Congratulations Father Morris and Class of 2017!

Dear Parishioners:

What a glorious time we had last weekend in the Diocese of Providence, and here at Our Lady of Mercy.  Three fine young men were ordained priests for our diocese and our native son, Father Brian Morris, celebrated his First Mass of Thanksgiving here at OLM. Thankfully the weather cooperated and helped make for a beautiful two days.  The Ordination Mass was solemn and majestic and many parishioners from OLM were in attendance.  The newly ordained Fr. Morris did a fabulous job celebrating his First Mass.

Fr. Morris is to begin his priestly ministry as the Associate Pastor at St. Luke Church in Barrington and his classmates, Fr. Joseph Brice has been assigned to St. Augustine Church in Providence and Fr. Stephen Battey to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Bristol.  Please pray for these new priests as they begin their service to the People of God. Fr. Morris was back at OLM on Monday to help with our OLM School Confessions and also on Friday to celebrate the Final OLM School Mass.  It was a tremendous witness for our school children to see a young priest who studied at OLM School, served Mass at OLM and came to Mass at OLM return as a holy priest of God.

This Sunday we welcomeour OLM School 8th Grade to the 10:30am Mass.  At the Mass we pray for them as they leave our parish school and enter the next chapter of life.  Each one of the graduates receives the OLM School Medal at the Mass. After Mass the 8th Graders and their families join together with the OLM School Faculty for a Graduation Luncheon.  At the luncheon the graduates receive their academic awards and honors.

The 8th Grade returns on Monday night at 6pm for their Graduation Ceremony. These twenty-four young men and women celebrate with their families, friends and faculty members, the end of their time at OLM School.  All parishioners are invited to join us on Monday night for graduation. We congratulate the OLM 8th Grade and all those who graduate from school this year.  We wish the Class of 2017 well as they end an important chapter in their young lives.  May God bless them and may they continue to grow in faith, love and wisdom.

We offer this prayer for all those graduating this year:   “Merciful Father, bless thisspecial day in the life of the graduates. As they embark on the next chapter in their lives we pray that Your hand that has kept them thus farcontinues to guide and lead them.  May Your Almighty hand of protection be about them, and may Your Word continue to be a light unto their path. Help them to make wise decisions and to always keep You first in everything that they do.”

School ends at OLM on Friday, June 16th!  It’s hard to believe that summer vacation is here already.  The OLM School childrenput away their books and iPads, their pens and pencils, and their school uniforms. No doubt there will be many smiling faces in the OLM School Parking Lot on Friday afternoon! May God guide and protect the children and faculty of OLM School during the summer months.  May it be a time of rest and relaxation and may they return in September healthy and happy. Schools out for the summer!  Enjoy!

We are grateful to Mrs. Jill Hackett and her 3rd Grade OLM School Class who have just finished planting the OLM School Garden.  It is located between the Mercy Convent and the Franciscan Convent.  It is now full of tomatoes, peppers, sunflowers and chives!  The OLM School 3rd Grade families have generously volunteered to water the garden throughout the summer. Of course, Sister Emma and Sister Lourdes have their own garden next to their convent. It is loaded with tomatoes, strawberries, peppers and cucumbers. I’ve asked the good sisters to try and grow tobacco and roll some cigars but they aren’t having any of it! May St. Francis guide and protect all our gardeners this summer. We look forward to the fruits of the harvest in the fall!

Next Sunday we celebrate the great feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ. There is a Eucharistic Procession following the 10:30am so please join us as we mark this important Feast with great solemnity.  Be well.  Do good. God Bless. Go Sox!!

O Come Holy Spirit! Celebating Pentecost and Our New Priest, Father Brian Morris

Dear Parishioners:

What a joyous occasion the Ordination to the Priesthood was for our Church.  On Saturday morning, Bishop Tobin ordained three young men, Father Stephen Battey, Father Joseph Briceand OLM Native Son, Father Brian Morris, as priests for service in the Diocese of Providence.    Their priestly vocations were nurtured by their parents, family, friends and at their Parish Churches.

In the case of Father Morris, his vocation was first discovered here at OLM where he worshiped and servedGod at Mass. Also as a graduate of our parish school, his priestly vocation was nurtured in the classroom by our OLM School Faculty. So we rejoice at the gift of Father Brian Morris’ priestly vocation. He celebrates this joyous occasion with his parish family at his First Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday at 1:00pm.  Please join us in celebrating with Father Morris, his family and friends on Sunday.  A Reception and First Priestly Blessings follow the Mass of Thanksgiving in Mercy Park.

In speaking about the priesthood, our Holy Father, Pope Francis has said:  “Dear lay faithful, be close to your priests with affection and with your prayers, that they may be always be shepherds according to God’s heart. And pray for those whom God is calling to be priests that they may respond to this call with humility and joy. Dear priests, may God the Father renew in us the Spirit of holiness with whom we have been anointed. May he renew his spirit in our hearts so that this anointing may spread to everyone, especially to those “outskirts” where our lay faithful people most look for it and most appreciate it. May our people sense that we are the Lord’s disciples; and may they receive through our words and deeds the oil of gladness which Jesus, the Anointed One, came to bring us.”

Fr. Morris is a proud alumnus of OLM School and will celebrate the Final School Mass on this Friday, June 9th at 9:00am.  The OLM School community is delighted to have him back and welcome him with great joy and pride.   Please join us at the Mass as we pray for the health and well-being of our OLM faculty and students during the upcoming Summer Break. Next Sunday at the 10:30am Mass we celebrate with our graduating OLM School Eighth Grade.  At the Mass, they are to receive their OLM School Medals.  The Mass is followed by a Graduation Luncheon and Awards Ceremony with the graduates and their families

We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mercy Sister Edna Lynch and to theCommunity of the Sisters of Mercy.  Sister Edna was a part of our OLM Family for many years.  She taught in our school and lived in Mercy Convent during her time at OLM. Sister Edna had been in ill health for a few years and was living at the Mt. St. Rita Home in Cumberland.  She died on Ascension Thursday and her Funeral Mass was celebrated this past week.  May this faithful bride of Christ and loving daughter of Mother McAuley, rest in peace.

This week Fr. Connors arrived home for Rome.  He is to be at OLM throughout the summer and you will see him around the parish.  While home from the Eternal City, Father is doing research and study on his doctoral dissertation here and in Boston at St. John Seminary. Welcome home Fr. Connors!

We celebrate Pentecost this Sunday, it is fifty days since Easter.  On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended with power upon the Apostles; thus began the mission of the Church in the world. On this Pentecost Sunday, recall the words of Pope Emeritus Benedict: “The Church must always become anew what She already is; She must open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race. In Her, there cannot be those who are forgotten or looked down upon. The wind and fire of the Holy Spirit must continually break down those barriers that we men and women continue to build between us; we must continually pass from Babel - being closed in on ourselves - to Pentecost.”

On Pentecost let us pray: "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love!" Happy Pentecost!! Prayerful congratulations to Father Morris! Be well.  Do good. God Bless.

Remembering the Fallen and Celebrating Our New Priest!

Dear Parishioners:

It’s hard to believe its already Memorial Day Weekend but alas it has arrived.   We remember all those who have died in service to our nation this weekend.  The late President Ronald W. Reagan reminded us of the importance of Memorial Day in a speech in 1983.

President Reaganstated: “Memorial Day was established to commemorate those who died in the defense of our national ideals. Our ideals of freedom, justice, and equal rights for all have been challenged many times since then, and thousands of Americans have given their lives in many parts of the world to secure those same ideals and insure for their children a lasting peace. Their sacrifice demands that we, the living, continue to promote the cause of peace and the ideals for which they so valiantly gave of themselves. “

Let us pray for the many who have fallen in defense of our nation and liberty.  They gave the ultimate sacrifice and deserve not only our gratitude but our continued prayers and remembrance.  We will offer Mass for the fallen on Memorial Day at 8:30am, please join us.

In special way, the Town of East Greenwich remembers Memorial Day with a Parade.  Included is a stop at the World War Two Memorial to pray for the dead and a service of remembrance at Town Hall. It is a great American tradition that is alive and well right here in our own town, so join us in marking Memorial Day with prayer and pride.

Also on Memorial Day we celebrate our final May Devotions at 7:00pm.  Deacon Brian Morris will lead our devotions in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes.  Deacon Morris worked that the Lourdes Shrine in France one summer and helped to escort the many sick and infirm pilgrims who go there for healing and consolation. Deacon Morris is the son of OLM Parishioners, John and Marybeth Morris.  He graduated from OLM School and Bishop Hendricken High School and earned a degree at Wake Forest University.  After a few years in the working world, he felt called to the priesthood and soon entered the seminary.  He has just completed his seminary training and education at St. John’s Seminary in Boston.

Next Saturday at 10:00am, Deacon Morris is to be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Providence along with two other young men from Rhode Island.  It is a great day for Deacon Morris and his family but also a great day for the Church of Providence and especially for Our Lady of Mercy Parish.  Everyone is invited to attend the Ordination Mass at the Cathedral next Saturday morning. If you’ve never been to an ordination before try to make it as it is truly a solemn and beautiful celebration.

Also this Friday night at 7:00pm there is a Holy Hour for Vocations at Holy Apostles Church in Cranston. Our OLM Adult Choir is singing at the Holy Hour.  Please join us as we join the three men to be ordained in prayer for more priestly vocations.

Finally, next Sunday at 1:00pm the entire OLM Parish Family is invited to attend Father Brian Morris' First Mass of Thanksgiving.  Please join us as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday in such a special way.  A reception at Mercy Park follows Father Morris’ First Mass and he is to offer his first priestly blessings.   Come and celebrate such a joyous occasion in the life of our parish.

We offer our heartfelt congratulations the soon to be Father Morris and his family.  We thank them for the gift of his priestly vocation.  We wish him all the best for his priestly ministry in our Diocese of Providence.   The newly ordained are awaiting their first parish assignments by Bishop Tobin.  However, I amconfident that no matter which parishhe is assigned to serve, Father Morriswill be a great blessing.  He is a fine and zealous young priest!

I urge you to continue to pray for Deacon Morrisas he makes his final preparations for priesthood.  Come to May Devotions on Monday night to hear him preach and lead us in devotions to Our Lady of Lourdes.   Wish him well when you see him.

The Church celebrates Her birthday on Pentecost Sunday next weekend. It is fifty days since Easter and we mark the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Be well.  Do good. God Bless.  Happy Memorial Day! Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!

Celebrating the Ascension and Welcoming the Grandparents

Dear Parishioners:

Despite the rain showers and cool temperatures last week, we had a beautiful celebration of First Holy Communion and May Crowning.  The children were so well prepared and did a terrific job.  We congratulate them and look forward to seeing them come forward for Communion each and every Sunday!

This weekend we warmly welcome Hiep Nguyen, our Summer Seminarian who arrived this week for his assignment.  Hiep is to live and work with Fr. Barrow and me for ten weeks. He is to assist at Masses, visit the homebound, help with OLM Outreach, visit the classes at OLM School, and learn more about rectory and parish life. Sogive him a warm welcome when you see him around the parish or in town!

This Thursday is the Solemnity of the Ascension, a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics. We celebrate it with a 5:00PM Vigil Mass on Wednesday and three Masses on the Holyday itself: 7:30am, 9:00am and 7:00pm.  This schedule provides ample opportunity to get to Mass and fulfill your obligation.

In the Creed we proclaimthat Our Lord “ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” Thus the Ascension celebrates the elevation of Christ into Heaven by His own power in the presence of His disciples forty day after His Resurrection.  By ascending from earth to Heaven, Christ did not just open a way for us to follow as best we can. Rather, He is the way. Christ promised his disciples: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.”

Christ does this by interceding for us to the Father resulting in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “Jesus Christ, having entered the sanctuary of Heaven once and for all, intercedes constantly for us as the mediator who assures us of the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit.”

In special way on this Ascension Thursday we honor Grandparents with a special“Grandparent’s Day” at OLM School. There are over 200 grandparents expected to visit with us this Thursday. The day begins with the 9:00am School Holyday Mass followed by a grand reception for all the grandparents and then they make classroom visits.  It is always a great day for our school children and their beloved grandparents.

Last year Pope Francis was speaking to Catholic School children and their families.  He began to discuss the role of grandparents in the lives of grandchildren.  He said: “I would like to give you a task: speak to your grandparents and ask them questions, they have the memory of history, the experience ofliving, and this is a great gift for you that will help you in your life journey.” The Holy Father also pointed out thatgrandparents themselves needed “to listen to you children to understand your aspirations and your hopes.” Good advice from a “Spiritual Grandpa”!

Please join us this Monday at 7:00pm for May Devotions in honor of Our Lady of Providence. Fr. Chris Murphy, the Vocation Director at Our Lady of Providence Seminary and Chaplain at Bishop Hendricken High School, is to lead us in devotion to Our Lady. Our Lady of Providence is the patroness of our Diocese and we seek her intercession for an increase of priestly vocations.

The title of "Mary, Mother of Divine Providence" is often traced to her intervention at the Wedding Feast at Cana. Jesus’ first public miracle was due in part to the intercession of his mother. She helped through her foresight and concern to avoid an embarrassing situation for the newlywed couple.  May she intercede for our intentions on Monday night.

Next Sunday we celebrate the final 5:00PM Sunday Evening Mass of the season. During the months of June, July and August this Mass time “goes on vacation” along with many of our parishioners! It returns the first Sunday of September. If you are looking for a Sunday evening Mass during the summer months, you might look to the beach parishes!

The month of May is quickly coming to an end.  The month of June is a busy time at OLM with 8th Grade Graduation, Vacation Bible Camp and the priestly ordination of OLM Native Son, Deacon Brain Morris, on Saturday, June 3rd. Be well.  Do good. God Bless.  Our Lady of Providence, pray for us!

Celebrating First Communion, May Crowning and Mothers with Joy, Faith and Love!

Dear Parishioners:

It’s a weekend for celebrating with joy and faith at Our Lady of Mercy. On Saturday 82 of our parish children received their First Holy Communion.  This is always a day of faith, joy, love and hope for our parish and for these children.  We thank all those who helped to make the celebration such a special day.  We thank Mickey St. Jean and her assistants who work so hard in making our First Communion Program such a great success.  We also thank Mrs. Mary Ryan and Mrs. Mary Martin-Tuite who prepared the OLM School Second Grade so well.

We thank the parents of these children for supporting and encouraging their children in the Catholic Faith.  Parents are the primary teachers of their children in the faith and so what begins on a child’s baptism day continues everyday as parents bear witness to the Risen Christ in their lives. Pope Francis reminds us that: “The Eucharist is such a great gift. That’s why going to Mass is so important. Going to Mass not just to pray, but to receive Communion, the Bread and Body of Christ. It saves us, forgives us and it makes us one with the Father. How beautiful!”

The great gift received at First Communion Day is just the beginning for these children and their parents. They must strive to live the Catholic faith daily and be nourished by the Eucharist every Sunday. We pray for these dear children and their families that they may always stay close to the Eucharistic Lord and faithful to Sunday Mass. Last year Pope Francis speaking to a First Communion Class in Italy reminded the children that “you, who make your First Communion, must always remember this day your whole life: the first day that Jesus came in to us. He comes, makes himself one with us, makes himself our food, our nourishment to give us strength.”

The celebration of First Communion continues as we celebrate the May Crowning of our Blessed Mother at 10:30am Mass.  The Month of May is dedicated to Mary and so as we celebrate Mother’s Day today we crown our Blessed Mother, the Queen of our lives! Saint Pope John Paul II reminds us of the importance of the May Crowing. He states: “The queen symbol was attributed to Mary because she was a perfect follower of Christ, who is the absolute ‘crown’ of creation. The maid of Nazareth consented to God’s plan; she journeyed on the pilgrimage of faith; she listened to God’s Word and kept it in her heart; she remained steadfastly in close union with her Son, all the way to the foot of the Cross; she persevered in prayer with the Church. Thus, in an eminent way, she won the ‘crown ofrighteousness,’ ‘the crown of life,’ ‘the crown of glory’ that is promised to those who follow Christ.”

In honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions in Fatima, Portugal, a generous parishioner recently donated a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima to the parish.  This is the statue to be crowned today by our First Communion Class and is to remain in the sanctuary the rest of the month.  Our celebration of Our Lady of Fatima continues on Monday with May Devotions at 7:00pm.  Father Jorge Rocha, a native of Portugal and Associate Pastor at St. Francis Xavier Church, will lead us in our May devotions and share with us the importance of Our Lady of Fatima to our lives as Catholics.  Pope Francis is in Fatima this weekend to celebrate the anniversary and yesterday he canonized two the child visionaries who saw Our Lady there.  These two shepherd children are now Saints Jacinta and Francisco! May they now intercede for us and our intentions in Heaven!

A Happy Mother Day to all our Mothers! We honor all Mothers today as we remember them with prayer and thanks at Masses. May Mary our Mother, guide and bless all Mothers with her gentle mantle of peace and love.  Congratulations to our First Communion Class! Be well.  Do good. God Bless.  Our Lady of Fatima, St. Jacinta, and St. Francisco, pray for us!

The Spring Fling Success and Summer Seminarian On the Way!

Dear Parishioners:

Last Saturday night the OLM School gathered to celebrate the Annual Spring Fling. This event is a major fundraiser for our school and helps to maintain and support the many fine programs offered at OLM School.  We are grateful to the many benefactors who donated some fabulous auction items including Red Sox tickets, Patriot’s Box Seats, tickets to the Broadway sensation Hamilton, and many others.  There was also the Dinner with the OLM Priests always a popular auction item! All the proceeds directly benefit the students at OLM School.

I thank OLM School PTO President, Jaime Pedro, and her excellent committee for all their hard work and dedication to ensuring a great time was had by all.  Also we thank those parents and guests who came to the big night and gave so generously in support of OLM School. With the Spring Fling now over, it’s hard to believe butin just a few weeks school ends for the summer break!  On the horizon, is the First Annual OLM School Golf Open.  Mark your calendar now for this golf tournament scheduled for Monday, September 11th at Quidnessett Country Club.

We also give thanks this week that we have now surpassed our Catholic Charity Appeal parish goal of $193,000. Once again your generous support of the good works of our Diocesan Church surpasses the goal.  I wholeheartedly thank all those who pledged and gave a gift to the CCA. Your generous support helped us not only reach but go over the goal.  In the name of the poor and needy who benefit from your generosity, I sincerely thank you.

This week I received news from the Office of Vocations that a Seminarian for the Diocese of Providence is to be assigned for the summer to Our Lady of Mercy Church. Seminarian Hiep Nguyen is currently finishing his First Theology Year at St. John Seminary in Boston.  He has been assigned to live and work at OLM for ten weeks and arrives on May 18th.

Hiep is a native of Vietnam where he was raised.  He emigrated to the Untied States several years ago and his home parish is St. Philip in Greenville.  He has a brother who is a priest and serves as a Pastor in Vietnam anda sister who is a religious sister and works in the St. Louis area.  We are looking forward to having Hiep here and supporting his priestly vocation. While here at OLM he will be living and working with Fr. Barrow and me.  He will be helping with Masses, teaching at school, visiting the home bound and working with the OLM Outreach Office. Be sure to give him a warm welcome when he arrives on May 18th.

Hiep is to also help us with our Annual Vacation Bible School.  This great week of fun and faith for our OLM children is scheduled for June 26—30.  It is always a great week of faith-filled activities for our parish.  There are details in the flyer found in the bulletin this week.  Make sure to sign up your child or grandchild!

I hope you join us this Monday for May Devotions as Fr. Joseph Briody, a Priest of the Diocese of Raphoe, Ireland, is to lead our devotions in honor of Our Lady of Knock.  He is a Professor of Scripture at St. John Seminary in Boston. The Story of Knock began on the 21st August, 1879 when, at approximately 8 o’clock in the evening, fifteen people from the village of Knock in County Mayo, Ireland witnessed an Apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, a Lamb and a cross on an altar at the gable wall of the Parish Church. These witnesses watched the Apparition in the pouring rain for two hours, reciting the Rosary. Although they themselves were saturated not a single drop of rain fell on the gable or the vision.

There were fifteen official witnesses to the Apparition, most of whom were from the village of Knock and surrounding areas and ranged in age from just 5 years old to 74 years old. There is a beautiful shrine at Knock where I have had the privilege to celebrate Mass and seek Our Lady’s powerful intercession. Fr. Briody is to lead us in our devotions as we plead for the intercession of Our Lady of Knock for our parish. Please join us on Monday at 7:00PM for the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration and beautiful music.

Be well.  Do good. God Bless.  Our Lady of Knock,  pray for us!