Growing up I wasn't really into church but this church had what it took to change my mind! A…read morewonderful Bible based church lead by Pastor Erick Estrada, who is very knowledgeable in all subjects of the Bible (even the touchy ones). His wife, Sabrina, is a member of the choir and they have a very lovely family (one of their son's is like the church greater-@ 6 years old he knows every member's name by heart and makes sure to great them all as soon as they walk in!) The service opens up with music that is very upbeat and energetic but they also have some beautiful worship music. They also make sure to encourage everyone to participate in "working for the kingdom". They have people greeting you at the door and helping you find a seat if you are new. They have people outside watching the cars (as you usually have to park on the street b/c the parking lot is small) but it gives a lot of piece of mind to have someone making sure your car is ok through out the service. They have different age levels for children's classes (2-8; 9-12; teen/young adult) and while the main service is held in Spanish, as are the younger children's classes-the youth group is English speaking to make the teens feel more comfortable. The Youth Group (called Teens of Life-as the church name translates to Christian Church of Life) is lead by Sabrina, the pastor's wife and she makes sure the teens are not only learning about the Lord but enjoying themselves while they do it. She takes them to Bible based movies and to Christian concerts (including Soul Fest in August). The most important thing about this church is not how nice it is or how nice the people are-but that the Holy Spirit really pours down and is truly felt! If you are looking for a nice Spanish speaking Bible based church I would definitely recommend visiting Iglesia Cristiana Vida!

Yesterday, I visited Saint Anne's for the first time in my life after hearing many comments over…read morethe years about its beauty and importance, especially for the immigrant French-Canadians of the past. I came to visit Saint Anne's at this time because I knew the Church had been closed since November of 2018 because of falling debris from the deteriorating ceiling and the danger this presented to parishioners and others. When we arrived on Wednesday afternoon, July 31, 2019, the Church doors were all shuttered. We were about to abandon hope of a visit when a kind Sister of Saint Dorothy led us to one ground floor door that was open and allowed us to enter the shrine area in the crypt of the Church. There we met a woman who serves as a volunteer and a genial elderly parishioner who agreed to show us around the shrine. He spoke with poignant regret about the gradual decline of the parish and the Church building itself. In an earlier day, the Church was staffed by Dominican Friars from Canada. There was Saint Anne's Hospital across the way, staffed by Dominican nuns, an elementary school and a high school called Dominican academy. This solid city block of fortress-like faith expressed in granite, marble, stained-glass must have seemed eternal. Yet the late decades of the 20th century brought waves of descendants of immigrants to new levels of prosperity. These more prosperous children and grandchildren of immigrants moved up and out of the working-class neighborhood to the suburbs and to other parts of the country. The religious observances as he described them were grand, faith-filled affairs celebrated in a church filled beyond capacity to overflowing. We really hoped to visit the upper Church but that was not allowed and there was no one around who could open the way for us. Suddenly, Richie Costa appeared brandishing a full ring of keys. He was clearly delighted to fulfill our wish and to show off his beloved Church. The last wedding celebrated in Saint Anne's was his. With pride, he presented the expansive interior of the Church that immediately captures one's attention and compels the gaze heavenward. There the marble columns are topped on the clerestory level by saints, popes, and apostles on both sides of the nave. The stained-glass windows burnish the sunlight of late afternoon with a rich medley of color. I could go on and on about the majestic beauty of the nave, the marble sanctuary, the frescoes peeling off the high walls. But there is a sadness about a once-powerful testimony of faith in stone and glass now in danger of collapsing into rubble. Has faith disappeared from our families and neighborhoods? Is this why abortions, suicides, and opioid addiction abound while marriage and family life are on the decline. this seems too much like today's Gospel in which the Lord can work no mighty deeds in our midst because of the lack of faith? I hope not. I hope somehow new waves of faith-filled immigrants might arrive and fall in love with Saint Anne's beauty, restore its former glory and fill its nave with sweet hymns of glory to God. I pray for that. The beauty of the faith attracts us because it hints at the beauty of God Himself. Saint Anne, grandmother of the Savior, pray for us!

A wonderful sanctuary in the heart of Fall River. The shrine is in the basement and features…read moreseveral chapels and a lovely one dedicated to St. Anne. If you look to the right of her statue, you can see the collection of crutches that belong to people who have been healed through the intercession of Good Anne. In front of the statue is a stone from her home in Jerusalem. For more information and the Mass schedule, refer to the website....http://www.stanneshrine.com/

Towards the end of our last day in Newport, we just had to stop by the Touro Synagogue. It was at…read morethe end of the day, so unfortunately, we weren't able to see the interior of the building. The Touro Synagogue was built in 1763 and is the only surviving synagogue in the U.S. dating back to the colonial era, and thus, the oldest synagogue still standing in the U.S. and North America. In 1946, it was declared a National Historic Site. In 1790, President George Washington wrote in his now famous letter to the "Hebrew congregation at Newport" that "our new nation would give to bigotry no sanction and to persecution no assistance." While Touro Synagogue is a fully functional synagogue, apparently, they hold a special service each year to re-read President Washington's meaningful letter in its entirety. Touro Synagogue is a beautiful building with significant historical value.

Oldest synagogue in the United States. Still an active place of worship but you can sign up for…read moretours once or twice a week. Neither of us is Jewish, but My husband lived in Jerusalem so he's more interested in the details than I was. I enjoyed the discussion of the 500 year old Torah, the 18th century chandeliers etc but there was a LOT of time put into the names who established the congregation. It was confusing trying to keep track and didn't really seem to add much. It was a lot of talking while we all just sat (it's small, not much to walk around), and I almost fell asleep. But the building is significant and I'm glad we went. We then walked up the hill to see the walled cemetery.

BEST CHURCH EVER!!! you can feel the love and acceptance all around. the pastors are amazing and…read morethere such a great community. A must go for any Christian in the area.

Anglo-Catholic Episcopal parish on the Brown University campus. Warm, open, and eclectic…read morecongregation, gorgeous music, beautiful liturgy, and sound preaching and teaching. It's been at this location for 150 years this year. As far as I know, this is also the only Episcopal church in Rhode Island that has Mass all through the week, not just on Sundays.

I love the annual Portuguese feast that they hold every August for a weekend! Great food at cheap…read moreprices. Last year I tried the bifana sandwich, this year I had the grilled sardinhas, chouriço, and fries! All was delicious- I'm going back next year for the whole chicken and some malassadas (basically Portuguese doughboy)-yum! Last year was definitely bigger with a whole carnival next to the feast but this year was still fun- look at those prices! Can't wait till next year!

Christ the Rock church is a wonderful Church of all believers in Christ…read more My husband and I was was married there 14yrs ago and was baptized and ever since we have been serving the church and community, we are a family who welcomes everyone.. we have a wonderful worship team, kids and adult Bible study, men's and women's ministry. We baptize adults, youth group, Food pantry.. so much more. Come check us out 414 Rock Street Fall River, Mass Sunday service 9am, Portuguese svc 11am

A beautiful church that is meant for traditionalist's. Mass is in Latin, and women are required to…read morewear head scarves.

The best Masses in the diocese. End of story. Possibly any of the neighboring dioceses, too!read more