Every so often, the Church’s discipline sparks intrigue, especially in a state as culturally Catholic as Rhode Island. Such was the case last week when The Providence Journal’s food section took up the question of abstinence from meat on St. Patrick’s Day. Unfortunately, the article’s original title — “Corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day? Tobin says no dispensation for RI Catholics” — obfuscates the heart of the matter. To make matters worse, other media outlets picked up the story, implying a farcical battle between the bishop (who is Irish American) and his largely Irish-American flock.
PROVIDENCE — On Monday, March 6, members of the House Judiciary Committee met to discuss two bills of particular interest to the pro-life community. H-5006, popularly known as the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act, first proposed on January 6, seeks to expand who can qualify for Medicaid, as well as to expand upon Medicaid coverage and insurance for state employees to include various forms of prenatal, postpartum and other maternity-related medical care, including abortion.
Pregnancy centers and maternity homes generally agree that making childbirth free in the United States would empower women to choose life. But, some specify, it would help in varying degrees.
Your Lent Questions, Answered with Rev. Marcel L. Taillon, Pastor, St. Thomas More Parish, Narragansett More for your Lenten Journey at dioceseofprovidence.org/lent.
You’ve probably seen the TV commercials for the Progressive Insurance Company in which a counsellor, a “Parenta-life Coach” identified as Dr. Rick, tries to stop young adults from becoming like their parents. Dr. Rick’s goal is to prevent his clients from adopting the little idiosyncrasies, the embarrassing behavior, of their parents in a number of everyday settings, e.g. at the supermarket, at the ballgame, or in an elevator.
EAST PROVIDENCE — It was during his evangelical work in 1948 with The Christophers that the late Father Edward H. Flannery, a former managing editor of the Providence Visitor, began to do research for his later book, “The Anguish of the Jews, Twenty-Three Centuries of Anti-Semitism.” The noted work received six awards, including the National Catholic Book Award in 1966, and was translated into French, Spanish and Portuguese.
PROVIDENCE — The 2023 Faith Formation Convocation will be held in-person at Bryant University on March 18. This special event is an opportunity to grow in personal and missionary discipleship and to encourage one another for the mission of evangelization. The event will feature more than 25 speakers and breakout sessions in both English and Spanish, Holy Mass with Coadjutor Bishop Richard G. Henning, serving as celebrant and homilist, an Exhibitor Showcase, Adoration and Benediction.
PROVIDENCE — Local youth and adults were honored at this year’s diocesan Catholic Youth Ministry and Scout Awards, held at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul on Sunday, March 5.
Mission by Bishop Richard G. Henning: Mon., March 20 at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish, 1200 Mendon Rd., Woonsocket; Tues., March 21 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Parish, 381 School St., North Kingstown; Mon., March 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, 141 State St., Bristol; Tues., April 4 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Patrick Parish(in Spanish), 244 Smith St., Providence.
The Vietnamese Catholic Community of Rhode Island was filled with great joy with the visit of Coadjutor Bishop Richard G. Henning in February at St. Anthony Church in Woonsocket.
The Image of Our Lady of Fatima will be visiting our diocese in various parishes throughout Rhode Island from Fri., March 10 through Mon., March 20, 2023. The world-famous International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima has been traveling since 1947, bringing the message of Fatima to a world in need. Click for schedule and more information.
In our new Lenten Reels Series, Rev. Nathan J. Ricci, Vice Chancellor, Diocese of Providence; Administrative Assistant, Office of the Bishop; Theological Advisor, Rhode Island Catholic; Promoter of Justice, Diocesan Tribunal; Formation Advisor, Our Lady of Providence Seminary; and Adjunct Professor of Canon Law, Saint John’s Seminary, Brighton, MA explains.
Father Joseph P. Henry, 91, Pastor Emeritus of SS. John and Paul Parish, Coventry, died on Thursday, March 2. Calling hours will be this Sunday, March 5, from 4 - 6 p.m., followed by Solemn Sung Vespers at 6 p.m., in St. Veronica Chapel, 1035 Boston Neck Road (Route 1A), Narragansett. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of Father’s soul this Monday, March 6, at 11 a.m., in St. Thomas More Church, 53 Rockland Street, Narragansett. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.
