Congratulatons to OLM Trustee Bill Wray, 2019 Lumen Genitum Award Reciepent

2019 Lumen Gentium Award for Stewardship and Administration
Willliam K. Wray, Sr.
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Trustee

William K. Wray, Sr.

We congratulate OLM Parish Trustee, Bill Wray, on being named a recipient of the 2019 Lumen Gentium Award for Stewardship and Administration, for his faith, dedication and service in providing his Church and Parish wise counsel and guidance.

On May, 15 individuals or groups will be honored by the Diocese of Providence in 9 different categories with the 2019 Lumen Gentium Catholic Service Award. The Lumen Gentium awards, translated from Latin as “Light for the Nations,” honor those “who toil in the vineyard of the Lord,” without compensation or acclaim for their efforts.

“The faithful of this diocese continue to impress me by their unwavering dedication and love of our local Church,” said diocesan Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Msgr. Albert A. Kenney, who serves as chairman of the Lumen Gentium Committee. The committee reviews the nominations submitted in each award category and presents to Bishop Thomas J. Tobin a list of those chosen for each award for his approval. “The award winners this year are examples of discipleship lived robustly and faithfully. We are grateful to the missionary service they give to Christ and His Church,” Msgr. Kenney said.

The recipients of the 2019 Lumen Gentium award will be honored at a dinner scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, at 6 p.m. at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln. The proceeds from the 2019 Lumen Gentium Dinner will benefit Catholic Youth Ministries which provide leadership training, evangelization, faith formation, gathering and recognition programs and competitive athletic opportunities to Catholic youth throughout the Diocese of Providence. For more information, visit catholicyouthri.com.

Since 2013, when the Lumen Gentium awards were first presented in the diocese, 89 individuals and groups — representing 54 parishes — have been recognized. The awards banquets have raised more than $450,000 in support of numerous diocesan ministries. Click to register for the banquet online, or call Andrea H. Krupp in the Office of Stewardship and Development at 401-277-2121. Tickets are $100 each and tables seat 10 people.

William K. Wray, Sr. is Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of The Washington Trust Company. Before joining Washington Trust, Wray most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. Prior to that, he spent 15 years at Citizens Bank, culminating in the role of Vice Chairman and Chief Information Officer.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and a master’s degree in engineering from Stanford University. Bill and his wife Nancy are long time parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy. Bill serves as a Trustee of the parish and on the OLM Parish Finance Council. In addition, he serves on the Finance Council of the Diocese of Providence.

The Litany of Saint Joseph

The Litany of Saint Joseph

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious son of David, pray for us.
Light of the patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
Foster-father of the Son of God,
Watchful defender of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most valiant,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of workmen ,
Glory of domestic life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Solace of the afflicted,
Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

V. He made him the lord of His household,
R. And prince over all His possessions.

Let Us Pray.

O God, Who in Thine ineffable providence didst choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most Holy Mother, grant that as we venerate him as our protector on earth, we may deserve to have him as our intercessor in Heaven, Thou Who livest and reignest forever and ever. R. Amen.

Prayer of St. Patrick

Lorica of St. Patrick

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation

Penitential Prayers for Lenten Season

Penitential Prayer of St. Augustine

O Lord, The house of my soul is narrow; enlarge it that you may enter in.
It is ruinous, O repair it! It displeases Your sight.
I confess it, I know. But who shall cleanse it, to whom shall I cry but to you?
Cleanse me from my secret faults, O Lord, and spare Your servant from strange sins. Amen

Penitential Prayer of St. Ambrose of Milan

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all,take away from me my sins,
and mercifully kindle in methe fire of thy Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the heart of stone,and give me a heart of flesh,
a heart to love and adore Thee,a heart to delight in Thee,
to follow and enjoy Thee, for Christ's sake, Amen

OLM Parishioner Marianna Toljan recieves St. Timothy Youth Award

Fr. Healey and Fr. Barrow pose with St. Timothy Award Recipient, Marianna Toljan, following the Mass at the Cathedral.

At a Youth Ministry and Scouting Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on Sunday, March 3 Bishop Tobin presented OLM Parishioner Marianna Toljan the Diocesan St. Timothy Award for Youth for her dedicated service to Church and Parish. Marianna is a longtime OLM Altar Server and Religious Education Teacher. We congratulate her on this great recognition of her exemplary service and living witness to the faith. OLM is proud of her!

Guidelines for Fast & Abstinence For Lent

Guidelines for Fast & Abstiennce For Lent

Abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent (for those 14 and older) is required by Church law. Also, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting: those between the ages of 18 and 59 should eat less, meaning, take no solid food between meals and only one full meal that day. Serious health conditions excuse a person from these precepts.

Pastors and parents are encouraged by the law of the Church to ensure that minors who are not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are educated nonetheless in an authentic sense of penance.

Following the implementation of the revised Code of Canon Law on November 27, 1983, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in the United States determined that the rules of fast and abstinence which have existed for the last several years in this country be maintained. Namely, that the faithful observe suitable penitential practices on all Fridays throughout the year. These penitential practices need not include abstaining from meat. However, as indicated above, the faithful must not eat meat on all the Fridays of Lent as well as on Ash Wednesday. They must also observe faithfully the fast regulations as they have been stated above in accord with the universal law of the Church (Cf. Code of Canon Law, Canons 1250-1252).

A Critical Time to Pray, Act and Advocate for the Unborn at the RI Statehouse

Dear fellow Catholics:

I write to you today at a crucial time for our state. Legislation has been introduced at the RI General Assembly radically expanding abortion in Rhode Island. In the House these bills are H 5125 sponsored by Rep. Williams and H 5127 sponsored by Rep. Ajello and in the Senate the bill S 152 sponsored by Senator Goldin.

This legislation goes far beyond “codifying” existing federal law on the subject of abortion and includes the elimination of any constitutional restrictions on late-term abortion. Our advocacy against these bills is ongoing but there is mounting pressure from the well-financed pro-abortion lobby and their many elected allies at the General Assembly and in state government to bring these bills to a vote. The RI House Judiciary Committee conducted a hearing on the bills a couple of weeks ago and thankfully many pro-life people turned out in opposition to these bills. A hearing in the RI Senate has not yet been scheduled.

In the meantime, our advocacy in promoting a culture of life in RI and opposing this legislation continues as we work with our allies in the General Assembly and with Mr. Barth Bracey, the Director of RI Right to Life. RI Right to Life is leading the petition drive against these bills and a link to this petition is included below. Also included on that site is the excellent legal analysis of this legislation by Paul Linton which clearly illustrates that it goes far beyond the codification of Roe vs Wade in RI law. I suggest you read his analysis.

Many have asked how they can help at this time. First, I would ask that prayer for the unborn and for our elected officials be taken up in some way in every parish. Second, I would ask that you act now by encouraging the people of your parishes to write letters, emails and make phone calls to their local RI State Representative and RI State Senator to voice their opposition to these bills. Also encourage people to write the local print media expressing their opposition to this radical expansion of abortion in our state. Additionally I would encourage all people to advocate against this legislation by having as many people as possible to sign the online petition. Please consider placing this information in your weekly bulletin or making pulpit announcements.

Also please know RI Right to Life is need of crucial support and additional resources to keep the fight going against a very well organized and well financed pro-abortion lobby. Volunteers to help advocate against these bills at the General Assembly during the legislative session are needed. Please contact Barth Bracey at RIRTL by phone (401) 521-1860 or by email at bebracy@rirtl.org if you are able to provide any kind of assistance of your time, talent or treasure.

Pray, act and advocate is what we each of us is called to do as faithful citizens. I thank you for your support in protecting the lives of the unborn at this critical time for our state and nation.

Fr Bernard A. Healey
Director of the RI Catholic Conference

Link to online petition:

http://www.rirtl.org/action/index.php?vvsrc=%2FPetitions%2F1564%2FRespond

Prayer for World Day of the Sick

Prayer for World Day of the Sick

O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfort to the Afflicted, you know my wants, my
troubles, my sufferings. Deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you
dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to
implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests. Through gratitude for favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues that I may one day share your glory

Prayer in Honor of St. Blaise, Patron of Ailments of the Throat

Prayer in Honor of St. Blaise

O GOD, deliver us through the intercession of Thy holy bishop and martyr Blaise, from all evil of soul and body, especially from all ills of the throat; and grant us the grace to make a good confession in the confident hope of obtaining Thy pardon, and ever to praise with worthy lips Thy most holy name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

February 3 is the Feast of Saint Blaise and on this date the traditional Saint Blaise blessing of throats.is offered. Bishop Blaise was martyred in his episcopal city of Sebastea, Armenia, in 316. The legendary Acts of St. Blaise were written 400 years later. According to them Blaise was a good bishop, working hard to encourage the spiritual and physical health of his people. Although the Edict of Toleration (311), granting freedom of worship in the Roman Empire, was already five years old, persecution still raged in Armenia. Blaise was apparently forced to flee to the back country. There he lived as a hermit in solitude and prayer, but he made friends with the wild animals. One day a group of hunters seeking wild animals for the amphitheater stumbled upon Blaise’s cave. They were first surprised and then frightened. The bishop was kneeling in prayer surrounded by patiently waiting wolves, lions and bears. The legend has it that as the hunters hauled Blaise off to prison, a mother came with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat. At Blaise’s command the child was able to cough up the bone. Agricolaus, governor of Cappadocia, tried to persuade Blaise to sacrifice to pagan idols. The first time Blaise refused, he was beaten. The next time he was suspended from a tree and his flesh torn with iron combs or rakes. Finally, he was beheaded.

A Prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas for Catholic School Students

Angelic Doctor St. Thomas, prince of theologians and model of philosophers, bright ornament of the Christian world and light of the Church; O heavenly patron of all Catholic schools, who didst learn wisdom without guile and dost communicate it without envy, intercede for us with the Son of God, Wisdom itself, that the spirit of wisdom may descend upon us, and enable us to understand clearly that which thou hast taught, and fulfill it by imitating thy deeds; to become partakers of that doctrine and virtue which caused thee to shine like the sun on earth; and at last to rejoice with thee forever in their most sweet fruits in heaven, together praising the Divine Wisdom for all eternity. Amen.

A Prayer for Unborn Children

Almighty God, our Father,
you who have given us life and intended us to have it forever,
grant us your blessings.
Enlighten our minds to an awareness and to a renewed conviction
that all human life is sacred because it is created in your image and likeness.
Help us to teach by word and the example of our lives
that life occupies the first place, that human life is precious
because it is the gift of God whose love is infinite.
Give us the strength to defend human life
against every influence or action that threatens or weakens it,
as well as the strength to make every life more human
in all its aspects.

Give us the grace...
When the sacredness of life before birth is attacked,
to stand up and proclaim that no one ever has the authority
to destroy unborn life.

When a child is described as a burden
or is looked upon only as a means
to satisfy an emotional need,
to stand up and insist that every child is a unique
and unrepeatable gift of God,
a gift of God with a right to a loving and united family.


When the value of the family is threatened
because of social and economic pressure,
to stand up and reaffirm that the family is necessary
not only for the private good of every person,
but also for the common good of every society,
nation and state.

When freedom is used to dominate the weak,
to squander natural resources and energy,
to deny basic necessities to people,
to stand up and affirm
the demands of justice and social love.

Almighty Father,
give us courage to proclaim the supreme dignity
of all human life and to demand
that society itself give its protection.
We ask this in your name,
through the redemptive act
of your Son and in the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

A Prayer to Heal Racial Division

Prayer to Heal Racial Division

We thank you, O Lord, For in your loving wisdom

You created one human family with a diversity

That enriches our communities.

We pray to you, O Lord, That we always recognize

each member of this human family

As being made in your image and beloved by you,

With worth and dignity.

We pray to you, O Lord,

That we may envision a way forward

To heal the racial divisions

That deny human dignity and

the bonds between all human beings.

We pray to you, O Lord

That we may affirm each person's dignity

Through fair access for all

To economic opportunity, housing,

Education, and employment.

We pray to you, O Lord,

That we may have eyes to see

What is possible when we reach out

Beyond fear, beyond anger,

To hold the hand of our sisters, our brothers.

We thank you, O Lord,

For your call and challenge to us

That we may reveal your teachings and your love

Through our actions to end racism

And to proclaim that we are all your children,

heirs to your sacred creation.

Amen.

A Prayer for the March for Life in Washington, DC

March for Life Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe, we turn to you who are the protectress of unborn children and ask that you intercede for us, so that we may more firmly resolve to join you in protecting all human life. Let our prayers be united to your perpetual motherly intercession on behalf of those whose lives are threatened, be they in the womb of their mother, on the bed of infirmity, or in the latter years of their life.

May our prayers also be coupled with peaceful action which witnesses to the goodness and dignity of all human life, so that our firmness of purpose may give courage to those who are fearful and bring light to those who are blinded by sin.

Encourage those who will be involved in the March for Life; help them to talk closely with God and to give voice to the cry of the oppressed, in order to remind our nation of its commitment to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people.

O Virgin Mother of God, present our petitions to your Son and ask Him to bless us with abundant life.

Amen

A Prayer for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

A Prayer for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

O Lord, your Baptism shows us that you are not remote. You are at our side. You know sin but are not a sinner. Give us the grace to renew our baptism through a frequent reception of confession and the Holy Eucharist. By receiving one, we strengthen the others. By receiving You, we receive God Himself.

Epiphany Prayer of Blessing for a Home

Epiphany Prayer of Blessing for a Home

God’s peace be to this home and to all who dwell within. You, O Lord, are the beginning and the end, the alpha and omega, carefully watching over us from birth until death. Bless this door of our house and in your goodness send your holy angel from heaven to watch over and protect us, to be with us and give us comfort and encouragement.

As we pass through this door, draw us more deeply into your presence and may a spirit of humility, goodness, mildness, and gratitude prevail here.

O Lord, you are the door to eternal life, bless our entrances and exits from this home and pour out on us heavenly dew in good measure, as well as an abundance of earthly needs. At our lowly coming be pleased to bless and sanctify this home, as you once were pleased to bless the home of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Within these walls let your angels of light preside and stand watch over those who live here.

May this blessing remain on this place and on us who live here now and always. Amen.