Dear Parishioners:

Last week’s OLM School Production of Peter Pan, Jr. was outstanding and a thoroughly enjoyable production.  Father Brodeur and I attended the Saturday night performance at the Prout School Theater.  Our students are a very talented group of singers, dancers, and actors and actresses.  Bravi!    

The Descent of the Holy Spirit, Anonymous follower of Gerard David (circa 1450/1460–1523)

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Pentecost, the feast celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Virgin Mary, 50 days after Easter. Often called the "Birthday of the Church," it marks the beginning of the Church's public mission and the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send an Advocate.

Before Pentecost, the Apostles were frightened and in hiding. The descent of the Holy Spirit provided them with the courage and spiritual gifts necessary to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations.  It is considered the birth of the Catholic Church because it signifies the moment the early Church transformed from a small, localized group into a bold, unified, and public movement.

It reminds us that the Holy Spirit is a continuous, living presence guiding, strengthening, and sanctifying the Church and her members today.  As Saint John Vianney said: “The Holy Spirit is like a gardener, cultivating our souls.”

We mark Pentecost Sunday with the celebration of baptisms and confirmations at the 10:30 am Mass.  Please pray for these candidates for the sacraments of initiation that the Holy Spirit may guide them with his gifts and strengthen them in faith, hope, and love.  

On Monday, we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States, a holiday dedicated to honoring all American military personnel who died while serving in the Armed Forces. We honor the fallen who sacrificed their lives for our nation and our freedom. 

On Memorial Day, I invite you to join us for Mass at 8:30 am as we pray for all those men and women who have died serving our nation. Also, join us at the final May Devotions on Monday at 7:00 pm as we turn to Our Lady, Queen of Peace, and pray a Rosary for peace in our world.  As St. Padre Pio so wisely said: “The Rosary is ‘the weapon’ for these times.”

It’s truly hard to believe that it's already graduation season, and in less than a month, school ends as summer break arrives! Next Sunday, we look forward to celebrating the OLM School 8th Grade Graduation Mass at 10:30 am.  We will celebrate and pray for our 8th Grade Class as they prepare to leave OLM School for the rigors of high school.  

They will be joined by their parents, families, and the OLM School administration and faculty.  Following the Mass, we continue with a Graduation Luncheon at Quidnessett Country Club as we recognize the students’ many academic achievements.  Please pray for our 8th Grade Class of 2026. May they continue to strive to be saints and scholars as they depart OLM School.

As was discussed last weekend at Masses and in the bulletin, the R.I. General Assembly may pass legislation that legalizes Physician Assisted Suicide in our state.  This bill endangers the weak and vulnerable and corrupts the practice of medicine and the doctor–patient relationship.  It will create perverse incentives for insurance providers and the financing of health care. The most profound injustice of PAS is that it violates human dignity bestowed by God and denies equality before the law.

Nothing and no one can in any way permit the killing of an innocent human being, whether a fetus or an embryo, an infant or an adult, an elderly person, or one suffering from an incurable disease, or a person who is dying.

Furthermore, no one is permitted to ask for this act of killing, either for themselves or for another person entrusted to their care, nor can they consent to it, either explicitly or implicitly, nor can any authority legitimately recommend or permit such an action. It is a violation of the divine law, an offense against the dignity of the human person, a crime against life, and an attack on humanity.

Please contact your local state representative and state senator and tell them to oppose PAS.  St. Pope John Paul II said: “True compassion leads to sharing another's pain; it does not kill the person whose suffering we cannot bear."

Be well. Do good. God Bless. Happy Memorial Day! God Bless America!