Sep 3, 2010 / 09:54 am
Despite Hurricane Earl’s projected path, which could see the Category 3 storm lashing some parts of the Rhode Island coast with tropical storm force winds by late Friday, Fr. Joseph Protano Jr. is undeterred in his mission as the pastor of the only Catholic Church on Block Island.
“We’re going to stay here, and whatever comes, comes. We can’t abandon the island, that’s for sure,” says Fr. Protano, pastor of St. Andrew Church, from his perch in the church’s rectory, which is located high above the harbor about two blocks away.
The parish’s Saturday night and Sunday Masses are still scheduled for this weekend, as is the Saturday afternoon wedding of a couple from the mainland that Fr. Protano will officiate.
“They called me today to say, ‘We’re here!’” Fr. Protano said of the arrival of the bride and groom.