News - April 2025 RSS Feed

"Cycle Prep-First Period Workshop for Girls" is being offered on Saturday, May 10 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Rejoice in Hope Catholic Center, 804 Dyer Ave., Cranston. Registration required. Click for all info.

"God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, ..." (Photo: George Martell)

Follow along on the OSV (Our Sunday Visitor) live blog

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — In darkness, Catholics gathered in the mother church of the Diocese of Providence hear a deacon, illumined by a candle, recite the following words: “Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven…let the trumpet of salvation sound aloud our mighty King’s triumph! Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her, ablaze with the light from her Eternal King…” (PHOTOS: COLE DESANTIS)

Where do you draw the line—the “mercy line?” The mercy line marks the point beyond which, in your view, mercy should NOT be offered to a person: If you do such-and-such a thing—if you cross this particular line in your behavior—you should not be offered any mercy by God. None whatsoever! Justice—yes; vengeance—perhaps; but mercy—no.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. It began when a report about abused and neglected children caught the attention of President Ronald Reagan in 1983. Sadly, since that first Child Abuse Prevention Month, the number of abused victims has grown from half a million children to over six million new reports of abuse along with 1600 child abuse related deaths annually. One is too many. Each year, Blue Sunday Abuse Prevention offers a day of prayer on the last Sunday of April. Learn more... (Image courtesy of bluesunday.org)

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor - PROVIDENCE — The Most Reverend Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., Bishop-Designate of Providence, spoke glowingly of Pope Francis on the day of his appointment, April 8, which when paired with the simultaneous naming of Bishop W. Shawn McKnight as archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas, represents Pope Francis’ last American appointment.

Diocese of Providence to celebrate Holy Mass to Pray for Pope Francis this Friday, April 25, 2025 at Noon in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence. All are welcome!

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor - PROVIDENCE — While most along the U.S. East Coast were still asleep at about 1:35 a.m. on Easter Monday, Pope Francis breathed his last, and the tectonic loss for the universal Catholic Church began to sweep around the globe. (PHOTO: RICK SNIZEK)

Pray a rosary to Our Lady with special intentions for victims/survivors of abuse and the defense of the vulnerable... (Photo: Diocese of Providence)

Statement from Most Reverend Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., Bishop-Designate of Providence, on the passing of the Holy Father, Pope Francis: “With his warm smile and familiar pastoral style, Pope Francis made us all feel part of a world-wide parish..."

“With heavy hearts the Roman Catholic Church in the Diocese of Providence mourns the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis..."

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service - VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has died April 21 at the age of 88. The pope died at 7:35 a.m. Rome time, U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, announced. Pope Francis gave new energy to millions of Catholics — and caused concern for some — as he transformed the image of the papacy into a pastoral ministry based on personal encounters and strong convictions about mission, poverty, immigration and dialogue. (OSV NEWS GRAPHIC/CHELSEA ALT)

Rev. Lawrence E. Toole, 90, Pastor Emeritus of the former St. Patrick Parish, Cumberland, died on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025. Calling hours will be on Easter Tuesday, April 22, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Manning-Heffern-O’Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for the repose of Father’s soul will be offered on Easter Wednesday, April 23, at 10 a.m., at St. Joseph Church, 195 Walcott Street, Pawtucket. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence.

Fasting is a form of penance that imposes limits on our consumption of food and drink. For centuries, it has been an integral part of Catholic life throughout the year to detach ourselves from worldly desires, make amends for past sins, and increase our desire for God. Unfortunately, the practice of fasting, even during Lent, has decreased substantially.

We'll be celebrating with an Open House and Family Fun Day! Come and tour the beautiful grounds, partake in fun family activities, and learn more about our awesome summer camp program! (Photo: Mother of Hope Camp)

By Allison Shinskey, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — Ahead of Holy Week, one Providence parish in particular is offering people of all abilities experience the life and love of Christ. St. Patrick Church, located at 244 Smith St., inside St. Patrick Academy, has teamed up with the diocesan Apostolate with People with Disabilities to provide stations of the cross and ASL-interpreted Masses. (Photo: Laura Kilgus)

For the Tuesdays of Lent, St. Patrick Church, 244 Smith St., Providence, is offering Stations of the Cross for people with disabilities and their families beginning at 5 p.m., followed by Holy Mass. Please contact Irma Rodriguez, Director, Office of the Apostolate with People with Disabilities, 401-278-4578, irodriguez@dpvd.org, for more information.

Horarios de Semana Santa 2025 - Celebraciones en Español

Join us on a four mile walk to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless! We begin our day with a blessing and end with grilled cheese 'n chowder for all walkers! We kick off at St. John the Baptist Church, 69 Quincy Ave., Pawtucket. Click for more info!