Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them, O Lord

Dear Parishioners:

Twice a year, we all have to go through the inconvenience of resetting our clocks or having our clocks read the wrong time.  Every year, we have to remember whether we gain or lose an hour, and then readjust our body clocks. Of course, we all dislike “springing forward,” but “falling back” provides an extra hour of sleep on a Sunday.

So be sure to set your clocks and watches back one hour, and perhaps even enjoy the extra hour of sleep.  Without a doubt, a few people will arrive for Sunday Mass an hour early this weekend! Enjoy what has often been called  National “How Do I Change the Clock on my Microwave” Day!

Sunday, we celebrate the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, also known as All Souls’ Day. On this day, we honor our beloved dead for their fidelity in life, as well as pray for them since they are being purified before entering the All-Holy Presence of God. Those who die in the state of grace, yet without having been purified of all of their attachment to sin, go to Purgatory. Christ admonished us to “be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect.” So the purification of all imperfections, which even the good often still have at death, is necessary before entering the Father’s Presence.

Purgatory by Ludovico Carracci. (21 April 1555 – 13 November 1619)

Top: Christ directing, with Mary and interceding saints. Middle: Angel showing a soul the intercessors. Bottom: souls being purged with various attitudes.

Pope St. John Paul II, in three addresses on Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory, explained that the essence of these realities is not a “place” in space and time, but the relationship of the soul to God, who is Love. On God’s part, He is always offering His Love. On our part, we choose to accept His Love perfectly, or imperfectly. We can also choose to reject God’s offer of Love.

Our choice, whichever it is, becomes fixed at death when the possibility of moral choice ends. This choice determines our eternal relationship with God. The Love of God in the blessed soul is experienced as joy, and in the longing of the soul is purified as fire, mitigated by the knowledge that it will one day be with God, and by the comfort of the angels, saints, and souls on earth praying for it.

Thus, all our Masses this weekend will be offered for All Souls, especially your own beloved dead whose names are inscribed on the All Souls envelopes. Also, we should spend some time in prayer for the souls of our loved ones, as well as for those who have no one to pray for them.

It is an honored custom, as well, to visit the graves of our deceased on this day, both to pray at the place where their bodies, hallowed in life by the Sacraments, await the General Resurrection. We offer prayers and leave some mark of Love and respect, such as flowers, to adorn their graves. Also, we might perhaps pray for a soul who rests in a grave that has no one to pray for them.

We especially remember those forty-two members of our parish family who were laid to rest since last All Souls Day. Their names are listed in the bulletin, and I ask you to please pray for them and their families. We will offer the 10:30 am Mass for the gentle repose of their souls as we gather together with their grieving families.  Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them.

On All Souls’ Day, 1839 by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller

As we remember All Souls this month, we are asked to pray fervently for the poor souls in Purgatory.  It is a Corporal Work of Mercy to pray for the dead. The practice of praying for the dead is supported by scripture, such as the Book of Maccabees, which describes a holy and pious act of praying for the dead so that they might be delivered from their sin.  

As we pray for the poor souls in Purgatory, let us remember the wise words of the Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen. He said, “As we enter Heaven, we will see them, so many of them, coming towards us and thanking us. We will ask who they are, and they will say ‘a poor soul you prayed for in Purgatory.’” 

Fr. Brodeur is away on vacation this weekend and will return late Sunday night.  On Monday afternoon, he leaves for the  Priests’ Convocation, a three-day gathering of the Priests of Providence in Newport. Please pray for him and the priests in attendance.  Father returns on Wednesday. On Monday, I depart for Arnold Hall in Pembroke, Massachusetts, for my Annual Retreat. I return on Friday evening.  Please pray for me and the priests making the Retreat.  We thank Bishop Evans for covering Masses this week.

Be well. Do Good. God Bless. Go Pats!

Celebrating the Holy Spirit & Remembering Our Beloved Dead

Dear Parishioners:                                

Bishop Evans confirms OLM Parishioner Anna Jelinek at the Mass of Confirmation in October 2024.

On Sunday, fifty-six young adults of our parish will be Confirmed in their Catholic Faith by Bishop Evans. It is an important day in the lives of these young men and women and a joyous occasion for their families and our parish family.                                              

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that Confirmation establishes us more deeply in our relationship to God as his children, unites us more closely to Jesus Christ, pours out the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit into our soul, strengthens our bond with the Catholic Church, and gives us the power we need to be true soldiers of Christ through living, sharing, and defending our Faith.

We thank all those who made our celebration of Confirmation so joyful and special, especially Bishop Evans.  We are truly grateful to Mr. Jeremy Long, our Director of Faith Formation, for teaching the candidates and preparing them to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. We thank the parents of the newly confirmed, who first brought their children to Jesus and the Church, guiding them to this special day.  We thank their sponsors for offering an important example of living the Faith for these young adults. 

Also, we thank our OLM Music Director, Mr. Henri St. Louis, and the Choir for the beautiful and majestic music.  A special thanks to our Altar Servers for their reverent service and our good Franciscan Sisters who prepare everything for the Mass of Confirmation.

Finally, we thank the newly Confirmed for choosing to come forward for this special sacrament.  It is an important step in their faith lives. We pray that the grace of Confirmation and the gifts of the Holy Spirit will continue to guide and strengthen them. We also pray that these young men and women whose names are listed in the bulletin may stay close to the Lord and His Church. St. Ambrose offers wise words for all those who have been confirmed, he says:

"Remember, then, that you received a spiritual seal, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of knowledge and reverence, the Spirit of holy fear. Keep safe what you received. God the Father sealed you, Christ the Lord strengthened you, and sent the Spirit into your hearts as the pledge of what is to come."

It is hard to believe the month of October is coming to an end this Friday.  We had a great Trunk or Treat event at OLM School  Parking Lot on Friday night in anticipation of All Hallows Eve. It is always a fun and festive event with my trunk, the most popular because of the full-sized candy bars!!   With the arrival of November and daylight saving time, please take note of the schedule change. 

Next Saturday, November 1, the 5:00 pm Mass of Anticipation moves back to 4:00 pm until April 4. Also, next Saturday, Confessions at 4:00 pm moves back to 3:00 pm.  The Solemnity of All Saints is next Saturday, November 1. However, because it falls on a Saturday, it is not a Holy Day of Obligation, and Mass will be on Saturday at 8:30 a.m.  All Saints is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven. Those known to us and those unknown holy souls who led exemplary saintly lives. 

Next Sunday, November 2, is the Feast of All Souls, and all the Masses next weekend will be celebrated for All Souls. We ask that you please return your All Souls envelopes with the names of your beloved dead so they may be placed on the altar during November.  We dedicate the entire month of November to praying for All Souls, especially the souls in purgatory.   St. Pope John Paul II said, "Praying for the souls in purgatory is the highest act of supernatural charity."

Next Sunday, November 2, at the 10:30 am Mass, we will remember all our deceased parishioners who died during this past year. These forty-two souls have gone to their eternal reward, and we, their family, friends, and fellow parishioners, remember them with our prayers. Their grieving families will be in attendance at the Mass. Please pray for their consolation that the Lord may comfort them in their grief.  And also pray for the gentle repose of the souls of their beloved dead.

Join us on Monday at 7:00 pm for Marian Devotions. We offer our prayerful congratulations to the newly Confirmed. Pray for them. Be well. Do Good. God Bless! Go Pats!!! Go!!!!

Give Peace a Chance!

Dear Parishioners:                                  

The good news of the release of the 20 Israeli hostages and the historic peace in the Holy Land brokered by President Trump is indeed most welcome news. The many images of Israeli families reuniting with former hostages after two years of captivity by Hamas terrorists were a moving sight to behold.  

The Gaza War began after the evil Hamas attack upon Israel on October 7, 2023, which saw the killing of over 1,200 men, women, and children, and kidnapping more than 250 hostages. Now, a peaceful ceasefire and aid are heading into Gaza to the benefit of the whole region. Let us continue to pray that this peace lasts in the Middle East.

Father Gabriel Romanelli at Holy Family Parish in Gaza.

One story not widely reported in the mainstream news media was the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza. In addition to the Church, Holy Family Parish has a school built in 1974 by the Latin Patriarchate. The Holy Family School has more than 600 students, both Christian and non-Christian. It was considered the best school in Gaza.

The parish complex became a makeshift home to over 500 people during the war. Most of those taking shelter were  Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic Christians, but also some Muslim families of Gaza, as well as many children with disabilities.

The Pastor of the Holy Family Parish,  Father Gabriel Romanelli, is an Argentinian priest of the Institute of the Incarnate Word.  In 2023, when war started, he was evacuated to Jerusalem but decided to return to minister to his flock and support the entire local community. He celebrated Mass daily during the entire war.

The Missionaries of Charity, founded by St. Teresa of Calcutta, care for the elderly and disabled at a convent in the parish complex. In December 2023, their convent was hit by rockets, creating a fire that made the convent uninhabitable.

The late Pope Francis called the Holy Family Parish in Gaza every night.

During the war, even after being hospitalized, the late Pope Francis called the Holy Family Parish almost daily. The last call Pope Francis made to the parish was on the Easter Vigil on April 19, just two days before his death. The calls were simple check-ins via WhatsApp with the Pastor. The parish grew to expect the nightly calls, and the children of the parish began to call Pope Francis “Grandfather.”

The Holy Family Parish has come under direct attack during the war, including a bombing that occurred about 1,000 feet away from the Church in March, as well as missile fire, which damaged the Church. In April, Fr. Romanelli called Gaza a “prison” and urged world leaders to seek peace. With the recent Peace Deal, he commented: “May we enjoy a long period of peace between Palestine and Israel, for it is not impossible. But it will take a long time.”

His Beatitude  Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, declared: “It is good news, and we are very happy. It is a first step, the first phase. Of course, there are many others, and surely there will be other obstacles. But now we have to rejoice about this important step that will bring a little more trust for the future and also bring new hope, especially to the people, both Israeli and Palestinians.”

Holy Family Church in Gaza after a missile attack.

In July, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, called upon all American Catholics, Dioceses, and Parishes to donate emergency financial assistance to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association for relief in Gaza.  CNEWA was founded in the 1920s to support Catholics in regions where they are a minority of the population, like the Middle East.

Thanks to your generous contribution to the OLM Outreach Collection last year, we were able to donate a $10,000 gift to CNEWA for their Gaza Relief Fund. Let us support the ongoing peace in Gaza with our prayers for a just and lasting peace!

Join us for prayer on Mondays in October at 7:00 pm for Devotions. We pray the Rosary before the Eucharistic Lord and seek the intercession of Mother Mary, Queen of Peace!

Next Sunday at the 5:00 pm Mass, Bishop Evans will confirm 56 young adults.  Pray for these candidates, their sponsors, and their families as they prepare for the celebration of Confirmation. It is a joyous occasion for our parish family!

Be well. Do Good. God Bless. Pray for Peace!!

Christopher Columbus, Man of Faith & Vision

Dear Parishioners:                              

Statue of Christopher Columbus.

This Monday, we celebrate Columbus Day. A holiday that celebrates the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. It is an important holiday for all Americans, but especially Italian Americans.  Unfortunately, it is either dismissed by many who do not understand its importance or by others as simply a day off from work.  

But it is also an important holiday for Catholics. While I was in Rome, I saw his picture prominently displayed in a hotel lobby.  It appears Italians still understand Columbus’ historical importance even today. While in the United States, his images are frequently removed from public display.

Yet the little-talked-about reason that spurred on Christopher Columbus’s voyages was his deep Christian belief about the “End Times.” The man we honor on this Columbus Day chose to approach India in a westerly direction because he believed it would be a quicker route.

The three ships Christopher Columbus sailed on his first voyage in 1492 were commonly known by nicknames: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. Their actual full names were the Santa Clara, the Pinta (whose original name is unknown), and the Santa Gallega (also known as the Santa Maria and the Santa María de la Inmaculada Concepción).

Columbus believed that Satan had settled in India and was disrupting the spread of the Gospel and delaying the Second Coming of Christ. According to his eschatological calculations, the time for the return of Christ was nearly at hand. Thus, India had to be reached by the shortest way possible so that the last bulwark of Satan might be removed through Christian missions.

Writings of Columbus’ life often paint an explorer with a voracious appetite for gold. Everywhere he went, it seems, he had more interest in the precious metal than in the salvation of souls. But, according to Carol Delaney, author of Columbus and the Quest for Jerusalem, a cultural anthropologist and long-time professor at Stanford University, Columbus's quest for wealth was not only for himself but for a higher purpose: to fund a crusade to reclaim Jerusalem from the Muslims before the end of the world.

Honor and fortune were a large part of Columbus’s motivation, but faith was also a big part of his life. And, though he had his faults, the Admiral of the Ocean Seas was keen to instill the habit of religious observance in the men on his ships. Christianity Today notes:

“During Columbus’s voyages, the ships’ crews observed religious rites. Every time they turned the half-hour glass (their primary means of keeping time), they cried: “Blessed be the hour of our Savior’s birth / blessed be the Virgin Mary who bore him / and blessed be John who baptized him.” They finished each day by singing vespers together (although reportedly they sang out of tune).”

Columbus considered himself a “Christ-bearer” like his namesake, St. Christopher. When he first arrived on Hispaniola, his first words to the natives were, “The monarchs of Castile have sent us not to subjugate you but to teach you the true religion.”

Christopher Columbus

In a 1502 letter to Pope Alexander VI (r. 1492-1503), Columbus asked the pontiff to send missionaries to the indigenous peoples of the New World so they could accept Christ. And in his will, Columbus proved his belief in the importance of evangelization by establishing a fund to finance missionary efforts to the lands he discovered.

Christopher Columbus was a complex man, and his actions in the New World reflected the complexities of his experiences and the time in which he lived. He was neither a saint nor the barbarian often portrayed by leftist groups with their own agendas in the modern world. So celebrate the man and his mission this Monday. It is a day of pride and honor for our nation and our Italian American brothers and sisters. Happy Columbus Day!

I returned safely from my trip to Italy. It was a wonderful trip and I enjoyed my time in Assisi, Florence, and Rome. However, it’s good to be back home again! Join us on Columbus Day for Devotions at 7:00 pm, as we pray the Rosary just as Columbus himself did. Be well, do good. God bless America! Happy Columbus Day! Go Pats, Go!!!

It's October! Turn to Mother Mary & Put Your Rosary to Work

Dear Parishioners:                  

October is a month dedicated to both our Blessed Mother Mary and the Holy Rosary. Since the early days of the Church, Christians have used knotted cords or prayer beads to help keep track of their prayers.          

The Rosary as we know it today evolved in the Middle Ages, when the "Hail Mary" prayer became widely known.   The term "Rosary" comes from "rosarium," or a bouquet of roses.  The prayers of the Rosary were seen as a spiritual bouquet offered to Mary. 

La Visione di San Domenico (The Vision of Saint Dominic), Bernardo Cavallino, 1640

Tradition tells us that Mother Mary appeared to St. Dominic in 1274 and gave him the Rosary as an aid in his preaching against the Albigensian heresy, which denied the Incarnation of Christ.   Mary presented him with the Rosary, instructing him to preach her psalter to win over hardened hearts.  She explained that this prayer was a spiritual weapon to fight heresy and the key to reforming the world.

St. Dominic then began to preach the Rosary to both the faithful and heretics. He taught people to meditate on the mysteries of Christ's life while praying the Hail Marys and Our Fathers, a practice that began to yield conversions and a strengthening of faith.

While praying each decade of the Rosary, we meditate on key moments in Christ's life. For this reason, the Rosary is often seen as a way to draw closer to Christ through Mary.  St. Pope Paul VI taught that the Rosary helps us "meditate on the mysteries of the Lord's life as seen through the eyes of her who was closest to the Lord."  

We live in difficult and violent times. I hardly need to elaborate on the multitude of crises and evils that fill the globe. Sadly, many are being swept away by this flood of evil and succumbing to fear, anxiety, despair, and discouragement. Too many turn away from faith in God, the Creator, and from the hope and joy that only Christ offers.

But no matter how tempting it is, we must not shrink back in the face of evil and uncertainty. We must take up prayer with a living faith, a firm confidence, and great fervor.  There is no better way to do this than by praying the Holy Rosary. Saint Padre Pio taught us that "The Rosary is the 'weapon' for these times."  The Rosary is prayed at OLM every day after morning Mass.

We have a Rosary every Monday night in October at Devotions. Rosaries are available at every door as you leave the Church.  So we need to take up our Rosaries and pray.  Why?

Pope Leo XIV prays the Rosary.

Through the Rosary, a prayer of immense power, countless miracles have been obtained and victories won. We celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on Tuesday. At the end of his audience on September 24, the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, Pope Leo said, "I invite everyone to pray the rosary every day during the coming month of October for peace  personally, with your families and in your communities."

The Holy Father also invited us to conclude the recitation of the Rosary with the ancient invocation "Sub Tuum Praesidium" and with the prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel, that he may protect us and help us in the struggle against evil.

Pope Leo affirmed this prayer, citing the first book of Job, as the weapon against the Great Accuser who "goes around the world seeking to accuse. Only prayer can defeat him. The Russian mystics and the great saints of all the traditions advised, in moments of spiritual turbulence, to shelter beneath the mantle of the Holy Mother of God, pronouncing the invocation 'Sub Tuum Praesidium.'"

The invocation of "Sub Tuum Praesidium" is recited as follows: "We fly to thy protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin".  With this request for intercession, the Holy Father asked the faithful of the whole world to pray that the Holy Mother of God place the Church beneath her protective mantle, to preserve it from the attacks of the Devil, and so that evil may not prevail in our world. 

Let us take up the Rosary daily this month.  Join us every Monday at 7:00 pm for Marian Devotions as we pray the Rosary.  Be well. Do good. God Bless. Go Sox! Go Pats!!??

. 

Seasons Change & Feasts Arrive

Dear Parishioners:                               

Fr. Brodeur, Fr. Mahoney, & Simon Campion (OLM School Parent) enjoy the Saints & Scholars Open.

As I write this column on Monday in the final hours of summer, I look out at a beautiful morning. God has given us a great weather for our Annual Saints and Scholars Golf Open at Quidnessett Country Club. Over 120 golfers are set to play a great round of golf in support of our budding saints and scholars at OLM School.                         

I want to thank our Golf Tournament Chair, Mrs. Lee Mita, whose dedication and hard work have made the golf tournament such a success.   We also extend our gratitude to the many volunteers and parish staff who work tirelessly in preparation for this day. We also want to thank the many golfers and supporters of the tournament. In particular, we are grateful to our major sponsors, Mr. Brian Murphy of Shoreham Bank, Mr. Jeff Nelson of Palmer Industries, Mr. Frank DiBiase of the Providence Oyster Bar, and Mr. Nicholas Durgarian of Douglas Construction. We thank them for their most generous support.

The autumn season began on Monday afternoon as the golfers were playing the tournament. Soon, all the leaves begin to change color, and the crisp fall air arrives. We hope the beautiful fall weather lasts, especially for the Oktoberfest. Let's hope the rain stays away! As the great American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald said, "Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."

It doesn't seem that life is starting over for the Patriots this season as they continue to fumble the ball. And so too the Red Sox, who continue to strike out when they need hits the most. Let's pray the crisp fall air sparks new life for both teams! 

As October arrives, we look forward to a few important feasts. On October 1, we mark the Feast of the Little Flower, Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus.   She lived a cloistered life of obscurity in the convent of Lisieux, France. After nine years of religious life in the Carmelite Convent, St. Thérèse died of tuberculosis at the age of only 24, on September 30, 1897. Few saints of God are more popular than this young nun. Her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, is read and loved throughout the world. St. Thérèse said she came to the Carmel convent "to save souls and pray for priests." And shortly before she died, she wrote: "I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth."

Thursday, October 2, brings the Feast of the Guardian Angels. Their role is to represent us before God, to watch over us always, to aid our prayer, and to present our souls to God at death. We should offer this simple prayer to our guardian angel: "Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, rule and guide. Amen."

St. Francis Preaching To The Birds, 1297-99 by Giotto di Bondone

On Saturday, October 4, we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The great saint is one of the most well-known and beloved saints of all time. St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of Italy, Ecology, and Animals. On Friday, in anticipation of his feast at around 2:15 pm in the OLM School Parking Lot, Father Brodeur will bless animals, pets, and livestock in honor of St. Francis. So bring your pets, cattle, sheep, horses, and chickens to be blessed on Friday!

Next Sunday, October 5, Fr. Connors, the Rector of the Our Lady of Providence Seminary, will celebrate the 10:30 am Mass. He will be joined by the twenty-three seminarians studying for the priesthood at OLP, including OLM's own David Delbonis. I know you will give them a warm welcome. Please pray for these seminarians that they may persevere in their vocation, and also pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood in the Diocese of Providence.  

Pilgrims enter the Jubilee Holy Door.

Please note that the 5:00 pm Sunday evening Mass will resume next week. This Mass of convenience continues every Sunday until April 26. The Mass coincides with our Faith Formation Program for Confirmation. Now, there are five Sunday Masses, so there are no excuses to miss!  

This is a Jubilee Year for the Church and for me, as I celebrate 30 years of priestly ordination and 60 years of life. I leave on Sunday evening for a pilgrimage to Rome to celebrate these Jubilees. I shall remember your intentions at Masses and as I pass through the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica.   Ciao! See you in October! Be well. Do good. God Bless. Go Sox!? Go Pats!!???