Auxiliary Bishop Installs New Pastor for Johnston Parish

(JOHNSTON, R.I.) - The Most Rev. Robert C. Evans, Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, on Sunday July 14 at the 10:30 a.m. Mass presided at the Pastor Installation Mass of Rev. Peter J. Gower for Our Lady of Grace Church.

Father Gower, a native of Barrington, attended St. Luke’s School and Our Lady of Providence Seminary High School in Providence.  He studied for the priesthood at Wadham’s Hall Seminary College, New York where he received a bachelor degree in philosophy, then earned a master of divinity degree at St. John’s Seminary in Massachusetts.

He was ordained by Bishop Louis E. Gelineau in 1984 in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence and was then assigned as assistant pastor of St. Aidan, Cumberland. Eight years later he was assigned to St. Ann in Providence.  In 1995, Father Gower was assigned as assistant pastor and later as administrator of St. Raymond’s Parish in Providence. He most recently served as pastor of St. Mary of the Bay, Warren, for 12 years.

Our Lady of Grace was established by Bishop Matthew Harkins in 1913 to serve the local area of Johnston.  Today, more than 1,400 families worship in this faith community.