News - Bishop Richard G. Henning RSS Feed

Have you ever noticed the brilliance of the starlight on a clear night in that last hour or two before the dawn? I have strong memories from childhood, being out with my dad on the bay, clutching the thermos and wondering at the vast night. That last hour of night is a time of great stillness, deep quiet, and subtle beauty. Those memories come to my mind each year as we enter the season of Advent.

When I succeeded Bishop Tobin as the Bishop of Providence on May 1, I also became the publisher of the Rhode Island Catholic. As I said then, I feel blessed that this venerable, nearly 150-year-old diocesan newspaper has survived and thrived when so many other similar publications across the country have shuttered their operations in recent decades.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.— Most Rev. Richard G. Henning, Bishop of Providence, will kick off the 19th annual Keep the Heat On campaign on November 28. The confirmation students at Christ the King Parish,180 Old North Rd., South Kingstown, will present a check to Bishop Henning in support of Keep the Heat On.

When I was a small child, my mother would walk my siblings and me down to early Mass at the parish on Thanksgiving Day. In those early years, the daily Mass had the usual crowd.

Bishop Richard G. Henning installed Father Scott J. Carpentier as the pastor of St. Martha Church in East Providence on Sunday, Oct. 29. (PHOTO: LAURA KILGUS)

Bishop Richard G. Henning installed Father Robert H. Forcier as the pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Narragansett on Saturday, Oct. 28. (PHOTO: COLE DESANTIS)

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — Married couples from throughout the diocese gathered at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul on October 22 to participate in an annual Mass honoring those celebrating milestone anniversaries. (PHOTO:COLE DESANTIS)

As I meet with the priests and religious of the Diocese of Providence, I like to ask individuals to share the story of their call to the priesthood or the religious life. The responses are as varied as the individuals who serve with such generosity here in Providence. Despite that variety, there is one common element that seems to figure into every experience – one that is also a part of my own vocation experience. That common element is what I might call “the tug.”...

There are things in this world that are worse than death. Chief among them is the loss of one we hold dear. If we are fortunate, we love someone enough that we would risk or even give our lives to save them. At our best, we human beings are capable of loving another more than ourselves, more than life itself.

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor - JOHNSTON — In 1963, Bishop Russell J. McVinney tasked Father James Joseph Cooney to embark on a mission to establish a new Catholic parish in the city. Father Cooney took his mission very seriously, going door-to-door, encouraging residents to help him form a new parish. (PHOTO: RICK SNIZEK)

The early church spread rapidly across the Mediterranean world. The efficient Roman roads carried missionaries such as Paul and Barnabas. The violent attempts by the Roman Empire to stop the spread of the faith only drew new converts moved by the courage and joy of the Christian martyrs. Another, equally important, element in that remarkable evangelization was the compassion and charity of those Christians.

By Rick Snizek, Executive Editor - PROVIDENCE — On Tuesday, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, led Catholics in the Holy Land in a day of prayer and fasting, and called for Catholics around the world to similarly observe the day for peace in Israel and Gaza. (Photo: Rick Snizek)

"The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!" - Numbers 6:24-26 (Photo: Laura Kilgus, Rhode Island Catholic)

“Please consider finding a way to unite in prayer. You may wish to join me at the noon Mass [today] at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, or you may prefer to attend the daily Mass at your Parish. Perhaps you might wish to pray a rosary, spend time in adoration, or find time for quiet prayer. If you feel moved to fast as well, please follow the custom for Ash Wednesday.” - Bishop Richard G. Henning (Photo: George Martell)

The Bishop Hendricken Marching Band and St. Mary Academy Bay View Cheer squad accompanied Bishop Richard G. Henning ... (PHOTO COURTESY OF BISHOP HENDRICKEN HIGH SCHOOL)

"On Tuesday October 17th, His Eminence Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem will lead the Catholics of the Holy Land in a day of prayer and fasting...Please consider finding a way to unite in prayer. You may wish to join me at the noon Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, or you may prefer to attend the daily Mass at your Parish. Perhaps you might wish to pray a rosary, spend time in adoration, or find time for quiet prayer. If you feel moved to fast as well, please follow the custom for Ash Wednesday... "(Photo: George Martell)

On Sunday, I enjoyed a beautiful day on Federal Hill for the Columbus Day festival and parade. After the parade and some wonderful Italian food, I walked back to the Cathedral and happened to meet a gentleman who saw my Roman collar and asked if I were a Catholic priest....

“Shabbat Shalom” (Sabbath Peace) is the traditional Sabbath greeting for faithful Jews. The first Sabbath since the terrible events of last weekend begins tomorrow (Friday) at sundown and lasts until dark on Saturday evening. I am sure that all around the world, Jewish people will be seeking the solace of community and prayer... (Photo: Rick Snizek)

A print of a famous Caravaggio painting of Saint Jerome hangs on my office wall. Saint Jerome was a foundational biblical scholar and is recognized as the patron saint of those who study and translate the sacred texts...

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - LINCOLN — Bishop Richard G. Henning recently joined the Melkite Catholic community in Rhode Island in welcoming their newly appointed eparch, Bishop François Beyrouti. (PHOTO: COLE DESANTIS)