Dear Brothers and Sisters:

In his first encyclical as our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has
written a very important and beautiful treatise called “Deus Caritas
Est”, or “God is Love” (please see www.vatican.va). This encyclical
focuses on God’s love for us and our responsibility as a Christian
community to share that love with one another. The Pope
writes, “Love of neighbor, grounded in love of God, is first
and foremost a responsibility of each individual member of  
the faithful, but is also a responsibility of the entire Church
at every level.”  Through this letter we are reminded of
God’s true love for us and are called to keep His
redemptive work alive and active in our world.

 In calling this encyclical to your attention it is my hope that
you will see that in our community our Church takes its
responsibility for charity very seriously and effectively. 
In so many ways we reach out to people who are in need, spiritually, socially, and educationally, to be certain that all who reach out to us are touched by God’s love.  Without a doubt, in the brief time I have been among you, I have witnessed incredible acts of charity and truly faith-filled support for the ministry of the Church.

I am very grateful for all you have done to support the many works of our Church, locally at your parishes, within our diocese, and at the national and international levels as well.  As we continue to work together as a community of love and concern, I hope you take heart in the words of our Holy Father, “I wish to offer a special word of gratitude and appreciation for all those who undertake these activities in any way.”
 
Assuring of my daily prayers of gratitude for the generous support of so many throughout the State of Rhode Island, I am, 

Sincerely yours,

Thomas J Tobin
Bishop of Providence

Together, we are making a real difference

Throughout our State, the generosity of Rhode Islanders like you is making a real difference in the lives of those in need.
Truly, everywhere you look in Rhode Island, the Catholic Charity Fund is helping our neighbors who struggle to make ends meet, as well as spreading the Gospel of Christ. Whether it be working with the disadvantaged through the St. Martin de Porres Multi-Service center in Providence, teaching the Sacraments to handicapped children and adults through our diocesan-wide SPRED program, or caring for families in crisis through the Office of Family Ministry, it is through the Catholic Charity Fund and the ministries it supports that we, as good stewards of the Faith, live a life in the image of Christ.
Each day, the diocese's many ministries are providing basic services such as food, clothing and shelter to the poor and disadvantaged. In many instances, the families and individuals we serve are left with no place to turn for help. Thanks to your support, we can provide a warm meal for a family in need or help to find adequate housing. In addition, to these many basic physical needs, there are literally hundreds of people in need of spiritual care that served by our ministries in need of spiritual care ­ care that only we can provide.
Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of so many people; your gifts help to change lives and impact your neighbors in so many meaningful ways. The Diocese and its people are truly blessed by the selfless sharing of your blessings and generosity. I pray that you will continue to support these charitable needs that are so important in the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters.

Sincerely yours,
Thomas J. Tobin
Bishop of Providence