About Our Lady of Loreto · East Providence, Rhode Island
Our Lady of Loreto is a Roman Catholic parish in East Providence, Rhode Island, belonging to the Diocese of Providence. Founded in 1920 to serve the Italian immigrant community of the city, the parish today is a bilingual (English and Portuguese/Brazilian) worshiping community serving residents of East Providence and the surrounding Blackstone Valley. The current church at 346 Waterman Avenue was dedicated in 1968 and the parish is currently pastored by Rev. Julian Bernad, SdC, a member of the Scalabrini Fathers, the missionary congregation that has long been linked to Our Lady of Loreto. The parish family welcomes newcomers, offers the sacraments and religious education, and is known for its strong social outreach and respect-life ministry.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- Our Lady of Loreto (the Holy House of Loreto)
- Rector
- Rev. Julian Bernad, SdC
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
Our Lady of Loreto offers a warm, family-sized parish where newcomers are welcomed personally by name at Mass or at the rectory. With a weekend schedule in both English and Portuguese/Brazilian, plus a 7:00 AM weekday Mass with rosary and Divine Mercy chaplet, the parish is accessible across the week. Its ministries — faith formation for First Communion and Confirmation, RCIA for adults, a long-standing Social Outreach/Respect Life Committee, and devotional groups honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Fatima — give parishioners of any age or language a concrete way to live their faith.
Mass times at Our Lady of Loreto
Weekly Mass schedule
Adoration times
- Day of prayer and adoration (sponsored by the Social Outreach/Respect Life Committee; date varies — contact parish office)
About Our Lady of Loreto Parish
Our Lady of Loreto is a bilingual (English and Portuguese/Brazilian) Roman Catholic parish in East Providence, Rhode Island, part of the Diocese of Providence. The parish describes itself as a 'vibrant and faith-filled parish family' that warmly welcomes newcomers and asks visitors to introduce themselves after Mass or visit the rectory. The parish website invites worshipers to support the community 'by your prayers, your presence and your talents,' and points newcomers to the About, Sacraments, Mass Times, Ministries and Bulletin pages for more information.
- Welcoming parish family in East Providence, RI
- Diocese of Providence parish
- Bilingual (English / Portuguese-Brazilian) worship
- Invites newcomers to introduce themselves after Mass or at the Rectory
History of the Parish
Founded in 1920 to serve Italian immigrants in East Providence, Our Lady of Loreto grew alongside the city's Italian-American Catholic community. A 1931 photograph of the Church of Our Lady of Loreto is preserved in the Rhode Island State Archives. The current church building at 346 Waterman Avenue was constructed and dedicated in 1968. Over time the parish's immigrant identity has shifted from Italian to Portuguese/Brazilian, and the Scalabrini Fathers (Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo, SdC) — a congregation founded to minister to migrants — have served as pastors, a natural continuation of the parish's founding mission.
- Founded 1920 for Italian immigrants
- 1931 photo preserved by Rhode Island State Archives
- Current church dedicated 1968 at 346 Waterman Ave
- Scalabrini Fathers (SdC) pastoral connection
Our Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Rev. Julian Bernad, SdC, a member of the Scalabrini Fathers (Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo). The staff page also lists Douglas E. Green as Director of Religious Education and Bereavement Group coordinator, Tina Braga and Lisa M. Spagnole in parish office/secretarial roles, and John Pita in Maintenance and Housekeeping. Parishioners are encouraged to contact the parish office at 401-434-3535 or by email for assistance.
- Rev. Julian Bernad, SdC — Pastor
- Douglas E. Green — Director of Religious Education; Bereavement Group
- Tina Braga — Secretary, Parish Office
- Lisa M. Spagnole — Secretary, Parish Office
- John Pita — Maintenance / Housekeeping
Sacraments
Our Lady of Loreto prepares parishioners for all seven Catholic sacraments, with a strong emphasis on catechesis and family preparation. The parish asks families to contact the rectory well in advance for Baptism and Matrimony, and offers the Anointing of the Sick and homebound Communion visits for those who are ill or in the hospital. Adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church or complete their sacraments are invited into the RCIA process.
- Baptism — call rectory 3 months before birth
- Reconciliation — first Penance prior to First Communion
- Eucharist (First Communion) — typically Grade 2, 2 years of Religious Education
- Confirmation — typically Grade 9, Religious Education Grades 1–9
- Matrimony — prep classes required; contact Fr. Bernad one year prior
- Anointing of the Sick — call parish office in emergencies
- Holy Orders — call pastor or Diocesan Vocations Office (401-331-1316)
- RCIA for unbaptized and baptized adults
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious Education at Our Lady of Loreto is directed by Douglas E. Green and supports the parish's sacramental preparation programs. Children typically receive First Communion in Grade 2 (after two years of formation) and Confirmation in Grade 9 (with continuous formation from Grades 1 through 9). First Reconciliation is celebrated prior to First Communion as part of this preparation. Adults who have not yet received their sacraments are welcomed into the parish RCIA process.
- Director of Religious Education: Douglas E. Green
- Two-year catechesis prior to First Penance and First Communion
- Grades 1–9 Religious Education for Confirmation
- RCIA for adults preparing for Baptism, Communion or Confirmation
Social Outreach and Respect Life Committee
Formally established on November 29, 1994, the Social Outreach and Respect Life Committee combines social-justice and pro-life work in a single parish ministry. The committee runs a weekly food collection, hosts a baby shower, serves the homebound and residents of a local nursing care/assisted living facility through the 'friendly visitor program,' and brings Holy Eucharist to the homebound each Sunday. Its 'Love thy Neighbor' program assists parishioners and neighbors with food, prescriptions, utilities, and rent. The committee also hosts two annual fundraisers — a macaroni dinner and a buffet breakfast — and sponsors devotional activities including the Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, the 33 Days of Consecration, and a day of prayer and adoration.
- Established November 29, 1994
- Weekly food collection
- 'Love thy Neighbor' assistance (food, prescriptions, utilities, rent)
- Friendly visitor program at local nursing/assisted-living facility
- Homebound Holy Communion visits every Sunday
- Annual macaroni dinner and buffet breakfast fundraisers
- Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Fatima devotions
- 33 Days of Consecration retreat
- Day of prayer and adoration
Devotions and Prayer Life
Devotional life at Our Lady of Loreto centers on Marian piety and traditional Catholic prayers. Weekday Masses are preceded by the Rosary (Monday–Wednesday) and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy (Friday). Marian devotions include the Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, both sponsored by the Social Outreach/Respect Life Committee. A 33 Days of Consecration retreat and an annual day of prayer and adoration round out the parish's prayer offerings.
- Daily Rosary (Mon–Wed at 6:40 AM)
- Chaplet of the Divine Mercy (Fri at 6:45 AM)
- Our Lady of Guadalupe devotion
- Our Lady of Fatima devotion
- 33 Days of Consecration
- Annual day of prayer and adoration
Parish Life and Events
Our Lady of Loreto hosts several recurring events that bring parishioners together. The annual Parish Breakfast (e.g. May 19 in a recent year) is a popular gathering in the parish hall, and the December Feast with the Bishop marks the parish's patronal feast of Our Lady of Loreto (December 10). The parish bulletin also advertises the annual Catholic Charity Appeal. Limited tickets to social events are sometimes available at the door, but advance purchase is encouraged.
- Annual Parish Breakfast
- Annual Feast with the Bishop (December)
- Catholic Charity Appeal participation
- Macaroni dinner and buffet breakfast fundraisers
Contact and Visiting
The parish office is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with voicemail available outside hours. Telephone: 401-434-3535. Email: Loreto5ymail.com. The parish is on Facebook at facebook.com/ourladyofloretoepri. New parishioners are warmly invited to introduce themselves to Fr. Bernad or the staff after Mass or at the rectory.
- Office hours: Mon/Tue/Fri 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Phone: 401-434-3535
- Email: Loreto5ymail.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/ourladyofloretoepri
- Address: 346 Waterman Ave, East Providence, RI 02914
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Stanley T. Nakowicz
Listed as Pastor in older third-party parish directories; predecessor to the current pastor.
- Rev. Julian Bernad, SdC
Current pastor (as published on the parish website staff page); a member of the Scalabrini Fathers.