Providence's Loss is Boston's Gain!

Dear Parishioners:

On Monday, I awoke to the surprising news that Bishop Henning has been named the new Archbishop of Boston.  We certainly congratulate him and offer him our prayers.  However, it is a bittersweet moment for the Church of Providence.  We also thank Sean Cardinal O'Malley, who has faithfully and tirelessly served the Church in many ways for many decades.  His Eminence justly deserves his retirement at age 80.    

His Eminence Sean Cardinal O’Malley and His Excellency Archbishop Richard Henning speak at a press conference on Monday, August 5, 2024.

While he has only been with us in Providence for a little over a year, Archbishop-designee Henning has had a tremendous impact on the Diocese in that short time. He has been an outstanding Bishop to and for us in his short time in Providence. We thank him for his ministry, leadership, and many pastoral visits, especially to OLM. 

Archbishop Henning preaching at Confirmation Mass at Our Lady of Mercy in October 2023.

In naming him the Archbishop of Boston, Pope Francis has chosen a hardworking, wise, and faithful shepherd. Our loss is truly Boston's gain. Let us pray for the clergy, religious, and laity of the Diocese of Providence and the Archbishop of Boston in this time of change and transition.     

Even though he is going to Boston, Archbishop Henning continues to administer the Diocese of Providence as Pope Francis named him the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese. He will serve as Apostolic Administrator until he is installed as Archbishop of Boston on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. 

Many parishioners have asked who will be appointed the new Bishop of Providence and when it will happen. Except for the Holy Spirit, nobody knows the answer to those questions. Pope Francis decides to appoint bishops and is free to select anyone he chooses.

The process of selecting candidates for the episcopacy normally begins at the diocesan level. It then proceeds through a series of consultations until it reaches Rome. This process is bound by strict confidentiality.   It involves several important players—the most influential being the Apostolic Nuncio, the Pope's personal representative to the United States, the Congregation for Bishops in the Vatican, and the Holy Father. It can be time-consuming, often taking eight months or more to complete.  So, for the foreseeable future, we will have no Bishop. Pray for our Diocese and pray Pope Francis appoints another loving, wise, and strong shepherd for our Church.

 After October 31, Church law requires the College of Consultors, a group of eight Providence priests, to convene within eight days to elect a priest to serve as the Diocesan Administrator. Any priest or bishop of at least 35 can be elected to this position.    

The Diocesan Administrator continues to administer the Diocese and its many offices, ministries, and parishes without innovations. He continues regular operations, maintains the diocese's good order, and consults the College of Consultors for major decisions.

Assumption of the Virgin, El Greco, 1577-1579

This week, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15.  We reflect on the wonder of Mother Mary's Assumption, body, and soul into heavenly glory. Mary's Assumption opens a graced path for our sanctification now on earth, giving us hope of sharing in the glory of her resurrected son, Jesus.              

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holy day of obligation for Catholics. This means Catholics are obligated to attend Mass as they are on Sundays. There are three Masses at OLM for the holy day. On Wednesday, August 14, there is a Vigil Mass at 5:00 p.m., and on Thursday, August 15, Masses are offered at 7:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. There is ample opportunity to get to Mass and honor the Mother of God on her special feast.   

Our good Franciscan Apostolic Sisters, Sister Lourdes, Sister Emma, and Sister Jane, returned home safely last week.  Their two weeks of chapter meetings and Retreat in Peoria with Sisters from across the country were fruitful. Welcome home, Sisters!   

Our School Supply Drive for St. Patrick School begins next week. Please see the flyer in the bulletin. Thank you for your support. Prayerful best wishes to Archbishop Henning! See you at Holy Day Masses on the Assumption. Happy VJ Day! Be well, do good, and God Bless. Go, Sox!!!

Olympics Miss the Mark with Mockery & Sacrilege

Dear Parishioners:

The 2024 Olympics in Paris began with a loud bang.  Unfortunately, it was a bang against Christianity!  In the opulent and overblown opening ceremony, the centerpiece of the many performances was a mockery of our Lord's Last Supper.   I won't describe this sacrilegious and scandalous performance as it has been widely viewed on social media, and describing it would be offensive to any right-thinking person. 

It is a sad commentary that the supposed most creative minds in France who produced the event think attacking Christianity is an acceptable form of entertainment. The Paris Olympic organizers have now apologized for the blasphemous scene, suggesting they meant no disrespect or offense to Christians. The ceremony's artistic director, Thomas Jolly, has also now distanced his scene from any "Last Supper" parallels, saying it was meant to celebrate diversity and pay tribute to French gastronomy.

Balderdash! The apology and explanation are nonsensical and nothing more than cheap claptrap.  The scene was meant to provoke, and it is evident that it is a warped depiction of da Vinci's Last Supper.  Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester Diocese rightly states: "Christians were offended because it was offensive. And it was intended to be offensive. So please don't patronize us with this condescending remark, 'Well, if you had any bad feelings, we're awfully sorry about that."

The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1495–1498

What all this has to do with the Olympics defies understanding. In fact, the 2024 Olympic Committee states:  "The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play."

This offensive attack by the elite French secularists contained none of the spirit and philosophy of the Olympic Movement. It was discriminatory against Christians, displayed no sense of mutual understanding, and lacked any spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play for Christians. Already, several sponsors have withdrawn their financial support from the Olympics.  A large tech company, C-Spire, was among the first. They stated: "We were shocked by the mockery of the Last Supper during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics. C Spire will be pulling our advertising from the Olympics."  Good for them!

The many other corporate sponsors of the Olympics might follow C-Spire's courageous lead. They include Coca-Cola, Visa, and Intel Corp. Their corporate leaders should reflect upon how the Olympic Committee has grossly offended Christians across the globe. In this age of "tolerance," as corporations seek to live by the new code of diversity, equity, and inclusion, it is very apparent that Christians are not part of the program. In fact, the last acceptable prejudice is anti-Christian bigotry.

Many Catholic leaders rightly condemned the scene, including the French bishops conference and two Vatican officials.  Archbishop Scicluna of Malta and adjunct secretary of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith formally complained to the French ambassador to Malta and encouraged others to do the same.

One U.S. Catholic Bishop wisely suggested: "In reparation for the blasphemy in Paris, let's fast and pray, renew our devotion to the Eucharist, the Sacred Heart, and the Virgin Mary. May Jesus be adored and loved in every Tabernacle throughout the world. Thank you, Lord, for the Eucharist and the Last Supper, your love for us."

The opening ceremony ended on a hopeful note when Céline Dion sang Edith Piaf's "Hymn to Love" from the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. The Olympic Committee, its many  corporate sponsors, and the creators of this sacrilegious and hateful attack upon Christians might reflect upon the song's last words: "God reunites those who love each other."

As committed Christians, let us pray and fast for a worldwide conversion of heart. May those who mock and hate learn to love and respect people of faith, including we Christians. Be well. Do good. God Bless. Go, Sox!!!

Faithful Citizenship or Partisan Politics ?

Dear Parishioners:

This election year is an extremely intense time for our nation. Unprecedented events have occurred that have led to a potency and deep divide in our politics. Political violence like the attempted assassination of  President Trump was rightly condemned. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Bishops (USCCB) offered the following statement:

"Together with my brother bishops, we condemn political violence, and we offer our prayers for President Trump and those who were killed or injured. We also pray for our country and for an end to political violence, which is never a solution to political disagreements. We ask all people of goodwill to join us in praying for peace in our country. Mary, Mother of God and Patroness of the Americas pray for us."

The news this past week that President Biden will not seek his party's nomination for reelection to the presidency was startling. Following the recent Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and just weeks before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, these two events have changed the political landscape.

It is said that U.S. voters don't pay much attention to candidates and elections until after Labor Day. This year, I think that is not the case, due largely to these events. People are more focused than ever on the political news and the candidates for national office. With such an intense focus on politics, it is important for Catholics to remember what our faith teaches us. The teaching about responsibility as citizens is found in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' document, Faithful Citizenship. It states: "Responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation."

The Catholic Church does not support or oppose political candidates or political parties. In fact, it is against federal law for the Church to take a position on a candidate or political party. The Church is not interested in partisan politics. Instead, She seeks to bring attention and clarity to the moral and human dimensions of the issues. The Church, including her leaders, is obligated to talk about the issues. Pope Benedict XVI wrote:

"The Church cannot and must not take upon herself the political battle to bring about the most just society possible. She cannot and must not replace the State. Yet, at the same time, she cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice."

In an election year and in our highly charged partisan political world, merely speaking on issues is often perceived as the Church speaking about candidates and parties rather than issues. In truth, this is backward. The Church's social doctrine stems from eternal, transcendent, and universal truths. The Church existed long before any candidate or party took a position on the issues. If a particular candidate or party falls on the wrong side of Catholic doctrine, that is their doing, not the Church's. The Church cannot change teachings because politicians want Her to follow their lead.

So, our role as individual Catholic citizens is to actively participate in civic life and learn more about candidates and their positions on issues in light of our Church's teaching. And then to vote with an informed conscience. This is not an easy task, but it is essential. There exists no perfect Catholic candidate or political party. Therefore, Catholic participation in political life is often challenging and sometimes frustrating. We must study and understand the Church's teaching about the sanctity of all human life, the dignity of the human person, the common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, justice, and peace. They should guide any reflection as we examine candidates' positions on issues.

What we must never do is remain cynical, indifferent, and absent from political life. Pope Francis just recently stated: "Indifference is a cancer of democracy. Catholics are called to be active participants in political life and be a force against the decline of democracy worldwide."

Let’s begin with fervent prayer in this political season. Praying for our nation, all political candidates and elected officials,  a more civil dialogue, and greater national unity. And then vote in November! Be well. Do good. God Bless. Go Sox!!!

Celebrating Our Grandparents

Dear Parishioners:             

The Meeting of Joachim and Anne outside the Golden Gate of Jerusalem, by Filippino Lippi (1497)

This Friday, July 26, we celebrate the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus and the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Their lives are honored​ and revered in the Catholic tradition.  Saint Anne is the patron of grandparents, couples without children, women in labor, and women unable to conceive. Similarly, Saint Joachim is considered the patron of grandfathers, fathers, and grandparents.

As we reflect on the legacy of Saints Anne and Joachim, let us also reflect on the vital role all grandparents play in family life and nurturing the faith of future generations. Grandparents have a vital part in the training of their grandchildren, teaching them to love the ways of the Lord and honor his commandments. Saints Anne and Joachim cultivated in the young Mary a love for God, preparing her for her role in the story of divine redemption.

Pope Francis said: "In their home, Mary came into the world, accompanied by the extraordinary mystery of the Immaculate Conception. Mary grew up in the home of Joachim and Anne; she was surrounded by their love and faith; in their home, she learned to listen to the Lord and to follow his will. Saints Joachim and Anne were part of a long chain of people who had transmitted their faith and love for God, expressed in the warmth and love of family life, down to Mary, who received the Son of God in her womb and who gave him to the world, to us. How precious is the family as the privileged place for transmitting the faith!"

Grandparents' roles in imparting wisdom and tradition are vital. Their experience in faith and life has enriched their judgment, rendering them invaluable counsels for the generations that follow. They remember the heritage of the family and share it with future generations. I only knew my Father's parents, as my Mother's parents died well before I was born.  My Grandparents were an important part of our lives as children. I   have very happy memories of spending vacations with them during the summers of the 1970s.  Indeed, they played an important role in my faith and learning about our family history and traditions.

In 2021, Pope Francis established an annual celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and Elderly on the fourth Sunday of July, near the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne. He said of grandparents: "Grandparents are like the wisdom of the family; they are the wisdom of a people. And a people that does listen to grandparents is one that dies! Listen to your grandparents. Mary and Joseph are the family, sanctified by the presence of Jesus who is the fulfilment of all God's promises."    

So please pray for your grandparents this week.  And if your grandparents are alive, call them or visit them.  Spending time with grandparents is an important part of any child's life.  Their role is essential in family life not only because of their wisdom, experience, and faith but also for their practical help in raising children. 

I head to Indianapolis, Indiana, for the  Annual Summer Meeting of the National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors this Sunday night. About 35  state directors gather to review legislative efforts and public policy issues affecting the Church and the common good.  I return late on Wednesday night.  

Pilgrims on route to the Eucharistic Congress

This past week, Indianapolis hosted the first National Eucharistic Congress in 83 years!  Bishop Henning led a pilgrimage of the faithful from the Diocese of Providence to the Congress. They joined with thousands of Catholics from across the country, celebrating the Eucharist as the source and summit of our faith lives.

Since early May, Catholics have been on a pilgrimage to the Congress from New Haven, Connecticut, Brownsville, Texas, San Francisco, California, and Northern Minnesota. These pilgrim routes were traveled by several young adult pilgrims accompanied by priest chaplains and seminarians.  These groups processed to Indianapolis with the Holy Eucharist in a monstrance specially designed for the pilgrimage.  

Pray that the Eucharistic Congress bears much spiritual fruit and leads to a renewal of Eucharistic Life in the Church in our nation. Be well. Do good. God Bless.  Go Sox!!! 

"The Harvest is Abundant but the Laborers are Few."

Dear Parishioners:             

 In the name of Fr. Rocco Puopolo and the Xaverian Missionaries, I extend their heartfelt gratitude for your warm welcome and generous support during last weekend's Mission Appeal. Your contributions directly fuel the Xaverian Missionaries' noble efforts in charity and evangelization, making a significant impact on their work.

We are fortunate to have Fr. Connors, a few retired priests, and the Dominican Friars from Providence College occasionally assisting with Masses this summer. Your continued support and understanding are crucial now that we are a parish with only one priest.

We may have to adjust the schedule.  It might require moving the start time of Saturday Confessions back a half hour so I can properly prepare before the Mass on Saturday evening. Monday Confessions will remain in place at 6:00 pm.

I do not anticipate eliminating Masses from the schedule, as Masses at OLM are always well-attended. The Sunday 5:00 pm Mass should continue as the Dominican Friars are generous in helping cover that Mass.  In the fall, I hope to announce any time changes to our schedule.

Canon 905 in the Code of Canon Law provides that a priest is permitted to celebrate Mass only once a day in normal circumstances. However, that same canon also says, "If there is a shortage of priests, the local ordinary can allow priests to celebrate twice a day for a just cause, or if pastoral necessity requires it, even three times on Sundays or holy days of obligation."            

The schedule at OLM  occasionally requires that I celebrate three or more Masses on a Saturday due to the daily Mass, funerals, weddings, and the Evening Mass. There are some Sundays when no priest is available to help cover, and I will celebrate all three Sunday Masses.

Celebrating three Masses or more is not ideal for any priest but is a reality in the Church today. With the shortage of priests, one-priest parishes are now the norm.  In fact, many priests have combined parishes with two or three churches they serve alone. 

Only three parishes in the Diocese of Providence currently have an Associate Pastor: St. Philip in Greenville, St. Charles and St Michael in Providence, and Saints John and Paul in Coventry.  Please pray earnestly for increased vocations to the priesthood in the Diocese of Providence.

Pope Francis commented on the decline of priestly vocations: "The problem of vocations is a serious problem. There is also another problem. The problem of the birthrate. If there are no young men, there can be no priests. Without priestly vocations, the Church is weakened."          

“The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”

— Mark 9:38

OLM is responsible for four nursing and assisted living facilities in town. In addition, the priests of the area, including myself, provide emergency coverage at Kent Hospital regularly. Our coverage at Kent is usually twice a month, but it may increase as three priests from the area retired and one transferred out of the area.  

I intend to work my hardest to be readily available for emergencies and all other matters, but there may be occasions when I am unavailable, such as during my day off and vacations. On those occasions, I appreciate your patience and understanding.  All will be fine working together in faith, hope, and charity, relying on prayer and patience. For in God, we trust!  

It is the first time in many years that I have lived alone and without priestly fraternity in a Rectory. As a newly ordained priest, I lived with four priests at St. Augustine. At St. Ambrose, a resident priest lived with me for a few years. In my twelve years here at OLM, I have always lived with a brother priest. The rectory is rather empty and quiet, and I now understand how empty nesters feel!  

Sister Lourdes, Sister Emma, and Sister Jane, our good Franciscan Apostolic Sisters, depart this week for their Annual Retreat and Chapter Meeting of their religious community. This year, they will drive to Peoria, Illinois, for their Retreat, which will be led by a Bishop from the Philippines. Please pray for them and all the sisters of their community that the Retreat is fruitful. Pray for their safe travel and happy return to OLM in early August.

Be well. Do good. God Bless.  Go Sox!!!

"Summertime and the livin is easy."

Dear Parishioners,

I hope you enjoyed the Fourth of July Holiday with family and friends.  I spent it at my sister's home in Saratoga, NY. It was a great family get-together and celebration.                  

Summer is in full swing, and as Gershwin lyrically says, "Summertime and the livin is easy." Yes, it's summertime, and it's time to travel, vacation, go to the beach, golf, or boat, spend time with family and friends, enjoy the weather, and generally rest from the regular routine. 

Summer seems to move quickly after the Fourth of July, so schedule some rest.  Pope Francis reminds us:  "Rest is so necessary for the health of our minds and bodies, and often so difficult to achieve due to the many demands placed on us. But rest is also essential for our spiritual health so that we can hear God's voice and understand what he asks of us."

I hope you can get some rest, even if it's sitting under a tree out back or just on the porch or patio in the summer sun.  Of course, summer is also a time to do a little more reading and catch up on the reading we've been too busy to do all year!   I read various lists of recommendations for Summer Reading every spring.   I find a few books that sound good and are very good, while others aren't always finished, as they aren't too good.   So this summer, I've compiled a list I hope to read on the patio or the beach with a good cigar!    

Two books I recently finished and highly recommended to parents, grandparents, and educators are Family-Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to Be by Timothy P. Carney and The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt.

Carny, a father of six, contends that today's culture is unfriendly to good parenting and offers advice for better parenting. He suggests giving kids space to fail and succeed, having more adventures, enjoying unscheduled time, strengthening community ties, and having more fun.  It is truly a thought-provoking book that every parent should read.

Haidt suggests that there should be no smartphones before high school, no social media before age sixteen, phone-free schools, more unsupervised play, and childhood independence.  It, too, is a book well worth reading.

Another good read is a new book, Character Matters: And Other Life Lessons from George H. W. Bush, by Jean Becker. It is a series of inspirational reflections by those who knew and worked with the late President Bush and offers insight into good character.

For my historical reading this summer, I am reading two books.  No Bullet Got Me Yet: The Relentless Faith of Father Kapaun by John Stansifer. It tells the true story of Fr. Emil Kapaun, the most decorated chaplain in U.S. military history, who was awarded a Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Legion of Merit. 

Fr. Kapaun distinguished himself in combat by helping medics rescue and treat wounded soldiers and administering last rites. During lulls in the fighting, he also ministered to the troops' spiritual needs. He died in the hands of the Chinese as a Prisoner of War in a North Korean Prison Camp. 

In light of our bitterly divided nation, I am reading Mansfield and Dirksen: Bipartisan Giants of the Senate by the historian of the U.S. Senate. It examines the turbulent 1960s with its battles over civil rights and the Vietnam War, an era where bipartisanship often prevailed. It was an era when Congress actually got things done thanks to men like Mansfield and Dirksen. I recommend every member of Congress read it!

I also recommend God Is Ever New: Meditations on Life, Love, and Freedom by Pope Benedict XVI for a spiritual read. Drawn from talks, lectures, speeches, homilies, and writings throughout Benedict's papacy, it provides powerful insights into daily Christian living.   A good read for the summer as we listen for God’s voice.

It’s summertime! Turn off the TV, silence the cell phone, and switch off the computer and iPad.  Take some time with God and rest. Perhaps sit on the beach or the patio. Read and rest in the summer sun. Shakespeare said: "Summer's lease hath all too short a date." So enjoy the summer while it lasts!

Thank you for your generous support of the Xaverian Missionaries. Be well. Do good. God Bless.