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February 8, 2021Rev. Francis J. Giudice, 92, Pastor Emeritus of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Providence, died Friday, February 5, 2021.
Born in Westerly, Rhode Island, son of the late Gennaro and Rose (Croce) Giudice, he attended Westerly grammar schools and Ward Senior High School, also in Westerly.
In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick, St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, and at the American College in Louvain, Belgium. He was ordained a priest on July 1, 1956 in Louvain, Belgium by Bishop Russell J. McVinney. After a summer assignment at St. Clare Parish in Misquamicut, he was appointed assistant pastor at St. Jude Parish in Lincoln and part-time teacher at LaSalle Academy in Providence (1956). The following year, he became part-time chaplain at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, North Providence.
From 1959-61, Father Giudice pursued post-graduate studies in hospital ministry administration at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1961, he became chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Providence and Assistant Secretary for Catholic Hospitals. He later was appointed assistant pastor at Holy Angels Parish, Barrington (1962-67) and at the Assumption Parish, Providence (1967-82). In 1982, Father Giudice was appointed rector of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Providence, where he served until his retirement in July 2004 as Pastor Emeritus.
During retirement, Father resided at St. Pius X Rectory, Westerly; St. John Vianney Residence, Providence; St. Antoine Residence, North Smithfield; and the Elms, Westerly.
In addition to his parish duties, Father Giudice also served as Dean of Providence Deanery #1; Deanery Vicar of Providence South Region #7; member of the Priests’ Senate of the Diocese of Providence; member of the Diocesan Human Relations Commission; Vicar for Community Affairs; member of the diocesan Permanent Diaconate board; diocesan Moderator for the St. Vincent de Paul Society; diocesan representative to the Interfaith Health Care Ministries Board of Directors; member of the U.S. Catholic Conference Committee on social development and world peace. In 1992, Father completed sabbatical studies at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University, Chicago.
Visitation on Thursday, February 11, from 9:30 - 10:45am in Immaculate Conception Church, 111 High Street, Westerly.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of his soul on Thursday, February 11, at 11am at Immaculate Conception Church, Westerly.
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, please note that seating for the Funeral Mass will be limited, and out of necessity family and clergy will be given priority for seating.
Burial will be private.
