The Catholic Charity Appeal is the principal means of support for numerous diocesan outreach ministries. In 2021, the diocese’s St. Martin de Porres Multi-Service Center was able to feed 350 families per week with the resources they received through the Appeal, while the Emmanuel House homeless shelter provided 16,000 bed nights for those with no place else to turn for help. The Office of Life and Family Ministry provided baby supplies and assistance to 1,700 individuals. The Appeal also provides annual support for various education programs each year....
PROVIDENCE — The 2022 Catholic Charity Appeal: 150 Years of Sharing God’s Love, has received $2.5 million in pledges and one-time gifts from more than 6,000 donors in its first month, representing 36% of this year’s $6.8 million goal, according to data obtained from the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development.
The bishop said that observance of the Diocese of Providence’s sesquicentennial this year is a perfect time for everyone to reflect on how the Catholic Charity Appeal has enabled the benevolent mission of the Church for most of those 150 years and how it will position the diocese well to continue that mission into the future.
PROVIDENCE — On December 2, a “Thanks and Blessings” breakfast was held in Providence for the staff who support Catholic Hospital Ministry in the Diocese of Providence. These individuals prepare the schedules of the numerous priests who assist with hospital ministry as well as coordinating visits within the hospitals for Catholic patients.
PROVIDENCE — The Keep the Heat on Program for the Diocese of Providence has never experienced a heating season quite like this one before. So far this heating season, KTHO staff have already assisted 437 households compared to 183 at this time last year. Keep the Heat On has also provided more than $163,000 in assistance already this year.
PROVIDENCE — The St. Martin de Porres Center served as the site of a recent Moderna Vaccine Clinic to provide first, second or booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to local residents and first responders.
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin visited the diocesan Emmanuel House homeless shelter on Thanksgiving to lead a short prayer service where he offered a blessing before helping to serve a traditional turkey dinner to the guests.
PROVIDENCE — After having to cancel last year’s Rhode Island Catholic Women’s Conference event due to the burgeoning pandemic, Michelle Donovan, assistant director of the diocesan Office of Faith Formation, is pleased to be able to host a live in-person event once again. She said that during the pandemic she heard from so many people that they felt isolated.
PROVIDENCE — Laura Dos Santos has been named director of operations of the Diocese of Providence’s newly developed HealthCare Facilities Management Office. In this new role, Dos Santos and her team will provide support, leadership and guidance to diocesan nursing homes and skilled care facilities, ensuring that residents receive the best care while honoring their Catholic mission and values.
PROVIDENCE — Barbara Papitto wears two gold crosses around her neck — one for her deep faith in Christ, while the second, on a longer chain which places it closer to her heart, belonged to her late husband Ralph.
PROVIDENCE — Kristen Costa, 35, is a supermom. She’s caring for her two children, navigating work, motherhood and her own personal health concerns — in a pandemic no less. The Rumford resident was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer and has been recuperating from a partial hysterectomy. She had a payment plan with National Grid for her electric, but was unable to keep current with the agreed upon budget plan plus the current bill. Finances were getting tight.
Following a year in which a global pandemic posed significant challenges to schools everywhere, the Diocese of Providence’s Catholic Schools Office is reporting an increase of 4.85 percent in enrollments this year, primarily in its diocesan, parish and private elementary and middle schools. This represents a growth of 445 students over the 2020-2021 academic year.
PROVIDENCE — Hundreds of sixth, seventh and eighth graders from Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Providence filled McVinney Auditorium in Providence and Holy Apostles Church in Cranston during the Catholic Middle School Youth Conference held November 3 and 4.
PROVIDENCE — While the format for this year’s Human Life Guild Day will be different from the daylong events of previous years as the pandemic continues, it promises to be a very impactful event for all in attendance. “Instead of a day of speakers we have combined the annual Human Life Guild Mass with the diocese’s 150th anniversary program, which features pro-life speaker Gloria Purvis at McVinney Auditorium immediately afterward, which I think makes a for beautiful day,” said Lisa Cooley, coordinator of the diocesan Office of Life and Family.
Sat., Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. in McVinney Auditorium (that will be following the 9:30 a.m. Human Life Guild Mass with Bishop Tobin in the Cathedral - join us at both!)
Get to know a little more about the men you are praying for as they continue to prepare for the priesthood! The Seminarian Education Fund is supported by your donation to the Catholic Charity Fund Appeal - thank you!