2021 -- S 0335

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LC002034

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF REVEREND FATHER FRANCIS

GIUDICE, PASTOR EMERITUS OF SS. PETER AND PAUL CATHEDRAL, PROVIDENCE

     Introduced By: Senators Algiere, and Bell

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2021

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, Reverend Francis Giudice passed away on February 5, 2021. Son of the late

Gennaro and Rose Giudice, Father Giudice graduated from Westerly High School where he was

President of his class. He enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to Korea where he

served our nation for two years with honor and distinction; and

     WHEREAS, Upon returning from military service, Father Giudice studied at Our Lady of

Providence Seminary in Warwick, St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, and the American College

in Belgium in preparation for the priesthood. On July 1, 1956, he was ordained into the

priesthood in Louvain, Belgium, by Bishop McVinney; and

     WHEREAS, After a summer assignment in Misquamicut, Father Giudice was assigned to

serve as an Assistant Pastor at St. Jude Parish in Lincoln and as a part-time faculty member at

LaSalle Academy in Providence. The following year, he became a part-time Chaplain at Our

Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence. From 1959 to 1961, Father Giudice attended post-

graduate studies in hospital administration at St. Louis University; and

     WHEREAS, In 1961, Father Giudice became a Chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital and

Assistant Secretary for Catholic Hospitals in the Diocese of Providence, and in 1962, he became

the Assistant Pastor at Holy Angels Parish in Barrington, where he played a vital role in assisting

the pastor and parish community in the construction of a new church building. Between 1967 and

1982, he served as the Assistant Pastor at Assumption Parish in Providence, and, at the same

time, was appointed Vicar for Community Affairs. He played a key role in helping to establish

community health centers in Providence. In 1982, Father Giudice became the rector of SS. Peter

and Paul Cathedral in Providence, where he served until his retirement as Pastor Emeritus in July

of 2004; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout his entire distinguished career as a priest and servant of God,

Father Giudice was a life-long advocate for the poor and those living on the margins of society

across the globe. He championed poverty relief in Haiti after visiting the Island in 1981, and

played an instrumental role in the creation of the Providence-Haiti Outreach project and the

construction of a school and athletic complex that continues to serve and feed hundreds of young

people; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his parish duties, Father Giudice also served as the Dean of

Providence Deanery #1, and Deanery Vicar of Providence South Region #7. In the Diocese of

Providence, he was a member of the Priests' Senate, the Human Relations Commission, and the

Permanent Diaconate Board. He was the Diocesan Moderator for the St. Vincent de Paul Society,

and a member of the United States Catholic Committee on social development and world peace.

In 1992, he completed sabbatical studies at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University

in Chicago; and

     WHEREAS, Father Giudice is survived by his brother, John Giudice, a large extended

family of Giudice, Iacoi, and Aldrich nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and

many others who loved him as their family Priest and admired his kindness, compassion, and

gentle nature; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest

condolences on the passing of Reverend Father Francis Giudice, Pastor Emeritus of SS, Peter and

Paul; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. John Giudice.

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LC002034

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