News - Catholic Charity Appeal RSS Feed

Don't miss a moment of all the 2025 happenings in our diocese! Subscribe to our weekly eNewsletter!

Sunday, February 9 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at St. Patrick Church, 244 Smith St., Providence. Featuring RPM Voices of Rhode Island, Opening Performance by Holy Name of Jesus Gospel Choir, Guest Readers Lenny Cabral, Joseph Costa, Peter Rocha, & Kiane Angeles. All are welcome!

By Chris Jenkins, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PAWTUCKET — Signs of gratitude adorned the gymnasium walls of St. Raphael Academy on Sunday, Jan. 26 as players and coaches of St. Margaret, St. Teresa and St. Luke joined a state-wide “Thank-A-Ref Weekend” to pay tribute to officials whose hard work and dedication make a difference in the lives of student athletes in the Diocese of Providence.

EAST GREENWICH — As part of their science curriculum, all eighth grade students at Our Lady of Mercy school participate in the annual OLM School Science Fair. Last week, the students presented their impressive projects to faculty and staff and winners were selected, with the top six advancing to the Rhode Island Science and Engineering Fair being held March 15-16 at CCRI in Warwick. (PHOTO COURTESY OF OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL)

RUMFORD — St. Margaret School recently held its annual Christmas baby shower for Mary, a community event designed to celebrate the upcoming birth of Jesus Christ and support women in need. The school community collected baby essentials, including clothing, diapers, and baby gear, to benefit St. Gabriel’s Call, a ministry of the Office of Life and Family Ministry, which is part of the Diocese of Providence’s Catholic Charities and Social Ministry.

Catholic Schools Week 2025 begins today and runs through Feb. 1! DID YOU KNOW...each school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Students earn scores on standardized tests above state and national averages. 98.4% of students graduate from high school and 99% go on to college. Financial assistance available. Contact schools for details!

All are invited to our Open Houses and other Admission events happening at our Catholic Schools for this special week! Come to an Open House, schedule a tour, shadow a student, and more! DID YOU KNOW...each Catholic School in the Diocese of Providence is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Students earn scores on standardized tests above state and national averages. 98.4% of students graduate from high school and 99% go on to college. Financial assistance available.

Heating Assistance for all RI residents: "Keep the Heat On" provides financial aid for emergency oil deliveries or heating utility bills. Call 401-421-7833, ext. 207, or visit heatri.com

Need to get out of the cold or need shelter? With the forecast of snow and ensuing winter weather our Emmanuel House is open 24/7 as a warming center beginning Sunday, January 19 at 7 p.m. and remaining open through Thursday morning, January 23. Emmanuel House also provides emergency overnight shelter for men and women at 239 Public Street in Providence. Call 401-421-7888 or go directly there.

By Allison Shinskey, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — Just two days before the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the parish hall of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul was filled with women of all ages and vocations. Their goal was to rekindle their devotion to Mary ahead of the celebration of the birth of her son. (Photo: Allison Shinskey)

This year's theme, "Trust in Providence," is a powerful reminder of God's grace and the trust he has placed in us to serve others. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the appeal, we invite you to watch a special video reflecting on a century of hope, compassion and support provided to all those in need throughout our state. Please visit dioceseofprovidence.org/cca to make your difference today

“A gift to the Appeal funds immediate assistance programs that aid those in desperate need of food, shelter and heating assistance, but it also builds up the Church in the areas of Evangelization, Catholic Education, Spiritual Formation and Ministerial Services,” said Tim McCaig, director of Stewardship and Development, noting that approximately 200,000 instances of service occur each year through Catholic Social Services.

Cold weather assistance available for all RI residents needing help staying warm during this extreme cold, click for more...

“Especially during this Advent season, our God is seeking to gather us together and lead us towards heaven. Because heaven is the goal, my friends,” Msgr. Kenney said. “And now with the celebration of Christmas in just a few weeks, we’re going to talk about the incarnation of Jesus coming into our world, the Son of God coming into our lives to change us, to make us more holy, to make us more faithful disciples.” (PHOTOS: LAURA KILGUS)

Beginning Jan. 10, is the Visitation of the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to our diocese! Later in January Msgr. Kenney will celebrate a Mass for Life, Sun., Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Parish, Cranston.

God has a plan for each of us! This retreat is for high school seniors, college-aged, and post-college age men interested in or curious about the priesthood. The retreat will be held Friday-Saturday, January 10-11, 2025 at the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence, Providence. To recommend a man for this retreat or if interested for yourself, please contact Rev. Ryan J. Simas, Director of Vocations, fathersimas@gmail.com or Rev. Ryan W. Connors, Director of Pre-Ordination Formation, rconnors@dpvd.org. To sign up please visit https://catholicpriest.com/vocations-college-retreat/ to complete registration form. Call 401-331-1316 with questions.

Become a diocesan insider - sign up today!...

As we approach the end of this year and the last chance to make a tax-deductible charitable donation to a program that makes a real impact and fulfills a real need for Rhode Islanders, please consider a donation in any amount in support of the Keep the Heat On fund.

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — The Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul was nearly filled to capacity for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the yearly celebration which represents an important day for both Catholics of Latin-American descent as well as Catholics in the Americas more generally, as it is a remembrance of the first apparition of Our Lady to take place in the Western Hemisphere. (PHOTOS: COLE DESANTIS)

All are invited to the upcoming Advent Masses, held December 9-24, at our Catholic Cemeteries, click for schedule of dates, times and locations. (Photo: Diocese of Providence) [Note: schedule updated 12-10-24]