St. Philip

Parish History

Saint Philip Parish was founded in 1855 by Reverend Philip Gillick, sent by Bishop Bernard O'Reilly of Hartford to minister to about 200 Catholics in the mill village of Greenville. The first Catholic church in Smithfield was dedicated on September 19, 1858 by Bishop Francis P. McFarland, and those original buildings still stand on Smith Avenue. After the Catholic population shifted toward Georgiaville in the 1870s, the parish became a mission of Saint Michael's for 67 years, with priests traveling five miles by horse and carriage to celebrate one Sunday Mass. It was re-erected to parish status on September 17, 1942 with Reverend Charles J. O'Neill as the first resident pastor, served by a basement church from 1952, and the present edifice was dedicated on September 10, 1989 by Bishop Kenneth A. Angell after a $1.2 million capital campaign. The 150th anniversary was marked with a dinner-dance at Kirkbrae Country Club in August 2002.

• Founded 1855 by Rev. Philip Gillick
• First church in Smithfield dedicated Sept. 19, 1858 by Bishop McFarland
• Mission of Saint Michael's, Georgiaville from 1875 to 1942
• Re-erected to parish status Sept. 17, 1942 (Rev. Charles J. O'Neill, first resident pastor)
• Basement church dedicated July 20, 1952 by Bishop Russell J. McVinney
• Present church dedicated Sept. 10, 1989 by Bishop Kenneth A. Angell
• 150th anniversary celebrated August 2002 at Kirkbrae Country Club

Vision & Mission

St. Philip's vision, drawn from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is to be a Spirit-filled Catholic community where all people encounter the life-transforming love of Jesus Christ through His Real Presence in the Eucharist and one another. The parish uses the language of being 'Fully Engaged, Joyful Disciples,' framing parish life around the Eucharist, formation, and active discipleship.

Clergy & Staff

The parish is led by Father Michael J. Najim, who also serves as Vicar for Priests for the Diocese of Providence, and was ordained in 2001. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Father Patrick Ryan, with Father Gerald Beirne serving as Pastor Emeritus. Deacon Joseph Day serves as a Permanent Deacon. The lay team includes Veronica Plante (Director of Discipleship & Evangelization), Meghan Martelli (Communications Coordinator), Mrs. Mary-Regina Bennett (Office Manager), Mrs. Rebecca Kennicott (Discipleship & Evangelization Programs Coordinator), and Victoria Allienello (Coordinator of Youth Ministry).

• Rev. Michael J. Najim — Pastor (also Vicar for Priests, Diocese of Providence)
• Rev. Patrick Ryan — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
• Rev. Gerald Beirne — Pastor Emeritus
• Deacon Joseph Day — Permanent Deacon
• Mrs. Veronica Plante — Director of Discipleship & Evangelization (401-949-0330, [email protected])
• Mrs. Mary-Regina Bennett — Office Manager (401-949-1500, [email protected])
• Meghan Martelli — Communications Coordinator
• Mrs. Rebecca Kennicott — Discipleship & Evangelization Programs Coordinator
• Victoria Allienello — Coordinator of Youth Ministry ([email protected])
• Ken Camara — Music Director ([email protected])
• Mr. Keith Kline — Principal, St. Philip School
• Mrs. Brandy Narducci — Vice-Principal, St. Philip School
• Parish Manager — 401-949-9871

Parish Outreach & Charity

Saint Philip sponsors a network of ministries that respond to the spiritual and physical needs of neighbors in Smithfield, Glocester, and beyond. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul runs a food pantry open Wednesdays 1:00–3:00 PM and Saturdays 9:00–10:30 AM (401-949-2949). God's Little Acre, located behind St. Philip School, is a community garden whose harvest is distributed through the parish's SVdP and the R.I. Community Food Bank. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and the parish priests bring monthly Mass and Communion to residents of Stillwater Nursing Home, Hebert Nursing Home, the Village at Waterman Lake, and Greenville Skilled Nursing. The Knights of Columbus (Council 11087) and the Men's Club support parish life through fraternity and service projects such as the annual blood drive.

• St. Vincent de Paul food pantry: Wed 1–3 PM, Sat 9–10:30 AM (401-949-2949)
• God's Little Acre community garden (behind St. Philip School)
• Monthly Mass and Communion at four local nursing homes
• Knights of Columbus Council 11087 (2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 7:30 PM, Mercy Hall)
• Men's Club (hosts the parish blood drive)

Faith Formation & Religious Education

The parish's Office of Religious Education is located at 618 Putnam Pike (in the McNamara building, second floor, across from the church's side entrance) and serves parish children in K–8, as well as youth ministry and adult faith formation. Veronica Plante serves as Director of Discipleship & Evangelization (401-949-0330, [email protected]). The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) is open to anyone 18 or older seeking to enter the Catholic Church or to Catholics who have never been confirmed or received First Communion; it culminates each year at the Easter Vigil with the reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. The parish also runs one of the larger SPRED (SPecial REligious Development) programs in the diocese, with four communities meeting on Monday through Thursday evenings for friends with developmental disabilities ages 6–10, 11–16, and 22+.

• Religious Education Office: 618 Putnam Pike, 401-949-0330
• Director: Veronica Plante
• Youth Ministry Coordinator: Victoria Allienello
• OCIA (RCIA) for adults 18+
• SPRED program — four communities for friends with developmental disabilities

Saint Philip School

Saint Philip School is a Roman Catholic elementary school of the Diocese of Providence serving Pre-K3 through Grade 8 at 618 Putnam Pike (phone 401-949-1130). Its mission is to 'live and proclaim the Gospel as a Roman Catholic family where we educate the whole person in body, mind, and spirit,' empowering students to grow deeper in faith, strive for academic excellence, and use their God-given gifts to help others. The school aims to develop students' spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical, social, and aesthetic potential; prepare them for high school; instill a sense of responsibility; develop creative and critical thinking; and foster habits of effective service to parish, school, community, nation, and world. The school is supported by the Cardinals Club, a parent organization commissioned to further Catholic values through the holistic development of children and families, and is governed in part by a School Advisory Board acting as a consultative body to the pastor and principal.

• Roman Catholic elementary school, Diocese of Providence
• Grades served: Pre-K3 through Grade 8
• Phone: 401-949-1130
• Principal: Mr. Keith Kline ([email protected])
• Vice-Principal: Mrs. Brandy Narducci ([email protected])
• Cardinals Club parent support group
• Saint Philip School Board (consultative to pastor and principal)

Prayer & Devotions

Beyond the regular Mass and confession schedule, St. Philip sustains a rich devotional life. Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is offered in Our Lady's Chapel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ([email protected]). The Rosary with Pro-Life Meditations is prayed after the 8:00 AM Mass on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday (except the First Saturday of the month). Marian Cenacles of Prayer meet weekly in the Cry Room, praying the Rosary and discussing messages from Fr. Stefano Gobbi; they gather Thursday mornings after 8:00 AM Mass to pray for priests, and on the First Saturday after 8:00 AM Mass to pray for youth. The Prayer Line offers confidential prayer requests from parishioners in crisis or ongoing need.

• Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in Our Lady's Chapel (24/7)
• Rosary with Pro-Life Meditations after 8:00 AM Mass (M, W, F, Sa)
• Marian Cenacles of Prayer (weekly in the Cry Room)
• Marian Cenacles for priests (Thu after 8:00 AM Mass)
• Marian Cenacles for youth (First Sat after 8:00 AM Mass)
• Confidential Prayer Line

Sacraments

The parish prepares parishioners for the seven sacraments through its clergy, faith formation programs, and dedicated lay ministries. Baptisms are accompanied by the Visitation Ministry, whose members meet parents at home or in the church to equip them to raise their child in the faith. First Eucharist and Confirmation are prepared through the Religious Education Office. Confession is heard multiple times each week. Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum are brought to the homebound and to residents of four local nursing homes by Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Marriages are arranged through the parish office, and Funeral Planning assistance is available.

• Baptism (with Visitation Ministry follow-up)
• Reconciliation (Sat 8:30–9:00 AM, 3:00–3:45 PM; First Fri 6:00–7:00 PM)
• First Eucharist & Confirmation preparation
• Marriage (contact parish office)
• Anointing of the Sick & Communion to the sick and homebound
• Funeral Planning assistance

Visiting & Contact

New parishioners are invited to register through the parish website (a JotForm link is available on the homepage). The Rectory is open Monday–Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with general inquiries handled at 401-949-1500 or [email protected]. The Religious Education Office is at 618 Putnam Pike (401-949-0330), and Saint Philip School is at the same address (401-949-1130). The parish can be followed on Instagram at @stphilipchurch.ri, and a weekly bulletin is published online.

• Parish Office / Rectory: 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI 02828 — 401-949-1500 — [email protected]
• Rectory Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
• Religious Education: 618 Putnam Pike — 401-949-0330
• School: 618 Putnam Pike — 401-949-1130
• Parish Manager: 401-949-9871
• Fax: 401-949-3504
• Online parish registration via JotForm on saintphilip.com
• Weekly bulletin available at saintphilip.com/bulletin
• Instagram: instagram.com/stphilipchurch.ri