Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Diocese of Providence: A blessed and happy Easter to you! We recall that when the holy Apostles and the devout women went to the tomb on Easter morning, they found that the tomb was empty and they were greeted by angels with the question: “Why do you seek the Living One among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised.” (Lk 24:5-6) That question, and that statement, have resounded through the ages, and they give the world, and they give us new hope, new strength and the promise of new and eternal life!
An authentic celebration of Easter, the Resurrection of Christ, is such a world-changing, life-changing event that it should inspire in us a tidal wave of emotion, and the growth of important virtues. Among the most prominent of those virtues are hope, peace and joy.
There’s a reason it’s called “Holy Week” and that’s because in these days we will enter into the deepest mysteries of the Christian Faith. In this week we will observe and actually share in the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the events that redeemed mankind, reconciled us to God, and gave us a new beginning with the hope of eternal life. This week should be a retreat for us, a time when as much as possible we set aside our normal routines and turn our undivided attention to Jesus.
Did you know that 18 years ago today, on March 31, 2005, Bishop Tobin was named the eighth Bishop of Providence by Pope John Paul II?! (Photo: RI Catholic)
Recently, in the mornings, I’ve taken to listening to music instead of watching the news on TV. I’ve found that some soft and gentle music is a much more peaceful way to start the day than hearing the accounts of murder and mayhem, corruption and crime.
There are several incidents in the Gospels in which Jesus cured the blind and allowed them to see. These miracles are among the most dramatic miracles that Jesus performed, for they completely changed the lives of the people he touched. But it’s good to recall, too, that in working his miracles, Jesus was concerned not only for the physical well-being of those who turned to him, but for their spiritual health as well.
You’ve probably seen the TV commercials for the Progressive Insurance Company in which a counsellor, a “Parenta-life Coach” identified as Dr. Rick, tries to stop young adults from becoming like their parents. Dr. Rick’s goal is to prevent his clients from adopting the little idiosyncrasies, the embarrassing behavior, of their parents in a number of everyday settings, e.g. at the supermarket, at the ballgame, or in an elevator.
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 5.
I recently came across a random online posting that lists “5 things nobody has in their home anymore.” The list includes DVDs, CDs, a file cabinet, a wall calendar and take out menus. Obviously the list is compiled by a Millennial or some other post-modern sort. I have to confess that I have all five of the things that “nobody” has in their home anymore. I’m not sure what that means except that I’m pretty old.
Whenever we say the Confiteor at Holy Mass we confess that we have sinned “in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.” Although we say those words rather casually sometimes, their meaning is important.
Perhaps you saw the national news story about a group of Catholic school students who were “kicked-out” of the Smithsonian Museum for wearing hats that said “Rosary Pro-Life.” The students explained to the security guards that the hats were being used to identify their large group and to keep it together. They were expelled, nonetheless. We applaud the students for the calm and respectful way they responded to this confrontation and also for their commitment to life – they had just attended the March for Life.
I’m thinking of the gentleman who called my office to say that he drove past my house every day, and that he sometimes saw a coyote prowling around, and knew that I walked my little dog in the same area and wanted me and the puppy to be safe. And the lady who sent me a package filled with candy and other treats for my Easter basket after I had written about how much I treasure the Easter basket my mom gave me many years ago.
Upon hearing or reading the words, Dominus vobiscum, Catholics of a mature age, and increasingly today, lots of younger folks, will instinctively respond with, Et cum spiritu tuo. “The Lord be with you . . . And with your spirit.” These words of greeting from the traditional Latin Mass have become second nature to many Catholics. And I use them to introduce my thoughts about the lasting impact of tradition and emotion in the religious experience.
PROVIDENCE — The annual Mass for Life was held on Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul. Sponsored by the diocesan Office of Life and Family Ministry, the liturgy was offered to ask for God’s blessings upon the pro-life movement.
It is indeed rare that all four Scripture selections at Mass – Old Testament, Psalm, New Testament and Gospel readings – promote an identical message. The New Testament readings especially stand out from the other choices since they tend to be continuous passages from a given text, like a letter of St. Paul, rather than assorted episodes chosen to highlight a certain theme. Yet this coming Sunday, the four texts not only agree in topic but almost exactly in words and phrasing.
Whether it’s for a football player stricken during a Monday night game, or for an ailing pope at the Vatican, or for a persecuted cardinal in China, or for the restoration of peace in Ukraine, or for a missing mom in Massachusetts – it seems that the community has been summoned to prayer on an unusual number of occasions recently.
December 15 was a joyous occasion over at the St. Martin de Porres Senior Center for the Diocese of Providence as they celebrated their annual Christmas party. The afternoon was full of carols, thoughtful gifts, a beautiful meal, and a special visit from Bishop Thomas J. Tobin. Bishop Tobin told the seniors that he prays that God will continue to bless them this Christmas season and in the new year to come.
