By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - GREENVILLE — “Every man needs Christian fellowship, not just good friends, but good Christian friends,” Don Turbitt, founding member of Men of St. Joseph International, strongly emphasized. “That’s what’s going to change their lives for the better.” (PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN OLIBRI)
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. It began when a report about abused and neglected children caught the attention of President Ronald Reagan in 1983. Sadly, since that first Child Abuse Prevention Month, the number of abused victims has grown from half a million children to over six million new reports of abuse along with 1600 child abuse related deaths annually. One is too many. Each year, Blue Sunday Abuse Prevention offers a day of prayer on the last Sunday of April. Learn more... (Image courtesy of bluesunday.org)
Child sexual abuse poisons all segments of society - families, schools, churches, community organizations, and health and welfare institutions. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 7 children in the United States experiences some form of childhood sexual abuse or neglect. That number is heartbreaking and cries out for a response.
By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - MIDDLETOWN — One of the aims of Catholic education is to foster a deeper appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation. This is no more on display than at All Saints Academy in Middletown. (PHOTO: COLE DESANTIS)
From Bishop Henning: "Child sexual abuse poisons all segments of society - families, schools, churches, community organizations, and health and welfare institutions. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 7 children in the United States experiences some form of childhood sexual abuse or neglect. That number is heartbreaking and cries out for a response..."
By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor - PROVIDENCE — The Cathedral of SS. Peter and Peter Paul was overflowing with more than 1,000 faithful participating in a bilingual, Farewell Mass for Bishop-elect James T. Ruggieri on April 11, with Bishop Richard G. Henning as the principal celebrant and homilist. (PHOTO: LAURA KILGUS)
Earth Day is the perfect time to help Catholics in your area respond to Pope Francis’ call to “be ‘protectors’ of creation”! Ways to celebrate Earth Day...
Last week, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul was packed to overflowing for a Mass of Thanksgiving and farewell with Bishop-elect James Ruggieri. At the reception after the Mass, people waited upwards of two hours to greet him personally. It was a truly beautiful evening of prayer and fellowship and I am so grateful to the many volunteers and diocesan staff who worked to make the gathering possible. Of course, I am grateful for the Bishop-elect....
Good Shepherd Sunday is the perfect time to pray for our priests, bishops, and all those who shepherd the Lord’s flock! And the purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord's instruction to, "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). We ask you to pray for more vocations, especially to the priesthood and consecrated life. Please pray that more men and women will generously say yes to God’s call in their lives and that their parents will support them.
By Laura Kilgus, Associate Editor - PROVIDENCE — Boxes of tissues were passed around the St. Patrick Academy auditorium at the end of the school day as students, faculty and alumni offered their tearful thanks and emotional goodbyes to Bishop-elect James T. Ruggieri. Soon, he will make the move from Providence to Portland for his ordination as bishop, and he will do so with the spiritual support and love of this dedicated school family that he helped to nurture. (PHOTO: LAURA KILGUS)
Lisa and Keith Kline, Presidents of the Rhode Island Serra Club #1137 Providence and parishioners at St. Philip Parish, Greenville, RI, explain the importance and beauty of Good Shepherd Sunday...
By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - Most Catholics will never know what those at the Vatican look for in a future bishop, but for some, the virtues demonstrated by some priests make it clear that they were destined for a miter and crosier. Father James T. Ruggieri exemplifies many of the qualities that turn a good priest into a bishop. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RUGGIERI FAMILY)
Everyone needs a role model. Having had the privilege of living and serving with Bishop-elect Ruggieri for almost four years while co-ministering to the parishioners of St. Patrick and St. Michael parishes, having been a seminarian at St. Patrick before that and having watched him closely during most of my adult life has granted me a unique opportunity to learn from one of the most dedicated, hardworking, commonly uncommon, beautiful and simple priests I know.
By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor - PROVIDENCE — Last month, a client named “Joanne” called the Diocese of Providence’s Keep the Heat On program for help in getting some oil delivered to heat her home after moving from Pawtucket to Providence.