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Laura Kilgus, Associate Editor - PROVIDENCE — For the past 20 years, Keep the Heat On has been a lifesaver for thousands upon thousands of Rhode Island households. Since it began in 2005, the program has continued to provide heating assistance to Rhode Islanders who have exhausted all other public and private forms of assistance. Keep the Heat On has contributed nearly $4.4 million of heating assistance to 17,750 Rhode Island families and individuals to help keep warm during the winter. (Photo: Laura Kilgus)

All are invited to the upcoming Advent Masses, held December 9-24, at our Catholic Cemeteries, click for schedule of dates, times and locations. (Photo: Diocese of Providence) [Note: schedule updated 12-10-24]

Click for the full schedule.

Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in Mexico as the pregnant Mother of God to Blessed Juan Diego... (Image: USCCB)

Advent news from some of our Catholic Schools! (Photo courtesy of St. Margaret School)

By Kathleen Troost-Cramer, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — Weekday mornings at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence tend to be quiet, but the Friday morning after Thanksgiving bustled with energy. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. PATRICK CHURCH)

EAST GREENWICH — Our Lady of Mercy School announced that applications are now open for the 2025-26 academic year for students who wish to enroll in its Pre-K program for three-year olds. Applicants must be three by September 1, 2025. (PHOTO: OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL)

God has a plan for each of us! This retreat is for high school seniors, college-aged, and post-college age men interested in or curious about the priesthood. The retreat will be held Friday-Saturday, January 10-11, 2025 at the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence, Providence. To recommend a man for this retreat or if interested for yourself, please contact Rev. Ryan J. Simas, Director of Vocations, [email protected] or Rev. Ryan W. Connors, Director of Pre-Ordination Formation, [email protected]. To sign up please visit https://catholicpriest.com/vocations-college-retreat/ to complete registration form. Call 401-331-1316 with questions.

Saturday, December 14 beginning at 10:30 a.m. concluding with the 5 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence. The day features speakers Rev. Msgr. Anthony Mancini, Cathedral Rector, and Sister Elizabeth Castro, HMSP. Our theme will be: "Preparing for Christmas." Advance registration required. Click for more! (Photo: Laura Kilgus)

This is a patronal feast day in the United States of America and is observed as a Holy Day of Obligation. Since December 8, 2024 is the Second Sunday of Advent, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is transferred to Monday, December 9 for 2024. The Chancery Office Building located at One Cathedral Square, Providence, will be closed.

"A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." – Mat 3:1-3 (Photo: RI Catholic)

This past week Providence College and St. Pius V Church hosted a unique event: A chance to see a relic of St. Thomas Aquinas. Typically, as Catholics when we think of relics, we have in our minds a small piece of clothing or bone from a deceased saint. If you went to the Dominican run college, instead of a small piece of St. Thomas Aquinas’s body, you would have discovered his entire skull.

For the second Sunday of Advent, Sister Elizabeth Castro, H.M.S.P., Director of the Office for Religious for the Diocese of Providence, invites and shares how we can all make this Advent a "Journey to Joy."

Please join us in prayer on Tuesday, December 10 at 10 a.m. as we offer a Month’s Mind Mass for the intention of Most Rev. Louis E. Gelineau, D.D., J.C.L., S.T.L., the Sixth Bishop of Providence. Bishop Emeritus Gelineau passed peacefully in November at the age of 96 at his home, Saint Antoine Residence in North Smithfield, were he'd also joyfully served as Chaplain for over a decade. The Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated in the Chapel at St. Antoine with the residents and staff. The celebrant for this special remembrance will be Msgr. Albert A. Kenney, S.T.L., Diocesan Administrator, and the Homilist will be Rev. Timothy D. Reilly, S.T.B., J.C.L., Chancellor. (Photo: Laura Kilgus)

Call 401-272-1010 to purchase a copy of Rhode Island Catholic's annual Christmas Gift Guide.

We just entered the season of Advent. The essential meaning of the season may be encapsulated by the terms anticipation or waiting. We anticipate the coming of the Messiah, the Lord, the return of the King. The term “advent” means “coming” and involves four weeks of preparation...

La Misa diocesana Guadalupana se llevará a cabo el martes 12 de diciembre a las 7:00 pm en la Catedral de San Pedro y San Pablo, el Obispo de la Diócesis de Providence. Comenzaremos con el rezo del Rosario a las 5:30 pm y habrá confesiones y una serenata a la Virgen previo a la Misa. ¡Pasa la voz, invita a un familiar o amistad! ¿No puedes unirte a nosotros en persona? Mira la transmisión en vivo a partir de las 7 p.m. en el canal diocesano de YouTube, youtube.com/DioceseofProvidenceRI. / The diocesan Guadalupana Mass will be held on Tuesday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. We will begin with the Holy Rosary at 5:30 pm and there will be confessions and a serenade to the Virgin prior to the Mass. Spread the word, and invite a family member or friend! Can't join us in person? Watch the live stream beginning at 7 p.m. on diocesan YouTube channel, youtube.com/DioceseofProvidenceRI.

By Laura Kilgus, Associate Editor - MYSTIC, Conn. — Rhode Islanders looking for a little holiday cheer will only have to drive a short ways to Mystic Village this December, where they can begin their visit with an Advent Mass, shop for a religious gift, and enjoy the ambiance of this quaint coastal town at Christmas. (Photo: Laura Kilgus)

The Retirement Fund for Religious helps religious communities care for senior members—today and tomorrow. (Photo: RI Catholic)

There is something very special about watching your children open gifts on Christmas morning. Our family gathers around the tree to open presents after we attend Mass and after we sing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus in the manger. We make it a point to explain to our children that Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus and that he is truly the best gift that we will ever receive. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF CATHOLIC MOM RHODE ISLAND)