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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.

Along with the prophets of the Old Testament, particularly Isaiah, and with our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary, one of the lead characters of the Advent Season is John the Baptist. In the liturgy of Advent John appears in the Gospels especially on the second and third Sundays.

One of the most intriguing incidents in the early ministry of Jesus involved the cleansing of a leper. The Gospel of Mark (1: 40-45) records that a man with leprosy approached Jesus, knelt before him, and begged to be cured. Jesus, “moved with pity” cured the man but then “warned him sternly” not to tell anyone what had happened. “See that you tell no one anything,” Jesus demanded.

I don’t travel too much anymore. I don’t look forward to it and I don’t enjoy it, especially now with the extra burden of all of the Covid restrictions, as necessary as they might be. When I do have to travel, I’m always anxious to get home again and to settle back into my routine.

In reading obituaries I often find a statement that John or Mary passed away peacefully, “surrounded by their loving family.”...

Bishop reminds us, "Dear friends, God is speaking to you today, so pay attention,..."

In his canticle, Zechariah rejoiced that the Lord had come to the People of Israel to save them from their enemies, from those who hated them. But it begs the question: Who is the enemy today? It’s a good question since, according to one count, the word enemy (or “enemies”) is found in the Bible 372 times! So, who are our enemies?

It is October, the month of the Holy Rosary. And it is harvest time, when farms and gardens produce their abundant fruit. For those two reasons, among others, it seems especially appropriate that we focus once again on the beauty and power of the Holy Rosary. And there’s no better place to turn for our reflection than St. John Paul’s beautiful Apostolic Letter, “The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

I don’t do much online shopping. I don’t like it and I’m not very good at it. What I end up getting shipped to me always seems different than what I ordered. I much prefer to shop in person where I can better size-up the product I’m buying.

Read Bishop Tobin's latest "The Imitation of Christ" column in the Rhode Island Catholic...

At the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Cathedral Square, Providence. Everyone welcome!

So, the Diocese of Providence has now begun the celebration of its sesquicentennial – the 150th anniversary of its founding in 1872....

Click to read the statement from Bishop Tobin on Congressman Langevin’s position on abortion.

From Bishop Thomas J. Tobin to the Priests of the Diocese of Providence regarding The Apostolic Letter, Traditionis Custodes

Summer is a time when many of us take a step back from our normal routines and unwind a little bit. The slower schedule at work and school, and the nicer weather (at least here in the north), afford us the opportunity to rest, relax, recreate and recharge – perhaps by spending some time with family and friends, traveling somewhere pleasant, or just sitting on the front porch catching-up with the neighbors.

Fans of the venerable TV program, the “Andy Griffith Show” will immediately recognize the names of the principal players: Sheriff Andy Taylor, Deputy Barney Fife, Opie Taylor, and Aunt Bee. They were surrounded by a motley group of colorful characters including Floyd the Barber, Gomer, Goober, Helen, Thelma Lou, and, of course, Otis Campbell...

I’m a lifelong baseball fan. As a kid growing up in Pittsburgh I followed the Pirates and cheered for players like Bill Mazeroski, Bob Friend, Elroy Face, and the incomparable Roberto Clemente. My devotion to baseball provided a lot of happy, exciting summer days and nights.

In praying to the Holy Spirit, as we do more with more intensity on Pentecost, one of the gifts we should long for is the unity of the Church. And it’s a very timely petition.

The news in recent weeks has carried an unusual number of stories about awful tragedies that have occurred around the globe.

In celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation I’m often intrigued by, and sometimes bemused by, the names candidates take as they receive the sacrament.