SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Bishop Thomas J. Tobin along with 15 visiting priests and The Prout School’s own chaplain, Father Joseph Upton, celebrated a mass at the school Wednesday to mark the installation of David Carradini as principal.
The mass was attended by the largest number of priests to serve with the bishop in the school’s history. The school’s 600 students were also in attendance along with Prout’s faculty and staff, guests from other catholic schools and local community and government leaders.
During his homily, Bishop Tobin spoke of the importance of faith, especially given that 2012-2013 is being celebrated as the “Year of Faith” in the Catholic Church.
“It is more important now than ever that we renew our faith,” Bishop Tobin said. “Your faith is a door that changes your life and gives you a permanent set of moral values in a rapidly changing world.”
The bishop then compared one’s faith to the North Star, a harbor during a storm and a key that would open the gates of eternal life.
“It is time for you to grow in holiness and faith,” the bishop said at the conclusion of his homily.
After his homily, the bishop introduced Principal Carradini who made his profession of faith.
“I promise to carry out my duties as principal, holding on to my faith in Jesus Christ, to care for, support and guide The Prout School while fostering excellence in all things spiritual and temporal, so help me God,” Carradini said in his profession.
The bishop then blessed the principal and two students presented him with the image of Mother Mary Joseph Prout, whom the school was named after. Mother Mary Joseph Prout founded the Sisters of the Cross and Passion, a religious order, which founded The Prout School in 1966.
Prout students sang in the chorus and played in the bell choir, led by Linda Price, 9th grade guidance counselor at Prout.
At the conclusion of the mass, all agreed it was a lovely celebration.
Ella Whaley, president of the South Kingstown Town Council, was in attendance and called the mass “beautiful.”
Louise Pearson, long-time assistant principal of Prout, Patricia Murphy, Prout’s former dean of students and now principal of Monsignor Clarke, Daniel Ferris, superintendent of Catholic Schools of Rhode Island and David Marion, education coordinator of Catholic Schools of Rhode Island were also in attendance.
Following the mass, Bishop Tobin blessed and dedicated a new fitness room at the school, which was a gift of the family of a Prout senior.