PASTOR'S CORNER

Dear Parishioners,

The Covid-19 virus has everyone on high alert. I think the best advice I’ve heard is to be calm but cautious. We are going to be doing just that here at St. Paul’s. You noticed last week that we omitted the “sign of peace” before Holy Communion. This will continue for the foreseeable future. Here are some other helpful tips for you to keep in mind:

-Until we receive direction from the diocese, we will continue to keep holy water by the doors. We will however be frequently changing and cleaning the trays.

-After each Mass, we will be wiping down the backs of the pews and other commonly touched areas (door handles, bathrooms, etc.)

-Please make use of the hand sanitizer by the doors before and/or after Mass.

-If you are worried about receiving Holy Communion, make sure your hands are clean. Might I also suggest that receiving on the tongue is more sanitary? It eliminates the possibility of transferring something from your hands into your mouth. If you wish to receive in this manner, make sure your mouth is open and tongue is out far enough to receive the Sacred Host.

-If you are not feeling well, PLEASE stay home. You are always dispensed from your obligation to attend Mass if you are sick.

If I receive any other information, I will make sure to pass it along to you via flocknote. Also, don’t forget to come this Monday evening to hear Sister Elizabeth Castro HMSP! She is an amazing and engaging person. She will talk about “Holiness and Mission”. Confessions are at 6:30PM, Stations of the Cross at 7:00PM followed by Sister’s short reflection. Don’t miss it!

In Christ,

Fr. Young

March GIFT Session – Sunday & Thursday

What is GIFT?

At St. Paul's we believe people should have opportunities to learn and grow in faith throughout their entire lives. This is why we offer GIFT - free monthly learning sessions for people of all ages. GIFT is always offered on a Sunday morning at 10:30 and is repeated on a weeknight at 7:00, so everyone can choose the session that is most conducive to their schedule. The sessions are about 45 minutes long and are a great opportunity to listen, learn, ask questions, and talk with other parishioners.  Middle and high school students attend GIFT with their parents, which can lead to great family conversations afterwards. Elementary school students attend Children's GIFT, which runs concurrently with both the Sunday
morning and weeknight sessions. Strive to learn, love, and live the Catholic faith. Come to GIFT! 

This month we continue with our “Come & See” church tour, focusing on our beautiful Stations of the Cross and the confessionals where the Sacrament of Reconciliation takes place. Has it been a while since you’ve been to Confession? Come to see what it looks like behind that heavy curtain, be reminded of how to do it by watching a fun skit, and hear why this Sacrament is one of the greatest gifts of being Catholic. 

GIFT sessions will take place in church TODAY Sunday, March 15th at 10:30AM and on Thursday, March 19th at 7:00PM. See you there!

2020 Catholic Charity Appeal

We will be kicking off our Catholic Charity In-Pew Appeal on the Fourth Sunday of Lent. If you have received a direct letter from the diocese, feel free to make your gift that way.

Just remember to credit St. Paul Cranston! Take the next few weeks to pray about how you will be able to contribute.  And remember, anything over goal comes right back here to the parish!

From Maintenance To Mission

In today’s Gospel St. John tells us the reaction of the
woman at the well when she met Jesus. “The woman left
her water jar and went into the town and said to the people,
“Come see a man who told me everything I have done.
Could he possibly be the Christ?” (4:28-29) And upon
meeting him for themselves they told her, “We no longer
believe because of your word; for we have heard for
ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the
world.’” (4:42) This Gospel story perfectly depicts exactly
what has been happening since we began running the
Alpha program here five years ago; our parish is like the
woman at the well and we love to tell everyone in town
about it so they can experience it, too!

Did you know that during every time we run Alpha we invite
priests and representatives from other parishes, so they
can see for themselves what it’s like? We also go out to
give presentations, and we have lots of conversations over
the phone to explain the process of launching Alpha and to
testify to the many benefits of running it. We’ve even filmed
an infomercial that airs on local cable! The ripple effect of
our prayers and effort is that Alpha is spreading, which
means people are coming to know and more deeply
understand Jesus and the Christian faith on a personal
level, within the context of a small, caring community. We
are truly living our mission and bringing people to Jesus,
within our parish and beyond!

Alpha has already begun in at least two other Rhode Island
parishes, plus one in Milton, Massachusetts, and others are
now considering it. How exciting and wonderful it is for us
to see other parishes being revived, and experiencing the
transformative effects of this program for themselves. And
just like it did for the woman at the well, the Samaritans she
told, the other parishes we have invited, and people who
have already participated, Alpha can change everything for
YOU, too!

Our seventh season of Alpha begins on Friday, April 17th.
Watch and listen for more details in the coming weeks.

Social Sunday – March 29th

March may be a long month, but there’s so many special things to celebrate…St. Patrick’s Day, St. Joseph’s Day, and Social Sunday! Why not invite a friend or two to the 9:30AM Mass on the 29th, then come over to Msgr. Canning Hall for coffee and pastries afterwards? It’s a nice way to introduce people to our warm and friendly community. Are you new to St. Paul’s? Please be sure to
stop in and meet your fellow parishioners! Thank you to the Korean Community who will be hosting this month!

What’s Happening for Lent?

Lent is here! Here are some exciting opportunities to grow closer to God this Lent:
Monday Mission Series
Holiness: Lived and Experienced
Confessions at 6:30PM, Stations of the Cross at 7PM followed by a short reflection from our presenters.

March 9- Prayer: Relationship with the Living and True God. Fr. Josh Barrow

March 16 – Mission: Sharing the Fruits of Holiness with the World – Sr. Elizabeth Castro HMSP

March 23 – Community: We can’t do it alone! Presenter Fr. Nick Fleming

March 30 – Liturgy: Growth in Holiness and Duty to God. Fr. Patrick Briscoe O.P.

Pick a Penance!

It has been a Catholic tradition from the time of the Apostles to do penance in order to grow in holiness. This year, we will be doing penance as a community! Each week, you can pick a penance from baskets by the doors and that’s what you’ll commit to doing for the next 7 days! Maybe you’ll get “No Sweets” or “Only 1 hour of social media per day” or even “Write a hand written note to a different person each day”. The possibilities are endless and the benefits are heavenly!

Congratulations Caroline Bradley – St. Timothy Award Winner!

The St. Timothy Award is a national award given annually in the Diocese of Providence to outstanding juniors and seniors in high school or early college years, who
Live as disciples of Christ, setting a positive example for others
Witness to their faith by exhibiting Catholic morals and integrity
Demonstrate Gospel values through service to others
Exhibit Christian leadership in parish, school, and/or community settings

This award from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry is the highest honor a diocese may present to a Catholic youth.

Congratulations to Caroline Bradley, senior at St. Raphael Academy and recipient of the 2020 St. Timothy Award! Caroline has been a member of our youth choir since second grade, an altar server since fourth grade, is now a sacristan, a lector, an active member of our Youth Group and a leader of our Vacation Bible Camp. Caroline also serves as a Eucharistic Minister during school Masses at St. Rays, and participates on the Diocesan Youth Leadership Team and Youth SEARCH Retreats. Thank you, Caroline, for your shining example of faith and leadership! We are very proud of you and the other recent recipients from our parish, Christian Adams and Celia Parisi!

From Maintenance To Mission

Be holy.

Yes, you! No matter your age, how busy you are, or what other people may think. Every one of us is called by God to be holy. We read it in the Book of Leviticus from the old Testament, and in St. Peter’s First Letter in the New Testament. But why does God insist that we be holy? Pope Francis provides a beautiful answer:

“Do not be afraid of holiness. It will take away none of your energy, vitality or joy. On the contrary, you will become what the Father had in mind when he created you, and you will be faithful to your deepest self. To depend on God sets us free from every form of enslavement and leads us to recognize our great dignity.” (Gaudete et Exsultate, 32)

“To depend on God…” We cannot become holy on our own, we need God’s help (grace). “Sets us free from every form of enslavement…” We are all bound by loads of responsibilities, work, schedules, and commitments. These things control our time and use up our energy, making us like zombie-slaves. But even though holiness requires prayer, sacrifice and generosity, these are choices we make freely; they not only bless the people we help, but they become our own blessings, as well. In God’s economy, the more you give, the more you receive.

To be holy “leads us to recognize our great dignity….” You are worth more than your work. You are valued for far more than your achievements, your title and your bank account. You are loved by God, no matter what, simply because you are You. And you belong to Him; GOD. It is through our relationship with him, as his sons and daughters, that we derive our dignity.
“I’m good enough for heaven just the way I am,” said no Saint ever! This Lent, pray to grow in holiness and see how God blesses you. The ripple effect of your holiness will revitalize your relationships, your work, our parish and beyond.

Vacation Bible Camp – Save the Date!

Our annual week of VBC will take place June 22-26, 8:30-11:30AM each day. Camp is for children who are currently in Pre-K through grade 4. Students who will be going into middle school and high school next year are invited to camp in a leadership role. VBC is always an amazing week for everyone involved, so plan ahead and be sure your children and grandchildren don’t miss out on the fun! We welcome children from our parish, neighborhood, and beyond – so feel free to let your neighbors, cousins, and friends know. More information will be provided in the spring, but for more information anytime please feel free to call the Faith Formation Office.

From Maintenance To Mission

One of the best things about being Catholic is all the beginnings. With all the different liturgical seasons, feast days, and months dedicated to devotions, we literally have so many opportunities to start doing something new throughout the year. This is a great blessing because it can be hard, especially for parents with tweens and teens, to begin doing something religious out of the blue.
When children are very young it’s pretty easy to just start saying a prayer at mealtime, reading from a children’s Bible before bed, or listening to Christian music in the car. Young children are very open to new things that are introduced with joy and love, and they are eager to participate. But try calling your teenagers into the living room on a random Tuesday night and tell them you want to pray the rosary together, and you’re bound to get some resistance. “What? Why? Do we have to? I’m not doing that!”

Thank God for Lent! It’s the perfect time for parents to take the lead with kids of any age and implement a new holy habit for the family, without having to take the heat personally. It could go something like this: “Since it’s Lent, I want to do something new, so when you leave every morning I’m going to trace the Sign of the Cross your forehead and bless you, and after you leave I will say a Hail Mary for you.” Maybe it will feel a little awkward at first, but there’s no doubt that this holy moment you share with your child will quickly become a highlight of both your days. Beginning small things like this during Lent are a path to holiness, to which every family is called.

“As the family goes, so goes the Church.” Perhaps you’ve heard this truthful phrase. Our Church and our world are in desperate need of holiness, and holiness is born in family life. So, this Lent, lead your family to take the first step.

From Maintenance To Mission

Lent arrives this Wednesday – are you ready?

Lent is the season in which we strive our hardest to grow in holiness by choosing to make sacrifices, to pray more, and by generously giving of ourselves to help others. It’s like moving from maintenance to mission on a personal level. To have a good Lent you’ll just need two things. First, a plan. What will you do/not do? Perhaps you’ll give something up, or read a spiritual book, learn a new prayer, or maybe you will take a chance and “pick-a-penance” each week when you come to Mass. Once you have your plan then you’re ready for the other thing you need: help.
The perfect go-to is Mary, our Blessed Mother. She was the first and best disciple, and her role now is to protect us and lead us to her son, Jesus. She never left him, and she will never leave us when we need her. Just as Mary rushed to Jesus as he carried his cross, she will rush to you when you need strength, courage, hope, and love. You can be absolutely certain of this – just ask a pilgrim who has visited the Holy Land.

In the old city of Jerusalem pilgrims today can walk the Way of the Cross – the very same streets that Jesus carried his cross up to Golgotha, the site of the crucifixion. Along the way, the actual

Stations of the Cross are marked on the walls of the city streets. From Station One, where Jesus was condemned to death, to Station Nine, where Jesus fell for the third time, there are alcoves where people step inside to reflect and pray. (Stations Ten through Fourteen are all contained within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher). Perhaps the most moving Station before getting into the church is number Four – where Jesus met his mother. In this candle-lit alcove there is a beautiful statue of Mary with Jesus and his cross, but just down in front of it on the ceramic tile floor there are two footsteps, marking the place of their meeting. To stand in this place is to feel the powerful reality of Mary’s love for her son, and for us. It’s the most heartbreaking and the most comforting place all at the same time, and when you come away from that place you no longer wonder if Mary knows you, or if she really loves you. You just know, and that knowing stays with you.

So, this Lent, make your plan and don’t be afraid to ask our Blessed Mother to help you when you’re feeling weak or tempted. Know that she will come, and she will leave her footsteps in your heart.

40 Days for Life

The nationwide 40 Days for Life Campaign begins on February 26th and ends on April 5th. St. Paul’s will again be participating in this national event. Our prayers have successfully closed the abortion clinic on Broad street, but we can’t give up now! We must continue to be the “salt of the earth” and a light for the unborn. Pledge to say a rosary every day for the 40 days of Lent. Sign up after Masses leading up to Ash Wednesday.

To keep updated on Pro-Life events an opportunities, register in Flocknote and click on the “Pro-Life Group”.

From Maintenance To Mission

 On the seventh day of our pilgrimage we visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Formerly two churches separated by a courtyard, but now together under one very large roof, this church contains both the site of Jesus’ crucifixion as well as the tomb from which he resurrected. For Christians, this most sacred and holy place is the very definition of Love. It is both emotionally and spiritually overwhelming to be there, but the experience becomes a deep font of grace for every pilgrim. At lunch later that day at a Carmelite convent, some members of our group were inspired to share a magnificent poem with Adam Habershaw, our parish Seminarian, and Fr. Young, from a guide book several of them had been reading. It was a very special moment.

“The Beautiful Hands of a Priest” is a poem written from the point of view of the lay faithful. Fr. Charles Samson, author of Come and See, A Catholic Guide to the Holy Land explains that this anonymous poem “evokes tender and awe-filled appreciation for the shepherding that occurs by means of the gentle, sure, and holy hands of the priest.”

 
When we pray to our Heavenly Father out of love for someone, we are following the example of the Saints, and Jesus himself, and we can be certain our prayers will be answered. Let us always remember to pray for our priests!

 

The Beautiful Hands of a Priest

 
We need them in life’s early morning, we need
them again at its close; We feel their warm clasp of friendship, we seek them when tasting life’s woes. At the altar each day we behold them, and the hands
of a king on his throne are not equal to them in their greatness; their dignity stands all alone; And when we are tempted and wander to pathways of shame and sin, It’s the hand of a priest that will absolve us ---not once, but again and again; And when we are taking life’s partner. other hands may prepare us a feast, But the hand that will bless and unite us is the beautiful hand of a priest. God bless them and keep them all holy for the Host which their fingers caress; When can a poor sinner do better than to ask Him to guide
thee and bless? When the hour of death comes
upon us may our courage and strength be increased by seeing raised over us in anointing the beautiful
hands of a priest!

From Maintenance To Mission

The warning was issued because the temptation was great. “Don’t buy the wine, it’s no good!” These are not the words pilgrims expect to hear when visiting Cana in Galilee. Wouldn’t this be the perfect souvenir? Who wouldn’t want to bring home a bottle of wine from the place where Jesus changed water into wine – his first miracle? But on day three of our journey we had come to know and trust our guide, so we saved our shekels to spend on other treasures.
 

Cana was wonderful for other reasons, though, ones that are pertinent this week as we discuss weddings at our GIFT sessions and prepare to celebrate Valentine’s Day. In the church built over the place where that ancient wedding was held, three married couples from our group renewed their wedding vows during the Mass we celebrated there. It was a sacred moment for us all. We were united in joy for the happy couples, and in tears with the widows among us. In Cana our group started to feel more like a family.

 

 As Christians we are a pilgrim people. As Catholics we are united to God and one another through the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. We are a big Catholic family on the move, passing through this life on the way to our eternal home in heaven – unless we’re not. Sometimes we get sidetracked by temptation and trickery from the Devil, or we settle for imitation happiness instead of the real thing. That’s why we need a vibrant parish. A place where we come together in joy and in tears, seeking mercy from Jesus, who wants nothing more than to personally guide us home. If you know someone who has been sidetracked, or who is stuck in the dark along the path, say a prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to be with you. Then talk to the person, let them know you sincerely care, that they are not alone, and that you want to accompany them. Jesus, the Light of the World, will take it from there.

 

 

Cana, the Sanctuary of our Lord’s First Miracle

 

From Maintenance To Mission

The Jerusalem Cross is the beautiful symbol of the Holy Land. It can be seen all around Israel and parts of Palestine, marking the places where the Catholic Church, especially the Franciscans, have maintained custody of holy sites for 800 – 1,200 years. The Jerusalem cross is made up of one large cross in the middle, representing Jesus, and four smaller crosses – one in each quadrant – symbolizing the Gospel going out to the the four corners of the world. It is the perfect symbol for us, too, a parish on a mission.

As disciples of Jesus we strive to stay focused on him, keeping him front and center. He leads, guides, loves, forgives, heals, and blesses us; and we love him back with grateful hearts. From this mutual love, this peace and joy that we experience, we are equipped and inspired to share it with others. Just a simple act of kindness, taking time to listen, or telling someone about a time when you felt close to God in your life. That’s what it means to spread the Gospel, to evangelize, to be on a mission.

This weekend as we celebrate Candlemas, let us pray that like the candles we have blessed at Mass, that we can spread the light and love of Christ everywhere we go, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

 










The photo on the left shows Fr. Young and Deacon Paul on their way in to lunch at the Knights Palace in Jerusalem. The Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher are the ancient defenders of the Holy Land. Today the Order exists primarily to provide for the needs of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land and for the preservation of holy sites. The Jerusalem Cross is worn by Knights of the Holy Sepulcher. Sir Frank Page, our church sexton, is a Knight! The photo on the right is from Frank's investiture in November of 2018.

From Maintenance To Mission

Just a few short weeks ago we celebrated the Baptism of the Lord and followed it up with two GIFT sessions (open Faith Formation sessions for people of all ages) about the sacrament of Baptism. Then, in last Sunday’s Gospel, we heard again how John the Baptist pointed people to Jesus. The Gospel today speaks of John once more, so we can be absolutely certain that he was an important person and there is something we are meant to learn from him. But what is it?

“Yalla!”

No, it’s not a word you can find in your Bible, but it has been expressed by every prophet throughout the ages, every disciple who has ever followed Jesus, and all of the pilgrims who recently travelled to the Holy Land. Alex, our tour guide, used it often. “Yalla!” he said every time we got off the bus. “Yalla!” every time we moved from one site to the next. “Yalla!” “Let’s go!”
 
This simple expression conveyed to us that we were on the move, all together, heading in the same direction. With one heart and one mind we followed where Alex led, leaving no one behind. We trusted his guidance, we marveled at what was revealed to us, and we were richly blessed. “Yalla!” is the message John the Baptist has for us. By our baptism we have been united as a family with a mission. It is our Christian duty to live our lives in a way that point others to Jesus. Let’s go!
 
On our last day in the Holy Land we had the wonderful opportunity to go to Ein Kerem, the birthplace of John the Baptist. In his homily at Mass there, Fr. Fisette told us that our pilgrimage would not end when we boarded the plane later in the day to come home. “Our job is to bring our experience to others, and show them the way to Jesus as John the Baptist did,” he said.
 
Whether or not you have visited the Holy Land, this is a message we can all embrace and live.
 
It’s the perfect message for a parish on the move from maintenance to mission.

From Maintenance To Mission

“Welcome home” – these are the words with which our tour guide, Alex, greeted us with when we arrived in the Holy Land. “Israel is a home for all Christians,” he said, “We belong here.”

As Americans we tend to think of Israel as the land of the Jewish people, and Muslims, too; which indeed it is. Only 2% of the population is Christian, but their presence is absolutely undeniable, and it is taken very seriously. This is true in Bethlehem, where most Christians live, but also in Magdala, Capernaum, Tabgha, Cana, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jaffa and Tel Aviv. In all of these places there were large Christmas trees and Santa’s all around, and signs wishing Christians a Merry Christmas (not “Happy Holidays”). Of course, one of the reasons for this is that the locals recognize the impact Christian pilgrims have on the economy. But nevertheless, it was an unexpected pleasure to see people of ALL faiths taking selfie’s in front of Christmas trees and nativity scenes on public display. There was even a group of Muslims (one particular faction) that waited in line in front of us for two hours to go into the tomb of Jesus!

As we begin this new year, let us pray that our parish can be a place of welcome and belonging, as the Holy Land is, and that we will be a people who respect one another’s differences while we grow in faith together, living our Baptismal call, united in our love of Jesus.

From Maintenance To Mission

Our parish pilgrims are still in the Holy Land. They are praying for us, so let us remember them in our prayers, too. They are scheduled to return this Monday, January 6th.

Prayer for Pilgrims in the Holy Land

Jesus, I pray that our pilgrims will be spiritually nourished as they travel to the holy places shared by Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Recognizing the tension and conflict they may encounter, I pray for their safety and well-being, and that they will minister to one another and those they meet with patience, kindness, and compassion. I pray that they will encounter you as they walk in your footsteps, and that they will be freshly inspired to teach, pray, welcome, love, and evangelize as you did. And when they return, I pray that they will share their experiences of faith and understanding, not only within our parish, but with the wider world. Amen.