Rev. David Gaffney
I am the youngest of five sons of (the late) Charles and (the late) Josephine Gaffney. My older brothers are Chuck, Paul, Michael and Kevin. I grew up in Centerdale (No. Providence) and my home parish was St. Lawrence (which, sadly, is now closed). I went to St. Lawrence School until it closed and then continued elementary school at Lymansville (now Ricci) Elementary. I graduated from La Salle Academy in 1977. From there I went to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA where I majored in History. I joined the De La Salle Christian Brothers after graduation and was a member of that religious order for approximately eighteen
years. I taught at La Salle Academy, St. Raphael Academy, Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School (Brooklyn) and La Salle Military Academy (Long Island). I taught religious studies and history. I also served as a campus minister and a guidance counselor.
I had a ‘call within a call’ and entered Pope John XXIII National Seminary in 1997 for my preparation for ordination to the priesthood. In 2000 I was ordained by Bishop Mulvee in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. My priestly assignments have included: Assistant Pastor at St.Luke’s, Barrington; Assistant Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Bristol and Chaplain at Roger Williams University; Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Providence; Director of Spiritual Formation at Our Lady of Providence Seminary and Chaplain at Bishop Hendricken High School; Spiritual Director at the Pontifical North American College, Rome; Rector, Our Lady of Providence Seminary; Administrator Pro Tem, St. Timothy and St. Rita, Warwick. During these years I was able to do some graduate study—associated with the kind of ministry I was engaged in. M.A. in Counseling from Rhode Island College; M.A. in Religious Studies from Providence College; M.A. in Biblical Studies from Providence College; M.Div. from Pope John XXIII National Seminary; M.A. in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University (NE).
In addition to my four brothers I have 12 nieces and nephews and 23 great nieces and nephews. I enjoy reading, museums, movies, traveling (pre-Covid period!) and spending time with family and friends.
On June 24th I celebrated my 20th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood.