News from the Diocese of Providence

November 5, 2021

About our anniversary year

Beginning September 8, 2021, the Diocese of Providence is celebrating the sesquicentennial of its foundation through a series of events running through June 2022. For more information on our anniversary events, visit dioceseofprovidence.org/150

Singing The Supply Chain Blues

The supply chain. It’s another one of those pandemic phrases that has, regrettably, forced its way into everyday conversation. According to Wikipedia, the commercial supply chain is “a system of organizations, people, activities, information, and resources involved in supplying a product or service to a consumer.”

In other words, how does a product get from the manufacturer into your hands?...

Have you missed any of Bishop's columns? Catch up here!

PC Friar embarks on spiritual journey to becoming a Dominican

Celebrating Vocations

By DANIEL J. HOLMES, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent

PROVIDENCE — Four years after first becoming a “Friar,” one recent Providence College graduate is beginning his journey towards becoming an actual Friar — that is to say, a member of the black and white bedecked Order of Preachers that gives the college its mascot, its color scheme and its institutional charism. Trevor Wakefield, who received his B.A. in theology and Spanish in May, began his novitiate with the Dominican Order in July at St. Gertrude’s Parish in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Although Wakefield had considered becoming a priest since childhood, it wasn’t until coming to PC that he found a community that truly resonated with him.

Learn more about Vocations in the Diocese of Providence.

Pray for Vocations

Trevor Wakefield, seen here as an altar server for a Mass at St. Pius V Church in Providence, began his novitiate with the Dominican Order in July at St. Gertrude’s Parish in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo: Stew Milne)

Are you being called?

Watch below now.

Or please consider sharing with any man who you think may be called to the priesthood.

More at catholicpriest.com.

Prout students lead clothing drive to help Afghan refugees as they resettle in the U.S.

150 Acts of Charity

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor, RI Catholic

WAKEFIELD — For Ava Grosso, a senior at The Prout School, being of service to others in need has been her passion for many years, from cooking food at a local soup kitchen to assembling bags of necessities for the less fortunate.

When it became known to her through another family in the Prout community — with connections to the military — that approximately 14,000 refugees from Afghanistan currently housed on a base in Wisconsin were heading into the fall and winter with little more than the clothes they could carry when they evacuated their country weeks before, Grosso was inspired to take action.

Learn more about the 150 Acts of Charity

Prout student Ben Leal hands Operation Warm Welcome Administrator Ava Grosso, a Prout senior, a box of clothing items donated to the initiative, which will provide clothing for Afghan refugees currently at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, as they wait to be resettled in the U.S.(Photo Courtesy Sharon Deluca/The Prout School)

Pope: Lessons from the graves

During his homily for All Souls' Day at the French Military Cemetery in Rome, Pope Francis said that cemeteries are a summons to reflect on our mortality.

Watch below

At Mass, Remember the Dead

Rhode Island Catholic Editorial

At the beginning of November, the Church throughout the world celebrates the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (otherwise known as All Souls Day). This celebration reminds the faithful to pray for all the deceased. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned” (CCC 1030-1031).

Pope Francis elevates the Eucharist as he celebrates All Souls' Day Mass at the French Military Cemetery in Rome Nov. 2, 2021. (CNS Photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters)

We Don’t Know What the Pope Said

Rhode Island Catholic Editorial

On Friday, October 20, Pope Francis met with President Biden. Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, live broadcasts of interactions between world leaders and the pope have been restricted. The two met privately for 75 minutes. When the press questioned Biden on whether the issue of abortion came up in their discussions, the president replied: “No, it didn’t. It came up – we just talked about the fact that he was happy I was a good Catholic and I should keep receiving Communion.”

U.S. President Joe Biden, accompanied by his wife, Jill, is walks with Pope Francis during a meeting at the Vatican Oct. 29, 2021. (CNS Photo/Vatican)

From Bishop Tobin

In case you missed it!

From our Catholic Schools

Learn more about Catholic Schools in Rhode Island.

Venerating the saints and praying that more are added to their number. St. Joseph, pray for them! Our Lady of Mercy, pray for them!

Our Lady of Mercy Regional School, PreK-8, East Greenwich

Learn more - olmschool.org

School Harvest Day (thanks to the SPS School Guild!)

St. Peter Tri-Parish School, PreK-8, Warwick

Learn more - stpeterschoolri.com

150 Acts of Charity

How to recognize someone or how to get involved

About the 150 Acts of Charity

To make a recognition

During our special 150th Anniversary Celebration, Bishop Tobin is recognizing 150 unsung individuals/groups of our diocesan family who have performed new and/or increased volunteer efforts in our diocesan parishes, Catholic schools and organizations and/or in their wider communities during the 150th Diocesan Celebration Year. Recognition will take place individually and in groups throughout the coming year. Learn more and/or make a recognition at dioceseofprovidence.org/150-acts-of-charity.

To get involved

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

Tomorrow!

Advance registration required, no tickets at the door

Holy Mass of Thanksgiving, Sat., Nov. 13

St. Paul Church, Cranston, Fr. Thomas Woodhouse, main celebrant and homilist

National Prayer Event for LIFE

Thu., Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. EST (US and Canada)

The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case will be heard on Wed., Dec. 1, 2021 by the Supreme Court.

On Thurs., Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. EST Christians from all different faiths are coming together to pray for the Dobbs case - - this could overturn or weaken Roe v. Wade (the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal in all 50 states).

Please join us in prayer!