Bishop Bruce Lewandowski Visits OLM Parish and School;
Celebrates Mass for Feast of Our Lady of Mercy
Consecrates Newly Renovated Library
The Most Reverend Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., Bishop of the Diocese of Providence, visited the OLM Parish Community on Wednesday, September 24 to celebrate Mass, visit with students, faculty, staff and families at school, and bless the newly-renovated school library.
During his homily at Mass, Bishop Lewandowski encouraged the students to put mercy into action, reaching out in kindness and compassion when they see someone in need. A dynamic homilist, the Bishop had the entire student body on their feet, chanting “Mercy begins with Me.” Mass was con-celebrated by OLM Pastor Father Bernard Healey and Associate Pastor Father Joseph Brodeur, Father Daniel Mahoney, Pastor at St. Pius X in Westerly and Father Daniel Proccaccini, Pastor of St. Francis DeSales in North Kingstown.
Following the mass, the Bishop proceeded to the newly-renovated OLM School Library where middle schoolers were waiting to greet him. The library renovations were underwritten by Simon and Sinead Campion whose daughter Allison was a member of the OLM the class of 2019. The library is now named the Murray Library, in honor of George and Annette Murray, Mrs. Campion’s parents. After a brief collation, the Bishop visited several classrooms to meet with students. In Mrs. Jennifer Nygren’s Fifth Grade Classroom, he blessed a statue of the newly-canonized Saint Carlo Acutis. He was especially happy to meet the students in Ms. Jean Perretta’s Second Grade Classroom, who are preparing for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion this year. The Bishop was very pleased with the display of the “Mercy 21” initiative which he instituted throughout the Diocese for 21 Days this month. Under the direction of Technology Teacher Mrs. Jacqueline DeNuccio, students created flyers in computer class, highlighting various ways to live out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
With a tradition of excellence in Catholic education since 1951, Our Lady of Mercy School supports its students as they strive to be the saints and scholars that God is calling them to be. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Pre-K through Grade 8, co-educational Catholic school located in East Greenwich, RI offers its students the opportunity to pursue excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts in a nurturing environment built upon the teachings of the Catholic Church.
