By Laura Kilgus, Associate Editor - PROVIDENCE — The October morning sky is still dark, aside from a few brilliant stars and the street lamp light illuminating the Cathedral Square bricks. It’s early and the Providence city streets are quiet, alarm clocks yet to go off, but the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Word who reside at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul are up and preparing for Mass with the bishop. (Photo: Laura Kilgus)

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By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — Eight years ago, Father Ryan Simas embarked upon his new life in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Today, the pastor of St. Joseph in Woonsocket and chaplain at St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket has a new responsibility: Helping other young men to discover if their vocation leads to the priesthood like his. As of Aug. 1, Father Simas has taken on the role of vocations director for the Diocese of Providence. (Photo: Laura Kilgus)

SAVE THE DATE!! If you are in your 20s or 30s, join us for First Friday devotion with Bishop Henning. We will have a Eucharistic Holy Hour with recitation of the Holy Rosary, and the sacrament of Confession will also be available. Join us afterward for food and fellowship in the lower Cathedral.

As I meet with the priests and religious of the Diocese of Providence, I like to ask individuals to share the story of their call to the priesthood or the religious life. The responses are as varied as the individuals who serve with such generosity here in Providence. Despite that variety, there is one common element that seems to figure into every experience – one that is also a part of my own vocation experience. That common element is what I might call “the tug.”...

Thu., Nov. 9 at St. Augustine Church, 20 Old Rd., Providence and Fri., Nov. 10 at- Immaculate Conception Church, 111 High St., Westerly. Schedule each day: 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Veneration of the relic and 7 p.m. Special Mass celebrated in Saint Jude’s honor. All are welcome! (Image from apostleoftheimpossible.com)

On the fiftieth anniversary of his priestly ordination, Pope Saint John Paul II described every vocation as a “gift and mystery.” As Catholics in this nation observe “National Vocation Awareness Week,” the late Holy Father’s words provide a timely lens into the origin of every priestly vocation.

Consider supporting the Diocese of Providence 'Keep the Heat On' heat assistance program - the program of last resort to those in need, now entering it's 19th season of helping RI households stay warm...

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — One of the best-known teachings of our Lord is His words in Matthew 19:21, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell all that you have, and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” (Photo: Cole DeSantis)

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - WARWICK — The Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope, the most recently approved independent Catholic school within the Diocese of Providence, held its first annual gala at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday, October 14. (PHOTO: COLE DESANTIS)

Mon., Nov. 6: Celebrate Black Catholic History month and the Feast of All Saints with accomplished Catholic speaker, artist and performer ValLimar Jansen, to learn about six black Catholics who are on the road to sainthood. Hosted by St. Patrick Church and the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry. (Photo provided by St. Patrick Church)

JOHNSTON — Originally from Kerala, India, Sister Daisy Kollamparampil has served here in the Diocese of Providence as a second-grade teacher at St. Rocco School in Johnston for the past 10 years. She felt a call to religious life as a young girl, always drawn to be an educator and live her life for Jesus. (PHOTO: LAURA KILGUS)

Check out the week in sports!

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PORTSMOUTH — Serving one’s country doesn’t always mean picking up an M16 and charging into combat. Sometimes it means building bridges between the U.S. and another country. Sometimes that requires simple things like passing out Bibles in a country nearly 10,000 miles away. (PHOTO COURTESY OF FATHER THURBER)

The cardinal made reference to the October stabbing of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Chicago.

By Anthony Carpinello, Director of Diocesan Cemeteries. - The faithful in the Diocese of Providence have one of the finest and most beautiful mausoleums available of any across the nation to consider when choosing a final resting place. Rhode Island is a state where the majority of its population is Catholic, so the diocese has more than 125 churches and 32 cemeteries. And even though Rhode Island is the smallest state in our country, our diocese of the 15th largest in the country. (Photo: diocesan office of Catholic Cemeteries)

ORLANDO — Reverend Joseph D. Creedon has been named the 2023 recipient of the Christian Stewardship Award by the board of directors of the International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC). The award was presented to Father Creedon during the Council’s opening plenary session in Orlando on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY OF FATHER JOSEPH CREEDON)

There are things in this world that are worse than death. Chief among them is the loss of one we hold dear. If we are fortunate, we love someone enough that we would risk or even give our lives to save them. At our best, we human beings are capable of loving another more than ourselves, more than life itself.

Bishop Richard G. Henning has appointed the following priests as Deans (Vicars Forane) for a new three-year term which began on October 1, 2023:

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