Dear Parishioners:

This is an important week for us as the Church of Providence. On Thursday, the Most Reverend Richard G. Henning is being officially received as the Coadjutor Bishop of Providence at a Mass of Reception at 2:00 PM, Bishop Henning will be received in the presence of the official representative of Pope Francis to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
Bishop Tobin, the Bishop of Providence, will celebrate the Mass of Reception.

The Mass will be live-streamed if you wish to watch it, and it is open to the public if you wish to attend. There will be over 30 Bishops from around the Northeast, a few hundred priests from the Diocese of Providence, and the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Bishop Henning's home diocese.

Appointed by Pope Francis as our Coadjutor in December, Bishop Henning is to be an immediate collaborator with Bishop Tobin in the governance of our Diocese. Unlike an Auxiliary Bishop, a Coadjutor Bishop has the right to automatic succession to the diocesan see upon the death, resignation, or transfer of the incumbent diocesan bishop. Bishops are required to submit a letter of resignation at the age of 75. So Bishop Tobin will submit his letter on April 1, 2023, his 75th Birthday. Until his resignation is accepted by the Pope, Bishop Tobin remains our Bishop. There are usually some months before the letter is accepted by the Pope. Once the letter has been accepted, Bishop Henning automatically and immediately becomes the Bishop of Providence.

Bishop Henning greets parishioners at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence. RI.

Bishop Henning comes from the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island where he grew up and was ordained a priest. He is the oldest of five children and was educated in Catholic Schools including the well-known Chaminade High School. His Father is a retired firefighter, and his mother is a retired nurse. His parents and large family will be attending the Mass on Thursday. He received a B.A. and M.A. in History from St. John's University, Queens, New York. And studied for the priesthood at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York. He was ordained a priest in 1992 and then earned a Licentiate in Biblical Theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and a Doctorate from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Italy. He is fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish.

In his over thirty years of priestly ministry, he has served as an Associate Pastor of a large suburban parish with an elementary school, taught at the seminary, led priests' retreats, and served as Rector of the Seminary. He has also worked for many years in ministering to the large Hispanic Catholic population on Long Island.
In June 2018, he was appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre, his native Diocese. Since that appointment, he has worked closely with the Bishop of Rockville Centre on projects related to parish evangelization serving as Vicar for Parish Evangelization and Pastoral Planning.

Bishop Richard Henning’s Episcopal Coat of Arms.

We are truly blessed to have such a good and holy shepherd to lead our Church in Providence. As we anticipate this historic day for our Diocese on Thursday and welcome Bishop Henning, let us also pray for him. May he be a shepherd who cares for his flock, possesses a kindly zeal, and continues the good work of his predecessors. May he lead us to imitate Christ's heart of mercy, proclaim his voice of hope, and be his hands of justice. Pray that Bishop Henning might boldly preach the truth of the Gospel, give us the power of the sacraments, and help us gain the desire to build up our holy Church. I also ask for your prayers for Bishop Tobin and our entire Diocesan Family as we enter this new chapter in the history of our local Church.

Bishop Henning's motto as a bishop is "Duc In Altum," which means "Put Out Into the Deep." These words are taken from the Gospel of St. Luke, where St. Peter, the fisherman, had been out all night searching the sea for fish only to return empty-handed. He was tired and frustrated. The Lord then calls him to "put out into the deep." In obedience, St. Peter goes out into the deep sea and makes a miraculous, bountiful catch of fish. May we continue to put out into the deep and catch more souls for Christ

Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless!

Welcoming Bishop Henning to Providence!