Do you have effective faith?

Homily of Bishop Tobin from the 2012 Chrism Mass

office — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:21:38 +0000

(PROVIDENCE, R.I.)-The Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence delivered the following homily at the 2012 Chrism Mass held in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul last evening.

Convocation inspires participants to share their faith

office — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:39:30 +0000

BY BRIAN J.LOWNEY, ASSISTANT EDITOR
3/22/12
SMITHFIELD – Some attended with a goal of enriching their faith, while others sought to learn new strategies to help guide their religious education students in making the best choices for themselves as they grow into adults.

These were some of the 960 catechists, religious, parish ministers and laity who gathered last Saturday in the spirit of St. Patrick for the 45th annual diocesan faith formation convocation. Entitled “Do This in Memory of Me,” the goal of the daylong program at Bryant University was to strengthen their faith and learn new ways to share their many gifts with others.

Five Problems with Homosexual “Marriage”

office — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:40:44 +0000

BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN
3/14/12
It’s a sure sign of spring, as predictable as the Red Sox at spring training, the swallows returning to Capistrano, and the flowing of green beer on St. Patrick’s Day. I’m referring of course to the public re-appearance of the determined proponents of homosexual marriage.

It seems that each year at this time the left-leaning columnists, the organized advocates, and the lobbyists at the State House awaken from their hibernation to take-up their perennial campaign to redefine marriage in Rhode Island and impose their personal preferences upon the citizenry of our State.

Why You Do What You Do for Lent

office — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 04:11:42 +0000

BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN
3/1/12

So, if someone were to ask you what you’re doing for Lent this year, you might answer rather quickly, “I’m giving up desserts.”

Or, “I’m going to Stations of the Cross.” Or, “I’m giving a generous donation to the Catholic Charity Appeal.” All of these things are worthwhile and certainly consistent with the threefold pillars of Lent, “prayer, fasting and good works.”

But if someone were to ask you why you’re doing these things, you might have to think a little bit before you answer. You might say it’s because you do the same thing every year. Or because it’s what the Church tells you to do. Or because it makes you feel good. While each of these answers has some value, the reasons for our Lenten practices should be a little more profound.

Challenging the delegation on the HHS mandate

office — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:10:12 +0000

BY RICK SNIZEK, EDITOR
2/23/12

PROVIDENCE — Leaders of the state’s two Catholic institutions of higher learning, Catholic health services group and Catholic assisted living and nursing homes have joined Bishop Thomas J. Tobin in signing letters addressed to members of Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation encouraging them to press the Obama Administration to rescind its “unconstitutional ruling” regarding the imposed health care mandate, and to show support for a pair of bills in the legislature aimed at protecting religious liberties. The letters, dated Feb. 15, were sent to the four legislators representing the state in Washington, D.C.: Democratic Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and Reps. Jim Langevin and David Cicilline.

The Sterile Life of the Everyday Atheist

office — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:07:10 +0000

“Atheism is the death of hope, the suicide of the soul.”
BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN
2/16/11

It seems that there’s been a resurgence of atheism recently, across the nation, and certainly here in Rhode Island. The epicenter of this godless movement, at least for the moment, is in Cranston, Rhode Island, where a fierce battle over a public high school prayer banner has pitted believers against non-believers.

With that backdrop I’ve been thinking about atheism recently, and the toll it takes on the human person, and my reflections are well-summarized in the quotation, from an anonymous source, referenced above: “Atheism is the death of hope, the suicide of the soul.”

In the title I refer to an “everyday atheist,” for here I’m thinking not so much about philosophers or scientists who adopt atheism as a hypothetical construct, although they too have a problem explaining the ultimate mysteries of life. But I’m thinking more about the person who claims to be an atheist and then tries to live without any reference to God. This is the “practical and existential atheism” which Blessed John Paul II described so well in his writings.

Bishop Gelineau marks 40 years as grateful shepherd

office — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:06:01 +0000

BY BRIAN J. LOWNEY, ASSISTANT EDITOR
2/9/12

PROVIDENCE – On Thanksgiving Eve, 1971, then-Msgr. Louis E. Gelineau received a surprise when he was called into the office of Burlington, Vermont Bishop Robert Joyce and was told that Pope Paul VI had chosen him to be the next Bishop of Providence.

Statement of Bishop Tobin on HHS Mandate

office — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:00:17 +0000

“The ruthless decision of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to impose mandatory coverage for sterilizations and contraceptives upon private insurance programs, including those offered by the Catholic Church, is an unprecedented, outrageous and unacceptable attack on religious freedom and the moral life and ministry of the Church.

In practical terms, the imposition of this mandate could mean that Catholic institutions will no longer be able to provide health insurance for their own employees. I encourage all members of our diocesan Church to contact their representatives in Congress (information below) to urge them to oppose this attack on religious freedom and to support legislation that will respect the right of the Catholic Church and other faith communities to provide health insurance in a way that will conform with their deeply held religious beliefs.”

Read the Rhode Island Catholic editorial published in the January 26, 2012 edition.

Senator Jack Reed
1000 Chapel View Blvd., Suite 290
Cranston, RI 02920
Office Phone: 401-943-3100
E-Mail: http://reed.senate.gov/contact/contact-share.cfm

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
Rhode Island Office
170 Westminster Street
Suite 1100
Providence, RI 02903
Office Phone: 401-453-5294
E-Mail: http://whitehouse.senate.gov/contact/

Representative David Cicilline
Rhode Island Office
1070 Main Street, Suite 300,
Pawtucket, RI 02860
Phone: 401-729-5600
E-mail: https://cicilline.house.gov/contact-me/email-me – please visit this link & complete the online form

Representative James Langevin
Rhode Island Office
300 Centerville Road
Suite 200
Warwick, RI 02886
Office Phone: 401-732-9400
E-Mail: http://langevin.house.gov/comments.shtml

Taking a stand to protect human life

office — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:13:03 +0000

BY RICK SNIZEK, EDITOR
1/26/12
CRANSTON — Rosa Rivas, a parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Providence, attended her first Respect Life Mass Saturday as a new member of the diocesan pro-life movement.

She admits to making a poor choice when she underwent an abortion many years ago, a decision she now deeply regrets.
“Now, I’m following in God’s footsteps. It gives me strength. I do it for the glory and honor of God,” she said.

Relevant Radio® Comes To The East Coast

office — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:09:46 +0000

(GREEN BAY)-Rev. Francis J. Hoffman, Executive Director of Relevant Radio, was pleased to announce that Relevant Radio entered into an agreement with Salem Communications to purchase WBZS 550 AM located in Providence, Rhode Island, on January 6th, 2012. The official FCC Application was filed on January 17, 2012.