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February 20, 2022Dear Parishioners,
This weekend we begin our part in the Catholic Charity Fund Appeal for the Diocese of Providence. Letters have already been sent out to families of the parish. Once again, the diocese asks us to give both spiritually and materially to help support those in need. While the petition remains the same, the circumstances each year change. Times are most certainly difficult for many. The Appeal exists precisely for times such as these. Through it, we know that our support goes to help the vulnerable and needy. As our Lord reminds us: “Whatever you did for the least of my brethren, you did for me.” This is just a short list of ministries the Appeal supports:
- Social service ministries providing direct support to the poor, the hungry and homeless. For example, St. Martin de Porres center assists around 300-400 households regularly.
- Immigration and refugee services (Afghan refugees arrived recently from El Paso).
- Emergency rent and medical aid. The Keep the Heat On program helped 437 households so far this year (last year it was about 183).
- Prison ministry.
- Justice and peace education, which works to end violence in the inner city.
- Community advocacy for needs in the community.
- Social service ministries that work in concert with other ministries, such as the State Department of Elderly Affairs to provide services to Rhode senior citizens, as well as Respite Care for those who assist the sick and elderly.
- Child care voucher program for low income families. The Life and Family ministry program helps 15-20 families per day with diapers, formula, etc.
- A youth camp.
- Two youth centers.
- Statewide sports league (Catholic Athletic League - CAL). Many of our children, students, and parents participate in CAL.
- Substantial financial and scholarship aid to students with financial need to attend Rhode Island Catholic schools. Many of our parish school students go to St. Raphael Academy and receive aid to do so.
- Grants for ministries outside the diocese that provide service consistent with that of the case statement of the Fund, for instance, the Rhode Island Food Bank and the Rhode Island Poverty Institute.
- Grants to “Keep The Heat On," a program for emergency heating assistance for low income individuals or families.
Next weekend, Sunday February 27th from 11:30AM until 1:00PM our parish hosts a Free Estate Planning Seminar. I encourage anyone who has questions about financial planning at death for family or friends to attend. Of course, preparing for death is not simply a matter of finances. The most important preparation concerns one’s soul; ensuring that one is in a right relationship with God. One part of that includes ensuring the celebration of the funeral Mass. One trend I have noticed is the lack of Masses offered by children (or other relative) for deceased parents. It is important to put in writing your desire for the a funeral Mass.
God bless,
Fr. Barrow
