“The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat unused in your closet belongs to the one who needs it; the shoes rotting in your closet belong to the one who has no shoes; the money which you hoard up belongs to the poor." - St. Basil the Great.
The Diocese of Providence’s Secretariat for Catholic Charities & Social Ministry develops, implements and supports ministries and services that reach thousands of Rhode Islanders each year. Rooted in the social teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, this secretariat focuses on the dignity of each human being, serving others, and dispensing charity while educating and advocating for justice. Through this office, support is provided to more than 140 parishes in the diocese by helping parishioners meet their basic and social service needs. In every service provided, this ministry aims to reflect the compassion of Jesus Christ through sensitivity to the ever-changing ethnic, cultural, and economic diversity of communities within the diocese.
The Secretariat for Catholic Charities & Social Ministry brings the message of Christ’s love to the people of Rhode Island in tangible ways. These offices provide resources to communities in the areas of family, the sanctity of life, immigration, emergency assistance and so much more. This secretariat seeks to meet the physical and spiritual needs of parishioners and neighbors, while addressing injustice and advocating for legislative change at the local and national levels.