PASTOR’S CORNER:  We must never forget

MAY 28—This weekend the nation pauses to honor those who have served in uniform and have left us for heavenly shores.  We can never repay the debt we owe to those who have kept us safe and placed themselves in harm’s way during peace and war times. They left their homes and families and made sacrifices that will never be known to us.  Our best way to say thank you is to remember them in prayer and ask the good Lord to repay them for their brave and noble deeds.  May all our veterans rest in peace and may we never forget them!

IT’S A NEW LOOK—What a difference for our parking lots with the new blacktop of our school and church parking pavements and striping.  Our thanks for your patience and cooperation for a few days as Corey Vingi, the owner of QUALITY ASPHALT AND SEALCOATING and a parishioner, spent long hours in the afternoon sun resurfacing and then adding new stripes.  We also increased the number of handicapped parking spaces by the side door for our friends who need special parking places.  Corey is a full-time member of the Providence Police Department and works for the business that his father started many years ago.  If you have pavement or repair needs at your home or business, give him a call at 401-283-9815 and get a new look for your property as well.

HISTORY ADDED TO OUR SAINT SHRINE—Take a look at the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue now in our front shrine. It is the original one that stood tall in Saint Francis Church since it was a mission church of Saint Joseph Church in West Warwick in 1873. The Misionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) priests from Canada staffed the parishes and made Saint Francis a full-time parish in 1943. The statue came to us with the sale of Saint Francis Church. It was my home parish growing up and on Sunday, December 11, 1983 I offered my first Mass there after being ordained a priest by the Most Reverend Kenneth A. Angell, Auxiliary Bishop of Providence on Saturday, December 10, 1983. Yes … 40 years ago this year! Our gratitude to Fr. Andrew Messina who gave the statue to us. There is more to come to us over the next few days as some items from Saint Benedict will also be added to our church—keeping the memories of both parishes alive at Saint Kevin’s.

Summer is dawning and this column takes a short break. Have a great summer: relax, have fun, and stay safe! Have a great week and God bless. —Father Bob Marciano

CATHOLIC CHARITY APPEAL: You did it!
May 21—We are the first parish in the diocese to reach and surpass our Catholic Charity goal of $79,230 and have raised $90,088!   Many thanks to all of our donors in this important appeal.

St. Kevin Parish Goal:  $79,230
Pledges as of May 21:  $90,088

Parish Monthly Calendar
Confessions are heard on the first Saturday of every month from 3:15–3:45 p.m.
Safe Haven, a bereavement support group, meets the second and fourth Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in Fr. O’Hara Hall
Bible Study meetings with Deacon John are held the first and third Tuesdays from 6:30–8 p.m. in Fr. O’Hara Hall
St. Kevin Parish Prayer Group meets every Monday at 3 p.m. in Fr. O’Hara Hall to pray the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Ladies of St. Kevin Ministry meets on the third Monday at 7 p.m. in Fr. O’Hara Hall
Adult Preparation for the Sacraments: Deacon John Fulton is starting a new class to prepare adults for the sacraments of Baptism, Penance, Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Please email Deacon John at Fult100w@gmail.com if you wish to join.

Parish Giving is a safe, secure, and easy way to support St. Kevin Parish by making your weekly budget donations online. And registering for a personal and secure online Parish Giving account is an easy way to support our parish during these confusing times.

•  98% of the collection remittance goes directly to St. Kevin’s
•  Budget contributions can be automatically deducted or submitted at parishioner convenience
•  Payments can be made by checking account withdrawal, debit, or credit card
•  All contributions are credited to your current budget account
•  Using Parish Giving helps keep down the parish’s costs of printing and mailing budget envelope

→ Find more information at Parish Giving

→ Print New Account Set-Up Instructions (pdf)