News - February 2025 RSS Feed

By Father Michael J. Najim Recently, Pope Francis wrote to the United States bishops about the issue of immigration. His letter garnered both support and criticism among Catholics. Without a doubt, immigration is a politically charged, emotional issue. I am not a politician; however, as a Christian and Catholic priest, I’d like to share some spiritual thoughts on this topic. I want to be clear: I do not advocate for open, unchecked borders. The Church upholds the rights and duty of a nation to protect its citizens and its sovereign borders. I do, however, feel called to appeal for deeper compassion.

This year, Lent begins on March 5 as we observe Ash Wednesday. In a particular way during Lent, we are asked to devote ourselves to the spiritual and corporal works of mercy that "remind us that faith finds expression in concrete everyday actions meant to help our neighbors in body and spirit." Pope Francis reminds us, "God's mercy transforms human hearts; it enables us, through the experience of a faithful love, to become merciful in turn."

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor - PROVIDENCE — Catholic theologian, leading public intellectual and author George Weigel, renowned as an author or editor on more than 30 books, including the New York Times bestseller “Witness to Hope” (1999), and its sequel, “The End of the Beginning” (2010), spoke to a group of those in formation for the priesthood at Our Lady of Providence Seminary last Thursday.

Ash Wednesday (March 5), the first day of Lent, will be here before you know it! Click to use this handy printout to start preparing your Lenten practices....

The Lenten Campaign will begin on Ash Wednesday, March 5.

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — The House Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to discuss HB 5219, a bill seeking to legalize assisted suicide in Rhode Island.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, would lead a public recitation of the rosary at 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EST) Feb. 24 in St. Peter's Square.

By Kathleen Troost-Cramer, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - NARRAGANSETT—There’s nothing like a glass of wine and good company on a cold winter’s evening–even if it is on a Monday. (PHOTO: KATHLEEN TROOST-CRAMER)

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - BARRINGTON — When Gail Palazzolo saw a reference to the Well-Read Mom website in the Ignatius Press catalogue, she was initially intrigued, but it took a few times before she looked into it. Around the same time, her parish of St. Luke in Barrington was seeking new ways to engage parishioners. Her husband had already been involved in a Bible-based men’s organization, but “I was interested in doing something a bit different for my parish,” Palazzolo said. (PHOTO COURTESY OF GAIL PALAZZOLO)

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — Every February, those of us in the field of Catholic journalism celebrate Catholic Press Month. In a blog post for the Catholic Media Association, executive director Rob DeFrancesco wrote: “From North America to Rome and beyond, Catholic media professionals are tirelessly reporting and sharing the stories that shape our communities.” (IMAGE: LAURA KILGUS)

Pre-K4 students from Good Shepherd Catholic Regional School in Woonsocket had a great time outside building snowmen. (PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL)

By Allison Shinskey, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — Ahead of St. Valentine’s Day, the Diocese of Providence hosted a first-ever event to celebrate newlyweds. Couples who were married within the last three years were invited to tour the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, enjoy refreshments, and share what they’ve learned about married life. (PHOTO: ALLISON SHINSKEY)

To celebrate Catholic Schools Week, students from St. Mary Academy - Bay View, Riverside, were given a dress down day in support of a coat and a “Restart Kit” drive for DORCAS International. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. MARY ACADEMY - BAY VIEW)

The Baking Club at La Salle Academy, Providence, recently decorated snowman cupcakes as a heartfelt thank you to faculty and staff...(PHOTO COURTESY OF LA SALLE ACADEMY)

EAST GREENWICH — The 21 students in the OLM Children’s Choir did not mind donning their school uniforms for an extra-curricular event in the evening of ... (PHOTO COURTESY OF OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL)

Deacon Dominic P. DiOrio, 87, formerly of Bristol, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Brookdale Sakonnet Bay. He was the husband of his beloved wife Doris A. (Rose) DiOrio. His funeral will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 9 a.m. from the PERRY-McSTAY FUNERAL HOME, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy Angels Church, 341 Maple Avenue, Barrington. Burial will be in Maria del Campo Cemetery. Calling hours Wednesday, February 19 from 4-7 p.m. Kindly omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be made to Holy Angels Church, Barrington.

After the death of George Floyd in 2020 the country erupted into protests and calls for reform. The rallying cry of many, particularly on the ideological left, was “defund the police.” The argument was that the police had become so corrupt that the only remedy was to cut their funding. Hence, many cities throughout the country haphazardly slashed police budgets and decriminalized illegal activity. Unsurprisingly, crime rose, police recruitment declined and the call to “defund the police” became a whimper...

PROVIDENCE — Providence College (PC) President Father Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. has announced that Father Thomas More Garrett, O.P., has been appointed to serve as his new executive vice president (EVP) for Mission/Chief Operating Officer. The EVP serves as the second in command at the College. Father Thomas’ appointment comes following the recent retirement of Ann Manchester-Molak ’75, who held the position of executive vice president for the last four years. (PHOTO: KEVIN TRIMMER)

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor - PROVIDENCE — The Catholic Athletic League is marking its 90th anniversary in 2025 by paying tribute to those who were instrumental in the operation of what began as the Catholic Youth Organization. (PHOTO:CHRISTOPHER JENKINS)

In observance of President's Day, the Chancery Office Building, located at One Cathedral Square, Providence will be closed Monday.