Italian Cardinal Agostino Cacciavillan died in Rome on March 5th at the age of 95. Cardinal Cacciavillan was a longtime Vatican diplomat whose most prominent assignment was his service as the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States from 1990 to 1998.

Our paths crossed on October 27, 1992 when in a telephone call, then Archbishop Cacciavillan informed me that I had been chosen to become a bishop. From his lips I heard: “The Holy Father has chosen you to be the Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh and, of course, you will accept.” After a pause and a deep breath, I responded, “Your Excellency, I don’t understand it, but if the Holy Father wants me to be a bishop, of course I accept.”

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Lent is an opportunity for greater service and reflection. Rhode Island Catholic asked Catholic school students what they have decided to sacrifice during the Lenten season. Whether it be taking a step back from the virtual world or spending more time with family, the students have vowed to make sacrifices during the next 40 days that will bring them closer to God.

What do you intend to sacrifice during Lent?

We all need food to nourish us and keep us healthy. Without food, we find it hard to concentrate, study, do our work or even play. Jesus often shared meals with friends and even strangers, and he teaches us to be generous in sharing what we have to eat with others.  

It is the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Through CRS Rice Bowl, faith communities in every diocese throughout the United States put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

For more information, please visit: crsricebowl.org

With more than 1.7 million Ukrainian refugees crossing the border into Poland in an attempt to flee a Russian attack on their nation, St. Adalbert’s Parish and Janusz Korczak Polish Language School are partnering to ask for support for two charitable foundations in Poland that are helping the refugees as the situation worsens.

PROVIDENCE — With a month still to go in the current heating season, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin’s “Keep the Heat On” program has already surpassed all previous years in its 17-year history of providing fuel assistance to Rhode Islanders in need.

The program has already provided more than $330,000 to those who cannot afford to pay their oil, gas and electric heating bills.

“We’ve really smashed the record of the amount of assistance provided in a heating season,” said diocesan Office of Catholic Charities and Social Ministry Director James Jahnz.

PROVIDENCE — Local youth and adults were honored at this year’s diocesan Catholic Youth Ministry and Scout Awards, held at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul on Sunday, March 13.

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin served as the main celebrant and homilist, and was joined by many brother priests. Bishop Tobin remarked that the annual event was a beautiful, happy and blessed occasion for the whole diocesan church, particularly in the 150th anniversary year of the Diocese of Providence.

“We’re very proud of you and grateful for the commitment you have continued to make. We pray God will continue to bless you today and all the days to come in the future,” Bishop Tobin told the winners.

EAST GREENWICH — Catholic theologian, and one of America’s leading public intellectuals, George Weigel will soon visit Rhode Island as a special guest speaker to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese of Providence. Weigel, a Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and longtime international and Rhode Island Catholic columnist, will offer a special lecture entitled, “The Catholic Moment: The Church in the United States and the Redemption of American Democracy,” at Our Lady of Mercy Church on Wednesday, March 23, at 7p.m.

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With joy and in thanksgiving for the gift of Religious vocation, we congratulate the Religious Jubilarians celebrating anniversaries of 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 30, 35 and 25 years of religious life. They will be honored at a Jubilarian Celebration Saturday, April 23 beginning with Holy Mass at 11:30 a.m. in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence with Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of Providence, Celebrant and Fr. James Sullivan, OP Homilist. Everyone welcome!

Pope Francis has asked every diocese across the world to engage people for a “listening phase” of the Synod on Synodality. Let your voice be heard—take the Diocese of Providence’s synodal survey and learn about other ways to participate at dioceseofprovidence.org/synod.

We want to hear from everyone about their experience of the Catholic Church, especially active and inactive Catholics. Please invite your family members and friends to take the survey as well by giving them the link to our diocesan page: dioceseofprovidence.org/synod

Sincerely yours in Christ,

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence

Communications and Public Relations

One Cathedral Square, Providence, RI

the Catholic Communication Campaign.Thank you!