Freedom, Citizenship, Prayer and Welcoming Missionaries to OLM!!

Dear Parishioners:I hope you had a Happy Independence Day last weekend. The Fourth of July is always a great holiday to celebrate with family and friends. Fireworks, hot dogs, hamburgers and apple pie are the American standard for the holiday. But it is also a day to reflect upon what it means for us to be a citizen of the United States. Sometimes we take our citizenship for granted and forget the freedoms we enjoy. Not  every nation allows such liberty as we do here in the US. Not every nation has the bounty and blessings we enjoy in the US.

As you know Father Shemek, our former Associate Pastor at OLM, became a U.S. citizen last month. He is a native of Poland but came to our country to serve the Church as a priest. When I called him to congratulate him and told him that to become a US citizen was a great event in his life but I also reminded him that it meant he had to vote and pay taxes now! There was a great story last week in the Rhode Island Catholic aboutFather Shemek entitled “Following God’s Call to America’s Shores.” Father has been living and working as a priest in the US on a religious worker visa. With help from the Diocesan Office of Immigration and Refugee Services, Father Shemek was able to obtain his citizenship after taking an exam. On upon becoming a US citizen in June Father Shemek said: “When you come to live here you become a friend of the United States. But after citizenship, it becomes a family.” Welcome to the family Father Shemek!

We continue to give thanks to God for our nation.  Perhaps we might offer this prayer I recently came across. Let us pray:

Lord, in your Infinite Wisdom, you have inspired men and women to forge this great nation.  If ever a state was founded upon the principles of the Bible, it is truly the United States. No other nation has given it’s people the power – and the privilege – to effect and influence the lives of so many.  Please help us to be aware of the gift and the responsibilities that this power grants us all.   We beseech You to stretch Your hand over those serving our nation, our soldiers and our leaders.  Fill them with Your Presence that they may see what is Right.  O Jesus, You gathered men and women to do Your work for the time when You returned to the Father in Heaven.  Grant us the wisdom and the courage to be Your disciples, the strength to work Your will in exercising our civic duties.  Blessed Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Patron of this nation, please fill our hearts with love and reverence.  Please intercede for us, that we may be enkindled by the Holy Spirit with the grace to know what is right and the conviction to ensure that God’s will be done.  For Your Many Blessings, we thank You, O Lord. For Your Glory, not ours, let us go forth. We ask these things through the Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Amen.

During the weekend of July 25 and 26 the Mission Co-op will be held at OLM. This is our annual commitment to spiritually and financially help the good works of the missions of our Church. Each year every parish across the state takes a weekend and dedicates it to the missionaries. These missionaries preach all the weekend masses and the second collection goes to support their good work. This year we welcome the Missionhurst Missionaries to OLM. On the weekend of July 25/26, Father Roy Shea, CICM who works in the missions of Brazil joins us at OLM. He is to preach all the weekend Masses about the good works of Missionhurst. There is more about this in the bulletin this week. The entire second collection that weekend is taken up in support of the Missionhurst Missions. There is no envelope so please be prepared for the collection. We also commit to praying for the missions and the missionaries that they may continue to spread the good news of the Gospel to the four corners of the earth. May God bless them and their good works. Have a great week! Enjoy the summer! God Bless.

Happy 4th! Celebrating Freedom Means Condemning Racism in East Greenwich!!

Dear Parishioners: Happy Independence Day! A day to remember our liberty and rejoice that we live freely. It is a time of picnics and fireworks, celebrations and homecomings. Sadly the celebration of our 4th of July was recently marred right here in our Town of East Greenwich. Just last week many homes in our local neighborhoods were littered with pamphlets that contained a racist rant. Of course they were distributed anonymously as is always the way with cowards.

So often we think of other places when we think of racism. Places far from our own homes. So often we think of other people when we think of racism. People very unlike ourselves. However, when such racist vitriol and hatred strikes so close to home we must reconsider our own attitudes and the attitudes of our entire community. This hateful act comes just as our nation continues to mourn the nine people murdered by a racist maniac in Charleston, South Carolina. Earlier this month the US Bishops gathering in St. Louis reminded us that “racism is an evil which endures in our society and in our church.” This h hateful and racist literature must always be condemned and called for what it truly is, moral evil. Writing it, passing it out and supporting it is a grave sin.  Unfortunately the  cowards who made this literature are likely never to be known.

As Catholics we must make it part of our faith lives to end any racism that exists in our homes, schools, neighborhoods, and churches. We must pray for the conversion of all those who hate others simply because the color of their skin that they might respect the dignity of every human person. If we reach out to our African-American neighbors and all those of other races and stand together as brothers and sisters then the cowards who promote such racist hatred might begin to realize that they are unwelcome and unwanted in East Greenwich!

Of course while East Greenwich was dealing with this unfortunate incident of racism, the United States Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right. While many seem to be rejoicing is such a decision, it is truly a troubling event for those of us who hold to the traditional view of marriage. This includes not only the Catholic Church but the many faithful of other religious groups in the Protestant Community, the Orthodox Church, Mormon Community, Orthodox Judaism and Islam. This decision has many implications far beyond who can and cannot be married. The narrow decision simply casts aside the Biblical and Christian view about the nature of marriage as nothing more than mere bigotry. It also raises many serious questions about religious liberty and personal conscience for millions of Americans and their faith communities.

As Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops stated: “I encourage Catholics to move forward with faith, hope, and love: faith in the unchanging truth about marriage, rooted in the immutable nature of the human person and confirmed by divine revelation; hope that these truths will once again prevail in our society, not only by their logic, but by their great beauty and manifest service to the common good; and love for all our neighbors, even those who hate us or would punish us for our faith and moral conviction.”

And finally in the midst of such a tumultuous week, the RI General Assembly ended their legislative session rather abruptly. While the state budget had previously passed, much more legislation was left behind on the desk as our state leaders adjourned. Thankfully before adjournment the General Assembly did restore funding for the textbook loan program and busing that helps Catholic and private school families. They also fixed the state’s healthcare exchange program by allowing for coverage that excludes abortion in the plans. And thankfully the attempt to legalize physician assisted suicide died legislatively!  Much to think about on this 4th of July as we celebrate liberty and freedom! Pray for our nation. God Bless. God Bless America. Happy Fourth of July!

Vacation Bible School, Ordinations, Vocations and July 4th!! Summer is here!!

Dear Parishioners: We had a great week of Vacation Bible School this past week. Over 50 children spent the week learning about their Catholic Faith through fun activities. I am grateful to Mrs. Bethany Bessette, Mrs. Karen Maguire and Mr. Michael LaChima from OLM School for planning and running the camp. They were assisted by a great group of volunteer parents and young adults in providing this great time for the children of the parish. We thank them all!

Many were expecting something dramatic from Pope Francis’ new encyclical. There were predictions of controversy and politics. Instead what he has given us is something much more profound. Laudato Si is indeed very provocative, but far less political than the prognosticators pontificated. No doubt there are those who will use the encyclical to suit their own ideological purposes. Doing so is truly a great disservice not only to the Holy Father but also to those who have not yet read it. We can all profit from a careful and thorough reading of the encyclical. The Holy Father has not attempted to change public policies, but rather to call us to conversion. I encourage you to read the full text of the encyclical. If you aren’t up to reading the entire document than please read the prayer with which Pope Francis concludes the encyclical. This prayer gives a clear sense of what the Pontiff is trying to say. In the meantime, ignore the hype and hyperbole and read the encyclical yourself on the patio, at the beach, or anywhere in the beautiful world God created!

On Saturday Bishop Tobin ordained three young men as priests for service in our Diocese of Providence. The beautiful Ordination Mass took place at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. It is truly a great day for the Church and we rejoice that these men have answered the call to serve God’s People! As is the tradition, these three new priests each celebrate a First Mass of Thanksgiving at their home parishes. It is always a special day for a parish when a native son returns to celebrate his priesthood by offering Mass where their faith began and was nurtured. I know the music is to be very good as our own parish organist, Henri St. Louis, is playing each of the three First Masses.

Brian Morris, our own native vocation from OLM, is to be ordained a Transitional Deacon next spring. After a year of Diaconal service and upon the completion of his seminary training and theological studies at St. John’s Seminary, he is to be ordained a priest in June 2017. We continue to pray for Brian and look forward to his Frist Mass of Thanksgiving at OLM in 2017!

There is also good news about another native vocation from OLM, Brian Bennett. He is the son of OLM parishioners Dudley and Kathy Bennett and the brother of Father Eric Bennett, another OLM vocation, who celebrated his First Mass here and is a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston. Brian has been accepted into the 2015 Novitiate class of the St. Joseph Province of the Dominican Fathers of the Eastern United States.Brian enters this first stage of discerning the call to be a Dominican Friar along with fourteen other young men. A novitiate is a time of formation as a member of a religious order. It is almost like a year long retreat or a year long spiritual boot camp. Novices learn how to pray, study, and share their lives together in community. By its very nature the novitiate is a testing out of the Order as the Order is testing out the novice. Brian and his brother novices begin their novitiate on the feast of St. Dominic on August 8, 2015 in St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati. The Novice Master for the Dominican Fathers is another OLM vocation, Fr. Francis Belanger, OP! Father Francis is the son of Bob and Ginny Belanger and a frequent visitor to OLM! We offer our prayers and congratulations to Brian and his brother Dominican novices!

It’s hard to believe that its July 4th already! Our Parish Office is closed on Friday, July 3rd, in observance of the holiday and Mass is to be offered at 8:30am on Friday. Hope you are enjoying the summer! God Bless. Happy Independence Day!

Summer's Here, Read a Book! A Happy Father's Day! Pray for All Fathers!

Dear Parishioners:We had a wonderful celebration of Graduation for the 8th Grade of Our Lady of Mercy School. It began on Sunday with the Mass in honor of the graduates and then an Awards Luncheon. On Monday night the graduates received their diplomas at the beautiful Graduation Ceremony. Congratulations!! Also last weekend I along with Fr. Connors, Seminarian Silva and Bishop Evans attended the OLM School Production of the Lion King. It was a fabulous play and the school children were fantastic. The children had only a few weeks to prepare for the play but nonetheless it was a great production and yet another reason why our parish school is so special.

School ended last Tuesday for OLM School and ends this Monday for EG Public Schools! Summer begins on June 21st and now we hope and pray for good weather, sunny days and a healthy and happy summer for all. If you are traveling this summer be sure to pick up the church bulletin when you go to Mass out of state. When you get home to OLM simply put it in the collection basket. I always love to see where people went and what other parishes across the country are doing.

For me the summer usually means more time for books on the beach. What are you reading this summer? I know that Fr. Connors and I will be reading the new encyclical from Pope Francis on the beach! Released this past week from the Vatican the encyclical letter is entitled "Laudato Si': On the Care of Our Common Home.” It is about something called "integral ecology." This idea tells us that the way we relate with one another and how we relate to the environment are intimately connected. Integral ecology means that "natural ecology"—the environment, our natural resources, the precious gift of Creation—is decidedly linked to "human ecology"—how we respect life, treat one another, regard the poor, structure our economic decisions and policy, mold and shape our society. I know It should prove to be a very interesting read.

However, it isn’t only encyclicals that I read at the beach. I also like to read Alan Furst spy novels! He writes historical fiction about espionage in the period just prior to the Second Word War. They are quick and great reads for the beach or a plane ride! I suppose my interest in such historical fiction about World War II comes from my late Father who loved both to read books and was also a World War II combat veteran. It is from him I got the desire to read such novels. So perhaps you might share a book with your child this Father’s Day!Today is Father’s Day and we honor and give thanks for all Fathers for their love and support but also for the great gift of Fatherhood. We offer our prayers and Masses Sunday for all our Fathers both living and deceased. We ask God to bestow upon all Fathers his blessings, guidance and protection. Happy Fathers Day to all our OLM Fathers!

Speaking of Fathers, next Saturday Bishop Tobin is to ordain three young men as priests. The new Fathers are Joshua Barrow, Nicholas Fleming and Ryan Simas and are to be ordained priests at the Cathedral at 10am on Saturday, June 27th. The bishop offers these profound words as part of the ceremony: “Understand what you do, imitate what you celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s cross.” Please pray for these new priests as they begin their priestly ministry. Father Connors and I were also both ordained in late June. Fr. Connors celebrates three years as a priest on Tuesday, June 23rd and I mark my 20th year of priesthood on Wednesday, June 24th. I humbly ask for your prayers for the both of us and our priestly ministry at OLM. May Christ, the Eternal High Priest, continue to guide us to understand what we do, imitate what we celebrate, and conform our lives to the great mystery of His Cross. Summer is here !! Jesus says: “Come away by yourselves and rest a while.” Enjoy it before it ends! God Bless. Happy Father’s Day!

Saying So Long to School! Summer Arrives Soon!!

Dear Parishioners:This week we mark beginnings and endings. The 8th Grade of Our Lady of Mercy School mark the end of their years at the parish school and the beginning of the next chapter in their young lives. They are to be recognized at the 10:30AM Mass by our parish community with the OLM School Medal. On Monday night at 6:00PM they graduate the 8th Grade! Congratulations to the Class of 2015!We thank the parents and families of our graduates for the many sacrifices they’ve made for the education of their children and for their commitment to Our Lady of Mercy School. As I offer my thanks to these parents, I am reminded of the words of Saint Pope John Paul II in his encyclical, Familiaris Consortio, in which he wrote: “The most basic element is parental love, which finds fulfillment in the task of education as it completes and perfects its service of life.” We wish these parents and graduates all the best and pledge our continued prayers for them.

It’s also the end of school at OLM this week with the last of day of classes on Tuesday! Classes end but summer begins! I remember how the last day of school was always a joyful and hopeful day as we looked forward the lazy, hazy days of summer! We wish all our dedicated students, teachers, and staff a truly restful and healthy summer! Enjoy the summer and see you in September! Of course just because school ends for the summer doesn’t mean Church ends! I hope no matter where you find yourself this summer, whether it’s near or far, at the beach house or traveling out of state, you are able to attend Mass. If you are traveling, simply go to the website Masstimes.org to find the nearest Catholic Church and the schedule of Masses! It’s that easy so please don’t take a vacation from God this summer!

I received word from the Office of Bishop Tobin last week that the date for Confirmation at Our Lady of Mercy Church has been set for Sunday, November 1, 2015 at 5:00pm. On that day Bishop Tobin is to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation and the gifts of the Holy Spirit on over one hundred of our young adults. Please pray for our candidates as they continue to prepare for this important day in their lives as Catholics. They continue their formal preparation in the fall with a retreat and a penance service just before Confirmation. As freshmen in high school they truly need the gifts of the Holy Spirit!

The OLM Vacation Bible School is coming! It begins on Monday, June 22nd and runs every day that week from 9:00am until Noon right here at OLM. The Bible School is for all parish children ages 4 thru 12. It is a great opportunity for the kids to experience lots of fun as they learn about the Catholic Faith. If you are interested please contact Mrs. Bethany Bessette by email at bcroteau@olmschool.org

I welcome a new addition to our parish staff this week, Mr. Michael LaChimia is our new part-time OLM Youth Minister. He also starts next fall as our new OLM Middle School Theology Teacher. As our Parish Youth Minister he is to work closely with Fr. Connors in building up our growing Parish Youth Program. Michael hails from Carver, Massachusetts and is a recent graduate of Providence College where he graduated summa cum laude! Please be sure to offer him a warm welcome when you see him around OLM.

Next Sunday we celebrate Father’s Day. It is a day to offer thanks and gratitude to all of our Fathers, living and deceased. In honor of the day, we are to offer Masses for All Fathers next Sunday. We ask you to please return all Father’s Day Memorial envelopes prior to next Sunday. In speaking about St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of Fathers, as a protector, Pope Francis said: “The vocation of being a protector, means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, it means caring for one another in our families. It means building sincere friendships in which we protect one another in trust, respect, and goodness.” Pray for Fathers that they may follow the example of good St. Joseph. God Bless. Congratulations again to the OLM Class of 2015!

Join in Procession with the Eucharistic Lord! Celebrate Corpus Christi!!!

Dear Parishioners: Today is the great Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Traditionally called Corpus Christi, it is the occasion of deep faith, great joy and solemnity. Corpus Christi reminds us of three things as Catholics. First, it reminds us of who it is that we are receiving and what we are doing when we approach the Eucharist. It is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, truly present in the Eucharist. Second, it gives us the chance to be grateful to the Lord, for so great a wondrous gift. Thirdly, Corpus Christi reminds us that we ought to look at the Lord together in communion. It is the Lord Jesus who has the power to unite us into one. This great feast calls us to realize that unity is not our gift to God but rather unity is God’s gift to us and if we want unity, we need to look at the Lord.

We celebrate the feast with a Procession to Mercy Park immediately following the 10:30AM Mass. The Corpus Christi Procession helps us to see and better understand that the meaning of “receiving” Holy Communion is not restricted to lining up and coming up to receive Holy Communion. In the procession, the meaning of receiving Holy Communion is expanded and is expressed fully because it means that we accompany the Victor over death in His triumphant procession through the streets. In his homily for Corpus Christi last June, Pope Francis offered this prayerful reflection on the Feast: “Shortly, in the procession, we will follow Jesus truly present in the Eucharist. The Host is our manna, through which the Lord gives us Himself. We turn to Him with trust: Jesus, defend us from the temptations of worldly goods that render us slaves, poisoned food; purify our memory, so that it will not remain enslaved in egoistic and worldly selectivity, but will be a lively memory of your presence throughout the history of your people, memory that becomes “memorial” of your gesture of redemptive love. Amen.“

Next Sunday at the 10:30AM Mass we celebrate with the 8th Grade of Our Lady of Mercy School. At this Mass we acknowledge their hard work and dedication as they prayerfully prepare to graduate on Monday, June 15th. Each student receives the specially designed OLM School Medal at the Mass and then along with their families continue the celebration at Quidnessett Country Club with a luncheon, academic awards and yearbook signing. Keep these forty-two young students in your prayers as they depart our school and look forward to high school! May God grant his many blessing upon them and may Our Lady of Mercy guide and protect them!

I hope you saw the newly restored Our Lady of Mercy Church sign now located in front the Church. Last year the sign was knocked down and damaged in a wind storm. We placed a new sign in its place and had the old sign restored. It now offers a sign of welcome and a warm invitation to all who pass by our parish. You also may have noticed the new sign for Mercy House where our OLM Outreach and Religious Education Offices are located. Mercy House is the white house located on the far side of the parking lot. We hope this new sign helps visitors and parishioners locate these important offices.

Last Sunday Bishop Tobin marked ten years of episcopal ministry and service as the Bishop of Providence. We offer him our congratulations and prayerful best wishes as he continues to shepherd our Church in Rhode Island with his “strong, loving and wise” leadership. I ask you to please pray for our good bishop that God continues to bless him with the gifts of faith, hope and charity. Ad multos gloriosque annos Bishop Tobin! I will be away this week in St. Louis at the Annual Spring Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops where I serve as a consultant to the Committee on Marriage. Upon returning I look forward to the conclusion of the legislative session of the RI General Assembly where the end seems to be in sight! However, the end of the session usually means a flurry of activity and the appearance of new legislation! God Bless. Go Sox, please!!