FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

MEMORIAL OF SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL, ARCHANGELS

Your Weekly Catholic Roundup of News & Inspiration

Top News

Photo: Cole DeSantis

Pro-life movement prepares to celebrate 40 Days for Life

RHODE ISLAND CATHOLIC

By Cole DeSantis, Correspondent

PROVIDENCE — Local members of the pro-life community gathered for the Jericho Walk on Saturday, September 23.

Holy Apostles Parish celebrates 25 years of teen ministry

RHODE ISLAND CATHOLIC

By Rick Snizek, Executive Editor

CRANSTON — Michael and Gina Conti became engaged to be married in the late 1990s, when they became adult leaders in the teen group at Holy Apostles Parish.

Photo courtesy of Holy Apostles Teen Ministry

Take leap of faith and dare to love your family, those in need, pope says

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

With a huge, boisterous crowd in a major soccer stadium, Pope Francis urged Catholics to rekindle their enthusiasm for building a world marked by love and compassion, especially for those most in need.

CARA Study Shows Positive Signs Of Catholic Belief In Eucharist, But Underscores Need For Revival

OSV NEWS

Almost two-thirds of Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, but only 17% of adult Catholics physically attend Mass at least once per week, according to a newly published survey from Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. The survey also revealed a high correlation between belief in the Eucharist and weekly or even monthly Mass attendance.

Pope Francis, son of migrants with a long magisterium of welcome

VATICAN NEWS

Our Editorial Director reflects on the papal magisterium regarding the issue of migration crises, from Pope Pius XII to Pope Francis, who returned to the topic during his Apostolic Journey to Marseille.

Upcoming Events

Fall Activities for Life

From the diocesan Office of Life and Family Ministry

Join us as we gather for LIFE - peaceful, prayerful and respectful activities for life, supporting the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception to natural death.

40 Days for LIFE

Today through Sun., Nov. 5

At public right-of-way outside 175 Broad St., Prov.

Life Chain Sunday

Sun., Oct. 1 | 2-3 p.m. | gatherings held Diocese-wide

2023 Human Life Guild Day

Together we renew our commitment to life!

Sat., Oct. 28 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Prov., RI

RSVP by Fri., Oct. 20 | includes brunch and speakers

Beginning with Holy Mass in the Cathedral celebrated by Bishop Henning, immediately followed by brunch and local Catholic speakers in the lower Cathedral.

Details, registration, schedules, and more

Registration required

The Beauty and Truth of Catholic Teaching on End-of-Life Issues

Thursdays, October 5, 12, and 19 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

St. Philip Church, Greenville

Peter J. Colosi, PhD, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Salve Regina University, and guest speakers, Deacon Timothy Flanigan, MD, Tracy Loignon, Esq., and Chris DiIorio will present a series of three talks discussing the fullness of Catholic teaching on suffering, death, and dying, and will explain the false premises of the pro-euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide movements. This series will help us to better understand and carry out Christ’s mandate to care for the sick and dying in a manner that honors God and respects the dignity of persons.

Registration and more information

Save the Dates! Join us!

Traveling Eucharistic Rosary Congress

Sat., October 7 through Fri., October 13

At various parishes in the Diocese of Providence

Come and spend an hour with our Lord

The Diocese of Providence is hosting a Traveling Eucharistic Rosary Congress from Sat., October 7 through Fri., October 13, 2023. The Traveling Eucharistic Rosary Congress is a week-long period of intense, around-the-clock prayer consisting of Perpetual Adoration and Hourly Rosary, offered in a spirit of reparation.

We are joining with other dioceses across the nation to pray for the healing of our Church, our families, and our nation (for more information, visit rosarycongressusa.org). As the Church suffers from persecution from within and without, as family life is attacked more viciously than ever before, and as life continues to be threatened in its most vulnerable stages, we need this unified prayer now more than ever.

The Eucharistic Rosary Congress will travel to a different parish for each 24-hour period from October 7-13. Locally, seven parishes in the diocese will host one day of Eucharistic Adoration each, visit dioceseofprovidence.org/rosary for schedule.

Learn more

Save the Dates!

Vatican Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles: Eucharistic Revival Retreat

Thurs., October 12 through Sat., October 14

Immaculate Conception Church, 111 High St., Westerly

The Vatican Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles is coming to Immaculate Conception Church! This three day mini retreat is part of the National Eucharistic Revival.

Full schedule, details for each day, and more

Save the Date!

Silent Art Auction Benefiting Our Lady of Providence Seminary

Sat., October 14

Our Lady of Providence Seminary, 485 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence

Silent Art Auction features diverse pieces ranging from Amsterdam etchings, local landscapes, folk art, antique oils, and art glass. Discover the talent of local artists, including Reynold H. Weidenaar and the late, acclaimed Joan Boghossian, whose landscapes include Narragansett and Pawtucket landmarks.

Take advantage of this opportunity to acquire stunning artwork while contributing to a noble cause. Your presence and support are greatly appreciated. All proceeds from this event will support the Seminary in Providence, a cherished institution serving New England Dioceses.

Rachel's Vineyard Retreat/Retiro del Viñedo de Raqueluo

A post-Abortion healing retreat in English and en español/Un retiro de sanación postaborto en inglés y en español

Fri., October 27 through Sun., October 29

This weekend is an opportunity for any woman, man, couple, grandparent or sibling struggling with the emotional or spiritual pain of abortion, providing the time and space to enter the grieving process. All inquiries confidential.

Este fin de semana es una oportunidad para cualquier mujer, hombre, pareja, abuelo o hermano que lucha con el dolor emocional o espiritual del aborto, brindando el tiempo y el espacio para entrar en el proceso de duelo. Todas las consultas confidenciales.

Learn more

Together we renew our commitment to life!

2023 Human Life Guild Day

Sat., October 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence

Beginning with Holy Mass in the Cathedral celebrated by Most Rev. Richard G. Henning, D.D., S.T.D., Bishop of Providence, with Rev. W. Ryan Connors, S.T.D., Dean of Men and Professor at Saint John’s Seminary, Boston, Homilist.

Mass is immediately followed by brunch and local Catholic speakers in the lower Cathedral. Advance registration required by Fri., October 20.

Our speakers:

Rev. Ryan W. Connors, S.T.D.: “The Splendor of Truth: Moral Wisdom for Contemporary Challenges”
Dr. Sheila L. Kuzmic: “Becoming Victims of Love…God’s Remedy to Rescue Souls and Defeat the Power of Darkness”
Dr. Timothy P. Flanigan: “Love, Truth and Service: A Christian Response to Gender Dysphoria”

Learn more

Find All Events

See a full calendar of upcoming events around the Diocese of Providence in the Rhode Island Catholic "Around the Diocese"

See More Events

Grow in Faith

Meet the New Goddess, Same as the Old Goddess

BISHOP ROBERT BARRON

A few weeks ago, I spoke at the annual convention of the G.K. Chesterton Society. The theme of the conference was St. Francis, since this year marks the one-hundredth anniversary of the publication of Chesterton’s classic book on the medieval saint. In the course of his presentation, Dale Ahlquist, the president of the society, drew our attention to Chesterton’s remark that, for St. Francis, nature should never be construed as our mother, but rather as our sister, since we have the same Father. Understandably enough, we feel very protective toward our lovely sister, and this is the basis of a healthy biblical and Catholic sense of ecology. In his most famous piece of writing, St. Francis gave voice to his deep affection for “Brother Sun and Sister Moon,” and for “Sister Water,” and perhaps most interestingly for “our Sister, Mother Earth.” Though she might be our mother in an analogical sense, the earth remains, for Francis, first and foremost, sister. When we construe nature as our mother, we revert, Chesterton thought, into a paganism that amounts to the worship of a creature—which always results in mischief.

Images: Seven Archangels Russian icon, vatican.va/Sts. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions, vatican.va

Saints of the Week:

St. Raphael, Archangel

September 29

The cult of archangel Raphael can be traced back to the 11th century; his feast day is celebrated together with that of the archangels Michael and Gabriel. His name comes from the Hebrew “Rafa-El,” or “medicine of El [God],” the opposite of the name of the demon Asmodeus, “he who causes to perish.”

Sts. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions, Martyrs

September 28

A Filipino-Chinese husband and father, Lorenzo Ruiz testified to the Lord under torture with extraordinary courage. He and his companions were martyred in 17th century Japan. He is the patron saint of the Philippines.

The Feast of the Holy Archangels

September 29

The three archangels whom the Church honors by name are St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. They are also the only three angels who are mentioned by name in Sacred Scripture. The Feast of all three Archangels is September 29. In the traditional calendar this was St. Michael’s feast day, with St. Gabriel’s being March 24th (the day prior to the Annunciation) and St. Raphael’s being October 24th. Communities which celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite still celebrate the three feasts.

Image: Francesco Botticini, I tre Arcangeli e Tobias, EWTN.com

Bishop Henning's latest column in Rhode Island Catholic

The God Who Accompanies

When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, Moses feared “looking upon God.” It is not an unreasonable reaction to an encounter with the infinite. Like all human beings, Moses was a mere mortal creature, flawed and sinful. How could he dare to look upon the all powerful, all knowing, eternal God? Happily, Moses survived to tell the tale to the people of God. He survived because the Lord drew near to Moses, calling him by name. The Lord announced: “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Issac and the God of Jacob.”

Pope: God's grace is free

A look at Pope Francis' Angelus address Sept. 24.

Click to Watch

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Employment Opportunities

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Additional News

Photo: Laura Kilgus

New president tasked to 'inspire and empower' young women of St. Mary Academy - BayView

RHODE ISLAND CATHOLIC

By Laura Kilgus, Associate Editor

RIVERSIDE — It seems like just yesterday that Amy Gravell was a student, walking the halls of St. Mary Academy Bay View, delivering a student council speech, or performing in cabaret. Now she has returned to Mercy Hall Auditorium in a different role, to serve as the fourth president — and the first alumna president — of the all-girls Catholic academy.

Photo: Cole DeSantis

Father Brian Morris installed as pastor of Christ the King

RHODE ISLAND CATHOLIC

By Cole DeSantis, Correspondent

WEST WARWICK — Bishop Richard G. Henning installed Father Brian Morris as the new pastor of Christ the King - St. Anthony Parish in West Warwick on Saturday, September 9. Mass was celebrated with Bishop Henning as the principal celebrant, with Father Morris as concelebrant.