1804 ATWOOD AVENUE
JOHNSTON, RHODE ISLAND 02919

PARISH OFFICE: 401-232-5600
                                srbp1804@aol.com

FAMILY FAITH FORMATION, OUTREACH & EVANGELIZATION: 401-232-9321
                            srbccd2020@gmail.com

FAX: 401-231-5793

Office Hours: Monday - Friday
9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
CLOSED NOON - 12:30 FOR LUNCH

Parish Office - Please call ahead & wear a mask.

To view a livestream broadcast, scroll down and click on the "eCatholic - Live" media player.  -------------------------------------   Since March, 2020 I have been sending daily emails to the families registered in the Faith Formation program and people I had the opportunity to meet pre-COVID from St. Robert Bellarmine parish. I try to send articles, prayers, quips, insights and ideas to help on this amazing journey of faith called life. My simple goal is to keep this Parish family together during this unprecedented time in history. I am inviting anyone who is interested in receiving the emails to please send me your email to srbccd2020@gmail.com. I will not share your email with anyone. Peace, Dina ------------------------------------------------------------------------ COVID-19 Update December 3, 2020 A Letter from Bishop Tobin Regarding COVID-19 Vaccines             To the Faithful of the Diocese of Providence:      Numerous reports indicate that at least two COVID-19 vaccines will soon be available. This development in fighting this terrible disease is indeed very good news and should be for us a source of hope and gratitude.            The development of these vaccines will also raise, and indeed already has raised, some questions about the moral permissibility of receiving these vaccines if they have been developed in any way that involves the use of cell lines from aborted babies. It is a complex and sensitive matter. Nonetheless, a careful evaluation of this situation from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (the USCCB), includes the following:            “Neither the Pfizer nor the Moderna vaccine involved the use of cell lines that originated in fetal tissue taken from the body of an aborted baby at any level of design, development, or production. They are not completely free from any connection to abortion, however, as both Pfizer and Moderna made use of a tainted cell line for one of the confirmatory lab tests of their products. There is thus a connection, but it is relatively remote.”      In short the USCCB evaluation, backed-up by previous instructions from the Holy See, affirms that “at the level of the recipient, it is morally permissible to accept vaccination when there are no alternatives and there is a serious risk to health.”      When the vaccines become available, individuals should be encouraged to receive the vaccine to promote their own health and safety and that of others. This is consistent with the Catholic commitment on promoting the common good. Nonetheless, if individuals have serious moral objections to, or health concerns about, receiving the vaccines, those concerns should be respected and the individuals should not be forced to be vaccinated if so doing is contrary to their conscience.            I hope that this information will be helpful for you. In receiving the news of the vaccines we realize that the fight against this terrible pandemic is not over. We need to continue our vigilance, and to pray for all who have suffered from the dire consequences of the virus. May God remove this terrible plague from our midst and grant healing, comfort and peace to all.      With my best wishes, prayers and blessings, I remain,      Sincerely yours,      Thomas J. Tobin      Bishop of Providence -------------------------------------- December 18, 2020 Even after the RI Pause comes to an end, as of December 21, 2020, the capacity for houses of worship will remain at 25% of fire code capacity. Parishioners and friends should know that this does not directly impact us or change anything here at St. Robert Bellarmine. Since our reopening back at the end of May, due to social distancing requirements, we have not even been able to accomodate 25% of capacity. Having said that, things will continue just as they have been since our reopening. Please continue to call ahead for seating for Saturday and Sunday Masses. ================================ October 30, 2020 At the request of the Office of the Bishop of the Diocese of Providence, the following correspondence is being published for your review and consideration:                          Dear Parishioners, On behalf of our parish, I would like to thank you for the generosity and flexibility you have demonstrated as we continue to provide safe ways in which we can worship the Lord here at our church. Please know that the guidelines enacted to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 have worked. The spread of COVID-19 has not been traced to any Catholic church in the State of Rhode Island. This reflects your willingness to follow safe protocols in order to protect fellow parishioners and our community at large. I am grateful. (1) Please come to Mass wearing a mask and continue to sanitize your hands. (2) If you are sick—even with the mildest of symptoms—you must stay home. We continue to live-stream the Masses for this purpose. (3) This is important: please do not congregate in the church or outside, and always maintain distance of at least six feet between others when you are entering or exiting the church. In some churches, parishioners sometimes exit at the same time and congregate in large groups outside. This is understandable. After all, we all need community. But this unfortunately defeats the purpose of keeping our distance to ensure everyone is safe. Thank you for understanding the importance of these guidelines during this critical time. I am confident that with prayer, and the Lord’s unfailing help, we will get through this together. After all, God is in charge.

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