Dear Parishioners:
“The House that Rockne Built" the University of Notre Dame Stadium
I am away this weekend on pilgrimage! This time to Our Lady’s Shrine in South Bend, Indiana. I’ll be in “The House that Rockne Built" to watch the Notre Dame Fighting Irish play the Rice University Owls.
At our School Auction this past spring, I was the high bidder on the tickets to the game! Much to my surprise, nobody outbid me! So now I’m making the pilgrimage to Notre Dame.
I'll also visit the University’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart for Mass. And of course, offer prayers at Notre Dame’s Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, a replica of the famous French shrine where Blessed Mother Mary appeared to St. Bernadette. Let’s go Irish! Notre Dame du Lac, pray for us.
Next weekend, we take up the Senior Priest Fund Collection as our second collection. After a lifetime of devoted service, many of our retired priests continue to answer the call—celebrating Mass, offering guidance, and supporting parish life wherever they’re needed. Others, due to age or health, now require assisted living or nursing home care.
Senior Priest of the Diocese of Providence, Monsignor Carlo Montecalvo
Because diocesan priests receive only a modest salary throughout their ministry, Social Security alone is not enough to sustain them in retirement. Once they step away from active parish ministry, they also lose access to basic supports like housing and daily living stipends. That’s why the Senior Priest Retirement Fund is so important—it ensures our retired priests are cared for with the dignity they deserve.
At all Masses on September 19-20, our parish will join others across the Diocese in a special second collection to support this vital fund. Your gift is more than a donation—it’s a powerful thank you to the men who have dedicated their lives to walking with us in faith. We are blessed at OLM to be assisted by senior clergy on occasion, including both Monsignor Carlo Montecalvo and Bishop Evans. In full disclosure, I am eligible for the modest priest pension in 2040, but Fr. Brodeur is not until 2074! We thank you for your generous support.
Our OLM Feast Week with its many fun and faith-filled events is quickly approaching. On Monday, September 21, we kick off with the Saints and Scholars Golf Tournament. We have some room for golfers, so sign up your foursome soon. Also, please consider sponsoring a hole, a cart, or a priest for the tournament. You can do all of this online at the parish website.
Our Holy Hour of Mercy is Wednesday, September 23 at 7:00 pm. We welcome back Fr. Barrow, who is preaching at the Holy Hour. Please mark your calendar to welcome him back and pray together for our parish.
Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us
On the Patronal Feast Day, Thursday, September 24, we celebrate our Feast Day Mass at 9:00 am as we call upon our patroness, Our Lady of Mercy, to intercede for us. Our homilist this year is Senior Priest Father Jack Unsworth, the Pastor Emeritus of St. Bernard Church in Wickford. Fifty years ago on September 11, 1976, Father Unsworth was ordained a priest here at Our Lady of Mercy, where he served as a Transitional Deacon. What a great joy to welcome him back to OLM on his Golden Jubilee.
On Thursday, September 24, we have our Act of Mercy on Lynch Field at 6:00 pm. Join us as we fill backpacks for the homeless for our Diocesan Homeless Shelter, Emmanuel House. All you need to do is show up with your family and bring travel-size toiletry items, a new pair of socks, and a $5 Dunkin' Donuts gift card. We pack the supplies and then deliver the filled backpacks to Emmanuel House. Thank you for supporting this Act of Mercy.
On Friday, September 25, we'll finish the week with Oktoberfest, featuring German food, beer, and music. It’s always a fun way to conclude our Feast Week. The See You in September Raffle drawing will be held at Oktoberfest. Be sure to get your ticket for a chance to win $10,000.
On this coming Wednesday, we mark the 61st anniversary of the Dedication of Our Lady of Mercy Church by Bishop McVinney. It is an ancient custom to solemnly dedicate churches built for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This anniversary reminds us that our Church is a holy place set apart from other buildings for worship and prayer.
Be well. Do good. God Bless. Go Fighting Irish! Go Sox! Go Pats!!