A special Christmas message from Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of Providence.

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As it has from the beginning of the pandemic, the Diocese of Providence will continue to cooperate fully with state directives regarding the response to the pandemic.

Accordingly, I encourage Catholics of the Diocese of Providence to follow state guidelines and to wear a mask whenever they are attending Holy Mass, and other church services or public programs.

Read full Statement (available in English and Spanish)

Bishop Tobin talks with Ted Nisi and Tim White discussing how the Diocese has been affected by the pandemic, internal church debates, and the outlook for 2022.

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Bishop Thomas J. Tobin has urged the priests of our diocese to take initiative during this season of Advent to “reach out to the unchurched or those who haven’t been attending Mass [because of the Covid pandemic].” But it’s important to remember that this type of evangelization and pastoral outreach is not only the responsibility of the ordained! Every Catholic is called by their Baptism to bring Christ to others and others to Christ.

“The promises of the Lord I will sing forever, proclaim your loyalty through all ages.” – Psalm 89:2

Let us pray.

Stir up Thy might, we pray Thee, O Lord, and come;

rescue us through Thy great strength so that salvation,

which has been hindered by our sins,

may be hastened by the grace of Thy gentle mercy.

Who livest and reignest for ever and ever.

Amen.  

The Chosen is about about the birth of Christ through the eyes of Mary and Joseph and includes an extraordinary lineup of musicians perform both new and classic Christmas songs from the set.

In this Advent and Christmas season, as we reflect on the Holy Family and their hasty departure to Egypt fleeing Herod, we can look closer and see those who are fleeing from other perils.

Many of us can relate to the hasty departure of the Holy Family. Some are grappling with loneliness, isolation, fear, abandonment, family disputes, rejection. The list is long.

During his Angelus address Dec. 12, Pope Francis suggested charity as the best way to prepare for Christmas.

This morning, December 17, members of the R.I. State Police’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task force delivered dozens of Christmas presents and hundreds of dollars in gift cards for families connected through the Catholic Social Services of RI’s Christmas program.

The diocese’s annual celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe drew many, largely from the Latino community, to the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul on Dec. 11 for a morning marked by lively music, colorful costumes and devotion to Mary. 

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Questions? For more information, please contact Lisa Cooley, Coordinator, Office of Life and Family Ministry, at 401-278-2518 or LCooley@dioceseofprovidence.org

This month, an estimated 35 million families will receive a monthly Child Tax Credit payment to help make ends meet. This will be the last monthly payment unless Congress acts to maintain the expanded Child Tax Credit. The expanded credit has been an extremely effective anti-poverty program, lifting 3.8 million children above the poverty line. If the expanded credit expires, the amount of help families receive will shrink, monthly payments will end, roughly one-third of households will no longer be eligible to receive the full credit because their incomes are too low, and the lowest-income families will be cut off from the credit all together. 

Learn more about Catholic Schools in Rhode Island.

Learn more - sacredheartepri.com

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To volunteer or partner with us, please contact Catholic Charities via email at 150ActsofCharity@dioceseofprovidence.org or call 401-421-7833.

During our special 150th Anniversary Celebration, Bishop Tobin is recognizing 150 unsung groups from our diocesan family who have performed new and/or increased volunteer efforts in our diocesan parishes, Catholic schools, agencies, ministries and organizations and/or in their wider communities during the 150th Diocesan Celebration Year. 

Recognition will take place throughout the coming year. 

Learn more and/or make a recognition at dioceseofprovidence.org/150-acts-of-charity.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence

Communications Office

One Cathedral Square, Providence, RI

the Catholic Communication Campaign. Thank you!

email: communications@dioceseofprovidence.org

web: www.dioceseofprovidence.org