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BY JENNIFER BARTON, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent & RICK SNIZEK Executive Editor - BOSTON — Seven cardinals, more than 50 bishops, 500 priests and myriad Bostonians eagerly awaited their new archbishop, Richard G. Henning, as he made his way to knock on the door of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on October 31. ( PHOTO: RICK SNIZEK)

By Rev. Nathan J. Ricci, J.C.L. - Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of attending several liturgies with Archbishop Henning. One ceremony required a long drive from Providence along Route 138, which parallels the Rhode Island coastline. As we approached an array of sailboats gliding over Narragansett Bay, the Archbishop signaled our arrival on “Conanicut Island.” I grinned. “Bishop, that’s actually called Jamestown,” I said, disclosing my own parochialism. “I think you mean Conimicut, which is a village of Warwick.” With characteristic humility, the Archbishop simply smiled, thinking perhaps he mispronounced the island’s appellation; or maybe I misunderstood what he said. Only an incidental discovery later on would reveal both my own ignorance and the depth and breadth of Archbishop Henning’s knowledge of Rhode Island, which he mastered with lightning speed. Jamestown indeed sits upon an island called Conanicut. (Photo: Rick Snizek)

When preaching at celebrations of the Sacrament of Confirmation, I like to borrow imagery and insights from the world of surfing. I hope that the imagery serves as a kind of parable drawing the confirmation candidates into the grace of the sacrament. In the homily, I speak about the dedication required for any serious surfer. Contrary to popular stereotypes, surfers are men and women of discipline, intelligence and hard work.

Next week, I will offer my final “State of Hope” column and attempt to find words that will express my affection for the good people of this diocese and state. In this, my penultimate column, I would like to risk giving some advice. I say risk as I am well aware that it takes decades to truly be considered a Rhode Islander, and you might rightly wonder how I can give advice after less than two years. On the other hand, I might point out that I have been pretty busy during these two years visiting more than one hundred parishes, every city and town, and our Catholic schools!

"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: Rhode Island Catholic)

“The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10) - - In the Catholic worldview, there is an inseparable link between our beliefs about God and how we are to live. The quote from Proverbs above captures this connection.

As we observe the October 7 anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, Archbishop Henning shares this message and invitation to prayer and penance...

It may surprise you to learn that Catholic moral teaching does not assert that civil governments must or should be democracies. Recall that over the course of history, the Catholic Faith has dwelt in many different kinds of political and economic systems. That is still the case today as the Church pursues its mission across the globe. With all of these varied settings and experiences, Catholic moral teaching is not concerned so much for systems as for persons.

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent PROVIDENCE — The Diocese of Providence held the presentation ceremony for those completing the first Certificate in Catholic Theology on Saturday, Sept. 14. Offered by the Secretariat for Evangelization and Pastoral Planning, the Certificate in Catholic Theology is aimed at helping the local faithful deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith. Classes are taught by local clergy and scholars of theology on Catholic theology and spirituality, including the nature of Divine Revelation, the Most Holy Trinity, Christology, Sacramental theology and moral theology. (Photo: Cole DeSantis)

Years ago, on the same weekend as the Right to Life Mass and March, I preached at a parish youth Mass. I wanted the young people there to reflect upon the Catholic commitment to the sanctity of human life. As many of the young people were from the local high school, I looked up the statistics from the year that the high school seniors were born. I was shocked to learn that one third of the pregnancies in that town ended in termination that year. In my remarks to those young people, I spoke in the homily about their missing classmates who never enjoyed the chance for life. I did not speak much about theology, I simply mourned the loss and asked everyone to remember the true cost of that seemingly innocuous word “choice.”

Archbishop Henning expressed ‘much joy and hope’ entrusting the mission of rector to Father Connors (Photo: Laura Kilgus)

Before the summer season at Mother of Hope Camp came to a conclusion, Archbishop-elect Richard G. Henning made a special visit to Chepachet to celebrate Mass for the campers and counselors in the camp’s St. Augustine Chapel. (PHOTO: LAURA KILGUS)

Beginning in late August and continuing into September, I enjoy the opportunity to visit some of our many Catholic schools here in Rhode Island. In most cases, the schools hold an opening Mass or “Mass of the Holy Spirit.” While I also visit schools at other times of the year, these weeks are special as there is a palpable excitement and anticipation at the outset of the school year. The school year stretches ahead full of possibility.

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - - PROVIDENCE — The annual Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Feast began on a bittersweet note this year, with Archbishop-elect Richard G. Henning’s pastoral visit coming shortly after the announcement of his appointment by Pope Francis as the next archbishop of Boston. (PHOTO: COLE DESANTIS)

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - - NARRAGANSETT — On the sunny, late July morning people walked up and down the boardwalk along Salty Brine Beach, while others sat on the shore or browsed among the many stores and restaurants that dot the Rhode Island coast. Acoustic music played faintly in the background as various organizations set up stands bringing attention to various causes. (PHOTO: COLE DESANTIS)

In Bishop Henning's Aug. 22 'The State of Hope' column in Rhode Island Catholic, he shares: "Last week, Salve Regina University rented space for a high-end political fundraiser on the campus in Newport. I only learned of the decision on the night before the event while away on retreat. I expressed my concerns to the administration to no avail..."

By now, you have seen the news that the Holy Father has appointed me the next Archbishop of Boston. Of course, I am grateful to the Holy Father for his confidence in me and for entrusting this ministry to me. I hope that you will all understand that the news of the appointment has left me with very mixed emotions and even a sense of grief to leave this beautiful Diocese of Providence.

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor, RI Catholic - BRAINTREE — It was a different feeling in the room this time as Archbishop-elect Richard G. Henning was elevated to a new position within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church for the second time in less than two years. (Photo: Rick Snizek)

As I write these words, I am returning from the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Over several days, more than 100,000 people visited the Congress with daily gatherings of 50,000. The daily schedule included Mass, adoration, talks, prayer of every kind and fellowship across acres of hotels, restaurants and the massive convention center. Each evening, we filled Lucas Oil Stadium for three hours of song, inspiration, and adoration...

American politics have become quite rancorous in recent years and the 2024 election season is shaping up to be another time of deep divisions among parties and candidates. People on all sides will admit that the atmosphere has become toxic, but most of us feel helpless to improve it. There are significant challenges for Catholics in this setting...