Dear Parishioners:
Then Bishop William Hickey ordains Robert C. Evans a priest on July 2, 1973 in St. Peter’s Basilica.
We celebrate with Bishop Evans this weekend as he marks his Golden Jubilee of Priestly Ordination. He is celebrating a Mass of Thanksgiving at 10:30 am, and Bishop Matano of Rochester is preaching the homily. A reception follows the Mass in Mercy Park. Bishop Evans was born September 2, 1947, in Moultrie, Georgia, the son of the late Ivey Evans and Lolita Baldisseri.
He was ordained to the priesthood on July 2, 1973, in St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, by then-Bishop James A. Hickey. He grew up on Federal Hill and worshiped at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Bishop attended Providence public schools, graduated from the Our Lady of Providence Seminary High School, and received a B.A. in Philosophy from Our Lady of Providence College Seminary. He studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, earning degrees from the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
After his ordination as a priest, Bishop Evans served in several parishes, including St. Pius X Parish in Westerly, Holy Angels Church in Barrington, St. Lawrence Parish in North Providence, and St. Mark's Parish Cranston. He also served as chaplain at Roger Williams College and assistant chaplain at Rhode Island Hospital and Roger Williams Hospital.
St. Pope John Paul II greets a then Father Robert C. Evans.
Bishop Evans was appointed Priest Secretary to Bishop Gelineau in 1983 and, in 1987, assigned to advanced studies in Canon Law in Rome. In 1989, he was awarded a licentiate in canon law from the Gregorian University. Upon returning from studies, he served as vice-chancellor with residence at St. Margaret's Parish, Rumford. In June 1991, the Bishop was appointed pastor of St. Anthony's Parish in Woonsocket, Chancellor of the Diocese, and director of the Office of Priests' Personnel. In the 1990s, he was a resident at St. Joan of Arc Parish, Cumberland, and later at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, East Greenwich.
In 2001, Bishop served as the Institute for Continuing Theological Education director and faculty member at the North American College in Rome. He then served as Secretary at the Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy) in Washington, DC. Following these assignments, he was appointed Pastor of St. Philip Church in Greenville and an adjunct faculty member of the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence.
Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Evans as titular Bishop of Aquae Regiae and Auxiliary Bishop of Providence on October 15, 2009. Two months later, on December 15, 2009, he was consecrated to the episcopacy by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin in the Cathedral of S.S. Peter and Paul, becoming the seventh auxiliary Bishop in the history of the Diocese of Providence.
Upon his 75th birthday this past September, Bishop Evans offered Pope Francis his resignation as Auxiliary Bishop of Providence. In November, his resignation was accepted. He resides in his home behind Our Lady Mercy Church in the joyful bliss of a well-deserved retirement. Of course, the Bishop readily continues to help out at OLM with Masses and Confessions and celebrates Confirmations and Masses across the Diocese. We offer our prayerful best wishes, deep gratitude, and congratulations to Bishop Evans on his fifty years of priesthood! Ad multos annos!
Next weekend, the Second Collection is the Mission Co-op for the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. Sister Barbara Dopierala, FMM, is speaking at all Masses about their mission work. There is no envelope for this collection, so please make checks payable to OLM with "Mission Co-op" in the memo line. Thank you for your financial support and prayers for the missions.
On the Fourth of July, we celebrate our nation's birth again. We rejoice in the freedom won by our forefathers who overthrew the despotic shackles of English tyranny in the War of Independence. This day gives us time to thank God for the birth of our nation and give thanks for the gift of life and liberty. We also ask God to preserve our nation in unity and rid our country of its evils.
I am away this coming week, celebrating the Fourth of July with my sister and her family in Saratoga, NY. Do good. Be well. God Bless. Go Sox!! Happy Independence Day! God Bless America!