Acting With Mercy

On Thursday, September 26th the OLM Parish Family gathered for an Act of Mercy, “Socks and Sandwiches for the Homeless.” Dozens of parishioners assembled hundreds of sandwiches and prepared new socks for the hungry and homeless of Rhode Island. We thank all those who participated in this great corporal work of mercy.

Celebrating Mercy at Mass

On Tuesday, September 24th, the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, the OLM Parish Family gathered to celebrate Mass in honor of our parish patroness. Fr. Bernard A. Healey, Pastor of OLM, celebrated the Mass and newly ordained Fr. Eric Silva served as the homilist Fr. Silva serves as the Associate Pastor of St. Luke’s Church in Barrington and served as a Summer Seminarian at OLM. Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us!

Golfing for OLM!!

We thank all our benefactors, supporters and golfers for making the Annual OLM Saints and Scholars Golf Tournament a great success! A great day of golf and fun was had by all at Quidnessett Country Club on Monday, September 23rd. A great kickoff to our OLM Feast Week!

A Feast Day Prayer to Our Lady of Mercy

Mary, Mother of God, I turn to you in all my pressing needs and difficulties as to a most sure refuge. I implore the help of your protection and choose you as my advocate. I entrust my cause to you who are the Mother of Mercy, and I wish to offer you day by day my most reverent love. But that my devotion may be pleasing to you, help me to maintain my soul and body in the spotlessness of your purity, help me to try as best I can to walk in your footsteps, humbly seeking to be like you.

Even if I have committed all possible sins, let me never lose confidence in you, for I know I shall always find your Heart filled with mercy The Son of God has His justice, but you, the Mother, have only your mercy. You desire more to do good to me than I can desire to receive favors from you, for your Heart is all love and mercy.

Mary, My Mother, how shall I stand before my Judge at the day of judgment? How shall I answer for the wasted days and years which God has given me to serve Him alone? I look to you, Mother of Mercy. You are all-merciful that you may obtain for me pardon and mercy. You are kind and loving for you have a mother’s heart, full of pity for the erring. You are a Mother of Mercy to the sinner and the fallen; have pity on me!

Congrats to Sister Anna Josephine

Prayerful Congratulations
to Sister Anna Josephine
The Dominican Sisters of  St. Cecilia

We offer our prayerful congratulations  OLM Parishioner, Laura Makin,  the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Makin, who was received to the habit on August 8th, the Feast of St. Dominic,  at the St Cecilia Motherhouse, Nashville, TN.  Laura has completed her Postulant Year and now enters her Canonical Novice Year.  On August 8th she was given her new religious name, Sister Anna Josephine. 

Sister Anna Josephine Makin

The Reception of the Habit took place at the Motherhouse in Nashville in the presence of the entire community numbering approximately 300. Mother Anna Grace, OP, the Prioress General, conferred the habit and gave Sister Laura her new religious name.  The Postulants submitted 3 name choices that take significance from their chosen Feast Day. Sister Anna Josephine's feast day is the Feast of the Presentation, February 2nd.

Please keep Sister Anna Josephine in your prayers. If you wish to send her best wishes, please send them to Sister Anna Josephine Makin, St. Cecilia Motherhouse, 801 Dominican Drive, Nashville, TN 37228

OLM Youth Group Attend Steubenville East

Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, led the conference this year.

This past weekend the OLM Youth Group was in Lowell, Massachusetts for the annual Steubenville East Youth Conference. We brought eight High Schoolers, three chaperones (including our summer seminarian Daniel Mahoney and our Youth Coordinator Billy Burdier).

Steubenville East

Every year there is a different theme. This year the theme was "Belong" as used in the Scripture passage from 1 John 3:1: "See what love the Father has bestowed on us, that we may be called children of God" Throughout the weekend the kids attended concerts, conferences and talks. The celebration of Mass took place each day. Especially edifying was the practically constant possibility for the youth to go to Confession. It is no exaggeration to say that hundreds of kids went to Confession over the three days of the Conference (I believe that the final count was around 1,000 confessions heard). It was a great weekend for the kids to grow in their faith and to see how God works in their lives. We wish to thank everyone who supported the Youth Group to make this trip possible!

OLM Youth Group at conference.

OLM Family Loses Home in 4th of July Fire

There was a house fire on High Hawk this past week at the home of the Prosseda family (Eric, Peggy, Dante, Jules, Roman, Luca, Nina and their two dogs). The good news is that they are all safe and temporarily staying in a neighbor's house for the next few days. The bad news is that they lost almost everything. So many in this great community have already helped by donating clothes, shoes, gift cards, etc. and they are SO grateful. Some friends and neighbors believe this GoFundMe Page would be most helpful at this stage in their rebuilding process. Please feel free to share with others that you know would want to help. We continue to offer our prayers and support ot the Prosseda family. If you wish to help, go to the go fund me by clicking to this site.

The Prosseda Family

Consecration to the Sacred Heart

Consecration to the Sacred Heart

A wonderful devotion encouraged by the Church is devotion to the Sacred Heart, especially by consecrating our families to the Sacred Heart. Here is one version of a consecration.

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thou didst reveal to the blessed Margaret Mary Thy desire to rule over Christian families; behold, in order to please Thee, we stand before Thee this day, to proclaim Thy full sovereignty over our family. We desire henceforth to live Thy life, we desire that the virtues, to which Thou hast promised peace on earth, may flower in the bosom of our family; we desire to keep far from us the spirit of the world, which Thou hast condemned. Thou art King of our minds by the simplicity of our faith; Thou art King of our hearts by our love of Thee alone, with which our hearts are on fire and whose flame we shall keep alive by frequently receiving the Holy Eucharist. Be pleased, O Sacred Heart, to preside over our gathering together, to bless our spiritual and temporal affairs, to ward off all annoyance from us, to hallow our joys and comfort our sorrows. If any of us has ever been so unhappy as to fall into the misery of displeasing Thee, grant that he may remember, O Heart of Jesus, that Thou art full of goodness and mercy toward the repentant sinner. And when the hour of separation strikes and death enters our family circle, whether we go or whether we stay, we shall all bow humbly before Thine eternal decrees. This shall be our consolation, to remember that the day will come, when our entire family, once more united in heaven, shall be able to sing of Thy glory and Thy goodness forever. May the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the glorious Patriarch St. Joseph vouchsafe to offer Thee this our act of consecration, and to keep the memory thereof alive in us all the days of our lives.

Glory to the Heart of Jesus, our King and Our Father!

With Thanks to OLM Senior Altar Servers

At Mass on Sunday, June 23 the OLM Senior Altar Servers were thanked for their years of service. We thank Senior Altar Servers: Patrick Faherty, Ryan Dobrzynski, Sean Murphy, Charlotte Brockmann, & Marianna Toljan., Christian Briody & Matthew Campellone, for their many years of loyal and reverent service at God’s Holy Altar and their dedication to Our Lady of Mercy Parish. May God guide, protect and bless them in college

Litany of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Litany of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Written by St. Peter Julian Eymard, the founder of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers. This litany is ecclsiastically approved for liturgical use and has the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur.

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

Jesus, Eternal High Priest of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, R. have mercy on us.
Jesus, Divine Victim on the Altar for our salvation, R. have mercy on us.
Jesus, hidden under the appearance of bread, R. have mercy on us.
Jesus, dwelling in the tabernacles of the world, R. have mercy on us.
Jesus, really, truly and substantially present in the Blessed Sacrament, R. have mercy on us.
Jesus, abiding in Your fulness, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, R. have mercy on us.
Jesus, Bread of Life, R. have mercy on us.
Jesus, Bread of Angels, R. have mercy on us.
Jesus, with us always until the end of the world, R. have mercy on us.

Sacred Host, summit and source of all worship and Christian life, R. have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, sign and cause of the unity of the Church, R. have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, adored by countless angels, R. have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, spiritual food, R. have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, Sacrament of love, R. have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, bond of charity, R. have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, greatest aid to holiness, R. have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, gift and glory of the priesthood, R. have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, in which we partake of Christ, R. have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, in which the soul is filled with grace, R. have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, in which we are given a pledge of future glory, R. have mercy on us.

Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

For those who do not believe in Your Eucharistic presence, R. have mercy, O Lord.
For those who are indifferent to the Sacrament of Your love, R. have mercy on us.
For those who have offended You in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar, R. have mercy on us.

That we may show fitting reverence when entering Your holy temple, R. we beseech You, hear us.
That we may make suitable preparation before approaching the Altar, R. we beseech You, hear us.
That we may receive You frequently in Holy Communion with real devotion and true humility, R. we beseech You, hear us.
That we may never neglect to thank You for so wonderful a blessing, R. we beseech You, hear us.
That we may cherish time spent in silent prayer before You, R. we beseech You, hear us.
That we may grow in knowledge of this Sacrament of sacraments, R. we beseech You, hear us.
That all priests may have a profound love of the Holy Eucharist, R. we beseech You, hear us.
That they may celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in accordance with its sublime dignity, R. we beseech You, hear us.
That we may be comforted and sanctified with Holy Viaticum at the hour of our death, R. we beseech You, hear us.
That we may see You one day face to face in Heaven, R. we beseech You, hear us.

Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, R. spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, R. graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, R. have mercy on us, O Lord.

V. O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine,
R. all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.

Let us pray,

Most merciful Father,
You continue to draw us to Yourself
through the Eucharistic Mystery.
Grant us fervent faith in this Sacrament of love,
in which Christ the Lord Himself is contained, offered and received.
We make this prayer through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

The Litany of the Most Holy Trinity

Litany of the Most Holy Trinity

Approved for private devotion. Taken from a prayer book published in 1875, its total content recommended to the faithful by Cardinal Franchi and given the blessing of Pope Pius IX. This litany is also in other and earlier prayer books, e.g. in the Golden Manual published by Sadlier in 1851.

Antiphon: Blessed be the holy Trinity and undivided Unity: we will give glory to Him, because He hath shown His mercy to us.

V. O Lord our Lord, how wonderful is Thy Name in all the earth!
R. O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God!

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Blessed Trinity, hear us. Adorable Unity, 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 Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Father, from Whom are all things, Have mercy on us.
Son, through Whom are all things, Have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, in Whom are all things, Have mercy on us.
Holy and undivided Trinity, Have mercy on us.
Father everlasting, Have mercy on us.
Only-begotten Son of the Father, Have mercy on us.
Spirit Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Have mercy on us.
Co-eternal Majesty of Three Divine Persons, Have mercy on us.
Father, the Creator, Have mercy on us.
Son, the Redeemer, Have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, Have mercy on us.
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts, Have mercy on us.
Who art, Who wast, and Who art to come, Have mercy on us.
God, Most High, Who inhabitest eternity, Have mercy on us.
To Whom alone are due all honor and glory, Have mercy on us.
Who alone doest great wonders, Have mercy on us.
Power infinite, Have mercy on us.
Wisdom incomprehensible, Have mercy on us.
Love unspeakable, Have mercy on us.

Be merciful.Spare us, O Holy Trinity.
Be merciful. Graciously hear us, O Holy Trinity.
From all evil, Deliver us, O Holy Trinity.
From all sin, O Holy Trinity.
From all pride, O Holy Trinity.
From all love of riches, O Holy Trinity.
From all uncleanness, O Holy Trinity.
From all sloth, O Holy Trinity.
From all inordinate affection, O Holy Trinity.
From all envy and malice, O Holy Trinity.
From all anger and impatience, O Holy Trinity.
From every thought, word, and deed, contrary to Thy holy law, O Holy Trinity.
From Thy everlasting malediction, O Holy Trinity.
Through Thy almighty power, O Holy Trinity.
Through Thy plenteous loving kindness, O Holy Trinity.
Through the exceeding treasure of Thy goodness and love, O Holy Trinity.
Through the depths of Thy wisdom and knowledge, O Holy Trinity.
Through all Thy unspeakable perfections, O Holy Trinity.

We sinners, Beseech Thee, hear us.

That we may ever serve Thee alone, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may worship Thee in spirit and in truth, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may love Thee with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength,
We beseech Thee, hear us.
That, for Thy sake, we may love our neighbor as ourselves, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may faithfully keep Thy holy commandments, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may never defile our bodies and souls with sin, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may go from grace to grace, and from virtue to virtue, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may finally enjoy the sight of Thee in glory, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to hear us, We beseech Thee, hear us.
O blessed Trinity, We beseech Thee, deliver us.
O blessed Trinity, We beseech Thee, save us.
O blessed Trinity,Have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy.

Our Father (silently).

Hail, Mary (silently

V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven.
R. And worthy to be praised, and glorious, and highly exalted forever.

Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast granted Thy servants in the confession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of an Eternal Trinity, and in the power of Thy majesty to adore a Unity: we beseech Thee that by the strength of this faith we may be defended from all adversity. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

Congratulations OLM School Class of 2019

On Monday, June 10 OLM School celebrated its Annual Graduation Ceremony in OLM Church. We congratulate the Class of 2019!

The Class of 2019

Mark Emmet Andraka Bishop Hendricken H. S.

Samantha L. Baker East Greenwich High School

Faith Rose Basler East Greenwich High School

Sophie Brunner North Kingstown H. S.

Benjamin J. Buckley St. George's School

Connor M. Caldwell North Kingstown H.S.

Alison E. Campion The Prout School

Jack Edward Ciunci Bishop Hendricken H.S.

Kyler Joseph de Bont Bishop Hendricken H. S.

Kaden Michael DiBattista Lancaster Catholic H.S., PA

Brian Stephen Garrepy Bishop Hendricken H. S.

Zachary J. Grant North Kingstown H. S

Luke Dennis Handy East Greenwich High School

Aidan Patrick Hayes Narragansett High School

Kiley DeCosta Hayes St. George's School

Connor Patrick Igoe Bishop Hendricken H. S.

Jayci Rose Izzi Rocky Hill School

Austin Alan Kairnes Bishop Hendricken H. S.

Nicholas Joseph Komari Bishop Hendricken H. S.

Jacob Brennan Kopech Bishop Hendricken H. S.

Gabriella Joan Lamendola The Prout School

Madeleine R. Laviolette The Prout School

Devin Michael Lynch Bishop Hendricken H. S.

Collin B. Martin Bishop Hendricken H. S.

Olivia Ann Mattos Bay View Academy

Katherine Grace Murphy LaSalle Academy

Julianna Emilia Ourique Ponagansett H. S.

Meghan Elizabeth Pagliaro East Greenwich High School

Olivia Rose Passaretti East Greenwich High School

Sean Michael Pedro Bishop Hendricken H. S.

Finnigan Schwoebel St. Raphael's Academy

Luke Steven Simms LaSalle Academy

Thomas Michael Simonetti Bishop Hendricken H. S.

Deirdre Lily Stockdill Rocky Hill School

Blake Denton Sykes The Prout School

Emma Marie van Meeteren North Kingstown
Morgan Elizabeth Verdi The Prout School

Aidan J. Weiss Bishop Hendricken H. S.

OLM Celebrates Grandparents Day!

OLM School PreK Grader Susie Mita (Warwick) welcomed grandfather Nat Calamis to the Annual OLM School Grandparents Day celebration on Thursday, May 30.

On Thursday, May 30, OLM School and Parish welcomed close to 300 grandparents from near and far for the school’s fifth annual “Grandparents Day” celebration. The day began with 9:00 Mass to mark the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord which was celebrated by the Most Reverend Robert C. Evans, Auxilary Bishop of Providence. Following the mass, the students and their guests visited the school for a variety of activities including a reception in the cafeteria, school tours, and special presentations in the classrooms. Led by the individual classroom teachers, students sang prepared songs, played games and took photos with their grandparents and special guests. Students in Mrs. Nygren’s fifth grade classroom were treated to a game of “Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?” based on the popular game show of the same name. As many of the grandparents realized, the students came out ahead in their knowledge in many subject areas! Mrs. Verret’s seventh grade class unplugged from their tech devices and played old school board games such as Monopoly, Scrabble, and Yahtzee with their family. This was such a bonding moment for both generations as they were having fun at any age. Grandparents attending Mrs. Maguire’s third grade class were interviewed by their grandchildren on what was happening in the world when they were in third grade. Whatever the grade, all OLM grandparents agreed it was a wonderful celebration with their grandchildren and a great opportunity to visit their wonderful school.

OLM School Fifth Grader Jeremiah Murphy (Warwick) welcomed grandfathers John Murphy and Rodney Sorrentino to the Fifth Annual OLM School Grandparents Day celebration on Thursday, May 30.

Sunday 5PM Evening Mass Ends, Resumes in September

The 5PM Sunday Evening Mass at OLM has ended for the season. The Mass resumes on Sunday, September 1 at 5PM.

Novena to the Holy Spirit

Novena to the Holy Spirit

The Novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the original novena, of which all other novenas are only imitations. Our Lord Himself instituted this novena when, on the day of His ascension, He sent His Apostles back to Jerusalem to pray for nine days that they might be ready on the tenth day, which was Pentecost, to receive the Holy Spirit.

First Day:

Holy Spirit, Lord of light, From they clear celestial height, Thy pure beaming radiance give.

Let us pray

O God who hast taught the hearts of thy faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Second Day:

Come thou father of the poor, Come with treasures which endure, Come thou light of all that live.

Let us pray

O Holy Spirit, thou father of the poor, come fill my poverty-stricken soul out of the plenty of they eternal riches. Warn me, I beg thee, of every opportunity in my daily round of duty, to lay up treasures where no thief approacheth nor moth corrupteth, that I may enjoy them together with thee forever. Amen

Third Day:

Thou of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow.

Let us pray

O Divine Consoler, and of all Comforters the best, to thee do we come in trouble and distress. Do thou, in the all-powerful name of Jesus, our Redeemer, and out of love for Mary, our sorrowful Mother and they chaste Spouse, come to our assistance and comfort us in all our trials and tribulations. Amen

Fourth Day:

Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, Solace in the midst of woe.

Let us pray

O God, who didst give the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, grant to they people the effect of their pious prayers, that on those to whom thou hast given grace, thou mayest also bestow peace. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen

Fifth Day:

Light immortal, light divine, Visit thou these hearts of thine And our inmost being fill.

Let us pray

May the Paraclete, who proceedeth from thee, enlighten our minds, we beseech thee, O Lord; and even as thy Son hath promised, may he lead us into all truth. Amen

Sixth Day:

If thou take thy grace away, Nothing pure in man will stay; All his good is turned to ill.

Let us pray

Send down, we beseech thee, O Lord, the Holy Spirit in his might, to the merciful purifying of our hearts and to our sure deliverance from all danger. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen

Seventh Day:

Heal our wounds, our strength renew; On our dryness pour thy dew; Wash the stains of guilt away.

Let us pray

Burn up, O Lord, our reins and our hearts in the fire of the Holy Spirit; that chaste of body and clean of heart, our service may be well pleasing to thee. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen

Eighth Day:

Bend the stubborn heart and will, Melt the frozen, warm the chill, Guide the steps that go astray.

Let us pray

Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth, come into our hearts; give to all peoples the brightness of they light, that they may be well pleasing to thee in unity of faith. Amen

Ninth Day:

Thou on those who evermore, Thee confess and thee adore, In they sevenfold gift descend.

Give them comfort when they die Give them life with thee on high, Give them joys which never end.

Let us pray

Send down upon us, we beseech thee, O Lord, the Holy Spirit, that, inspired and encouraged by him, we may comply with the duties of our state, carry our daily crosses patiently, and grow daily in Christian perfection. Grant us, we beseech thee through the same Divine Spirit, the intentions of this novena or what is most conducive to our eternal salvation and they glory. Amen

A Prayer for Memorial Day

Memorial Day Prayer

Heavenly Father, Today we remember and pay tribute to the men and women of the Armed Services who have died in the defense of our nation; from the days of the Revolution to these days in Iraq and Afghanistan. They paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we hold so dear.

In the words of Sacred Scripture we hear, "There is no greater love then this, than to lay down one's life for a friend." It is only by your grace and the love they have for you and this nation that gave them the strength to lay down their lives.

We beseech you O Lord, to receive these servants of peace into your loving embrace and grant them the eternal peace that surpasses all understanding.

We also remember the family members of these great heroes. They too suffer a great and painful sacrifice. Bestow upon them the blessings of your consolation and peace. May you ease their sadness as they continue on the road to serenity and hope.

To you we offer this prayer knowing you fulfill the heart's desire of those who seek you with noble intentions. May our prayer for true and lasting peace be answered in accordance to your will and for the good of your sons and daughters. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Peace. Amen

Patrick McNabb Named New Principal of OLM School

Patrick H. McNabb, new Principal of OLM School

Father Bernard A. Healey, Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, has appointed Mr. Patrick H. McNabb as Principal of Our Lady of Mercy Regional School. “I am thrilled to accept the leadership of Our Lady of Mercy School, and I am grateful to Fr. Healey for this wonderful opportunity. I look forward to working together with our teachers, students, families, and parish community to help all of our students become the saints and scholars God is calling them to be.” said McNabb.

McNabb holds a B.A. in History from Haverford College and a M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from National Louis University. With experience in teaching and administration, he has served as a coach, classroom teacher, and Vice-Principal. Since 2016, he has served as Middle School Religion Teacher and Director of Faith Formation at Holy Name Church and School in Fall River, MA. Previous to working at Holy Name School, McNabb began his career in education at the Shelby Middle School in Shelby, Mississippi for Teach for America. He went on to serve as Middle School Teacher and then Vice-Principal at KIPP DC: KEY Academy in Washington, DC and as Vice-Principal of KIPP DC: College Preparatory in Washington, DC. Principal McNabb and his wife are parishioners of St. Barnabas Church in Portsmouth, RI and are the parents of two young children.

Our Lady of Mercy Regional School opened in 1950 under the direction of the Religious Sisters of Mercy with just one hundred thirty-eight pupils. The faculty consisted of three Sisters of Mercy with one sister also serving as the principal. Today, the school offers Pre-K through 8th grade instruction to approximately 255 students with a faculty of over 20. Our Lady of Mercy Pastor, Father Healey, stated: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Patrick McNabb as Principal of our parish school. He brings a wealth of educational experience, an abundance of energy and talent and most importantly a strong commitment to his Catholic Faith. We welcome him to our parish family and look forward to Patrick’s skillful and faith-filled leadership of Our Lady of Mercy School.”

A Prayer to the Blessed Mother for the Month of May

Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven)

The opening words of the Eastertide anthem of the Blessed Virgin, the recitation of which is prescribed from Compline of Holy Saturday until Afternoon Prayer of the Saturday after Pentecost inclusively. Substitute this prayer for the Angelus during the Paschal (Easter) season. The authorship of the "Regina Caeli" being unknown, legend says the St. Gregory the Great (d. 604) heard the first three lines chanted by angels on a certain Easter morning in Rome while he walked barefoot in a great religious procession and that the saint thereupon added the fourth line: "Ora pro nobis Deum. Alleluia." A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly recite this according to the formula indicated for the time of the year. It is a praiseworthy practice to recite these prayers in the early morning, at noon, and in the evening.

V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia:
R. For he whom thou hast deserved to bear, alleluia,

V. Hath risen, as he said, alleluia.
R. Pray for us to God, alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who by the Resurrection of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, has vouchsafed to make glad the whole world, grant, we beseech thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. (Roman Breviary)

V. Regína caéli laetáre, allelúia.
R. Quía quem meruísti portáre, allelúia.

V. Resurréxit sícut díxit, allelúia.
R. Ora pro nóbis Déum, allelúia.

V. Gáude et laetáre, Vírgo María, allelúia.
R. Quía surréxit Dóminus vére, allelúia.

Oremus: Déus, qui per resurrectiónem Fílii Túi Dómini nóstri Jésu Chrísti múndum laetificáre dignátus es: praésta, quaésumus: ut per ejus Genitrícem Vírginem Maríam, perpétuae capiámus gáudia vítae. Per eúndem Chrístum Dóminum nóstrum. Ámen.

Prayer Source: Enchiridion of Indulgences , June 29, 1968

A Prayer for the Christians of Sri Lanka

Pope Francis’ Prayer for Peace and Protection from Violence and from Terrorism

O almighty and merciful God, Lord of the universe and of history. All that You have created is good and your compassion for the mistakes of mankind knows no limits.

We come to You today to ask You to keep in peace the world and its people, to keep far away from it the devastating wave of terrorism, to restore friendship and instill in the hearts of your creatures the gift of trust and of readiness to forgive.

O Giver of life, we pray to You also for all those who have died as victims of brutal terrorist attacks. Grant them their eternal reward. May they intercede for the world that is torn apart by conflicts and disagreements.

O Jesus, Prince of Peace, we pray to You for the ones who have been wounded in these acts of inhuman violence: children and young people, old people and innocent people accidentally involved in evil. Heal their bodies and hearts; console them with Your strength and, at the same time, take away any hatred and a desire for revenge.

Holy Spirit Consoler, visit the families of the victims of terrorism, families that suffer through no fault of their own. Wrap them in the mantle of Your divine mercy. Make them find again in You and in themselves the strength and courage to continue to be brothers and sisters for others, above all for immigrants, giving witness to Your love by their lives.

Touch the hearts of terrorists so that they may recognize the evil of their actions and may turn to the way of peace and goodness, of respect for the life and for the dignity of every human being, regardless of religion, origin, wealth or poverty.

O God, Eternal Father, in Your mercy hear our prayer which we raise up to You amidst the deafening noise and desperation of the world. We turn to You with great hope, full of trust in

Your infinite Mercy. Made strong by the examples of the blessed martyrs who have rendered courageous testimony to the Gospel, to the point of offering their blood, we entrust ourselves to the intercession of Your Most Holy Mother. We ask for the gift of peace and of the elimination from our midst of the sore of terrorism.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen

A Prayer for the Easter Season

This ancient sequence is sung or prayed every day from Easter Sunday through all the Easter Octave. ords: Wigbert [Wipo of Burgundy] (d. 1050?); tr. The Antiphoner and Grail, 1880, alt. Music: Victimae Paschai laudes, plainsong, Mode I; melody att. Wigbert [Wipo of Burgundy] (d. 1050?)

Victimae paschali, The Easter Sequence

Victimae paschali laudes immolent Christiani.

Agnus redemit oves: Christus innocens Patri Reconciliavit peccatores.

Mors et vita duello conflixere mirando, Dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus.

Dic nobis Maria, quid vidisti in via? Sepulcrum Christi viventis, Et gloriam vidi resurgentis:

Angelicos testes, sudarium et vestes. Surrexit Christus spes mea: Praecedet vos in Galilaeam.

Credendum est magis soli Mariae veraci Quam Judaeorum Turbae fallaci.

Scimus Christum surrexisse a mortuis vere: Tu nobis, victor Rex, miserere. Amen. Alleluia.

Christians, to the Paschal victim Offer your thankful praises!

A Lamb the sheep redeemeth: Christ, who only is sinless, Reconciles sinners to the Father.

Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.

Speak, Mary, declaring What you saw, wayfaring. "The tomb of Christ, who is living, the glory of Jesus' resurrection;

"Bright angels attesting, The shroud and napkin resting. t"Yes, Christ my hope is arisen; o Galilee he goes before you."

Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning! Amen. Alleluia!