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FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2022

FRIDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF EASTER

Driving Through a Cemetery on a Sunday Morn

I live in a cemetery. Oh, it’s not like I’m immediately surrounded by graves and tombstones, but I live in a little house on the corner of the cemetery property.

Sometimes if I’m running out early on a Sunday morning to pick-up a newspaper, I take a little detour to drive through the cemetery. Usually there aren’t any other visitors there yet, and I have the place all to myself. And I find it quite satisfying, for three reasons....

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

Statement of Bishop Tobin

on the Supreme Court and Roe v Wade

I will have no comments on the Supreme Court and the pending abortion legislation until a decision of the Court on this matter is final. In the meantime, I urge everyone to reflect upon this very important issue, that involves one of our core beliefs in the dignity of human life, with humility, peace, and prayer.

Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, D. D.

Bishop of Providence

Leaked draft of Supreme Court opinion indicates overturn of Roe decision

Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Supreme Court appears set to overturn its Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion for nearly 50 years, according to a leaked initial draft of a court opinion obtained by Politico and published online the evening of May 2.

Just minutes after the leak was published, reactions were fast and furious on social media, and barricades were erected around the Supreme Court. Many people gathered at the court in protest and some, including students from The Catholic University of America, were there to pray the rosary

Lights burn inside U.S. Supreme Court offices in Washington May 2, 2022, after the leak of a draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito preparing for a majority of the court to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision later this year.

(CNS PHOTO/JONATHAN ERNST, REUTERS)

USCCB Pro-Life Chairman Urges Faithful to Pray in Response to Leak of Draft Supreme Court Opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

WASHINGTON - In response to the leak of a draft opinion in the Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued the following call to prayer:

“The leak related to the U.S. Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization reminds us of the urgent need for prayer and action at this pivotal moment in our country.

STAND FOR LIFE

Act Now to Stop

Most Extreme Abortion on Demand Bill

Ever Seen

The vote will be held next Wednesday, May 11

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT YOUR SENATOR

This deceptively-named, extreme bill, Women’s Health Protection Act, S. 4132, would impose abortion on demand nationwide at any stage of pregnancy through federal statute. Even worse, it would eliminate modest and widely supported pro-life laws at every level of government -- the federal, state, and local level -- including parental notification for minor girls, informed consent, and health or safety protections specific to abortion facilities. It would force all Americans to support abortions here and abroad with their tax dollars. It would also likely force health care providers and professionals to perform, assist in, and/or refer for abortion against their deeply-held beliefs, as well as force employers and insurers to cover or pay for abortion.

We need to send an unmistakable message to the Senate that this horrible bill must never be enacted. Join Archbishop Lori, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities and Cardinal Dolan, chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty in urging the Senate to oppose S. 4132

Check out the chairmen’s letter and this fact sheet to learn more about this radical bill. Please also check out and amplify this statement, issued by Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and chairmen of USCCB committees serving women and families, in anticipation of the Supreme Court of the United States issuing its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

STAND FOR LIFE

Please email the Rhode Island Governor today on taxpayer funded abortion

According to the Providence Journal (5/5/22, page 7A), Rhode Island's Office of Management and Budget produced an analysis on March 24, the key finding of which is that the state of Rhode Island could potentially save $5.4 million a year in taxpayer dollars if we allow state taxpayer dollars to pay for the killing of preborn babies in abortion rather than delivering these same babies.

Learn more, take action now

Our 150th Anniversary celebration continues...

The Fifth Bishop of Providence: Bishop Russell J. McVinney

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor, RI Catholic

As the Diocese of Providence celebrates its 150th anniversary through June 26, 2022, Rhode Island Catholic is featuring profiles of the men who have served as diocesan shepherds through its history.

PROVIDENCE — After Bishop Francis P. Keough was elevated to serve as the Archbishop of Baltimore, in December 1947, Msgr. Peter Blessing was again called to serve as interim administrator of the Diocese of Providence.

In June 1948, Father Russell J. McVinney, a native Rhode Island priest appointed by Bishop Keough to serve as rector of Our Lady of Providence Seminary, was announced as the fifth Bishop of Providence

Learn more about our 150th Anniversary celebration

ABOVE RIGHT: Bishop Russell J. McVinney is pictured In this 1960 official portrait.

PHOTO: DIOCESE OF PROVIDENCE ARCHIVES

Our 150th Anniversary celebration continues...

House resolution commemorates diocesan sesquicentennial

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor, RI Catholic

PROVIDENCE —The state’s House of Representatives has adopted a resolution commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Providence providing a home to worship and celebrate among the Catholic faithful in Rhode Island.

“For the past 150 years, since February 16, 1872, the Diocese of Providence has served the ministerial needs of the faithful and has been a beacon of refuge and comfort to those in need, from the early immigrants arriving from Europe and other points on the globe, to the current Diocesan population of 679,000, many of whom struggle with the kinds of issues and problems that ail modern society,” the three-page resolution begins.

Learn more about our 150th Anniversary celebration

Our 150th Anniversary celebration continues...

N.Y. Cardinal Timothy Dolan to speak at Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul

Event is part of the diocese’s 150th anniversary celebration

Join us next Sunday, May 15 in the Cathedral

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor, RI Catholic

PROVIDENCE — New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan will make a special visit to the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul where he will speak on Sunday, May 15 at 5 p.m. The special event, which is co-sponsored by the Portsmouth Institute for Faith and Culture, is part of the Diocese of Providence’s 150th anniversary celebration.

Cardinal Dolan’s presentation is titled, “‘Silver and gold I have not,’ (Acts 3:6) finding our treasure in God alone.”

Learn more about our 150th Anniversary celebration

Our 150th Anniversary celebration continues...

From the Archives: Looking Back

Blauvelt Dominicans can be seen in this photo from 1968 at St. Pius V School in Providence. From left, Sister Agnes Michel; Sister Joanne; Sister Lucina; Sister Laurentia, principal; Sister Stephen Marie; and Sister Jordan Marie.

New school memories will be made on Saturday, May 21, from noon-4 p.m. when all are invited to the Catholic Schools Arts Festival at St. Philomena School of the Sacred Heart in Portsmouth. The festival is an outdoor Performing Arts Showcase Concert with students from across the diocese....