News from the Diocese of Providence

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July 29, 2021

Latin Mass restrictions leave ‘a lot of unanswered questions,’ says Providence bishop

By Christine Rousselle, Catholic News Agency

Washington D.C. - The bishop of Providence says patience and reflection are necessary while bishops study Pope Francis’ motu proprio that restricted traditional liturgies.

Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence told CNA in a phone interview this week that while he had heard rumors of liturgical changes coming from the Vatican, he was surprised when Pope Francis’ letter Traditionis custodes was released on July 16. The document, he says, is “very broad” and leaves “a lot of unanswered questions.”

Dioceses respond to pope's document restoring limits on pre-Vatican II Mass

Bishop Tobin says pope’s letter presents challenges and opportunities for the Church

By Maria Wiering, Catholic News Service

Rhode Island Catholic Executive Editor Rick Snizek contributed to this story from Providence, R.I.

ST. PAUL, Minn. / PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Saying he was acting for the good of the unity of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis July 16 restored limits on the celebration of the Mass according to the Roman Missal in use before the Second Vatican Council, overturning or severely restricting permissions St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI had given to celebrate the so-called Tridentine-rite Mass.

Rhode Island Catholic Editorial: Bishops to determine ability of priests to celebrate Mass in extraordinary form

(Photo: Gregory A. Shemitz)

U.S. Bishops’ Chairmen Respond to House Vote to Force Taxpayers to Fund Elective Abortions

We call on the Senate to redress this evil in H.R. 4502,

and for Congress to ultimately pass appropriations bills

that fully support and protect human dignity,

and the most vulnerable among us.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SENATOR TODAY

WASHINGTON - July 29, the House voted 219 to 208 in favor of H.R. 4502, a package of appropriations bills that currently excludes the 46-year-old Hyde Amendment and other longstanding, bipartisan provisions like the Weldon Amendment. Eliminating these provisions would force taxpayers to pay for elective abortions and would have the effect of forcing health care providers and professionals to perform and refer for abortion against their deeply-held beliefs, as well as forcing employers and insurers to cover and pay for abortion.

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Dispel the myths of NFP versus the reality - click the image below to learn more.

Pandemic has lasting impact on those struggling to pay utilities

By Laura Kilgus, Assistant Editor, Rhode Island Catholic

PROVIDENCE — After another difficult winter, “Keep the Heat On,” the heating assistance program for the Diocese of Providence, continued to provide great relief to Rhode Islanders struggling to pay their utility bills, many due to circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year was expected to be a challenging one for those seeking assistance, explained Jim Jahnz, secretary for Catholic Charities and Social Ministry for the diocese.

Help or be helped now!

Our Catholic Schools in the news!

All our Catholic schools are currently accepting applications for limited openings for the 2021-2022 school year.

Click here to contact us and schedule a tour!

Local youth explore their faith in national leadership forum

Principal of St. Augustine School awarded Diocese of Providence Distinguished Principal of the Year

St. Philomena School purchases 26 acres and secures future as Catholic, independent school

St. Rocco School volleyball team gives it their all

St. Augustine School Principal Janet Rufful smiles with students after being awarded with the 2020 Diocese of Providence Distinguished Principal of the Year Award. The award presentation had been previously postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: Joan Corey)

This Sunday!

Free afternoon for teens and their families!

Swim, canoe, hike and more!

It's not too late to have the best summer ever!

See why everyday at Mother of Hope Camp is a beautiful day!

Just below is an exclusive sneak peek into our first four weeks of summer camp 2021! Watch our video below! You will wish you were there!

Learn more about Mother of Hope Summer Camp

From camp counselor to Catholic: Mother of Hope inspires young man on his journey in the faith

Diocesan day camp sees largest increase in registrations in more than 7 years

Laura Kilgus, Assistant Editor, Rhode Island Catholic

CHEPACHET — Summer is in full swing at Mother of Hope Camp, which began its seven-week season in June. The excitement for the 2021 season is unmistakable as the camp sees the highest number of registrations in years. For more than seven decades, thousands of children have experienced camp as a vibrant faith community through these fun-filled weeks.

Camp counselor Nathan LaCroix enjoys his summer days at Mother of Hope Camp on Echo Lake. He said that the camp experience played an important role in his journey to becoming a Catholic.

(Photos courtesy of Mother of Hope Camp)

DYD 2021!

The countdown is on!

2021 Diocesan Youth Day is coming up fast - Saturday, September 11!

Some highlights...

The day features dynamic and light-hearted Catholic speaker and musician, Cooper Ray
We will have a celebration of the Mass with the Diocese of Providence's Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans, main celebrant, and homilist Fr. Brian J. Morris, Director of Vocations and Chaplain at Bishop Hendricken High School

Contact the Office of Catholic Youth Ministry with questions or for more information, 401-278-4626 or youthministry@dioceseofprovidence.org.

Groups and individuals welcome!

‘A sense of community’ felt at the Shrine of the Little Flower after parishes come together for joy-filled feast

By Silvia Aldredge, Special to the Rhode Island Catholic

BURILLVILLE — In early June, the Shrine of the Little Flower shared the celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi with St. Mary Church on Broadway in Providence. Founded in 1923, the Shrine of the Little Flower is the only shrine in the Ocean State — and the first shrine dedicated to St. Thérèse of Liseux in the entire world.

Many gathered at the Shrine of the Little Flower to celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. (Photo: Silvia Aldredge)

Eucharist document should unite, not divide, the church, panelists advise

By: Dennis Sadowski, Catholic News Service

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in the middle of drafting a teaching document on the Eucharist, received words of advice from a panel convened July 28 to discuss the challenges facing the American church as it emerges from the coronavirus pandemic and seeks to overcome divisions that threaten church unity.

They heard about the importance of bishops being pastors rather than “chaplains to factions,” the need to communicate church teaching clearly and without fear, and hearing from as many voices as possible in the weeks remaining before they consider the document during their fall general assembly in November.

Elevation of the Eucharist is depicted in a stained-glass window at St. Anthony's Church in North Beach, Md.,

July 15, 2021. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

Pope at Angelus: Share and God will multiply your gifts

Vatican News staff writer

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel for the day on the multiplication of the loaves and fish with which Jesus feeds around five thousand people. The Pope observed that Jesus did not create loaves and fish out of nothing, but relied on what the disciples brought him from the child who gave them what he had, just five barley loaves and two fish.

(CNS photo)

Pope celebrates grandparents and the elderly

Archbishop Rino Fisichella celebrated Mass for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly July 25.

Watch below