Welcome Pope Francis! Apostolic Journey Schedule

Schedule: 2015 Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to the United States of America

Here is the schedule for Pope Francis' September 2015 Apostolic Journey to the United States of America as released by the Vatican on June 30, 2015.  All times listed are Eastern Daylight Time.

tuesday, september 22 (washington, dc)

• 4:00 p.m.    Arrival from Cuba at Joint Base Andrews

wednesday, sePtember 23 (washington, dc)

• 9:15  a.m.  Welcome ceremony and meeting with President Obama at the White House
• 11:00 a.m.  Papal Parade along the Ellipse and the National Mall (time approximate)
• 11:30 a.m. Midday Prayer with the bishops of the United States, St. Matthew's Cathedral
• 4:15  p.m.  Mass of Canonization of Junipero Serra, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

thursday, september 24 (washington, dc, new york city)

• 9:20  a.m.  Address to Joint Meeting of the United States Congress
• 11:15 a.m. Visit to St. Patrick in the City and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
• 4:00 p.m.   Depart from Joint Base Andrews
• 5:00 p.m.   Arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport
• 6:45 p.m.   Evening Prayer (Vespers) at St. Patrick's Cathedral

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 (NEW YORK CITY)

• 8:30  a.m. Visit to the United Nations and Address to the United Nations General Assembly
• 11:30 a.m. Multi-religious service at 9/11 Memorial and Museum, World Trade Center
• 4:00  p.m.  Visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School, East Harlem
• 5:00  p.m.   Procession through Central Park (time approximate)
• 6:00  p.m.  Mass at Madison Square Garden

saturday, september 26 (new york city, philadELphia)

• 8:40  a.m.  Departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport
• 9:30  a.m.  Arrival at Atlantic Aviation, Philadelphia
• 10:30 a.m. Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
• 4:45  p.m.  Visit to Independence Mall
• 7:30  p.m.  Visit to the Festival of Families Benjamin Franklin Parkway

sunday, September 27 (philadelphia)

• 9:15   a.m.  Meeting with bishops at St. Martin's Chapel, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
• 11:00  a.m. Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility
• 4:00  p.m.   Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• 7:00   p.m.  Visit with organizers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families, Atlantic Aviation
• 8:00   p.m.  Departure for Rome

Join us in Celebrating Our Week of Mercy! Check Out the Schedule of Events...

OLM Confirmation Class on Retreat, Pray for Them!

On Saturday, September 12th half of our OLM Confirmation Class gathered for a Retreat in preparation for their Confirmation on Sunday, November 1, 2015.  Leading them on Retreat was Deacon Greg Albanese from Holy Apostles Church in Cranston and Campus Minister at LaSalle Academy in Providence.

OLM Outreach Lends a Hand to the Homeless at Cathedral Square Ministries

On Thursday, September 10th volunteers from OLM Outreach made nearly 400 sandwiches to be distributed on Friday, September 11th at the Cathedral Square Ministries.  On Friday, OLM Outreach volunteers distributed the sandwiches and other food to the homeless of Providence.  We are grateful for our volunteers good works and for the many generous benefactors of OLM Outreach who make it possible.  

A Prayer for Labor Day

A Prayer for Labor DayOn this weekend, when we rest from our usual labors, loving Father, we pray for all who shoulder the tasks of human labor—in the marketplace, in factories and offices, in the professions, and in family living.

We thank you, Lord, for the gift and opportunity of work; may our efforts always be pure of heart, for the good of others and the glory of your name.

We lift up to you all who long for just employment and those who work to defend the rights and needs of workers everywhere.

May those of us who are now retired always remember that we still make a valuable contribution to our Church and our world by our prayers and deeds of charity.

May our working and our resting all give praise to you until the day we share together in eternal rest with all our departed in your Kingdom as you live and reign Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

OLM Delivers 150 Backpacks with Supplies to St. Patrick's Parish!

On Monday, September 24, 2015, OLM Outreach volunteers and the OLM Confirmation Class packed up 150 backpacks with back to school supplies.  All of these items were donated by the Parishioners of OLM over the last few weeks.  They were delivered to a grateful Fr. James Ruggeri, Pastor of St. Patrick Church in Providence, and are to be distributed to the many St. Pat's parishioners in need.  

We thank all for their generous donations and hard work on this great work of mercy!

Rally for Life! Fr. Connors Speaks in Defense of the Unborn!

Rally for Life at Planned Parenthood22 August 2015 Address by Father Ryan Connors

It is so great to see so many here standing for the cause of human life.

In my view, the Holy Father Pope Francis has given us the words that best describe the horrors that happen in this place. The Pope says a society of abortion-on-demand is a “throw-away culture.”

The unimaginable evil which brings us all here today comes from a “throw-away culture.” It is a culture where children are discarded—thrown to the side. It is a culture where they are sold and exchanged for profit. A “throw-away culture” is the only explanation for those who discuss in callous detail the killing of children.

A “throw-away culture” is where the weak are marginalized and the unborn cast aside. It is the opposite of the culture envisioned by Jesus of Nazareth.

We seek a culture where the strong protect the weak; a culture where the voiceless are given voice and the small are looked after. It is a culture that says everybody is a some-body. Because every child, at every stage, in every place has a dignity and a destiny beyond our imagining.

We are encouraged today by the witness of so many who speak in defense of human life. We are encouraged especially by the words and example of Bishop Tobin, a courageous and tireless defender of the dignity of human life.

Scripture says where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. Our nation has seen the evil of abortion on full display. But the God of life will draw good from evil; He alone redeems.

Might these images—the horrors we have seen in recent weeks—might they lead to conversion, a change of heart for those cold to the suffering of the unborn? Might our nation no longer ignore the horror of abortion?

The Church stands ready to receive with open arms all those hurt and wounded by abortion. The God of mercy and love stands ready to forgive and to convert our “throw-away culture” into a culture of life and a civilization of love.

Join the National Protest Against Planned Parenthood, Saturday, August 22, 2015

On Saturday morning, August 22nd, 2015, pro-lifers will hold simultaneous peaceful protests at Planned Parenthood centers across the United States.  The Diocese of Providence Office of Life and Family Ministry is encouraging those that can attend – to please to attend. Join us on Saturday, August 22nd, 2015 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Planned Parenthood, 111 Point Street, Providence.If you are unable to attend, but would like to support these peaceful efforts, please pray a Rosary for the following intentions:  Defunding Planned Parenthood . . . For the souls of all children killed in abortion . . .To stop harvesting and selling baby body parts . . .Please pray through the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel for the conversion of all people that work directly and indirectly in the abortion industry! Let us pray: Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen. If you have any questions regarding this communication, please contact Carol Owens, Director of Life & Family, Diocese of Providence, at 401.421.7833, x218 or cowens@dioceseofprovidence.org

Congratulations to OLM Parishioner Brian Bennett, Entering the Novitiate of the Dominican Friars

Prayerful congratulations to OLM Parishioner Brian Bennett, son of Dudley and Kathy Bennett of OLM Parish, who entered the Novitiate of the Dominican Friars (Order of Preachers) on Saturday, August 8th,  the Feast of Saint Dominic!   Pray for Brian and his fellow novices as they begin their discernment and formation as Friars of The Dominican Province of St. Joseph at St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Brian is pictured below in his newly donned Dominican habit.

 A traditional prayer of the Order of Preachers to St. Joseph: O Glorious Patriarch St Joseph, protector of the Holy Family and its consoler in adversity, I recommend to your pastoral care the Universal Church, and in a more especial manner the sons and daughters of St Dominic. Obtain for the spiritual family of St Dominic his virtues of obedience, humility and self-denial. Infuse into their hearts his spirit of prayer and of holy joy, his love of solitude and of labor, his zeal for the salvation of souls, his tender and childlike devotion to the Queen of the Rosary. Obtain for them O Great Saint, the gift above all gifts, a true knowledge and love of Jesus Christ, so that like you they may merit the happiness of bearing him in their arms by their labors for his glory. Obtain for them the grace to resign in their hearts unreservedly to his keeping, and to strive earnestly and prudently to make him known to the world as its merciful and loving Savior. The text of this prayer was kindly provided by the Dominican Novices of the Province of Ireland.

Saint Dominic, pray for us!!

Supporting OLM Outreach at Wild Harvest Open House on July 25th and 26th

Congratulations OLM School Class of 2015!

Our Lady of Mercy Class of 2015

Graduation Day, Monday, June 15, 2015

May God Bless our graduates!

Cameron Allen, North Kingstown High School Dekontee Barnard, St. Raphael Academy Isabella Bernard, LaSalle Academy Emily Bisordi, LaSalle Academy Leah Browning, North Kingstown High School Matthew Campellone, LaSalle Academy Madison Couto, St. Mary’s Academy-Bayview Katherine Cretella, East Greenwich High School Aidan Cuy, Bishop Hendricken Jack Deady, North Kingstown High School Katherine DelGiudice, LaSalle Academy Ryan Dobrzynski, LaSalle Academy Robert Doorely, LaSalle Academy Elizabeth Duffy, The Prout School Patrick Faherty, Bishop Hendricken Anna-Marie Ferris, St. Raphael Academy Sabrina Fiore, North Kingstown High School Natalie Fuerst, The Prout School Connor Godin, Bishop Feehan Charles Harper,Bishop Hendricken Olivia Hendriques, Tollgate High School Jose Lamendola, Bishop Hendricken Olivia Legault, The Prout School Seth Lithisack, Bishop Hendricken Megan Lunn, Tollgate High School Austin Marinosci, LaSalle Academy Andrew McLaughlin, Bishop Hendricken Aidan McSoley, Bishop Hendricken Catherine Medeiros, LaSalle Academy Caitlyn Murphy, St. Mary’s Academy-Bayview Ryan Murphy, Bishop Hendricken Sean Murphy, Bishop Hendricken Catherine Noonan, LaSalle Academy Eric Paliotta, Tabor Academy Lee Pavao,North Kingstown High School Bryanna Rawnsley, LaSalle Academy Margaret Rotatori ,The Prout School Collin Sanford,Bishop Hendricken Mia Savastano, LaSalle Academy Emma Shaw, St. Mary’s Academy-Bayview Noah St. Onge, Bishop Hendricken

Congratulations Fr. Shemek, Sworn in as a US Citizen today!

We offer our congratulations to former OLM Associate Pastor and current Pastor of St. Theresa & St. Christopher Parishes in TivertonFather Przemyslaw “Shemek” Lepak who was sworn in as a U.S. Citizen on Thursday, June 4, 2015!

Facing Life, A Prayer for Graduation

Facing Life: A Prayer for Graduation Day - Matthew, 5:13-16

LIGHT

Lord Jesus, you have said that your followers must be the light to the world. Light propagates itself, dispels darkness. It sows rays of joy and hope. It is life-giving. Help me, Lord, to be a light to this world, so that my life radiate your message of love, hope, and joy. May I be the beacon leading to You those who seek truth.

SALT

You also said, Lord Jesus, that your disciples must be the salt to this earth. Salt gives taste to food.  It retards spoilage.  It is also a healing agent. Lord, may I be the salt that takes away the blandness in the routine of living, that prevents the rottenness of hatred and greed from expanding around me, that brings compassionate healing to anguished souls I encounter. Lord, help me to be "worth my salt." And infuse your "saltiness" in me, so that I do not become "flat" and useless.

LEAVEN

"Be the leaven to the world," said You to your friends. Bread, a staple of life, and cakes, always present at celebrations, would be dull and lifeless without the tiny bit of yeast. Without it, the dough remains inert, hard. Elsewhere, You also told us to multiply our talents. You thus expect that we use the talents you gave us as the leaven to this world. Teach me, Lord Jesus, that alone I am insignificant, but mixed with the talents of my brothers and sisters, I can lift this world out of its insipid mediocrity. May I be a bit of leaven in the Bread of Life, and a sign of Your celebration in this life and life eternal.

COMMITMENT

Lord, on this "commencement" day, let there be a beginning of my life. In the days of darkness, be my Light, so that in turn I can radiate your truth and your message of love, hope, and joy. In the days of blandness and of blahs, Lord, be my Salt, so that in turn I can fend off the corruption, the staleness, the mediocrity around me. In the days when I am flat on my back or fall flat on my face, Lord, be my Leaven, so that not only can I rise again, but also raise the downhearted to the celebration of your Love. And Lord, thank You, for the school years, for the talents I received.

Amen.

A Prayer for Mothers on Mother's Day

A PRAYER FOR MOTHERS

Good and Gentle God, we pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women of theory who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life.  You who became human through a woman, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children always brings.

Give them the strength to live and to be loved in return, not perfectly, but humanly.

Give them the faithful support of husband, family and friends as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of their children.

Give them joy and delight in their children to sustain them through the trials of motherhood.

Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most.  Amen.

Praying for the Earthquake Victims and Aiding the People of Nepal

Major Earthquake Hits Nepal: CRS and Caritas Mobilizing Response

April 27, 2015 by Jim Stipe

Updated April 28, 2015 at 11:20 am

Reports from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) emergency personnel in Kathmandu tell of cold rain making life miserable for the tens of thousands who have been living outside in fear of continuing aftershocks since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal Saturday.

“The situation is getting critical with the rain and cold winds,” said Kushal Neogy, a member of the CRS India staff who was in Nepal during the earthquake and has stayed to help with relief efforts. “It slows down the rescue and relief operation and makes life difficult for those living on the street or in open fields.”

CRS will bring help to many of those people soon as thousands of tarpaulins and other shelter materials are on their way overland from neighboring India where they were pre-positioned because the area is subject to earthquakes and severe flooding. Thousands more tarpaulins are being flown from a distribution center in Dubai.

Neogy and about 20 more CRS emergency specialists are now in Nepal or on the way. They are working with Caritas Nepal, alongside staff from Caritas agencies around the world, including the United Kingdom, India, Australia, Germany, Austria, and others. CRS has an immediate goal of helping 10,000 families with emergency shelter, blankets, water treatment kits, and hygiene kits. CRS will help many more people as it assesses the needs and coordinates with other aid agencies.

Caritas Nepal has been able to help some people, many who have taken refuge at a Catholic Church.

“We are not feeling safe inside the house, but feeling more safe outside, under this tent in the Assumption Church and it is near our house,” one them, Renuka Magdalene Thakuri, told Caritas Australia. “We feel save in the church premise and thankful to Caritas Nepal for the tent.”

“We hope to go back to our house soon, but are hesitating because of the aftershocks,” the 54-year-old said. “We have been here for two days, we have food and water, but shops and markets are closed. We are managing somehow though.”

Generous CRS donors have pledged more than a half million dollars to help victims of this disaster which struck one of the poorest countries in the world. The official death toll is now over 5,000 and that is expected to rise significantly as relief workers reach rural villages now cut off by landslides.

TO DONATE:

secure.crs.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=7DF9B173B4C760FFAE70DE037BD66A60.app260b?df_id=8400&8400.donation=form1

Prayer for the People of Nepal

Loving God,

We pray for all those affected by the earthquake in Nepal as we offer the words of the psalmist, “Be strong and take heart, all who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:25).

May those who are paralyzed by fear … Be strong and take heart

May those who have lost or are still searching for loved ones … Be strong and take heart

May those who remain trapped under rubble … Be strong and take heart

May those rescue workers who provide relief and recovery … Be strong and take heart

May those who are moved with compassion to help … Be strong and take heart

God, whose love knows no bounds, fill all those who suffer with your comfort and peace. We ask all this through Christ, our Lord. Amen

Prayers for Baltimore

Archbishop Lori Calls for Prayers for Gray Family, Peaceful Community Response as Investigations Into Death of Freddie Gray Continue

April 27, 2015

Archbishop William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, today issued the following statement in response to this weekend’s protests and the tragic death of Freddie Gray:

Today, many in our City are trying to come to grips with the aftermath of an emotional and sometimes-violent weekend that threatens to overshadow two realities that cannot and should not be lost: a family’s devastating loss of a young man whose body will be laid to rest today, and a grieving community’s peaceful quest for answers and justice.

Our hearts cannot help but go out to the loved ones of Freddie Gray, whose pain and anguish we will share as they say their final farewells to a son, brother, nephew, and cousin. Freddie was not merely a symbol, but a real person whose life was tragically cut short. Sadly, it is a pain that far too many other Baltimore families have had to endure and will have to endure, so long as senseless violence and hatred continue.

But Freddie’s death is especially tragic because of the circumstances that led to it, and the pain of his loved ones is all the more acute because of what his death represents not only for them, but for so many others in our community who may not have known Freddie. For Freddie’s death symbolizes the rawest of open wounds and the only salve that will heal them is that of truth: truth about what happened to Freddie, truth about the sin of racism that is still present in our community, and truth about our collective responsibility to deal with those issues that undermine the human dignity of every citizen.

As we await the truth, today I ask the faithful of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and all people of good will to join me in praying for the Gray family and for all families devastated by the untimely death of a child of God. Let us pray together for the people of our community, for those in law enforcement who approach their job with dignity and honesty and goodness, and for those investigating Freddie’s death, that their investigations will be swift, thorough, open, and honest, and that it will help our community to find ways to address systemic issues. May we unite in prayer for immediate and lasting healing, especially between members of our community and law enforcement, brought about by dialogue, mutual respect and understanding. We pray that following today’s funeral and in the days to come, protesters will voice their views freely and openly but without violence, which only deepens and prolongs injustice. And finally, may we pray together that God will grace us always with His presence, so that our broken City can once again be whole and that our minds and our hearts will be open to peace and love.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations! Join the Invisible Monastery!

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Today the Church throughout the world prays for vocations. Will you make a special effort to ask the Lord for more vocations to priesthood and religious life?  Pray for the priests who have ministered to you throughout your life, both living and dead.  Keep our parish priests in your prayers throughout the week.  Encourage your children, grandchildren, or other young people to consider a vocation as a priest or religious brother or sister. Pray a rosary for more young men and women in our diocese to respond to God’s call.

Join the Invisible Monastery

Pledge to pray for vocations at the international website, invisiblemonastery.com.   It was inspired by a Vatican document urging Catholics to “organize an ‘invisible monastery’ in which many persons, day and night, are committed to continuous prayer for priestly vocations.”

Prayer for Vocations

O God, Father of all Mercies, Provider of a bountiful Harvest, send Your Graces upon those You have called to gather the fruits of Your labor; preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service of you.  Open the hearts of Your children that they may discern Your Holy Will; inspire in them a love and desire to surrender themselves to serving others in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ.  Teach all Your faithful to follow their respective paths in life guided by Your Divine Word and Truth. Through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, all the Angels, and Saints, humbly hear our prayers and grant Your Church's needs, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

St. John's Seminary Appreciates Pastors!

Pastors Appreciation Night at St. John's Seminary, Boston:  The Seminary of St. John's in Boston celebrated Pastors Appreciation Night with a Holy Hour and Dinner for those pastors who have had summer seminarians in their parishes.  Pictured Above ( left to right): Fr. Bernard A. Healey, Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy, East Greenwich; Providence Seminarian Brendan Rowley; Fr. Michael Kelly, Pastor of St. Agatha Church, Woonsocket; Providence Seminarian Brian Morris (from OLM Parish!); Providence Seminarian Joseph Brice; Providence Seminarian Eric Silva and Providence Seminarian Stephen Battey

Cause for Concern for All Catholics at RI Statehouse!

Dear Parishioners: This Easter Season is proving to be very busy at the RI Statehouse as legislators take up hearings on a broad range of issues of concern to Catholics. They have also begun with earnest to consider Governor Raimondo’s proposed budget. You may have read about the many cuts that Governor Raimondo made in the budget. They included a cut to the cross-district busing for private school students and the text-book loan program. These cuts directly effect our Catholic School students across the state and right here at Our Lady of Mercy School. The Governor not only cut the funding for these important programs but eliminated them! Thankfully the leadership of the General Assembly have pledged to restore these programs in their entirety.

These programs benefit the families of all private and parochial schools not only Catholic Schools. They enable these tax paying families to obtain the busing and borrow the textbooks they are justly entitled to receive. The thousands of students who attend Catholic and other private schools save millions of dollars for the state and local communities. The proposed budget cuts to their services seems short sighted and unnecessary. I am grateful that the RI General Assembly including our own State Representative Anthony Giarrusso and State Senator Mark Gee who have pledged their support for restoring the full funding of these crucial programs for our Catholic School Families.

The RI House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare took testimony last week on a bill to legalize assisted suicide in Rhode Island. House Bill 5507 would allow doctors to legally prescribe a lethal dose of medicine at the request of a patient who has been deemed mentally competent and who has received a terminal diagnosis. Many in the faith community and medical community oppose this legislation, not only because it violates the most basic tenet of our belief in the sacredness of human life, but also because of the many dangers the legislation poses to vulnerable populations.

As Catholics we must convey our deep dismay about the message this legislation sends to those who might feel that their illness and the care they require is nothing more than a burden to their families and the rest of society. As has been seen in states such as Oregon where assisted suicide is legal, individuals could request doctor-prescribed suicide based on fear of being a burden to others. In the last official Oregon report, fear of becoming a burden on others was given for requesting lethal drugs by 40% of those who died using that state’s assisted suicide law. At the heart of our Church’s ministry to the sick, to those with disabilities, to those without access to adequate medical care, and to the frail elderly is a recognition of the Gospel call to embrace the lives of those most in need of our love, our care, and our compassion. There is no life that we consider not worth living, no person who does not deserve to be valued simply because they are a living human being.

While some may view this legislation as a response to the understandable fears about pain and a loss of “dignity” that someone diagnosed with a terminal illness might face, the answer to those fears should be a demand for appropriate medical treatment that provides adequate pain management and excellent palliative or hospice care. A terminally ill patient requesting a prescription to commit suicide deserves to be surrounded by compassion and love, not handed a prescription to take his or her life. Pope Francis has stated: “In many places, the quality of life is related primarily to economic means, to ‘well-being,’ to the beauty and enjoyment of the physical, forgetting other more profound dimensions of existence — interpersonal, spiritual and religious. There is no human life that is more sacred than another — every human life is sacred — just as there is no human life qualitatively more significant than another.” Let us pray that assisted suicide is rejected by our elected officials! God Bless.

OLM Confirmation Students Bake Cupcakes for McAuley House on Good Friday

 

An Our Lady of Mercy Tradition continues on as students from the OLM Confirmation Program gather on Good Friday to make and bake cupcakes for the homeless at McAuley House.  The cupcakes will be delivered for Easter!