobin a bishop six years ago, but after seeing the youthful man in front of him, the Holy Father exclaimed, “You’re very young to be a bishop!” With a big smile, a brave Tobin responded without pretense, “With all due respect, Holy Father, that’s your fault!” The pope clearly appreciated the good humor and candor of the young bishop. John Paul II would raise Tobin to further dignity in the Church, naming him to the most Catholic state in the Union as eighth bishop of Providence. (Photo: Laura Kilgus)

"We have been so blessed by this man’s faithful priestly witness of 50 years, his 31 years of episcopal shepherding, and his lifetime of Christian discipleship." - from Bishop Henning's latest column - - about Bishop Tobin

In this special edition, Rhode Island Catholic takes a look at Bishop Thomas J. Tobin's 18-year legacy in the Diocese of Providence in recognition of his retirement and 50th anniversary of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. For a copy of this special 40 page edition of Rhode Island Catholic, please call 401-272-1010 or email srichard@thericatholic.com.

Fr. Raymond Tetrault’s paintings are on exhibit at the Sprout Gallery, 166 Valley St., Building 6M, Suite 103, Providence, from June 29 to July 28. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. | Las pinturas de Padre Raymond Tetrault estarán en exhibición en Sprout Gallery, 166 Valley St., Building 6M, Suite 103, Providence, del 29 de junio al 28 de julio. La galería estará abierta de 9 am a 3 pm, de lunes a viernes. (Image: Diocese of Providence file)

On this day in 2018, he received the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders in St. Agnes Cathedral at the hands of Bishop John Barres after having been appointed by Pope Francis as an auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre—his hometown—all before Pope Francis would send him here to Rhode Island a little more than four years later. Ad multos annos, Bishop Henning! (Photo: SUE GRIECO/LI HERALD)

Today, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin celebrates the 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood! He was ordained in 1973 in Pittsburgh, PA. Congratulations, Bishop Tobin! Ad multos annos! (Photo: Bishop Tobin)

“Catholic schools – the value is indisputable, and yet there are … staffing challenges that affect teaching nationwide, but certainly affect Catholic schools as well,” said Chris Keavy, a 20-year Catholic school president and principal, now head of the PACT program at Providence College. (PHOTO: COURTESY OF NANCY CIFUNE/ST. RAPHAEL ACADEMY)

In a scene from George Orwell’s “1984,” an interrogator tells the protagonist Winston Smith: “In the end the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it.”...Read the full Editorial in Rhode Island Catholic.

Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, Bishop of Providence, has made the following clergy appointments within the Diocese of Providence...

“This year’s legislative session, as always, had its winners and losers but, in my opinion, the entire session was overshadowed by a black cloud with the passage of the so-called Equality in Abortion Coverage Act,” said Father Bernard A. Healey, director of the Rhode Island Catholic Conference. “Sadly now, Rhode Island taxpayers, including Catholics and others, opposed to the killing of the innocent unborn must fund abortions. It is a clear violation of conscience and an attack on the sanctity of human life. This was a major defeat in our state for the respect of human life and the common good.” (RIC file photo)

"That more human scale also means that all of us can make a difference by advocating for those values and beliefs closest to our hearts. I encourage the Catholics of Rhode Island to pray for our leaders and to thank them for their public service (1 Tim 2:1-2). I also encourage us to make certain that we vote, and that we express our most deeply held convictions by our vote and our communications. In a state on such a human scale, faithful citizenship makes a difference!" - Bishop Henning

Lea ahora: Boletín digital de la Diócesis de Providencia en Español 7 de Julio del 2023 (Image: diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry)

The Miracle Club is a Catholic Pilgrimage film set in 1967. This heartwarming film follows the story of three generations of close friends of Ballygar, a hardknocks community in Dublin, who have one tantalizing dream: to win a pilgrimage to the sacred French town of Lourdes, that place of miracles that draws millions of visitors each year. It stars Academy Award® nominee Laura Linney, Academy Award® winners Maggie Smith and Kathy Bates, and Agnes O’Casey. (Image: sonyclassics.com/film/themiracleclub)

Come join us Mon.-Wed., July 24, 25 and 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. James Chapel, Charlestown, RI. Each night will begin with praise and worship music led by Christian artist John Polce, followed by teaching and witness talks on opening ourselves to allow the Spirit of God to live within us. The third night concludes with speaker and Evangelist, Walter Burke Jr., of the “Burke Family Singers” fame, as he prepares us all with a deeper understanding of how to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is an anti-Catholic hate group, made up of drag queens whose specialty is blasphemy and sacrilege. When it was announced that the “Sisters” were to be honored by the Los Angeles Dodgers during their annual “Pride Night” on June 16, there was an understandable backlash from Catholics and other offended fans. This led the Dodgers initially to rescind their invitation to the group, only to reinstate it a few days later in response to pressure from the “Sisters’” supporters.

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent WAKEFIELD —On Sunday, June 25, the third annual Mass of Thanksgiving to God for All Essential Workers was offered at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. This special occasion comes in the aftermath of the events surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic to honor and pray for essential workers and all those who suffered from the physical, psychological or economic effects of Covid. (Photo: Cole DeSantis)

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” The signatories to the Declaration of Independence may have had different creeds, but they understood that human dignity is not conferred by leaders or legislation — it is first and foremost the gift of a loving Creator. They also understood this vision is too often imperfectly lived in a sinful world...

Diocese of Providence Office of Vocations invites Catholic high school boys to deepen their faith, learn more about vocations, and better discern God’s call in their lives at the July Quo Vadis Summer Camp! (Photo: USCCB)

By Laura Kilgus, Associate Editor PROVIDENCE — For the second year in a row, the Catholic Charity Appeal has exceeded its goal in the Diocese of Providence. As of June 26, the 2023 Appeal has reached $7,245,238 in pledges and one-time gifts from 18,957 donors, meeting 103% of its $7 million goal. This is the most raised in the campaign since 2017.