Reverend Alfred V. Ricci, pastor of St. Gregory the Great Church at 360 Cowesett Road in Warwick, is very proud of the parish. He notes that many who come to his church find it a very welcoming experience. He says they enjoy the liturgy and feel the congregation is very hospitable to new people.

Father Ricci speaks from a good deal of experience and knowledge as a Catholic priest. As a teenager he was involved in church activities and realized that for him, the best way to serve and help people was by being a priest. He attended Catholic schools in Providence, then at Our Lady of Providence at Warwick Neck. He went on to St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester, N.Y. and received a master’s degree. In 1980 Father Ricci was ordained and has enriched St. Gregory’s Parish with his vast experience, which included serving as a chaplain at Brown University.

Now, as pastor of the beautiful church in Warwick’s Cowesett section for the last 11 years, he has seen the church grow to one of the largest in the area. He is very pleased with the diversity of experience and lifestyle of the parishioners who attend the church today. As Cowesett was one of the last areas of the city to be developed, Father Ricci noted that unlike the parishes in some of the older areas, these new residents that come from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds enrich the various ministries conducted by the church with much vigor and vitality.

As the church is large and growing, Ricci received help from Rev. David Ricard, a resident priest who is also the chaplain at Kent Hospital; by Rev. Doctor Paul Kirk; and by Eileen Kelly, the director of the religious education program. The growth and success of the parish was evident by the early 21st century when it became necessary to add 14 new classrooms and provide more space to make it possible for the congregation to conduct the vast number of activities undertaken. Father Ricci notes that there are over 40 ministries a lot of outreach to the community. Thanks to the generosity of the people at St. Gregory’s, other parishes receive help from the church. And during these difficult economic times the Cowesett parish is able to increase its aid to the indigent.

The church has programs and worship services for its parishioners of all ages.

As pastor of a relatively young congregation, Ricci has seen contemporary music introduced to blend with the more traditional forms. As he feels music has always been an integral part of church tradition and that worship includes all the senses, he is very happy to have two talented musicians on his staff. The large number of programs and activities includes the Holy Name and Rosary Altar Societies, CCD classes and other traditional Catholic groups, St. Gregory’s plays host to the R.I. Men of St. Joseph and sponsors a number of recreational activities. One of the most successful of the latter group is the baseball program, which attracts 350 kids during the summer months. Well known and looked forward to by so many is the large parish festival held on the church grounds every two years. This gala festival attracts people form various areas of the state and is one of the most successful activities of its type. Father Ricci calls this a “great event” as over 500 volunteers are involved.

Today, as in years gone by, St. Gregory’s Church provides the necessary spiritual help and religious education to its members and also brings families together to foster a greater sense of community and brotherhood.