Turning to Our Lady and Celebrating Our Parish Feast!

Dear Parishioners: On Monday we celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. We always turn to our Mother, Mary, in times of trouble but in a special way we do so on this feast. Our world seems to be full of the bad news of war and violence, suffering and sorrow and so we need especially to turn to Our Lady for her powerful intercession. Pope Francis said last weekend that “war is madness.” Standing at an altar beneath the towering Redipuglia memorial entombing 100,000 Italian soldiers fallen in World War I, the pope said "even today, after the second failure of another world war, perhaps one can speak of a third war, one fought piecemeal, with crimes, massacres, destruction."

The President and Congress are considering how to engage the war on terror against the Islamic terrorists who continue to brutally attack innocents across the Mideast and beyond. Last week this blood-thirsty band of madmen know as ISIS or ISIL beheaded another journalist. Their savagery knows no bounds as we continue to wait to see how the world might stop their campaign of evil and destruction. So if there were ever the time for us to turn to prayer and ask for the powerful intercession of Our Lady it is now.

We began this past week by turning to Our Lady of Sorrows asking her to intercede for those who suffer in sorrow for the death of loved one but also for those who suffer the sorrow of war, disease and violence. We certainly need the maternal closeness of the Sorrowful Mother to sustain us when overcome by the terrifying trials of life in this world. And while we looked to Our Lady of Sorrows last week, we now look forward in faith, hope and joy to Our Lady of Mercy’s Feast this week!

We begin the celebration of our parish feast this Sunday with the Parish Picnic. It should be a great day of sun and fun, good food and good times for parishioners of all ages. So skip the Patriot’s game, tell the kids they can play soccer next Sunday, play golf another day, sail sometime later and instead join us for a great family celebration as a parish. The celebration continues this week with three more special events in the life our parish.

On Monday night at 7:00PM we have a time of prayer and reflection that includes Eucharistic Adoration and a reflection on the meaning of mercy by Father Chris Maher. Father served as an Associate Pastor here at OLM and now serves as the Rector of Our Lady of Providence Seminary where he oversees the young men preparing for the priesthood. I hope you can attend this time of prayer and reflection in honor of Our Lady of Mercy. Also plan on joining us on Tuesday night at 7:00PM for a concert of Marian Music. Our very talented organist Henri St. Louis and soloist Deirdre Donovan along with our wonderful Adult and Children’s Choirs perform a selection of beautiful hymns and songs dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Following the concert you are invited to join us a reception in the Church vestibule as we continue our celebration of our parish feast.

On the actual Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, Wednesday, September 24th, we gather for Mass at 7:30AM. We sing and pray for the powerful intercession of Our Lady of Mercy, the Patroness of our parish. Join us for the Mass and the reception to follow immediately afterwards. If you cannot celebrate at these events I do ask each parishioner to offer a prayer on Wednesday on her feast day to Our Lady of Mercy. We turn to her with all our sorrows and joys and ask her to intercede for us and our parish family.

Let us pray: “O Mother of Mercy, Healer of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comforter of the Afflicted, You know my wants, my difficulties, my suffering. Look with Mercy on me and comfort me in my time of trouble and lay your healing love upon me. Amen.”

On behalf of my family, I offer my sincerest thanks for your many acts of kindness and expressions of sympathy on the recent death of my brother. I am truly grateful for being part of such a supportive, caring and merciful parish family as OLM. God Bless. See you at the Picnic!!

Summer ending, Fall and Retired Priests coming!

Dear Parishioners: The first day of autumn is until September 23rd but for all practical purposes summer ends on Labor Day! As summer ends we once again ask, where did it go? It went so quickly and seems to go quicker the older I get! Speaking of getting older, next week Fr. Frank O’Hara, one of our senior priest, will be preaching at all the weekend Masses. Fr. O’Hara is here to speak on behalf of the Senior Priest Retirement Collection. Last year Fr. Nick Smith preached so powerfully preached about this collection that we raised nearly $17,000 here at OLM! Once again the Diocese has asked us to let a Senior Priest preach on the vital need of the collection which is scheduled for the weekend of September 20 and 21st.

The many senior priests of the Diocese of Providence are self-supporting. Diocesan priests live independently in retirement, no longer relying upon the support of a parish. Since they are paid a modest wage during their years in active ministry, priests receive a minimal Social Security benefit. In 1966, the diocese established the Senior Priest Retirement Fund in an effort to help retired priests meet the basic needs of food, housing, transportation and medical care. There are currently 95 senior priests in the diocese. Often retiring between ages 70-75, many continue to serve after more than forty years of active ministry. Still others require assisted living, or nursing home care. The Church of Providence faces an important challenge today in supporting this fund. As with other retirement benefit programs—such as Social Security— the fund is burdened by increasing current and projected costs that exceed its income. Priests are living longer, more active lives. A large percentage of priests in the diocese are nearing retirement age. The rate of those drawing on the fund is projected to only increase in the foreseeable future: in fifteen years some 50 percent of our priests presently active in ministry will be eligible for retirement. Fewer active priests also impacts fund revenues since one revenue source is a premium (from parish assessments) that is based on current active priests. Your generosity answers that challenge and says thanks to the many faithful priests who have served our Church.

The Annual Retirement Fund Collection is a major support for our retired priests. With a thoughtful, generous contribution you can help the Senior Priest Retirement Fund meet its obligations to those who depend on it for today and tomorrow. It’s also our way of thanking them for their many years of faithful service. Fr. O’Hara has been retired for several years and still is active helping out parishes around the state. In fact, Fr. Connors will be out covering Masses for Fr. O’Hara while he is with us at OLM next Sunday in Cranston and Warwick. In full disclosure, both Fr. Connors and I both stand to benefit from the Priests’ Retirement Fund in the future. For me it will be in the year 2035 when I am eligible to retire and Fr. Connors is eligible to collect his pension in the year 2053! So when I am about 88 years old, the young Fr. Connors can join me at the Senior Priest Residence on Mount Pleasant Avenue!! But we are only able to retire if we have a strong retirement fund for retired priests, so your generous support is deeply appreciated by all the priests of Providence, young and old!

I received a note from St. Patrick’s Parish this week thanking the all of you for your tremendous support of the Back-Pack Drive. Fr. James Ruggeri, Pastor of St. Patrick’s in Providence, wrote that they were able to help over 50 families including one family of eight children and two with six children. They gave out 100 back-packs full of school supplies. Your generosity in supporting the needy of Smith Hill is appreciated. Fr. James writes: “On behalf of all our volunteers, staff and especially the happy children who walked through the door, thank you!” I know you will give Fr. O’Hara a warm welcome to OLM next weekend. Have a great week! God Bless! Go Pats!

Picnics and more!!!! Happy Labor Day!

Dear Parishioners: As Father Connors announced at Masses last weekend, Bishop Tobin has appointed me to serve as the Dean of Deanery VII. Deans are appointed by the Bishop to represent him to the priests of the deanery; bring the concerns and needs of the priests to the attention of the Bishop; work with and provide support to the priests; and coordinate the pastoral activity of the deanery. A Deanery is a geographical grouping of parishes and there are eight in the Diocese of Providence. Deanery VII encompasses all the parishes from East Greenwich south to Westerly. There are 16 parishes including St. Andrew’s on Block Island. The duties of the Dean require I visit each parish once a year and hold meetings for the priests throughout the year. In June our previous Dean, Msgr. Paul Theroux, was transferred to a new parish in another deanery and caused the vacancy. I am grateful to Bishop Tobin in appointing me as Dean and for his trust and confidence in me. I ask for your prayers as I take on this new duty and also your understanding as I take on additional diocesan duties outside the parish. Of course, I continue my primary duty as the full-time Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy. But also continue to serve as the Director of the RI Catholic Conference and Chief Lobbyist for the Diocese at the RI Statehouse.

We must also thank Bishop Tobin for sending us such a very talented young priest in Fr. Connors. There are only a few parishes with an associate pastor and we are blessed to have him. He is a tremendous help to me and truly a great asset to our parish. In fact, Fr. Connors has been busy preparing for our Annual Parish Picnic on September 21st. He is organizing the activities for the day and tells me that there are some exciting new additions to the picnic. There are Pony-Rides for the children once again along with other games for the kids. The Knights of Columbus are grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. And I hear that our resident juggler, Fr. Connors, might be riding his unicycle on Picnic Day! So be sure to mark your calendar for this big day! Also please note the schedule of events for the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy in the bulletin this week. We kickoff our events with the Parish Picnic on Sunday, September 21st. On Monday, September 22nd we gather in prayer for our parish and an inspiring talk on “Mercy” from Fr. Chris Maher. On Tuesday, September 23rd our talented parish choirs and musicians offer a concert of music dedicated to Our Lady. And lastly on Wednesday, September 24th, the actual date of the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, our 7:30AM Mass is to be celebrated with great solemnity and followed by a reception. Join us for all of these special events in the life of our parish. We look forward to our patronal feast and turn to Our Lady of Mercy for her powerful intercession for our parish. It is a great time to celebrate the joy of our parish family with faith and hope. So join us as we gather for fun and fellowship, prayer and praise!

We began our new school year with a Mass on Monday for the dedicated and talented teachers of our parish school. We welcomed our returning teachers and also our new teachers along with our new principal. On Wednesday we saw the smiling faces of our school children on the first day of school. The excitement on Wednesday was incredible especially for those beginning school for the very first time! On this Friday, September 5th at 9:00AM we celebrate the Opening Mass of the School Year. At this Mass of the Holy Spirit we call forth the power of the Holy Spirit upon our school community especially our new principal. May it truly be a year of faith, hope and love and may our school children continue to grow in faith, holiness and wisdom. Monday is Labor Day and a day to relax but also a day to give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of work in our lives. Let us also remember in prayer the unemployed and all those struggling to find work. Work brings dignity and security to life so please pray for those seeking it. Happy Labor Day! God Bless

Back to School this week!

Dear Parishioners: It’s back to school this week! Summer is over for our students and teachers as Wednesday is the first day of school. The summer vacation seemed to fly by but I am sure our school children and perhaps even their parents are ready for the return to the classroom! When I was a school kid summer didn’t end until Labor Day and school didn’t begin until after the holiday. However, most school districts in our state including East Greenwich now begin school the week before Labor Day. So as school begins I ask for your prayers for our students, teachers and staff as they begin another academic year of learning. Our parish school follows the East Greenwich Schools Calendar so we begin this Wednesday as well. Of course our dedicated teachers begin this Monday in preparation of the school year. We are most grateful for their service to our parish school and wish them the best this year. We also wish our new OLM Principal Scott Fuller all the best as he begins his first year of leadership of our great school. We will officially mark the beginning of school with a Mass of the Holy Spirit on Friday, September 5th at 9:00AM. We will call forth the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our faculty and students this year and help them grow in faith, hope, charity and wisdom. Mr. Fuller will be officially installed as our new Principal at this Mass. We invite you to join us for this celebration for our parish community. The OLM Maintenance Staff under the leadership of Mr. Paul Anderson have been working especially hard these last few weeks finishing up some of the renovations of the school. This includes installing the new security system for the school, refurbishing the main corridor and front hallway with new paint, new flooring and a new ceiling tiles as well general maintenance and painting of classrooms. Also the crew from RISE, a part of the National Grid that provides free energy efficiency services, have been installing all new lighting in the school classrooms and corridors. This new lighting will work more efficiently and will likely save on our electricity costs for the school. The lighting and work of installation are free of charge.

We’ve also are presently looking into replacing the boilers for the Church and Rectory. They currently use heating oil and our oil bills during the winter months are very high as you can image. Both boilers are old and not as efficient as they should be and we hope to replace them with natural gas boilers. The cost of natural gas is much less than oil and can provide great savings for our parish. I wish to offer my deep thanks and gratitude to the many parishioners who were so generous in our Back-Pack Drive. On Monday we delivered over 100 back-packs full of school supplies to St. Patrick’s Parish in Providence. Fr. James Ruggeri and his parishioners were overjoyed at the response to their call for help. We also gave nearly fifty back-packs filled with school supplies to some families in need here in East Greenwich. Your tremendous witness to charity is deeply appreciated and in the name of the needy, I offer my thanks. Now that he has settled in after a year here, Fr. Connors is serving as the Chair of our Annual OLM Parish Picnic. On Sunday, September 21st it kickoffs our celebration for our Patronal Feast of Our Lady of Mercy on September 24th. We hope to have yet another year of good food, good fun and good times with parish family and friends. Sign-ups for volunteers to help with this great time is to take place in the coming weeks after Masses. So mark your calendar now for this great event in the life our parish and please pray for good weather! Pope Francis was in South Korea last week where he beatified 124 martyrs at a Mass for Korean Youth. In his homily he said: “The martyrs challenge us to think about what, if anything, we ourselves would be willing to die for.“ A most challenging question for us who worship so freely and without fear in this time of violent and murderous persecution of many of our Christian brothers and sisters. Indeed, what would we die for?

Benches, School, Catholic Charity and Prayers for Iraq

Dear Parishioners: I hope you noticed the newly installed benches at the front entrance of Church. They were installed by Paul Anderson and our OLM Maintenance Staff last week. These stone benches were made possible thanks to the generous, hard work of  Don and Angela Conte of Structural Stone. Also, we thank the DiGianfilippo family and Mark Mainelli for their generous memorialization of the benches in memory of their loved ones. The benches look terrific and are a nice addition to the continuing beautification of God’s House. They look as if they were always there and last week I watched as many parishioners rushing into Mass missed them altogether. Yes, you can sit on them! They are there for that very purpose but please don’t sit there during Mass, come in and join the congregation!! This coming week we hope to begin the new landscape design of the rest of the Church and School property. This entails removing most of the hedges, removing some dying trees and planting new bushes and flowers. Kyle Alfred, who designed the landscaping at the front entrance of Church, has designed this project as well. He is working with OLM Parishioner John Pontarelli of Pro-Scape  Landscaping on this project. John generously donated his landscaping costs of the project and we are truly grateful. When it is completed we will have a new and truly beautiful physical plant surrounding both the Church and School. Included will be the installation of new Church sign as well as the installation of the refurbished sign that was blown down in the wind months ago.

The OLM Maintenance Staff are finishing up the projects in our school building. This includes removing the old carpeting from the walls, installing new flooring and ceiling tiles, installing a new camera security system and security door, and cleaning and painting the classrooms. All this is just in time for the opening of school on August 27th!  Also, all new lighting is being installed throughout the school as part of the National Grid program to promote energy efficiency. The total cost of the lights is well over $50.000 but it is totally underwritten by National Grid and costs our school nothing. Principal Fuller has been working hard these last few weeks meeting with teachers, staff and school families. He has great zeal for his new job leading our school community into the 21st Century. There are some limited openings for new students for our Pre-K Program and some in other grades. If you are interested, stop by for a visit and say “Hi” to Principal Fuller. There is Parish Tuition Assistance available for those who qualify.

I wish to offer my thanks and gratitude to the 615 OLM Parishioners who helped us go well over our 2014 Catholic Charity Appeal Goal. The CCA just finished up and this year it raised the most ever in the history of the Appeal. OLM raised just over $248,000 with over 600 OLM families supporting the Appeal. It is a great sign of your generous support for this truly important charity of our Church in Providence. I once again thank Mr. and Mrs. Kevin McDevitt and Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Zubiago for their leadership of the Catholic Charity Appeal here at OLM.

No doubt you have watched as the violence in the Middle East escalates.  The violent persecution of Christians and the tiny Yazidi community in Iraq continues with many being killed, beaten and driven from their homes. Pope Francis continues to urge world leaders to intervene with more humanitarian aid. Please pray for the persecuted in Iraq and for peace in our world. His Beatitude Louis Rafael Sako, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Iraq authored this prayer: “Lord, the plight of our country is deep and the suffering of Christians is severe and frightening. Therefore, we ask you Lord to spare our lives, and to grant us patience, and courage to continue our witness of Christian values with trust and hope. Lord, peace is the foundation of life; Grant us the peace and stability that will enable us to live with each other without fear and anxiety, and with dignity and joy. Glory be to you forever.” God Bless

Finding Happiness...the Holy Father's Top Ten Tips!

Dear Parishioners: I just read about Pope Francis’ recipe for happiness in life. He suggests slowing down, being generous and fighting for peace. In an interview published last week, the pope listed his Top 10 tips for bringing greater joy to one's life:

1. Live and let live. "Everyone should be guided by this principle,’ he said, which has a similar expression in Rome with the saying, "Move forward and let others do the same." 2. "Be giving of yourself to others." People need to be open and generous toward others, he said, because "if you withdraw into yourself, you run the risk of becoming egocentric. And stagnant water becomes putrid." 3. "Proceed calmly" in life. The pope, who used to teach high school literature, used an image from an Argentine novel by Ricardo Guiraldes, in which the protagonist -- gaucho Don Segundo Sombra -- looks back on how he lived his life. "He says that in his youth he was a stream full of rocks that he carried with him; as an adult, a rushing river; and in old age, he was still moving, but slowly, like a pool" of water, the pope said. He said he likes this latter image of a pool of water -- to have "the ability to move with kindness and humility, a calmness in life." 4. "A healthy sense of leisure." The pleasures of art, music, literature and playing together with children have been lost, he said. "Consumerism has brought us anxiety" and stress, causing people to lose a "healthy culture of leisure." Their time is "swallowed up" so people can't share it with anyone. Even though many parents work long hours, they must set aside time to play with their children; work schedules make it "complicated, but you must do it," he said. Families must also turn off the TV when they sit down to eat because, even though television is useful for keeping up with the news, having it on during mealtime "doesn't let you communicate" with each other, the pope said 5. Sundays should be holidays. Workers should have Sundays off because "Sunday is for family," he said. 6. Find innovative ways to create dignified jobs for young people. "We need to be creative with young people. If they have no opportunities they will get into drugs" and be more vulnerable to suicide, he said. "It's not enough to give them food," he said. "Dignity is given to you when you can bring food home" from one's own labor. 7. Respect and take care of nature. Environmental degradation "is one of the biggest challenges we have," he said. "I think a question that we're not asking ourselves is: 'Isn't humanity committing suicide with this indiscriminate and tyrannical use of nature?'" 8. Stop being negative. "Needing to talk badly about others indicates low self-esteem. That means, 'I feel so low that instead of picking myself up I have to cut others down,'" the pope said. "Letting go of negative things quickly is healthy." 9. Don't proselytize; respect others' beliefs. "We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating. But the worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes: 'I am talking with you in order to persuade you,' No. Each person dialogues, starting with his and her own identity. The church grows by attraction, not proselytizing," the pope said. 10. Work for peace. "We are living in a time of many wars," he said, and "the call for peace must be shouted. Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet, but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive" and dynamic, he said.

One place you can certainly find happiness is at Mass! This week we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary as we mark the Solemnity of the Assumption. There will be three Masses for this Holy Day of Obligation on August 15th. A Vigil Mass at 5PM on Thursday and two Masses, 7:30AM and 7PM on Friday. Also please join us in Church on Friday for a day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians in Iraq and Syria. We shall offer prayers for them as we turn to Our Lady of Mercy for her help, intercession and assistance. Hope to see you on the Assumption! God Bless.