Office of Governmental Liaison
One Cathedral Square
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
(Matthew 25:34-40)
Please consider voicing your support for those in the greatest of need. Participants of the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition’s “Fighting Poverty With Faith” conference, learned that 3,000 families - including over 5,200 children - would be cut from the Rhode Island Works Program, the state’s cash assistance program for needy families. Despite the harsh economy and 11 percent unemployment, families will lose assistance because of time limits enacted in the program last year. This “request for action” - urged by Linda Katz from the Poverty Institute and Elizabeth Burke Bryant from RI Kids Count - was for the faith community to help enact a legislative change to postpone the implementation of the time limits for 12 months.
On Tuesday, leaders representing the state’s diverse faith communities held a press conference at the State House where they urged elected officials to extend the Rhode Island Works Program benefits for another 12 months to prevent over 3,000 families from losing their cash assistance benefits during this challenging economy. Please consider contacting your elected officials and urge them to help those in the greatest need and postpone for twelve months the implementation of this program.
To find your senator or representative,
log onto www.sec.state.ri.us/vic.
Pope: Don't Forget God on Vacation!
He Also Says Work Should Not Distract Us From God.
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 3, 2009 (Zenit.org).-
Pope Benedict XVI is proposing that the way to live an authentic life is by
leaving moments for God, both during work and during vacation.
The Pope suggested this Wednesday during the general audience in St. Peter's
Square, during which he focused on the figure of Rabanus Maurus, an 8th century
monk from Germany. Rabanus Maurus was a Moor, a black man, whose face is
figured on the Pope’s Coat of Arms. He had an ancient connection with Bavaria,
the section of Germany in which the Pope grew up. The Holy Father focused his
address by citing one of Rabanus' instructions: "He who neglects
contemplation is deprived of the vision of the light of God; he who is carried
away with worry and allows his thoughts to be crushed by the tumult of the
things of the world is condemned to the absolute impossibility of penetrating
the secrets of the invisible God."
The Pontiff contended that "Rabanus Maurus addressed these words to us today."
The Holy Father explained: "While at work, with its frenetic rhythms, and during vacation, we have to reserve moments for God. We have to open our lives up to him, directing a thought to him, a reflection, a brief prayer. And above all, we must not forget that Sunday is the day of Our Lord, the day of the liturgy, the day to perceive in the beauty of our churches, in our sacred music and in the Word of God, the same beauty found in God, allowing him to enter into our souls."
"Only in this way," the Pontiff concluded, by our constant connection with God, "is our life made great.” We become truly alive when we allow God to be regularly part of our lives.
Women’s Group
will sponsor a day trip
to the hilarious performance of
“Self Help”
at the Granite Theatre
in Westerly, RI.
on Sunday, September 27.
The trip includes
motor coach transportation
provided by Conway Tours,
lunch at the Venice Restaurant (chicken picatta or baked scrod)
followed by the 2pm performance.
The bus will leave St. Francis Church parking lot at 10:45am.
A firm commitment
of 30 persons is needed
BEFORE Friday, June 19, 2009
so the event can be confirmed.
The price is $71.00 per person
which includes bus, meal and theatre.
Call Cheryl at the rectory at 737-5191. Everyone is invited
– both men and women --
so mark the calendar.
St. Francis Parent School Association is sponsoring an end-of-school-year picnic event to say “Goodbye” to St. Francis School after 46 years. Please plan on spending some time with us at the SHRINER’S PARK, across from St. Rose & Clement Church on Long Street in Buttonwoods from 12noon – 6pm, SATURDAY, JUNE 20TH. All current students, faculty and families, as well as past faculty, alumni and parishioners are invited. While more details will be coming regarding food and activities, please return the form below or call the school (737-2721) to give us a tentative idea of how many people may be coming which will assist us in our planning. Thank you, and see you on the 20th!
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Family Name__________________
Student/family/faculty? (………..)
Grade: ______________________
Alumni/former faculty? (…….….)
Parishioner? (………………………)
# of People: _________________
