News - January 2025 RSS Feed

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.

Meet Thomas, 20 years old and in his second year of formation at Our Lady of Providence Seminary, with a tentative ordination date of June 2030. His journey toward this calling is marked not by dramatic events but by subtle, subconscious inspirations that slowly shaped his heart and mind....

By Hortencia Medina, El Catolico de Rhode Island Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — In an atmosphere of fervent devotion to Our Lady of Altagracia, patroness of the Dominican people, Most Rev. James Ruggieri, Bishop of Portland, Maine, visited his native Rhode Island on Jan. 21 to celebrate a Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, where parishioners from different parishes gave testimony of their great love for the mother of our Lord. (Photo: Hortencia Medina)

RIVERSIDE — More than 500 guests were in attendance to celebrate St. Mary Academy – Bay View’s 150th anniversary recently at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet. Representatives from 58 classes, spanning eight decades, were among those who attended the Bay View 150th Anniversary Gala, which raised more than a record $1 million for scholarships at the all-girls Catholic school in East Providence. (PHOTO: CATHERINE LAINE)

WARWICK — The Arts at Bishop Hendricken is proud to announce several nominations for its production of Elf The Musical as part of the 3rd Annual Ocean State Star Awards presented by the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), including full company nominations for Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Technical Achievement, and Outstanding Orchestra. (PHOTO: BISHOP HENDRICKEN HIGH SCHOOL)

WARWICK — The St. Peter School community celebrated National Adoption Day with many special activities. National Adoption Day raises awareness of the more than 108,000 children waiting to be adopted from foster care in the United States. (PHOTO: ANNE ROBINSON)

Bishop Mark J. Seitz (chairman, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration), Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM (president and CEO, Catholic Health Association of the United States), and Kerry Alys Robinson (president and CEO, Catholic Charities USA) have issued a statement in response to action taken by the Trump Administration rescinding guidance related to "protected areas" in immigration enforcement.

ROME — On January 12, His Excellency John J. Kennedy, Secretary of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith conferred the Ministry of Lector to 32 seminarians, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American College, including Alexander S. Richardson from the Diocese of Providence. (Photo: RI Catholic)

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — La Salle Academy mourns the loss of one of their own with the passing of alumnus (class of 1957) and former president, Brother Michael McKenery, FSC. Under his 14-year tenure, La Salle Academy not only thrived, but saw tremendous growth and spiritual renewal. (PHOTO COURTESY OF LA SALLE ACADEMY)

PAWTUCKET — As part of its centennial celebration, Saint Raphael Academy is also marking the 50th anniversary of female excellence at Saints. - In recognition of this milestone and International Women’s Month, the Academy invites its alumnae back for a special event on Thursday, March 27 at 5 p.m. The event will include campus tours, a keynote speaker, and networking with fellow alumnae. (PHOTO: SAINT RAPHAEL ACADEMY)

Beginning at 5 p.m. EST today, January 23.... (Photo: St. Philip Church)

All School Fair is this Sunday, Jan. 26 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Rhodes Ballroom, 60 Rhodes Pl., Cranston. (Photo: RI Catholic file)

The entire Community is invited to attend the Solemn Mass in Honor of the Virgin of Altagracia in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on Tuesday, January 21 at 7 p.m. The Mass will be presided over by Most Rev. James T. Ruggieri, Bishop of the Diocese of Portland, Maine accompanied by priests and deacons who serve in parishes with Hispanic communities in the Diocese of Providence. Confessions and Rosary Prayer begin at 6 p.m.

Join us, activities include the Visitation of the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Jan. 10-Feb. 2) and Holy Mass for Life with Msgr. Kenney (Jan. 26), all from the diocesan Office of Life and Family Ministry...

Multiple fast-moving wildfires are continuing to ravage the Los Angeles area. These fires have killed at least twenty-seven people, destroyed thousands of homes and structures and more than 180,000 people have evacuated. The Diocese of Providence is working with Catholic Charites USA (the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church) to direct donations to those in need. Your donation will help towards their recovery immediately. Click to help.

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.

The following clergy appointments have been made within the Diocese of Providence.

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

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor - PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island Catholic, which began and flourished for nearly all of its 150 years as The Providence Visitor, celebrates its sesquicentennial in 2025. The venerable newspaper of the Diocese of Providence, the fourth oldest Catholic newspaper in existence in the U.S., has won hundreds of national Catholic press awards, as well as many secular honors for its coverage of local, regional and national issues, including more than 100 awards in the last five years alone.