Saint Raphael Academy Marks Beginning of the Year with Annual Mass

In its annual tradition, Saint Raphael Academy observed the opening of the school year with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas Tobin this afternoon. The tradition welcomes all students back to campus and is the first time the entire student body assembles together for the year.

Fr. Ryan Simas, Saints’ new chaplain, concelebrated with the bishop, in his first Mass for the community. In his homily, he asked students to begin anew. 

“… All the bad memories that you may have had from last year, is all in the past, and today begins a new day, with fresh opportunities and new experiences. What’s in the past, is in the past, because today God declares to us that He makes all things new,” he said.

Fr. Ryan offered his advice to students, encouraging them to discover the gifts God has given them and use them well, help others carry their crosses, and to be themselves. The homily received a round of applause from students.

Also concelebrating with Bishop Tobin and Fr. Ryan were 10 priests serving in the Diocese of Providence, including Father Joseph Craddock, pastor of Holy Family Parish; Father Eric Silva from St. Luke’s Parish; Father Steven Battey from Our Lady of Mount Carmel; Father Phillip Dufour from St. Philip’s Parish: Father John Codega from Saint Brendan Parish; Father John Soares, from Saint Thomas and Holy Cross Parishes; Monsignor Jay Darcy from St. Margaret Parish; Father Jorge Rocha from Saint Francis Xavier Parish; Father Brian Morris Director of Vocations and Chaplain at Bishop Hendricken High School; and Father David Thurber from St. Teresa Parish. Many of them serve in our students’ home parishes and all highly supportive of Catholic education.

At the end of Mass, Bishop Tobin thanked for being a valued member of the Saints community and was presented with a gift of Saints outerwear.