Bishop Tobin Celebrates 70th Birthday with Mass and a Visit to Our Lady of Mercy School
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Diocese of Providence, celebrated his 70th birthday with over 300 students, teachers, parents and members of the parish clergy and religious sisters at Our Lady of Mercy Parish and School on Friday, April 6. He began with the celebration of the OLM School First Friday Mass at 9 a.m. OLM School Students from the 4th and 8th Grades served as readers, altar servers and the OLM School Choir provided the music. At the mass, the students presented the Bishop with 70 homemade birthday cards in honor of his April 1st Birthday along with a basket of OLM School gifts including a few surprises for his beloved dog, Annie.
Immediately following the First Friday Mass, the Bishop visited the school cafeteria where several students, faculty and parents were gathered and celebrated his birthday with a beautiful cake. Created by OLM School Administrative Assistant Irene Buonaccorsi, the black and gold cake designed in the shape of a Bishop’s mitre was decorated in the theme of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bishop’s favorite NFL Football Team. Students also presented him with a Steelers jersey with his name on the back and the number 70 highlighting his birthday age. The Bishop then visited several classrooms where he answered the student’s many questions and encouraged all of the children to continue to celebrate the Easter Season with faith, hope and joy. Pledging his prayers for the students, he asked the students to keep him in their prayers. Many of the students sang “Happy Birthday’ for the Bishop when he entered their classroom much to his delight.
With a tradition of excellence in Catholic elementary and middle school education since 1951, Our Lady of Mercy School offers its students an opportunity to pursue excellence in academics, athletics and the arts. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Pre-K through Grade 8, co-educational Catholic school located in East Greenwich provides a nurturing, values-driven environment built upon the teachings of the Catholic Church.
